adding water bottle holsters to frameless pack straps

I use these on all my frameless packs. I never thought of it as offset for weight in the rear. Rather, I just do it for the convenience of having the water right there at hand. It seems to work well for me. That said, I only use one shoulder bottle, and keep a spare (if any) in my side pocket.

I have a ULA Circuit and have always carried one empty water bottle in one of the holsters (used as my in camp mug). I would carry a camelback bladder in the outside pocket. On my last hike i started using the holsters to carry full water bottles (one 15oz and one 24oz water bottle) and left the camelback at home. I think having the water bottles in the holsters works well because it keeps the water weight closer to your center of gravity. Make sure you have a top and bottom holster strap for each bootle especially when they are full (they can flop around). Now i am thinking of getting two Aquafina type water bottles in the 1 liter range and modifying the top of one to accept a camelback type drinking hose and the un-modded bottle will still be my in camp mug.

Does anyone have pictures up close of these? I'm making my own pack and would like to see how these are made and attached to the shoulder straps. Thanks!

Mine are just a loop of shock cord (looped through whatever on the shoulder straps) with a cord lock holding both ends. Sorry I have no pic.

The ULA water bottle attachment system is easy but not permanent pack modification it just two shock cord loops with a cord lock on each loop attached to to the nylon daisy chain that run down each shoulder strap.
You can only use 24 fl. oz. bottles of your favorite water or energy drink as a reusable water bottles because their are grooved ridges on the side of the bottle the shock cord can hold on to when you pull tight and lock in place with the cord lock. You can also make them lighter weight version by just using smaller shock cord loops that just stretch out like rubber band around the bottle.

So 24 oz on each strap will not off set the pack weight it just a easy to grab water source. The only real way to offset pack weight like Aarn pack is to make large pockets that attach to each shoulder strap.
Terry

Terry – I would keep an open mind to the many different bottle designs out there that have different groove designs by which to hold a bottle with a holster – think soda, mouthwash, olive oil just to name a few.

I have a small carabiner with loop of cord on it with a cordlock. I have used it lots to carry bottles hanging from my waist on short day hikes. There is a lip under the cap of all bottles I think where it will catch. Simple to make, but walmart used to sell these by outdoor products for $2 or so. I was figuring attach one to shoulder harness, and use large rubber band around bottom of bottle and strap, and voila, can carry 2 1-liter bottles on the straps, which will pull down (hence forward) ~4.4 lbs when full. And takes wt off of pack and hips, so maybe can carry more food, etc in pack than otherwise.?

Lee,
My bad I should have said any grooved drink or other grooved bottle.
Terry