greg3rd48 

I have decided that a hydration pack is in order after this sweltering August but I would like to know if there is a difference in a 2L Camelback pack compared with an inexpensive no-name online. Searching for my next water source on long, hot rides it not what I want to concentrate on. I would much rather focus on the ride and speed.
Any opinions are appreciated.

eric1971

I've only used Camelbak brand hydration packs, but I have gotten many years of use out of them.

mwib

In my experience, a Camelbak is significantly higher quality and more durable than a no-name bladder.

greg3rd48 

I figured as much. The difference in cost is pretty substantial. Thanks for the feedback.

rms13

Why not a couple of large bottles so you don't have to carry something on your back while riding?

But for bladders Camelback is clearly the leader. But I have a mil spec Source pack that is great. Good enough for the Israeli military

greg3rd48 

I carry two 24 oz bottles but in the heat the water just doesn't last long enough.

eric1971

I agree. This time on year on rides of 50+ I carry 2 bottles and an 80oz camelbak. I honestly don't notice this on my back.

Heathpack 

I recently got a MTB and therefore needed a hydration pack.

I went to REI and wound up trying on a bunch of packs. I was surprised that none of the Camelbacks, men's or women's versions (I am a woman), felt comfortable to me.

I went in thinking I wanted a small pack. The most comfortable pack for me turned out to be the largest women's Osprey- the Raven. Of course also the most expensive. But I have been out in pretty hot temps (90s) on a five hour ride and now I love the pack.

I would suggest trying some packs on and buying something comfortable. It doesn't matter if it's cheap, it will do you no good unless you wear it.

greg3rd48 

Yeh I did a 93 miles ride last week in 90ish temps with sun and that broke the straw on the camel's back. I need more than just two bottles. I will do as suggested and try on a few to see which feels best.

Steepndeep

My wife and I have multiple packs of various brands, but I like my Camelbak best. It is an older ROCKET model. Has 70-75 oz bladder and is fairly low profile so it doesn't catch too much wind. I use it mtn biking and skiing and have had it for about 12 yrs. It's been thru hell and has held up great. Only issue I have had w/ it is that the "gasket" around the filler cap sometimes has moved a bit and causes the bladder to leak just a bit. I carefully check it at each filling to make sure it is flush down and won't leak. Not sure if this model is still avail., but I love it.

69chevy

Rule #32


Humps are for camels: no hydration packs.


Hydration packs are never to be seen on a road rider’s body. No argument will be entered into on this. For MTB, they are cool.

indyfabz

Surprised it took 11 posts for this.


Are they cool if one is touring on roads? I always use a CamelBack when I do self-contained, road tours. Not only can it be essential while riding, it comes in handy in camp when your water source is a ways off.

aubiecat

I have a friend that rides 300- a week with multiple 100+ rides. He would disagree with #32.

Pendergast

I have a couple of them I use and like.

One is an Osprey Syncro 10 with a 100 oz. bladder. It has a frame that suspends it away from the back for ventilation. It's relatively small for a hydration pack but still big enough that I can carry some bottled water or something else to drink if I don't want to mess with the bladder. I think it may be discontinued but it's still available with a little searching. Not sure what Osprey has replaced it with.

The other I have is a CamelBak Palos 4LR. It's a lumbar pack with a 50 oz. bladder. Much less storage space but it's a much smaller pack. If you decide to get one of those, buy the 1.5" version of these, too: https://www.rei.com/product/867926/gear-aid-tri-glide-buckle-set-package-of-2

The straps on the Palos don't stay tight without using the Tri-Glides.

banerjek

I have hydration packs by at least 4 companies including Camelbak.

I have no durability issues with any of them -- my newest pack is 5 years old and I never wash any of them. For riding, I actually like my North Face Thresher but those haven't been available for years.

Get the pack you want since you'll be staring at it for a long while. On an aside note, I particularly dislike the large cap on my Camelbak because when it freezes shut, it's much harder to open than the other packs

joejack951

Even more so with a coupon, Sierra Trading Post is a great place to score a Camelbak or other hydration pack: Hydration Pack average savings of 37% at Sierra Trading Post

znomit

Personally I find hydration packs uncomfortable in the heat. You might want to get a dirt cheap one and see how you like using them.
I use 2 950ml bottles on the bike and put another bottle in the back pocket.
Wiggle | Elite MaxiCorsa 950ml Water Bottle | Water Bottles

TGT1

I've been using a 3L LOBO Camelbak for years for climbing before it's been repurposed to riding. It's gotta be 10 years old. They no longer make a comparable model but this one looks like it will live at least another 5 years or better.

The only thing I've ever replaced is the hose once and upgraded the bite valve to one with a shutoff valve since sometimes climbing the bite valve would get pinched and make it pee on your leg.

The large fill port is a big plus.

Freeze a pair of 1/2L bottled water.

Slice off the bottle and insert in the pack and fill with chilled water.
(using 2 bottles insures that they form a channel for your spine, keeps your back cool too)

You have ice water for about 40-60 mi even in 90+ temps. Then cool water till it runs dry.

nycphotography

There's nothing hotter on a sweltering day than a backpack!!

Hottest days of summer on long days, I have carried two on the bike, and 2 bottles in my shirt pockets, either 500 or 750ml depending.

It's nice to be able to ditch them and not still have the camelbak to carry around.

But I got a 24oz collapsible at rei and i'm thinking those i could roll up and stuff in the pockets empty. again, way better than the camelbak on my back.

Cyclist0108

The main problem with my camelback is that it tastes like one.

joejack951

Camelbaks may add some heat on the back but they make up for it by offering colder fluids for far longer than individual bottles. There is nothing worse to me than being really hot and drinking hot fluids a few hours into a ride.

chinarider

I have one of these with a 100 oz bladder. It's great, but I don't think they make that size anymore. I only use it if I'm going more than 30-40 miles, But where I ride there is generally no place to fill up bottles. If I could have a magic bottle that never got empty and always stayed cold, I'd prefer that to the camelbak, but the negligible discomfort of the camelbak is much preferable to having to ration and/or run out of water.

banerjek

You obviously don't ride a recumbent

joejack951

What does one do with a backpack on a recumbent?

deapee

Yes, camelbak is way better than a cheap knockoff. I've seen friends' off-brand hydration packs just bust a random seam while riding.

Have you considered getting one of those bottle holders that go off the back of your seat and hold 2 extra water bottles? It's literally a $0.50 piece of metal that you can stick on there yourself, and just bolt two water bottle cages right on. Very common in hot, arid places.