Hydration Packs

[MyThoughtsExactly]

Last edited Mon Sep 4, 2017, 10:59 PM - Edit history (1)

What are everyone's thoughts about hydration packs on here? I use to have a smaller Camelbak and I thought it was really good, until I found algae that was growing inside the hose that I could not get out. There was also the problem of the water tasting really weird on a hot day, almost like the plastics from the bag would leach into the water. I tried looking at other bags but they all have that same neo-plastic bag inside and the plastics that form the rest of the backpack are too fragile to use any good cleaning products with. I am going to be doing a big hike across the States later this fall so I would like to have some sort of hydration pack with me while doing it so if anyone can suggest a better one that would be greatly appreciated.

So it seems that I was being lazy and did not do enough research as Warpy posted a very good guide to cleaning your hydration packs that seems very thorough. I have checked out some of the hydration packs online, and saw the Motherlode Rucksack being sold by someone on https://www.for-sale.ie/camelbak-motherlode-rucksack and after I met with the buyer and expressed my concerns about cleaning, he actually gave me some little tools he had made (similar to the guide from Warpy) to clean it out with. Thanks for the advice everyone, and thanks to the guy who sold me this for giving me a little extra!

[Warpy]

1. Have you seen instructions for cleaning it out?

http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/fix/cleaning-hydration-pack.htm

I don't agree with their idea to use distilled water, leaching minerals out of your body can lead to some pretty severe problems, even if you have a bottle of concentrated electrolyte solution with you. The better idea is to clean the thing out every few times you fill it. Yes, it will grow bugs. You will just need to keep it cleaned out when you see the signs.

[MyThoughtsExactly]

3. Well I feel silly

Can't believe I didn't think to look for a good cleaning guide. I would not be using distilled water, I have well water on the land with lots of minerals in it and it tastes great too! Thanks for the guide, I guess getting a hydration pack is not as hard as I thought it was.

[Warpy]

4. I live out in backpacking country, which is the only way I knew to look for it

Yours and the Osprey are the two best backpack style hydration packs and they both need to be cleaned when they grow bugs.

[Nay]

2. I got one as a gift but was never able to use it because I couldn't stand the plasticky

taste of the water. It was horrible. And I can't even imagine how you'd truly clean the thing. To me, it was really just an unhelpful item that caused more problems and didn't solve any. Now I just carry a couple of aluminum water bottles in a small backpack.

If I were a long-distance hiker in remote areas, I'd carry a Lifestraw and be done with it.

[natheo]

5. USWE packs

I'm very pleased with my USWE hydration backpack. It has good ventilation and mesh panels.