Has anyone here ever used the Camel Bak Hydration system backpack?

I know that it is used as an easy and constant source of drinking water. What I'd like to know about the backpack is if it also has other uses? Would there be space to store several other small (survival related) items.

Also, about how much water is carried in the reservoir? Is there about a full day's supply, or would you have to carry extra water to refill it within a day's time?

Thanks!

camelbak come with different bladders 70 oz 100 oz ect
depending on the model. I have the camelbak Mule Woodland Camo 540 cubes 100 oz bladder and the BFM OD Green 100 oz 2550 cubes. Military styles being more rugged than the outdoor styles such as the rimrunner.try camelbak.com for more details on the models you are looking for. 100 oz being about 3 qts they will both hold several survival items Hope this helps.

Leemann <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Camelbak has a number of models, some are to carry the bladder only, and some have varying degrees of capacity for other gear. There are lots of other companies making hydration systems now, and hydration-system-ready packs; you can assemble about any degree of capability you need.

I use a "Packteen" inside another bag for cycling, and I have a CamelBak H.A.W.G for hiking... the latter comes with a 100oz reservior, and will accomodate a second reservoir (for 6 quarts) plus gear. That's more water than I'd ever want to carry in it.

The convenience on the trail (or on bike) does make a huge difference. Since you no longer have to stop or pause to drink, the low-levels of thirst that we've all learned to ignore during exercise just go away, and both speed and enjoyment increase.

I agree with the posts before this one. And I would reccomend the Camelbak Maximum Gear series. THey are made of cordura and are better constructed. I have had a couple and the one I have now is the Maximum Gear MULE. It has 100 oz of water in its Omega resevoir, which has a large opening. It big enough to get your hand into, and makes filling it out of streams easier. It also has tow large pockets (I dont know the cube) that can be used for holding all kinds of stuff, to include a full MRE (if you take it out of the bag), my PSK and FAK, plus extra batteries, socks, and my pancho. I replaced my ALICE gear with it for the field.

I hope this helps, I love mine and I recommend to everyone.

Garrett

I've got a CamelBack HAWG (military version--it's larger & of a better design than the brightly colored civvy version). I like it a lot. As others have noted, it comes with a 100 oz (~3 liter) bladder, & has attachment points for another one. As an additional/optional purchase, you can get a 70 oz (~2 liter) bladder, or even a 52 oz (I dunno liters), for variable needs.

At the time I got mine, the HAWG was their largest pack (still a smallish daypack, though). It has now been surpassed by a couple of models. I've used it cycling & sightseeing, & right now, it's riding in my truck as an augment kit the the stuff I normally carry in there. It's a great pack!

I also have a Camelbak "Unbottle", which is just the hydration bladder & hose in an insulated nylon sleeve. It can be inserted into any pack, or by attaching straps to the D-rings, carried on your shoulders (I use the shoulder straps from give-away/promotional nylon briefcases I've accumulated over the years.) It's great when all you need is water (like mowing or working in the yard, etc.

Both reservoirs (that's a nicer word than bladder) are the Omega style, which is a wide-mouth, easy-fill design.
Camelbak is, IMO, the best on the market. They pretty much originated the concept, as best I can tell.

David

I'm actually in the process of buying a Camelbak right now. I'm currently looking at the H.A.W.G., the Motherlode, and the BLM. What I really want is a bookbag/backpack with lots of pockets, attach loops, and holds a water reservior....but I still need a large main compartment like a bookbag.

The BLM looks ideal but its not available in black, so I may have to settle for the Motherlode. I have been looking to see if Blackhawk has a similar bag (maybe the Force 5).

Any thoughts ?

I have the Camelbak Transformer.
100oz bladder, lots of space to carry, survival related items, food etc.

You may also want to look at the Blackhawk Hydrastorm series. Built tough and rugged. I have the Predator.

I have a CamelBak BlowFish, which I use for dayhikes, as well as my bug-out scenario primary bag. Here is what I carry in it and on person for day hikes:

http://www.roblester.com/rob/day_hiking_gear_checklist.htm

Hmm... that's the model I have (military, woodland camo with odd loops and tucks and slits for 2-way radios and such). I wasn't aware that it varied so much from the civilian model. I'll have to be careful with generalizations about it if that's the case.

I deliberately wanted a small pack, I have "day-and-a-half" packs and "3-day" packs, but was looking for something just for dayhikes. I might have gone for the MULE, but didn't like the lack of a single compartment.

P.S. I think Camelbak was the first manufacturer, but that book I keep mentioning, "Tunnel in the Sky" by Robert A. Heinlein, contains this:

"Rod put on his vest pack of rations and sundries, fastened his canteen under it. It was a belt canteen of flexible synthetic divided into half-litre pockets. The weight was taken by shoulder straps and a tube ran up the left suspender, ending in a nipple near his mouth, so that he might drink without taking it off."

Published... 1955. As with many things, Heinlein was way ahead of the curve.

That is in my top ten books of all time. I have a Camelbak Transalp years ago and use it all the time. I keep two 100 oz. bladders in it. The side mesh pockets can hold Nalgenes. I find myself drinking much more water when I wear the camlebak. I need to get some hydraloks for the bladders.