I have had my CamelBak Blowfish for around three years. I have trusted it completely. We have has some leakage that was fixed by cutting the line and reattaching the tube to the bag.

Today my family went hiking in North Mountain Park in Phoenix. We planned a 4 to 5 mile hike up Shaw Butte. We parked at the visitor’s center parking lot. After checking that everyone’s 2-way radio was on the same channel and that every one had water and was ready for the trip we headed out. After walking for about 15 minutes I was shocked to discover that water was pouring out of the bottom of my CamelBak. I took it off and pulled the water bag out. The hose had popped off. I pushed the hose back on. It appears there is a lining inside the hose and it had separated from the hose and was now blocking the water in the hose. I cut the line and attached the hose to the bag again. The hose was still blocked but at least I still had some water. We continued down the trail and a few minutes later the hose popped off again and the rest of the water dumped out the bottom of my CamelBak.

The lesson is that the CamelBak hoses do not last over a couple years. I recommend that if you have a CamelBak you replace your hose every other year to avoid loosing your water when it counts.

I guess I need to ask the question again: Why do 99% of us "need" a camelback? Canteens and waterbottles are cheaper, more flexible and capable of providing cold (frozen) water, at least at the beginning of a trip.
Ah yes, I forgot, they are so "cool"; the latest toy.

"There is nothing so frightening as ignorance in action"

Bottom line is people use products and just about anything can potentially fail. For those who use these thanks for the insight ( takes another pull on my Perrier survival flask.) <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Why do any of us need half the stuff we talk about in the forums?

My guess would be that for one reason or another we find the item worthwhile, useful, and yeah, even cool.

I find my Thermobak 3L useful, worth the expense, and cool...
Hat trick...
Cool Beans.

I find it easier to carry 3 liters of water strapped to my back (or my pack) than it would be to carry three 1Q canteens, one 2Q canteen plus one 1Q canteen, or three 1L Nalgene bottles (or some other variation), especially on hikes of a duration longer than 1 liter of water?s worth of hydration.

Maybe I bought into the hype that 1L of water per hour while exerting one?s self is a good thing, and that constant hydration during that hour in smaller doses is better than tanking a liter in 5 minutes. I?m a sucker though.

I find the Camelbak worthwhile because I can just tilt my head, clamp down on the bite valve and then take a drink while on the move with my walking stick in hand, versus trying to retrieve a bottle and unscrew the cap with the stick in my hand. I also find the camelback is an excellent way to take a drink of cool, refreshing, rehydrating water while riding a bike.

Then again, I?m lazy and don?t necessarily want to stop, put down my stick for a few moments and then have to pick it back up again, or take my hands of the handlebars as the case may be.

And sure, I realize I could get a ?canteen straw system? that will give me something near the functionality of a Camelbak, but I tried it and didn?t think much of it, especially in the way it constantly wanted to suck air back down the tube.

I find it handy to take my Camelbak to the paintball field and use while I'm reffing so I don't have to lift up my mask and risk a shot to the eye as some trigger happy kid comes around a bunker and is suddenly rendered dumb and unable to determine that my black and white stripe jersey designates me as a ref.

But I have this thing about protecting my eyesight in case I might need it later. LOL

I like the idea that if I felt the need to add an inline microfilter instead of making use of my Katadyn Pocket Micro and Carbon Cartridge (which some folks might say was equally as bad a move expense wise) then by golly Camelbak makes one that will attach to the reservoir.

My Camelbak Thermobak 3L was a whole $40.00 and that included shipping. 3 New 1L Nalgene Lexan bottles and a carrier might have saved me a few dollars, and the equal capacity of military canteens and carriers might have saved me $10 unless I opted for the straw system, but I was willing to spend the extra dough. I?m a kook though.

And Yeah... Camelbaks are cool too, but as things go that thought was last on my list, way down past "Will this thing strap to my MOLLE gear easily" and "How easy is it to clean",

What I am trying to say, and I guess I was kind of a jerk about it, is that they are handy kit. So take it easy on your poor old forum members. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

(Suddenly I feel guilty about some comments I made regarding the SAK Swissmemory... Ummm... Sorry folks...) LOL

I?ve got no beef with people who prefer canteens, bottles or anything else. I just found that the Camelback works for me. If something else works better for you, then cool beans. YMMV <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

And I forgot... There are cheaper Camelbak-like "hydration systems" (cool marketing term because water bladder sounds bad LOL) on the market.

Thanks for the warning. It's helpful to hear about real world failures to help remind us of the possibilities.

FWIW, flasks and bottles can fail (or can be lost) too. Maybe you fell and split a seam or crush a lid so it doesn't seal and your water leaks out or whatever, but failure happens. Best not to put all your eggs in one basket.

-john

Of course it must be said that the 1L Sigg Aluminum Swiss Bottle I bought... That was all about metro. HAHAHA

Good point.

Forgive if there are some redundancies in this post from previous replies...

Camelbaks are not a replacement for canteens or water bottles in all situations, however they have there place and are a great tool.

The major benefit of camelbacks vs. bottles is that the use tends to hydrate more often and more consistently! I have not done a scientific study, but my observations of my students have been that those carrying a camelback drank more and showed less s/s of dehydration than those using bottles of some kind. This reason alone makes bladder systems of huge benefit.

Another benefit is that a much larger capacity of fluids can be comfortably carried in bladders than in bottles. I tend to carry 3L for every 2-3 hour between water supplies, depending on weather. In some places that equals 9L of fluids (yes that is almost 20lbs of water); 3 - 100oz bladders are easier to fit in a pack and carry than 9 nalgene bottles.

When traveling in the back country, I have one “dirty” bladder with me. The dirty bladder is used for passive filtration. I hang this balder high in a tree and attach its hose to the “in” port of my filter and a clean bladder to the “out” port. A few minutes later, no pumping involved, 3L of filtered water.

Another benefit isn't of importance to many, but speed is a big benefit to me. Not having to stop and pull a water bottle from my pack to replace the one on my belt is important to me. I have also found no good way to carry 3L of fluid and a few essentials on me in a setup as quick and light as a Camelbak M.U.L.E. With my bigger packs, I can have two bladders, one with plain water and the second with fuel (Infinity Nutrition or Sustained Energy) – fuel and hydration on the run!

Now, I still always carry a 1L nalgene bottle when on long treks, and over night trips. I typically use it only to carry a little extra water and mix and carry drinks in. And on short runs and rides I still use 20 & 24oz water bottles, but the camelbak is much better (IMO) for long trips.

And yes, you can freeze Camelbak bladders and get cold water out of them… I use two techniques, first is fill the bladder 75% full and let a little air remain in the bladder. Lay bladder perfectly flat in the freezer the night before a trip. Be sure that there is no water in the tube or against the outlet at the base of the bladder. In the AM, add the remaining water. You may need to run a little hot water over the lid to get it off. If you are bringing multiple bladders, you can fill the extras 90%; just make sure there is no air remaining in the bladders. I have done this many, many times with great success.

Craig, I have had this happen a few times. Luckily it has alwats been before leaving and since I always check before filling. I have descovered that I get 2 years of usable life out of a bladder (HARD USE) and thats about it. My MSR bladders have lasted longer, but fit in less packs. A fix that I use it to trim the hose and ziptie (the narrower the tie the better) it to the nipple. This had made my hoses last longer, but you can only do it once or twice before the hose gets too short. BTW, this works for bite valves too, if you have the new style that slid inside the hose not outside it!

Why do you need a computer? Doesn't the postal service still work in your area? Why don't you snailmail this message to everyone instead of posting it on the internet?

Ah yes, I forgot, the internet is the latest cool toy.

romania,

Great post!

I have tried freezing water in the bladder as you described. I had great difficulty getting the lid open. Water would freeze in the threads. It is nice to have that big block of ice in the bladder. It is common here in Phoenix for people to freeze their water bottles and drink the water as it thaws.

I am wondering if I should carry an additional water container. Maybe a rolled up Platypus water bag. If I have another issue I could drain the water into the Platypus.

As many posts suggest, a hydration bag has many advantages and I won't repeat them. It took me a long time before trying one, but now, I cannot imagine hiking/walking/biking... without one !
But for sure, it also can fail !

That's why, when hiking, I have at least 3 different water containers...
- a Platypus hydration system (1.5 or 2 liters .. ?)
- a 1.5 liter plastic bottle of mineral water,
- and a metallic (alu) canteen

Why ?
- the Platypus bag doesn't hold enough water for several hours, so I need more ; and it can fail ;
- the plastic bottle is used to replenish the platypus ;
- the alu canteen is my last-ditch tank : should I fall and crash the fragile plastic bottle and Platypus bag in the rucksack, this more robust canteen should hopefully sustain the fall. If not, I don't even want to think about my own shape ... <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Usually, when I reach camp (or preferably hotel .... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />), the alu canteen has not been used.

As for a flask, in a pant's backpocket, its small size means it can only contain some Port wine : I like a sip before lunch !!!! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Nicodemus, my apologies. I did not mean it as a slam against a handicapped individual. The inability to drink water and hang on to a stick at the same time certainly is dibilitating.
I guess I hate to make the newbes think ETS is the place only for the toy collectors. As pointed out earlier, the original post illustrares one problem with the bladder system: one leak and your whole supply can be gone.

"There is nothing so frightening as ignorance in action."

HAHAHAHA Good one.

And in return, please accept my apologies for pointing out what would be obvious to anyone other than a person reading my post from a Braille terminal.

When I was a geology student, we had to spend 6 weeks on a field camp, during the summer, most of it in western Utah. I'd carry a 2 liter plastic bottle (i.e. a pop bottle) in my pack. It'd start out full of water each day and most days, I'd return to camp with the bottle empty and needing a drink.

Now granted, at the time I was not the smartest, and I've learned a great deal since. One day, fairly early in the day, I dropped my pack to check out an outcrop. The outcrop was a key to the assignment so I spent quite awhile there. When I got done, I picked up my pack and it was wet, weighed about 3 lbs lighter, and there was a wet spot where it was sitting. Apparently, when I had dropped my pack, a rock had punctured my bottle, right on the bottom and it was empty.

I learned something that day: "one problem with the [bottle system]: one leak and your whole supply can be gone."

Now fortunately, I could get to where I could get another bottle and some more water. Later went to Nalgene bottles, which are much more durable (but would have been pretty expensive while I was in college).

Eventually, I broke down and bought a bladder system (a Jansport that was $20 at a Sam's club). I loved it and have since replaced it. I still carry a Nalgene with me as a backup if I'm way off the beaten path but I primarily rely on a bladder now. Before I had one I could not imagine myself with one. My office neighbor, who is a hardcore biker, finally convinced me to try one (and obviously I went the cheap route to try it out). Now I cannot immagine being without one. I even bought youth ones for my kids (I added a whistle and a garbage bag to theirs so that they have something with them and they love to go hiking because they get to wear their "water packs").

Anyway, a bottle will work, but it can fail. A hydration pack can fail but it is much more convenient than a canteen because I constantly sip at it and rarely ever get thirsty.

Also, I learned today that I have a disability because I too have a hard time holding onto my walking stick (or rock hammer or rifle, etc.) while removing my pack, digging out a water bottle, opening the water bottle, and drinking it. I used to overcome this disability by putting down my walking stick (or rock hammer or rifle, etc.) but I got sick of backtracking to retrieve it. So, I like the hydration pack because it minimizes the effects of my disability and even if it is considered "so 'cool'; the latest toy", I'll stick with it.

Woodsloafer: you've never used a bladder, have you? (And, apparently "handicaps" come in many forms, "dibilitating" or not.)

Redundancy is always smart, so I carry a couple of hydration bladders (usually Platypus brand now). The benefits of the bladders, especially when hiking or biking fast, far outweigh any downside. I stay far better hydrated, and cover lots more ground, when using them. They also save weight.

Winter's the only time when I feel they aren't the best choice for me; if it's cold enough, the tube can freeze up, even when insulated (but it has to be pretty cold).

As a Scout leader and weekend camp director for two years, I can tell you that the boys with the hydration packs drink more water. Yeah, the other boys can carry water bottles around - I have found a lot of water bottles (not empties) left behind after an activity and I've never found a hydration pack.

I've been dragging my old ALICE Pack (Medium) around for 20 years. While I can clip a 2 Qt canteen on it - my next pack will have a Camelbak pocket.

Ben

Nalgene makes a sturdy looking rectangular 64 oz bottle, and a Platypus-like 96 oz soft-sided cantene, FWIW. Both are available at rei.com.

I've been scared of these hydration systems with their complicated hose and valve assemblies that seem like bacteria magnets. This failure mode is another thing to worry about. I've never used a hydration pack so I'm still wondering what I'm missing. I've never had much desire to drink and walk at the same time. With a waterbottle, I stop, get the bottle out of the pack, drink, look at the scenery and generally rest up for moment, then get going again; no problem. Some people use belt or lumbar pack thingies that hold a small bottle for easy access in an outer mesh pocket (stop and refill from larger bottle when needed). That seems like a usable system too.

If you're happy with what you're using, then you're not missing anything, paul.

I carry a backup 1L Nalgene Lexan Bottle, but keep equipment in a heavy duty waterproof bag in it until such a time when I may need to use it. If the Nalgene bottle fails, then I also have a roll of Gerber Seal & Go Breastmilk Bottle Bags... LOL

I also pack a Reliance Fold-A-Carrier collapsible 5 gallon PE water jug in my BOB, and have two more in my car.

Every piece of equipment we carry can fail or may have shortcomings. It's all about finding what works best for our own purposes. If a person is happy with what they have, then that's all that matters.

That's a valid concern, and one that I, as someone who knows absolutely nothing about them, have had as well. Can someone comment on this, other than the obvious, "keep it clean"?

I guess my reply would be becuase they are convient.

A few weeks ago, I was helping to clear some roofs of snow around town. We get 6 feet of snow in a winter, but people build flat roofs, go figure.

Anywho, I had my little nalgene in my coat pocket, and I'd top that off from one of the big ones from my pack every so often. One of the guys with us had a small camelbak under his coat. I had started with HOT water in my big bottles, but it cooled pretty quickly in a pocket outside of the insulation of my coat. He had warm coffee in his jacket that stayed warm becuase it was under his insulation, and kept him warm becuase it was right over his kidneys.

I had to stop to drink. He didn't- sucker was sipping away going down a ladder!

So, am I trading in my Nalgenes for a bladder? Not a chance. But am I picking up a bladder? You bet. I've had to work in places that made my claustraphobia go into overdrive. But if I can stay properly caffinated, I'm able to control the urge to run screaming from an access tunnel better. It might be flat Dew or superstrong iced tea, but caffeine right handy without having to twist about in a tight place, and cool to.

WoooHooo!

Went to REI today and picked up an insulated CamelBak hose.

I started with a water bottle, holder, pouch that slipped on my belt. That kept making my pants feel like they were falling down. Then I got a fanny pack with a water bottle holder. That was also uncomfortable. One time while I was mule deer hunting I took it off and left it by a big tree in a clearing so I could walk comfortably. I was able to find the spot and picked it back up. That taught me an important lesson: your water carrier has to be comfortable and convenient.

Now I have my PSK and water in a CamelBak Blowfish. The only issue I have is that there are times I would like to have something from the CamelBak and I am not willing to take it off while I am hiking. My wife bought CamelBaks for everyone in our family (6). We all have 2-way radios hooked to the shoulder straps. I also have a Petzl Tikka XP and a pair of binoculars attached to the straps.

Here in Phoenix we need to drink a lot of water. While hiking my wife does not like to stop and take breaks. She says it makes her legs tighten up from cooling off. So we have to drink on the move.

When my wife first bought some CamelBaks I thought it was a terrible waste of money. After all; you can just carry a bottle of water in your hand. I have been very glad to have the CamelBak. We take hikes that take several hours. A single water bottle is often not enough. However if I am on a popular trail and I will be gone less than an hour I will just carry a water bottle in my hand.

When my 14 year old son who is a Boy Scout goes camping he uses his CamelBak as his water bag. He fills the CamelBak, puts in several Nalgene bottles of water, and then puts that in his backpack. That way he can drink while he is backpacking, has water for camp, and use the CamelBak as a day pack for short trips from camp.

One thing to add:

Before I bought my motherlode camelback, I had a big day pack with several 300 ml and 500 ml bottles of water packed inside. It was convenient as a bob, except for when I was needing a drink of water and had to rummage the pack after doffing it.

Also of note, water stored in a camelback bladder over time is still more pallatable than water stored in plastic bottles. If you open a bottle, what you don't drink won't stay fresh very long. In Iraq, we were ordered to dump any unconsumed water from opened bottles rather than stow the container for later consumption. If the water was poured into a camelback bladder (properly maintained), we were allowed to keep it in there indefinitely. Things that would grow in previously opened water bottles would not grow in a cb bladder. Anyone here know why?

By keeping out the airspace, you inhibit/eliminate growth of a lot of the nasties.

Troy

That's one piece of the puzzle. Not the primary, though.

Anyone else?

No backwash with the camelback???

Troy

I gotta think that no backwash is a big part of it. Maybe the liner helps inhibit growth by providing an inhospitible medium? Either way, I gotta think it's not smart to put backwash laden half-bottles of water in your camelbak if the goal is to not consume old possibly contaminated water. You then contaminate your reusable container.

I stand corrected on my own post.... it's not such a bad idea to put the half drained water in your pack after all. I got curious and found this at www.camelbak.com (transcribed for your reading pleasure)

All of Camelbak's reservoirs come equipped with HydroGuard(TM), our own specially designed weapon to fight bacteria and fungus groth. Our HydroGuard(TM) Anti-Microbial Technology, an embedded FDA-approved and EPA-registered silver ion compound, eliminates up to 99.99% of common bacteria and fungus on reservoir and tube surfaces.

I usually use Micropur tablets to treat water I put into the hydration bladder while backpacking. That sanitizes the bladder at the same time, and I always make sure to run the solution through the hose and bite valve once I add the pills so that they get treated as well.

On multiday trips, I also occasionally put a little rubbing alcohol on outside of the bite valve.

I would point out that if you are using a GOOD lexan bottle, like a Nalgene (not the lab bottles, though), you can poor in water from the pot it was boil in directly to the bottle. Screw on the cap, and it will vacumme seal. No harder to get the cap off than it is for a commercial water bottle, and I've had those stored for several months- tasted fine.

this happened to me after even less use, but it was fixed forever by putting a large nylon cable tie around the tube where it attaches to the bag.

We unplug our hose from the bag after use to let it dry out with the CamelBak bag hanger. My wife is very concerned about mildew growing on wet things.

I'm still waiting for the perfect technology. Many new items improve on most aspects of a predecesor, but often introduce a new problem. Widespread use of automobiles eliminated piles of horse manure and related public health problems. Introduced different forms of polution and dependence on foreign oil <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Hydration systems are better than canteens or bottles in lots of ways. One drawback not mentioned thus far is knowning how much liquid one has consumed. While the ease of drinking tends to increase consumption, because the bladder is hidden away, out of sight, there's not a lot of feedback as to the actual volume consumed. (Of course, until you suck and nothing comes out <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> )

This is a particular challenge for those going into a new environment, e.g., from sea level to the mountains of NE New Mexico. Plan to drink more, but how to know when you're on plan?

/Neal

Bingo! Something about that silver ion must be the ticket to keeping the water tasting "normal". In any case, I prefer the camelback to the bottles, although I always have at least one full, unopened bottle in the motherlode, which kinda solves the gauging problems too.

One word: Slosh.

Also of note: The military issue CamelBaks are of considerably higher quality. They cost a bit more but the hose is insulated, they have web mounting points for add-ons, they are of heavier nylon, and many can hold multiple bladders. I have one that holds two 3 liter bladders. They also connect directly to your NBC mask (not that many people care).