The Halo Pack Effect

A Photographer’s Take on Riding Light in Pisgah

When you spend your days chasing light, moments, and motion, you learn quickly that what you carry matters. Too much gear slows you down. Too little, and you miss the shot. For photographer Mark Babcock, finding that balance on technical mountain bike rides in Pisgah Forest is part of the job.

This past summer, Mark joined the Weevil Outdoor crew for a three-day photo and video shoot deep in Pisgah. The goal was simple: capture real riding, real terrain, and real moments—the way the gear is actually used. What he didn’t expect was how one small piece of gear would completely change how he rode.

Riding Pisgah With a Camera Is No Joke

Anyone who’s ridden Pisgah knows it’s not exactly forgiving. Long climbs. Root-laced descents. Tight, technical singletrack. For the first two days of the shoot, Mark carried a full, heavy camera bag while riding trails like Daniel Ridge and Avery Creek.

“It worked,” Mark said. “But it was hard work.”

The camera bag did its job, but it came with tradeoffs—restricted movement, extra weight, and the constant awareness that something bulky was strapped to his body. On technical terrain, that kind of distraction matters.

A Camera-Free Ride… Almost

On day three, Mark wanted to ride light. No bulky camera bag. No overthinking the descent. Just a clean lap through the forest. But there was one problem—he still wanted to bring a real camera.

That’s when Josh handed him the Weevil Halo Hip Pack.

Mark slid his camera into the pack, cinched it down, and they rolled out for a quick lap up Thrift Cove—a 15-minute climb that gains elevation fast—before dropping into Lower Black.

At the top of Thrift Cove is a familiar spot Mark always takes a picture of the Black Mountain trail sign. As he rolled in, the instinct kicked in: I wish I had my camera with me.

Then it hit him.

He did.

Forgetting the Gear Is the Point

Somewhere during the climb, Mark had completely forgotten the camera was there. No bouncing. No pulling. No pressure points. Just smooth, balanced carry that moved with him—not against him.

“I was amazed that I climbed that whole trail with a fairly heavy camera attached to me and forgot it was even there.”

That’s the Halo Pack effect.

Designed for technical mountain biking, the Halo Hip Pack keeps weight low and stable, stays locked in on climbs, and disappears on the descents. It’s built to carry what you need—tools, water, snacks, or even a camera—without compromising how you ride.

More Than a Hip Pack

For Mark, the Halo Pack wasn’t just a solution for a shoot—it became a go-to piece of gear.

Whether you’re:

• Carrying camera gear for trail photography

• Packing tools and layers for long rides

• Riding technical terrain where balance matters

…the Halo Pack adapts. That versatility is exactly why it’s become one of Weevil Outdoor’s most trusted pieces of equipment.

Proven in Pisgah

Pisgah Forest doesn’t allow for shortcuts. Gear either works here—or it doesn’t. The Halo Hip Pack has earned its place the only way that matters: by being used, tested, and trusted on the trails themselves.

For Mark, it meant riding freely, capturing the moment, and never thinking about the gear once it was strapped on.

And that’s kind of the whole point.

Weevil Outdoor — Proven in Pisgah.

Mark Babcock is an outdoor photographer and creative based in Athens, GA. He spends most of his time chasing light, motion, and real moments on mountain bikes and forest trails. Mark works with brands like Weevil Outdoor to tell honest stories rooted in place—capturing gear the same way it’s used: in the dirt, on the climb, and deep in the woods.

Check out his company, Deeds Creative: https://www.deedscreative.com