The question of whether music belongs in the backcountry is answered out loud for wearers of the Skullcandy Link Hydro Pack (MSRP: $140).
The combination hydration system and backpack is designed to slash the silence of the great outdoors with amplified audio pumping through a pair of 60mm speakers embedded in the shoulder straps.
Unlike Skullcandy’s increasingly popular helmet systems where music remains a personal experience, the Link Hydro Pack broadcasts everything out loud, including phone calls for those who tap into the integrated hands-free Link technology system. The amped-up design may be better suited to motorcycles than mountain bikes, although it’s undoubtedly effective at keeping the bears away, and the half-gallon hydration pack could come in handy during extreme sing- alongs on the dusty trail.
Other features include a protective internal laptop computer pocket and soft-touch control panels built into the lower strap. Just don’t forget your AA batteries.
Get it: At and in select retail stores.
