hydration packs

midgehulluk

hey folks

is it worth buying a hydration pack and what recommendations have you all got, been told the cammelbak rogue is a good option?

thanks.

mcnultycop

Yes. Get one.

How much do you have to spend and how much crap do you want to carry?

Kowalski675

mcnultycop wrote:

Yes. Get one.

How much do you have to spend and how much crap do you want to carry?

If you don't want to spend much, and travel light, then Tesco do one for £12 that does the job (the bite valve does tend to seep a few drops in use though).

If you have deep pockets and want to carry a bit more stuff then the Camelback Mule I was looking at the other day seems good. There was a hydration pack group test in last month's What mountain Bike.

G-S

Depends on the riding you do to be honest. A rogue is a good option if you don't need to carry any spares or tools (there is a little space round the bladder, but not a lot). A better option is to look at your existing backpack, to see if there is a little loop to hang anything in on the inside near the strap yoke. If there is, great, if there isn't try threading through a key fob or similar to see if your rigged loop can support a little weight without destroying the balance, shape, or structure of the pack. Assuming everything has gone ok, get yourself to Sports Direct, but a cheap hydration bladder there for 5 to 7 quid, and give it a go. If it works for you great, if it works, but you want more quality, go for the Camelbak or similar. There are lots of good options out there, but always look at what you need to carry, as well as water, rather than just thinking about the fluids. Fluids are great to have on you, but not very good if you are in the wrong conditions, without your necessities. Personally I go for a Camelbak MULE, which carries enough, but not loads. In that I get 3 liters or water, space for a waterproof, tools, tubes, food, and a warm layer, with space to spare for misc items. The rrp is 70 quid though, but it works for me.

cooldad

Kowalski675 wrote:

mcnultycop wrote:

Yes. Get one.

How much do you have to spend and how much crap do you want to carry?

If you don't want to spend much, and travel light, then Tesco do one for £12 that does the job (the bite valve does tend to seep a few drops in use though).

I bought one of those about four years ago to try them out, being an old bottle user.

It's still going strong and I've never had the need to replace it. Absolute bargain.

Kowalski675

cooldad wrote:

Kowalski675 wrote:

mcnultycop wrote:

Yes. Get one.

How much do you have to spend and how much crap do you want to carry?

If you don't want to spend much, and travel light, then Tesco do one for £12 that does the job (the bite valve does tend to seep a few drops in use though).

I bought one of those about four years ago to try them out, being an old bottle user.

It's still going strong and I've never had the need to replace it. Absolute bargain.

I got mine about five years ago, but I've only started using mine in the last few months. Can't fault it, apart from the bite valve, but that could be replaced with a better one. The current version has the same bladder, but slightly less carrying capacity.

cat_with_no_tail

Having had Camelbaks before, I have to say I'm a big fan of my Ergon BX2. They're not what you'd call cheap, knocking on for £100 once you get a bladder, but they carry all the stuff I realistically need on a ride, and is without a doubt, THE comfiest backpack I've ever owned.

ej2320

I have a camelbak charge 500 (I think that's it) and it's great

Lots on the market from different brands, just decide a capacity and search around

coulddobetter

Camel back mule user . Surprising how I get through 3 litres of water . Very comfortable .loads of room .

midgehulluk

Thanks for the replies guys, ive got it down to two bags the mule and raptor, any views on the raptor?.

hainman

i bought one from Decathlon,holds tools,innertube sweets spare gloves and can squeeze in my rain jacket and has a small net on the outside to fit a bottle if you dont want to take the bladder on short rides
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/hb-s2-black- ... 43904.html
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/came ... -prod75212
but for 20quid cheaper
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/hb-scudo-bla ... 38559.html

Briggo

midgehulluk wrote:

Thanks for the replies guys, ive got it down to two bags the mule and raptor, any views on the raptor?.

Either one you won't be disappointed with, I prefer my Osprey Viper which is similar to the Raptor (I also have an older Mule) it just feels better on my back personally.

reformedfatty

Don't buy a camelbak branded one, you pay for too much for the brand name.

I use a trail running pack, very stable, comes with the bladder, holds loads, front pockets for haribo and a built in whistle so you can summon help after high impact trail departures.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/medium-hydra ... 16076.html

stubs

I have a Deuter EX12 its about 5 or 6 years old and is still in top condition despite being abused and mistreated. I also have an Aldi one that I use as my commuter and short distance pack as its smaller, good value for £10 iirc. Dont be tempted to go too big or you will end up carrying a ton of unwanted junk with you.

balmybaldwin

midgehulluk wrote:

Thanks for the replies guys, ive got it down to two bags the mule and raptor, any views on the raptor?.

Not used a Mule, but I have a raptor.

Good points - solid bladder is easy to get into the pack, and doesn't sag etc like the cheapo ones, it also has a nifty magnet on the valve to keep the tube in one place when you are riding. the bag itself is good, if a bit fiddly to get into the bottom to find that illusive tool, and I've found small things can hide in a fold underneath the other internal pockets - no biggy

Bad point - for me although it is supremely comfortable when walking and running, I find that the lack of cushions either side of the spine on the back panel means that when riding long distances, it rubs on my vertebrae which makes them sore enough not to want a pack on at all the next day. This could be a personal thing and related to how flexible your back is - I get round this by sticking helmet foam bits on the back - a bit heath robinson but it works

Briggo

reformedfatty wrote:

Don't buy a camelbak branded one, you pay for too much for the brand name.

I use a trail running pack, very stable, comes with the bladder, holds loads, front pockets for haribo and a built in whistle so you can summon help after high impact trail departures.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/medium-hydra ... 16076.html

So not only will you have the backpack on your back aiding in the sweatfest but you get it on the front too, lovely.

midgehulluk

Briggo wrote:

midgehulluk wrote:

Thanks for the replies guys, ive got it down to two bags the mule and raptor, any views on the raptor?.

Either one you won't be disappointed with, I prefer my Osprey Viper which is similar to the Raptor (I also have an older Mule) it just feels better on my back personally.

just checked out the vipers and i prefer the look of it over the raptor. What's the bladder size on them and which viper you got and how much storage is in them?

slindborg

I picked up a wood side 2l pack from eBay for about £10.00 ok its small and not a camelback or osprey etc but it does its job for getting fluid in with a tapped bite valve etc.

sprite1275

Rogue here. I can fit all my essentials in, multitool, spare tube, patches, pump, keys, phone and snacks. Didn't want anything bigger as I know I'd take stuff ill never use and its all extra weight.
Superb sack, fits great and Dosnt move around at all.

BigAirNig

Osprey Viper 13

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOoAq5tg3qQ

or Raptor - depending what carrying capacity you want.....

The bladder by Osprey has a rigid outer part, so sliding in and out of the pack is easier than the Camel ones (unless they've changed it recently ..... )

The Rookie

I use a Camelback bladder I got from Army surplus (Aghanistan spec with insulated pipe and and insulation pouch for the bladder I don't always use in the UK but will keep the contents (filled chilled) cool for 6 hours even in +30 midday temps) inside a cheap H2O backpack, total cost was less than a tenner, the pack is less relevant than the bladder/valve in my opinion, hence my combo.