I got a new hydration pack with the mesh runners that is supposed to keep it off of your back to allow airflow and reduce sweating. Blah. I still felt the pack on my back, and I still sweatted (that doesn't look right) like a pig.
If there's no way to rig it to work better (adding more padding to the pre-existing runners?), I guess I'll just go with a bottle. But that would mean that I would no longer be able to carry anything extra. I don't want to lose my pack, but I HATE the discomfort.

What brand/model did you get?
I got a Camelback Classic last summer and never had a problem with sweating under the pack. I realize that AZ is a little warmer than Atlanta, but... I always rode in the middle of the day (bright sun) when the temperature was over 90F.

You could always fill the bag with water and freez it the night before. This will help keep you cool and supply you with fluids as it melts.

I have to say, I haven't been much impressed with my Camelback either. I tried to get another hydration system that hooks under my seat, and the problem for that one was that it was difficult to suck the water up through that long tube- felt like I was practically having to inhale for 2 minutes without air to get a sip of water.

I'm also back on the bottle myself.

Koffee

I have a CamelBak Rimrunner. As far as I know all hydration packs that you carry on your back will have the problem you describe.

I have a CamelBak FlashFlo lumbar hydration pack that hangs around your waist, but it only holds about a quart and a half of water. My 12 year old thinks it great, but I have little use for it.

I only use the hydration bladder if I need alot of water and can't stop and refill. Say a 20 mile run in August without water stops. 100oz of water is quite a lot.

Otherwise I use 20oz water bottles either on my bike or on my waistbelt for the RimRunner.

I hear that Vaude makes a backpack with an actual suspension that holds the pack off your back, but I have not tried one.

Dan

My wife bought me a Hydrapak Overflow--100 ounce bladder and lots of room to carry stuff. I would not have bought this pack, nor would I return one she bought me, so I used it. Summers around here can have high temperatures and high humidities. For long rides on those days, the pack is OK.

I really think that any pack is going to make your back sweat. But, I can always ring my entire jersey out after a ride anyway, so no big deal to me. I like the water capacity of the CB and not having to stop pedaling and reach for the bottles. So, I am still off the bottle.

The CamelBak Rocket has a hard frame that holds it off your back. I haven't tried one of those. I use a MULE.

"The CamelBak Rocket has a hard frame that holds it off your back. I haven't tried one of those. I use a MULE."

My wife has a Rocket too. She's always trying to flex that frame outward so that it curves WITH her back because it's damn uncomfortable bent inward putting all the weight right on her spine. Wait till I tell her: "It's not a bug; a feature!"

Me, I use a MULE too. I only fill it about halfway this time a year. Come summer, I'll be filling it up and carrying two water bottles to refill it.

One thing we both agree on: You drink a lot more (and that's a good thing) with a pack.

I got a pack that is faily big with the mesh suspension to keep it off my back. so only the pads cause sweat. but they even do that when it is colder out. but the rest of my back stays pretty dry. got it on clearence at REI for 50.00but the whole pack is curved so you can't get as much in it as you can a smaller pack.

I love my Camelbak Hydrobak.. I have no sweating problems whatsoever.. I even forget I'm carrying the backpack.

Yup, it's a tradeoff. If you've not used a hydration pack, it's going to feel a bit strange for a while.

On the road, I only use a hydration pack when I'm on rides over about 2 hours (then I use 2 bottles, and the h/p), or on rides that I'll need to carry extra clothing. When I'm riding my mountain bike, I use both a hydration pack, and 1 water bottle filled with a sports drink. On single-track, a hydration pack is the only good answer if you want to drink on the fly.