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I have never owned a hydration backpack but it seems like a great idea.
I want something that holds about 2 liters of water or so (~ 1/2 gallon) but it should also have space for a sandwich, energy bars, cellphone, walkie-talkie, flashlight, multi-tool/knife, rain poncho, small first aid items, etc. Water plus day hike items.
I have no experience with hydration packs and just started researching. What should I be looking for in a hydration pack for full-day day hikes? Is 2-liters of water enough?
Thanks!
Follow Ups:
Abe-
Camelbak is the best product.
I'm getting a CamelBack MULE which I can use cycling as well.
carry decent/easily cleanable water bottles in a comfortable backpack.
You are just hiking right (not @ point in a special ops sting)?
;-)!
Warmest
Tim Bailey
Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger
I have water bottles and backpacks but want to try out a totally hands-free option. From what I've read, it's not that big of a hassle sanitizing the water bladder. Warm water and some diluted bleach or vinegar should do it... or buy a pack of water-soluble cleaning tablets.
Bleach might F-Up the plastic.
That's why the type of plastic is so important.
PolyPropylene is very reistant to most chemistry. Acids? Alkalis? Solvents?
Dilute Chlorine Bleach at about 1tbs per gallon should be OK.
I use such a solution for Sanitation prior to bottling beer and for everything that comes incontact with it AFTER the boil. For example, the container in which you Ferment must be sanitized. \\
ASK THE MANUFACTURER for sanitation instructions.
Too much is never enough
is just fine.
And, gives room for a first-aid kit as well. Even a back-up battery stick for the 'phone.
Warmest
Tim Bailey
Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger
I have a couple regular backpacks but I'm looking for 'hands-free' drinking. Just water, honest. ;-)
I am aware the marines use hydration backpacks, but what do they know?
I like a bota bag, because the natural shape makes the water weight easy to carry, and down low. The rough on the outside when wet promotes evaporative cooling .
Cleaning? good luck........ a red wine alcohol rinse is the traditional approach, but it make the water tastes funny.
We have a few different brands and models in our house.
Look carefully at the design of the bladder and the sealing method.
I've had one with a wide open top that was great for filling, but with a tricky "fold over and slide a peg thingy over it" sealing system.
Others have a jam jar screw top which is better -
But make sure they are robust, fairly thick heavy plastics and that the welds are good. When they are being filled up they get damn heavy and if you're holding the spout with one hand and working the tap with the other, you can easily apply a lot of physical stress and spring a leak.
Macpac from New Zealand has been my favourite.
Cheers,
John K
The KIND of plastic is also important.
Food Grade Polypropylene is best and is tradenamed NALGENE.
Too much is never enough
Just get a GOOD day bag and carry bottles.
I have 2x 40oz Stainless Steel thermos and they'll keep water ice cold for HOURS.
The weight / bulk penalty is minimal.
A hydration pack on your back just warms the water.
I can carry a 40oz thermos and 2x16oz bottles and have over 1/2 gallon of Ice Cold water. Certainly enough for a normal hot-day hike.
Too much is never enough
I get your point. I have a couple insulated plastic bottles but thought I would try a 'hands-free' everything on my back approach. It's pretty cool to cold where I plan to hike.
Speaking of insulated plastic bottles, I have a couple of these "Polar Bottles". About a decade ago I took them up on a hike to the top of Grays and Torreys peak. I had cold water and ice in the bottles but by the time I got up to the top for a drink, the water in both bottles were frozen solid! Learned my lesson on that one. ;-)
I plan to hike in the mountains but nothing too crazy.
I've done some snow camping. Hike in a couple miles and get comfortable.
Packing beer in a snowbank for a couple hours ensures the coldest suds possible.
Too bad, that at maybe 7000 feet elevation, the bottle gives a 'whoosh' of decompression, the bubbles form and clog the neck with BEER ICE. You need to WARM the neck to free up what you were after in the first place!
I'm a little weird about the Sanitation Aspects of those CamelBacks, too. I just can't figure out how to CLEAN it and all that tubing. My 'solution' and a couple Sierra Cups works fine.
Link to a largish daybag from Patagonia, sold thru REI. For cool to COLD hiking, always carry some extra warm clothing. Layers Rule.
Too much is never enough
That's weird about the beer. I wonder what a beer popsicle is like. ;-)
I've never used a hydration pack and wonder about cleaning them out as well. Maybe some diluted white vinegar, diluted bleach, or mouthwash? I have no idea so I'll need to research.
which is of course one of the big names in these things. I had a smaller one, years ago when they were relatively new. The new one is much nicer, now that they've had a number of years to get them dialed in. I'm not sure which model i have, but it does what you're looking for. Enough water for a good, hot hike, plus a jacket, some food, a small camera and more. My only problem with it is that some of the tightening pull cords are a little longer than I like for skiing. I just tuck them in, tho, to not have them dangling loose on the lifts where they might get stuck somewhere as I (attempt to) hop off. I'd say, if there's a good outdoor store nearby, go try a few on and compare the storage. I have had a non-camelback brand one that has an unnecessary bulb pump squeezer to force water thru the tube, but Camelback is much easier to deal with.
I've used Camelbak equipment, since my days of dike bike racing. Many, many years ago. Good quality stuff.
Edits: 07/05/17
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