Originally Posted by
Seattle Forrest
A good hydration pack is a gift from the gods. I've had a few cheap ones and wrote the entire concept off. Won a nice one at a PCT work party last year. It's a revelation.
Having ridden with backpacks I thought I would hate one. Then I went touring in Andalucia and had to go many miles without ready water sources in full sun. As soon as I got to a major city (Córdoba) I found a good bike shop. Tried to explain to a worker what I wanted and he smiled and said “CamelBak.” He also showed me some alternative brands. I went with the name I knew.