Hydration Packs In Cold Weather?

I have had the tube and valve on mine freeze. It's no fun trying to stay hydrated when that happens. I also have used the insulated tube and bite valve cover and it has still frozen. I love the system, I just wouldn't trust it not to freeze. If you are mountaineering or in very cold temps, carry a nalgene as a back-up.
 
desmobob said:
I have a Camelback "Unbottle" hydration bag that is basically a standard bladder inside a nylon fabric-covered closed cell foam insulating jacket. I haven't used it in winter conditions yet, but I think it would be slightly more handy than a standard bare bladder.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
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i was using a storm which is basically the same thing. it was carried in a vest pocket. i didn't use the blow back method because i thought the insulated tube would prevent freezing:confused: makes you wonder what the insulation is supposed to do. after the tube froze i could feel the bladder starting to get slushy sometime later.

i bought a stealth later on that hugs your back and can be easily worn under your coat. it has never froze but you have to keep the tube covered under clothing still.
 
Gurthang said:
Since there seems to be problems for some people, can you give directions on how you scrub yours to keep it in good shape?

Thanks
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Not hard.

First, spend the $20 on a bladder cleaning kit.
Second, use it.

Make sure its air dried well before packing away. Most of my friends who get mildew have left fluid in the bladder for days after their trip or stored it wet. Seems to be a common denominator for mold.

Here is the tube insulator.
http://casanovasadventures.com/catalog/water/p328.htm

Skam
 
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I usually take a Camelbak of some sorts whenever we go skiing for a day. I have always worn the pack on the outside of my jacket, and have never had the water inthe bladder freeze. We have minimized freezing in the tube by draining back the water after drinking by either biting on the valve, or after my wife takes a drink she'll elevate the valve to drain the water back. Blowing the water back to the resevoir works, but you risk introducing bacteria into the bladder. Yuck.

I have a cleaning kit and use it occasionally. If I have only been for a day with a hydration system, I will fill it with warm water when I get home, and drop in a couple denture cleaning tablets. I'll run some of the water into the tube once the tablets get going, and then let it sit for about ten minutes. After that, I drain the bladder through the tube, and rinse everything out well.

I have a couple commercial devicesfor hanging the resevoirs to dry. I also found a couple plastic coated wire hangers that I bent to fit into the resevoirs so they can be expanded for air drying.
 
seen 'em freeze so bad the tubes have split. Those bladders are not for me, I have enough trouble keeping the one inside my body warm !
 
Just add some salt or hydration mixture to the water; remember high school science?
Also insulate or clear the tube.
But really just change the freezing properties with salts.
 
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