Mountain Biking - CamelBak's got your Antidote

Since I set up my MTB for commuting with a rack, trunk bag, and panniers, I really hadn’t kept up to date on hydration packs, or even the latest in water bottles. But at the Outdoor Retailer winter show, I got introduced to CamelBak’s current lineup of innovative hydration packs and bottles, and came away very impressed. So this will be the first of several posts about their latest and greatest. I’m starting off with the Antidote, which is their newest reservoir.

Here are the key features:

- Redesigned Fill Port: Widest opening on the market with a cap that is easily opened and locked closed with a simple quarter turn. The Antidote fill port is 19% lighter and 28% lower profile than previous Omega reservoirs, even with additional features such as integrated dryer arms.

- Lower Profile: Internal reservoir baffle reduces stack height 26% compared to previous Omega reservoirs for a flatter and more streamlined shape when full; the baffle also minimizes sloshing and barreling when the reservoir is in the pack.

- More Stable: Handle drop slot integrates the reservoir in the pack, maximizing stability as well as making loading and unloading of the reservoir fast and easy.

- Easier to Clean: Integrated dryer arms fold out from behind the fill port, opening the reservoir for a complete air dry; larger fill port allows any size hand to reach into all areas of the reservoir for easy cleaning. *The arms are awesome. They basically stand up and prop open the empty reservoir. There’s no excuse now not to keep it clean.

- Quick Link System: Click-in connectivity with auto shut-off allows customization with enhanced accessories, including the Fresh™ Filter that provides better tasting water on demand and the Insulated Tube with Flow Meter™ to keep water colder longer while monitoring how much water has been consumed and how much remains.

- Big Bite™ Valve with new Ergo HydroLock™: New design engineered to prevent accidental dislodging in locked position. The patented and proven Big Bite Valve has a high flow rate for easy sipping on the move.

“We took 20 years worth of feedback from the largest user base in the world and built a reservoir for people who demand the very best in all of their performance gear,” said Jon Austen, Director of Product Management for CamelBak. “We know the only way to perform better is if your gear performs better, and our Antidote hydration system allows you to focus on the activity rather than worry about the next sip.”

Constructed using the strongest materials and components in the industry – including a radio frequency welded seal for durability and strength – Antidote is tested in the on-site CamelBak lab under some of the most extreme conditions imaginable. CamelBak is the only company to design and manufacture its own reservoirs to ensure seamless integration between the reservoir and the pack for a completely integrated hydration system. Antidote also features HydroGuard™, which inhibits the growth of bacteria that can cause odors, discoloration or deterioration of the reservoir and tube surface. Antidote will be included in new CamelBak packs starting in October.

I’m sneaking a bit about two of their featured packs for 2011 into this post as well:

- CamelBak Highwire 25™: an ultra-light backcountry pack that is ideal for all-day adventures with its 100 oz (3 L) hydration capacity. Designed to carry 10-25 lbs, the new LV™ (Lightweight Ventilated) back panel is CamelBak’s lightest ventilated back panel, utilizing a corrugated polypropylene frame sheet with integrated ultra-light vertical ribs that transfer weight off our shoulders.

- CamelBak Octane LR™: features a new lumbar Antidote reservoir housed at the base of the pack and externally accessible for fast refilling. By placing water lower on your back, weight is stabilized on the hips, leaving the rest of the pack available for cargo and creating maximum stability for trail running, adventure racing and cycling.

Antidote will be available at sports and outdoor retail locations nationwide. It is reverse compatible and will be available in early 2011 for people looking to upgrade their current CamelBak reservoir. The 100-ounce version is $35 (MSRP), the 70-ounce version is $33 (MSRP) and the 50-ounce version is $30 (MSRP).

If you can’t wait for me to post more, or just want to see the full line now, check out the CamelBak website. (http://www.camelbak.com/)


Originally posted 1/23/2011 at IndustryOutsider.com (http://www.industryoutsider.com/)

Thanks for the overview, Brian. I'm actually a convert to the Bohemian side (Dakine w/FF helmet-carry); but it's always good to hear about new products. And good to see you on here.

My main gripe with Camelbaks is that they don't carry load well when filled to capacity- the back goes convex and the pack turns into a log that flops around on the back. Have the 2011 packs gone through any sort of redesign to address this?

On the other hand, I have found Camelbak bladders to be really excellent.

My main gripe with Camelbaks is that they don't carry load well when filled to capacity- the back goes convex and the pack turns into a log that flops around on the back. Have the 2011 packs gone through any sort of redesign to address this?

On the other hand, I have found Camelbak bladders to be really excellent.

I think that baffle they put in the reservoir addresses that. It's much flatter now, without the crowning effect. So the 100oz is more like two 50oz side by side. I'll try to upload a photo tonight.

http://westwood.wikispaces.com/file/view/spam-big.jpg/31059659/spam-big.jpg

I think that baffle they put in the reservoir addresses that. It's much flatter now, without the crowning effect. So the 100oz is more like two 50oz side by side. I'll try to upload a photo tonight.
I just got a new Lobo to replace an old Lobo (2002?). The baffle in the bladder definitely helps this. It keeps the resevoir from turning into a sausage-shaped plastic thing. Helps with the fit of the pack on my back but also helps with putting other things in the pack (food, tools, tubes, gloves, etc.).

And, sorry Brian, but I agree about the spaminess sound of the original post. I'd be more interested in what you feel about the product than what you can copy from Camelbak's literature.

I am reminded of the old Mad Magazine spoof on Consumer Reports, wherein they tested that year's Corvette and all gave it rave reviews . . . along with a 'thank you' inset to Chevrolet for providing every tester with their own Corvette as a gift :lol:.

I love my camlebak,but I don't think I would like this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CAMELBAK-RACEBACK-72-oz-HYDRATION-SHIRT-WHITE-SMALL-/390275451081?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ade3ac8c9 v

I didn't ask for a sample pack to test because I already had more than I could carry, so I can't provide a user review. If it would be more helpful, I can simply provide my impression of the new features they showed me. The above text is copied from their press release that they provided, because there was an overwhelming amount of information to absorb and write about. No one is forcing anyone to read it, and I'm not suggesting anyone go out and buy anything. But if someone wants to learn more, I can share what they shared with me.

After expenses, I made about $30 off my blog last year. Gas and parking for Outdoor Retailer cost me that much this year. Clif Bar provided lunch, and a couple of vendors gave me bottled water. Breakfast was coffee from the media room. I do this because I enjoy seeing the new stuff, and I hope people enjoy reading about it. Sure, I get to test some stuff. But only because I have enough interest to ask - I'm not accepting junky handouts, and I'm not interested in reviewing anything I wouldn't want to use myself. So please don't call it spam.

When I was admin, I created the feedback forum, but didn't have the forethought to create a forum for press releases and reviews.

Pretty Pricey...

Just picked up a new antidote bladder. The new fill port opens and closes easily. The best new feature is the quick disconnect tube. It makes filling WAY easier as you no longer have to rethread the tube. The newer right angle shutoff valve no longer has a sharp edge that would catch and pop off. The internal baffle does flatten things out nicely.

Just picked up a new antidote bladder. The new fill port opens and closes easily. The best new feature is the quick disconnect tube. It makes filling WAY easier as you no longer have to rethread the tube. The newer right angle shutoff valve no longer has a sharp edge that would catch and pop off. The internal baffle does flatten things out nicely.

You forgot to criticize my post. How about the drying arms - I found them to be a clever addition, do you?

You forgot to criticize my post. How about the drying arms - I found them to be a clever addition, do you?

Oh sorry . BLEAHHH . SCREEE .... BWAAAAA

I've always been in the "throw it in the refrigerator and forget it" camp. When I do clean, I just go through a LOT of wrinse cyles and fill it with water. It doesn't NEED to dry. If the bleach didn't kill the mold, drying will only send it into hibernation. You are going to fill it with water again eventually. So though the drying arms are "cool" they don't do a lot for me. Maybe they'll be useful while filling an empty bladder.

My one criticism of the pack is that I wish the quick release valve sealed both the bladder AND the tube. When you release, the water comes out of the tube. So make sure you blow out the tube before you release. That's OK, I'll take it. I know other bladders already had similar features, but no one comes close to the quality of the camelbak bite valve and the ruggedness of the actual bladder itself.