Hydration Packs

[VEA]

Afternoon all,

I started commuting to work today (on my bike) for the first time in several years. Now I know this weather will not last but it got me wondering if people use these on a regular basis, or do you generally only use them for longer rides?

I have gone and ordered a Camelbak Mule NV (looked pretty good to me). Plus it is big enough to hold all my work stuff for when I get there.

[TvrJohn]

Tesco do one for £10 bargain

[VEA]

Thanks

[CVP]

When commuting in London I used to use an old Camelback Blowfish which had enough room in for fresh shirt, pants & socks. I rarely used the bladder whilst commuting but it has come in very handy for day walks. The product itself has lasted at least 10 years now so gets a big thumbs up on build quality

Chris

[Matt London]

I have a Camelbak Mule (older 4 Season version) and to be honest it's not very roomy. Once the 3L bladder is full up it does not leave alot of room for cargo. The main compartment will only hold a baselayer and a pair of gloves. The smaller compartment holds all of my energy bars, keys, wallet etc but it's a squeeze.
I am thinking about getting a Hawg or Alpine Explorer to hold extra/spare clothing in the Winter. The Mule just does not have enough room for that.
HTH

[louiebaby]

swerni said:

Unless your doing a 30 - 40 mile commute all you need is a water bottle or two.

He's right. It's better to let the bike take the strain. The more you carry in a bag, the sweatier you'll get!

(It also lowers the centre of gravity, like folding the back seats down in your car.)

[prand]

you can get bladders that fit into a lot of modern rucksacks that have a puch and holes in the right places. Just don't do what I did and get a 3 litre bladder - which is a very heavy dead weight to carry around.

[hullbilly]

Has anybody used the Tesco hydration park, it looks a bargain but is it rubbish for £10!?

[dubbs]

I only use mine for all day MTB rides, Camelback for the Leith hill type 5 hours rides - My Deuter rucksack has a larger bladder for the full day jobbies somewhere like Sierra Nevada.

On the Road, only ever a bottle cage and bottles

19km commute will be about 500ml max intake and that's going for it and Summertime.

I only really take/need more than one 750ml bottle of isotonic on 50km+ rides

[ewenm]

On all day rides in the Lake district I used to only get through one 750ml bottle, so a 1 litre Camelbak-style thing is plenty for me. For rides of less than an hour I tend not to bother and just rehydrate when I get to my destination.

[Fetchez la vache]

Depending on the commute a hydration pack would be overkill imho - certainly for my commute or evening rides a bottle is more than enough.

I've also got a Dakine Nomad which I love for all day rides. It's also large enough to fit my commuting stuff in, but it has a separate compartment for the bladder that I remove during the week as it's pointless me carting the thing about when I'm not using it.

[TheDetailDoctor]

I have an old Mule, about 10 years old. Been fine until recently when I needed a new bladder, nearly £30 for a 3 litre bladder, so I purchased a Hydrapk Flume for£18 on Ebay, 2 litre capacity, enough space for a light waterproof, tube, pump & multitool.

[Scooby72]

hullbilly said:

Has anybody used the Tesco hydration park, it looks a bargain but is it rubbish for £10!?

Yeh I bought one from Tesco for a tenner a couple of years ago.

It's fine, rarely use it with the bladder in, but it's a handy little rucksack & probably a quarter of the price of a Camelback.

[VEA]

Well, I ordered the Camelbak Mule N.V. I have to say it is brilliant. I have used it the last couple of days, I put a small amount in the bladder so it does not take up too much space and does not weigh too much. It is just big enough for my travel towel, shower gell, and trousers shirt and tie (I leave my shoes in the office).

So all in all I think it was the right one for me but I guess only time will tell.

Thanks for all the advise chaps.

[jshell]

Bought a Camelbak Hawg last week and used it twice. Perfect size for some tools, tube, water and waterproofs. 3 litre bladder, but you don't HAVE to put 3 litres in it....


Also, I always thought it was better to get the weight off the bike and onto your back for the mechanical advantage...??!

Edited by jshell on Friday 28th May 09:11

[pdV6]

I use a Rogue for general trail-riding - 2l bladder and room for a few odds n ends (trail tool, tube, pump, phone, keys)

Also have an Octane for commuting and the occasional all-day ride. 3l bladder (only ever part-filled on the way to work) and plenty of space for clothing, packed lunch, tools, spares etc. Party trick is a big zip down the front so you can drastically reduce the size of the pack when you don't need the extra space.