Hydration Pack

[SoCal250]

I'm looking at buying a hydration pack (camelback type pack) for long rides. Anyone here have experience with them? I've not had one before so is there anything in particular I should look for? This will be used on the street, probably 1.5-2L capacity, and I'd like to keep the size and the price down.

So far I've found a few possibilities from Fly, Fox, and Answer that are all in the $30-80 range.
Thanks

[Evans Ward]

I've used them for long rides (as well as mowing the lawn) for years. Personally, I like the smallish backpack style Camelbak brand with bite valve. You can buy cleaning tablets for them too. Before using, I fill up the bladder with ice cubes and then add cool water. It's good for 1-2=hr rides. Always best to stay hydrated especially if you have a history of kidney stones as I do.

[oxford]

+1 on the ice cubes.  I also used to make some bigger "cubes" in smaller plastic containers so they would last longer.  I would also suggest getting the insulation that wraps around the straw/tube.  Sun beating down on it will get that water pretty hot that sits in it.

I never used the cleaning tablets but I would always empty it out when I was done and stick an empty 20oz Gatorade into the bladder to keep it open some and air could get in.  I would then sit it in the sun so it would dry inside.

Another question you need to ask is how much storage(if any) are you going to want.

[pdxjim]

I use a hydration pack when woods riding, and on DS rides.  Good for snowboarding too.

I opt for a bigger/tougher pack.  The flimsy jogging ones just don't hold up on the trail.

Plus, I need room for:  Beers, snax, tools, layers, camera, etc.

... and yes, fill the bladder with ice.

[sav0r]

I've had several, from large to small.

I prefer the smaller ones. They take up less area on my back and thus I sweat less and operate cooler. Less weight is good too.

I like the Osprey brand ones as they were a good bit cheaper than the Camelbak ones, but I'm sure there are great off brand options now.

[retaRD]

I wear one regularly.  I have an older camelbak that has pockets which is nice to carry a small multi tool, zip ties, my wallet when I have a suit on, etc.



Side note, I don't shell out for the camelbak cleaning tabs...  I use Polident denture tabs.  They're a fraction of the price. 

[Gill]

Nathan, Glad to see picture of your motorcycle. JL Chambers are .

[pdxjim]

Nathan, Glad to see picture of your motorcycle. JL Chambers are .

Here's a pic of his sexy rearend (), coz I just happen to have one handy in my host account.

[~JM~]

Nathan, Glad to see picture of your motorcycle. JL Chambers are .

Here's a pic of his sexy rearend (), coz I just happen to have one handy in my host account.

What were the parts used to build that? Looks real nice!

[SoCal250]

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions.

I would also suggest getting the insulation that wraps around the straw/tube.  Sun beating down on it will get that water pretty hot that sits in it.
Another question you need to ask is how much storage(if any) are you going to want.

Good tip on the hose insulation. My summer rides are hot! I ride up to Laguna Seca every summer and some sections are 100*+ near Paso Robles and the ride is 6-7 hours so liquid intake is important. Also local riding gets in the triple digits.

Storage isn't really a concern as much as keeping the overall size down. I won't be needing to carry much so just a small pocket or two will do. And I suppose on the rare occasion that I need more cargo space I can just put the hydration pack inside my backpack.

I like the Osprey brand ones as they were a good bit cheaper than the Camelbak ones, but I'm sure there are great off brand options now.

Thanks for the Osprey suggestion. I looked into them and it took me to REI, which I hadn't even thought of because I was so focused on motorcycle-specific units.

I use Polident denture tabs. 

Denture tabs  Who knew!  Thanks for that tip

Love the action shot and the bike! 

[SoCal250]

As a follow-up I thought I'd post about what I ended up with. Since I only needed a "starter" pack I got the Fox Racing Low Pro Hydration Pack. It was cheap (about $50). I can always upgrade later if I want a better one, but currently I don't even think there will be a need to.

This thing is great -- perfect for what I needed. 1.5L is plenty for a road trip. Now my seat-time limiting factors are: fuel range, the need to stretch out my legs, & bathroom stops. 

It's small enough that you barely notice it while riding. It has a couple small pockets for carrying things that won't fit in jacket pockets. And when I'm at an event I can just drop it into my regular backpack.

[Evans Ward]

I have 3 Camelbaks now as I bought a larger capacity Hi-Viz one for my longer 7 mile walks prior to last summer which was about a year and a half ago. It was bought off Amazon and well out of warranty but I decided to email them about it leaking not from the hose assembly. They contacted me back immediately by email and said to ship it to them and they would replace it which they did! The rep also followed up a few weeks later to see if I was satisfied. Now, that is great customer service! Well run company! 

I'm also going to try Nathan's suggestion of Polident denture tabs for cleaning. Nathan- if you are seeing this, how many tabs needed per hydration pack? 

[SoCal250]

I'm also going to try Nathan's suggestion of Polident denture tabs for cleaning. Nathan- if you are seeing this, how many tabs needed per hydration pack? 

I only used one. They're pretty strong

[Evans Ward]

I'm also going to try Nathan's suggestion of Polident denture tabs for cleaning. Nathan- if you are seeing this, how many tabs needed per hydration pack? 

I only used one. They're pretty strong

Good to know- thank you!