CamelBak (Hydration pack)

Another "new gear" report:

Wife and I now understand why our kids like hydration packs so much. Picked up a couple of 100oz (3 liter) CamelBak packs at a decent price locally and used them for two weeks in CO. (OK; I confess - I also caried a liter Nalgene bottle - ya never know!). Uh, I think they are the "RimRock" model - about 1,700 cubic inches space for other gear, anyway, plus a double daisy-chain / bungee cord on the outside. Like I said, they were available locally for an attractive price...

These things rock. It took about 1 hour to get accustomed to sipping water thru a bite valve. (after one use we even hung them off the neck rests on our truck seats when traveling and flopped the hose over a shoulder). I'll spare you the raving, but we really really like these gadgets as a method of staying hydrated. (And yes, I will continue to carry a Nalgene + cup or US canteen + cup - belt-and-suspenders man, yup, that's me...)

Kids started out with plain-vanilla Platypus 70oz (2 liter). (great sale a couple of years ago from Campmor) - the "Big Zip" reservoirs and an insulated simple carrying bag for the back. The "hydra lock" valve from CamelBak is a "must-do" improvement for the Platypus stuff - otherwise, the Platypus bags have worked fine for the kids. Some of the kids have migrated to CamleBak products over the past year (Omega reservoir system) - they wanted something more functional as a daypack. Various models... one kid simply dropped the Platypus (whole) into a favorite daypack and accomplished the same effect. Both brands seem reliable, altho I do rec. adding a shut-off valve to the Platypus.

Late in the trip I switched to the insulated hose (really for cold wx use) and am satisfied with it in hot wx. No valve on it; merely a cover on the valve. No bite valve leaks. We'll see how it does in sub-freezing temps - can always clear out the hose after a sip so I don't reckon it's critical.

Observation 1: 100 oz is more convenient than 70 oz.

Observation 2: I'm still gonna carry a conventional water bottle (or more likely US canteen)... simple is good... (no use trying to talk me out of it...)

Observation 3: Local PX is gonna get an order for a military model CamelBak I have an eye on - the model I have is just right for non-winter day trips but not quite enough capacity for cool wx overnights or winter day trips.

Regards,

Tom

You know your getting old when your gear is on THE ANTIQUE ROADSHOW. <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> I just tried out a unit and loved it. I have it on my list, and like you will still retain my canteen and cup.

i use both platypus and camelbak systems, the camelbak being in mine opinion the beter one.
-beter bitible bit valve
-bladder with (almost) no weak spots ( no parts that are folded or will be folded )
-has the ergo hydrolock, the 90 degree turn is great and so is the lock.
-it looks beter ! <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

these systems are really great, but bottle's are also here still in service.

It may be the import tax costs or simply the stingy-student within me that made me resort to a, umm... "generic" hydration system - the simple medical-drip.

As my dad is a docter, I have acces to 1 and 3 litre saline drips. they are really tough (they are, of course, medical equipment designed to save lives!), durable, cheap (in my case at least) and more convenient that a bottle.

Downside - Takes several minutes to fill. thats no hasle unless you are in a rush (i uasually am not). the tube takes a bit of time to get used to for drinking as it is quite thin.

This system works well for me. I have used it for about 3 years with no failures.

Oh, and another use: When we went on a river-rafting holiday, we were told at the base camp that no glass bottles were allowed on the river. so what do you with your wine and vodka? go figure...

do put a bite valve on the tube ? and are you filling it through the tube ?

I have a Platypus system in my rucksack ; it's really very convenient to drink while walking, just a few sips every 10mn or so.
No more need to stop every half hour, to remove the sack and get the bottle out, drink, put the bottle back in the sack and the sack back on my own back .....
Still, I keep an aluminium waterbottle in a side pocket of the rucksack. As a reserve and as a backup : if I fall on my back, the plastic tank of the PLATYPUS system may burst under the induced pressure. The aluminium bottle should withstand the shock.

And it seems a good idea to use it inside a car : less dangerous than manipulating a bottle - of water or soda, of course - while driving.


Alain

Camelbak's rock!! I am on my second one, the first falling victim to one of my dogs. I have the MULE (military version) and it is great. 100 oz of water, plus so much storage space I have to find things to fill it. I beat it up pretty bad and it takes it pretty well. THey are great and I constantly recommend them!!

Garrett

No, it doesn't have a bite valve. There is asmall "wheel" that , when you roll it along the tube, it squeezes the tube shut. there is also a clip that alows you to fold the tube back on itself for added protection - not necesary in my opinion. I saw some replacement bite-valves for a platypus in the shops. i might get round to putting one onto my tube...

With regard to filling, you need to syphon liquid through the tube into the 'bladder'. thats why it takes a few minutes.

On my next hike, I tjink I'll take a few extras and run them through a few 'extreme' tests. they have held up well so far to the 'puncture test' (throwing it through a leaf-less bush several time) and the 'splat test' (dropping it froma heaight of about 2 meters). Any ideas for a few tests?

I too am in the military(Phib CB reserves)and just wont go on an operation with out my Camle Back.I use and abuse my H.A.W.G.of which is a step up from the MULE.It is the last thing packed,first thing unpacked.The military versions(called Extreme Gear)are a lot more robust than the civilian counter parts.They are now even producing gas mask adapters for them <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.I no longer carry bulky canteens any more.But I do pack a metal cup(for cooking and boiling water)and a one quart Flexi Flask as a backup.

The old 'Nam issued 5 gal bladders rigged with a Platypus hose kit through the cap made an acceptable and cost effective pack...and when empty makes a fine pillow.