I'm getting ready for my snowshoeing season! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Well, not really. But I am looking for a new backpack for use in snowshoeing day trips. I'm looking at the Osprey Switch 40+5 pack which can be connected to a bladder through insulated tubing. The tubing actually goes through a small insulated sleeve that goes along the pack's right shoulder strap.

I have been using Nalgene bottles in insulated parkas. I clip the parka to my hipbelt using a carabiner. The Nalgenes work well and the wide mouth prevents ice from forming and blocking the flow of water. The thing is, when I snowshoe with this new group I joined, those people are go fast and rarely stop. I think that a hydration system with a bladder and insulated tubing might be easier to use on the trail.

Does anyone have experience with these systems? Do you like them? How is it biting on a plastic valve to sip in some H20? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Some people swear by those, some don't care at all... ugh <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />