camel pack

[geronimo]

howdy. well i'm ready to toss the water bottle. i usaully run with 16oz. and it ,just does'nt cut it anymore. i really like the camel packs. but, i really don't know what i need to look for. but i do no what i don't want.

#1 i don't want 20Lbs added.

#2 i don't want to spend 2hrs cleaning.

#3 i don't want my water to taste like ,i'm drinking out of a garden hose.

any thoughts are suggestions. maybe a link are two. maybe a couple of does and don'ts. something to help an old man out... thanks in advance... geronimo

[gfgjester]

Are you wearing a tac vest? If you're wearing a Flurry or vest w/compartment, Wal-Mart sells a 2, or so, liter bladder to fit the pocket. I've had a few and yet to find one that made the water taste bad. And cleaning is as easy as emptying it out after you use it. Even if it sits for a month, a drop or two of dish detergent and a couple of DROPS of bleach with hot water will clean and sanitize it. Additionally, with vests, make sure your tube/bite valve will fit through the D-rings on the vest so you can secure it from the back to the front. If the bite valve is removable it should be easy.

If you don't wear a vest, then they also have "Camelback" style packs that come with a bladder. Theres a gazillion different styles and sizes. Academy Sports also has them. And you can Google if you want to buy online... It's pretty much your personal tastes. Again, the thing to look at close is the bladder. Get one with a decent bite valve; One that has an on/off. My first didn't and I looked like I peed on myself from where it hit after leaking a few drops all day long! And the Camelback brand has HUGE wide mouth fill neck. Makes it easier on the hands when loading ice or cleaning.

You definitely will like the convenience of having ice cold H20 at a turn of the head. We usually fill it with ice and water the night before and stick it in the fridge. Or if you like, put the ice in the night before and stick it in the freezer. Put a l'il bit of water in it the next AM and you're ready to go.

At the price I've seen SOME of the Camelbacks, you might want to investigate a Flurry, (Shameless plug!). At least you could use the vest as something more than a bladder holder. Hope that helps!

[fester]

I don't know where you're at in the states but you may also want to purchase a thermal pouch for the camel back. I've used them in 140 degree heat and it keeps the pouch nice and cool for hours. It's made of the same stuff as space blankets. Also make sure you get one with a decent sized drinking tube, the smaller ones feel like you're trying to pull water through a stir straw. Make sure the hose is insulated too.

Jester is right, cleaning and letting it dry is the best bet all around for not getting the rubber and plastic taste. I got a mouthfull of water in mine that was there for a week and let me tell you it's not the best taste.

Best thing about the camelback is that you don't look like a tard trying to drink from a bottle with your mask on. When you fall it doesn't hurt nearly as much as falling on a bottle or canteen.

[tank fc1]

Originally Posted by geronimo

howdy. well i'm ready to toss the water bottle. i usaully run with 16oz. and it ,just does'nt cut it anymore. i really like the camel packs. but, i really don't know what i need to look for. but i do no what i don't want.

#1 i don't want 20Lbs added.

#2 i don't want to spend 2hrs cleaning.

#3 i don't want my water to taste like ,i'm drinking out of a garden hose.

any thoughts are suggestions. maybe a link are two. maybe a couple of does and don'ts. something to help an old man out... thanks in advance... geronimo

in my opinion go with a 70oz camel back. i never wore on on the field till the summer time but its small enough to not slow you down but holds enough water to keep you more that hydraded.. plus you can put it in most tac vests if not its not gonna be uncomfortable underneth it. ive done both..cleaning is easy as long as you listen to the manufacturer and inly put water in it. just drain it and leave open to air dry.

[DeepFreeze]

Personally I like the stealth pack. It holds the same amount of water, but it is wider and thinner and is less cumbersome when you are low crawling through brush.

As far as links go, head over to CamelBak - 2006 and look under the military hydration paks.

[yoda1096]

you also might want to go to blackhawk.com they have several different hydration systems i belive theirs are called hydrostorm.

[gfgjester]

I just got back from the local Wal Mart and they have a buttload of the 2 liter bladders I was talking about for under ten bucks. They also have the same amount of Camelbacks in several different styles and colors at good, economical prices.

[claydirt]

Whatever you purchase, be sure and only use water. The taste will change if you try to use any type of sports drink and then go back to water. Also CLEAN it out with mild soap and water as soon as you finish playing and allow it to dry. I have a 40oz and 70oz camelbak and have had good service from both.

[Puddin24]

you may just want to invest in a midget to carry around jugs of water for you.. just my $.02

[SouthernStormPaintball]

Haha Puddin. But I'm about to buy a camel pack sometime before that 24 hour finale and the one's i saw at wal mart were 10.88. BUT you could go with puddin's idea.