Hydration packs, why?

[GWashington1732]

I've been looking for a new backpack and it seems like every one has a hydration pack. Why? I would never want one or use one. It seems completely ridiculous, why would you want to carry around all that extra weight? It does not make sense.

 

[C_Kyle]

All that extra weight?

What kind of hiking/backpacking/outdooring do you do? How much water do you carry?

All that extra weight is just water; not the pack itself.

 

[desmobob]

All what extra weight? In the past, I carried water bottles in my pack. Now I carry a hydration bladder with drinking tube. I really don't think it weighs much more than couple of 2L bottles....

I'm a big guy and go through a lot of water. I need to carry a lot of H2O. A hydration pack is the most comfortable means for me to do so. I can carry 100oz. without the bulk of bottles (most of which retain their bulk when empty).

I bought my first hydration pack (CamelBak M.U.L.E.) for a summer bicycling trip across Kansas. I immediately was hooked on the concept and now all my packs and bags are hydration bag capable.

Stay sharp,
desmobob

 

[hlee]

Yeah, why would anyone want a hands-free water reservoir? Why carry water anyway? You can't make fire with it. You can't baton it through a log. It doesn't take the place of a survival gun. Seems like just a lot of extra weight if you ask me. Okay, maybe if you are in a fire prone area and want something to keep your fire from getting out of hand, then maybe.

Seriously, an extra flap of thin material and a hook doesn't really translate to a lot of weight. I'm not sure that a 2 L bladder doesn't weight less than the same amount of nalgene. Maybe you could clarify where you think the extra weight is coming from?

 

[scarysharp]

I just got done hunting for 7 day in central texas where temps got to the 80's during the day. The hydration pack was a great help.
BTW- If you like a particular pack, most hydration pack slips right out of the knapsack if you choose not to use it

 

[GWashington1732]

Yeah, why would anyone want a hands-free water reservoir? Why carry water anyway? You can't make fire with it. You can't baton it through a log. It doesn't take the place of a survival gun. Seems like just a lot of extra weight if you ask me. Okay, maybe if you are in a fire prone area and want something to keep your fire from getting out of hand, then maybe.

Seriously, an extra flap of thin material and a hook doesn't really translate to a lot of weight. I'm not sure that a 2 L bladder doesn't weight less than the same amount of nalgene. Maybe you could clarify where you think the extra weight is coming from?

The extra weight is from the water. I don't see the need, I carry a 1 quart canteen, I've never needed more than that, or been that far from a stream where I can get water, I don't see the need of carrying 2L of water except maybe if hiking in a desert.

 

[desmobob]

The extra weight is from the water. I don't see the need, I carry a 1 quart canteen, I've never needed more than that, or been that far from a stream where I can get water, I don't see the need of carrying 2L of water except maybe if hiking in a desert.

Everyone's needs are different. I usually carry 3L of water on a trip. I'd rather carry it than have to carry a filter or disinfect it. And I'd prefer to carry a little more than I expect I'll need.

On a hot summer hike, I'll drink a quart on my first rest break!

When hunting in cool or cold weather, I carry three liters but rarely use more than one. BUT if I end up having to drag a deer out for a couple of miles, the extra water will be worth its weight in gold!


Stay sharp,
desmobob

 

[flipe8]

In addition to everyone having different needs, a hydration pack carries much more easily(IMO) than a canteen. They are also basically hands-free, so you can continue to move and hydrate.

 

[raylaconico]

The extra weight is from the water. I don't see the need, I carry a 1 quart canteen, I've never needed more than that, or been that far from a stream where I can get water, I don't see the need of carrying 2L of water except maybe if hiking in a desert.

I don't carry a hydration pack because I personally don't like it but everybody has their own preference. I don't think it weighs any more than a canteen. If you only want to carry one quart of water then you can do that in a hydration pack. I don't understand how you're thinking. Like I said I don't like them but other people do and I don't see anything wrong with them. Some people like boots some like shoes, some like internal frames, some like external. Whatever you prefer is good for you.

 

[Smash05]

The extra weight is from the water. I don't see the need, I carry a 1 quart canteen, I've never needed more than that, or been that far from a stream where I can get water, I don't see the need of carrying 2L of water except maybe if hiking in a desert.

This is just ignorant. I have been plenty of places not desert that do not have a plentiful drinking supply. I had to hump 12 liters of water on a hike/camp trip to the Boston Harbor Islands this past summer.

 

[Katdaddy]

I sweat buckets when hiking, so a 32 oz nalgene wouldn't make a dent in my water needs. I find 3 liters works nicely for me. Also, having the drinking tube so I can sip on the fly keeps me better hydrated. I LOVE my hydration pack!!!

 

[Stormstaff]

I'm no doctor but I'm sure there is a chart or something that shows how much water your body loses and depending what you are doing, you lose it fast. If you let yourself get thirsty, you have already started dehydrating. If you start dehydrating and don't do something about it, you could be in BIG trouble.

 

[C_Kyle]

The extra weight is from the water. I don't see the need, I carry a 1 quart canteen, I've never needed more than that, or been that far from a stream where I can get water, I don't see the need of carrying 2L of water except maybe if hiking in a desert.

OK. That's your environment, I guess, where water's aplenty. I would really like to know what outdoor activities you're into where 1qt of water will last you more than 1 hour and where you can refill every hour.

You can search my thread a few months back where 5 liters of water didn't last through my 20+ miles forced march at 3.5-6mph in 90+ degree heat and it almost killed me. That will give you an idea of why I'm asking about what you're doing outdoors where 1qt is sufficient.

Not trying to bust your balls. For those of us who understand and require a lot of water for extended extraneous outdoor activity, carrying 1qt of water sounds just as silly as carrying 20lbs of water sounds to you.

 

[baldtaco-II]

I've been looking for a new backpack and it seems like every one has a hydration pack. Why? I would never want one or use one. It seems completely ridiculous, why would you want to carry around all that extra weight? It does not make sense.

I thought is was a good idea at first when it was a feature built into packs for adventure racing and so on. Now I'm much more inclined to believe the bulk of them have taken that idea and ran with it as a gimmick, especially when you see some of the packs that have that feature. What with the overspill from the beauty industry and their claims about water and how many people have been sucked in there it's not hard to see why the notion has developed the legs it has. Fashion is an enormous part of the outdoor experience for many people.

 

[KuRUpTD]

The extra weight is from the water. I don't see the need, I carry a 1 quart canteen, I've never needed more than that, or been that far from a stream where I can get water, I don't see the need of carrying 2L of water except maybe if hiking in a desert.

Well GW , you asked why? and people have chimed in with their reasons for doing so.

I'm sure you've heard the saying "to each his own"

 

[GWashington1732]

I'm not being antagonistic here, I was just wondering what the big deal is with the hydration pack on all the backpacks I'm looking at. I just don't feel that I have the need to carry extra water when most of the places I go have nearby water sources. I'm aware that there are places where extra water is a necessity but I don't get the need for the hydration pack. I just don't like them, that's all.

 

[Smash05]

Well not liking them and not realizing a need are too VERY different things. YOU have no need for them, but others clearly do. One quart is very little water for any activity - considering a body at rest requires two quarts a day minimum. Also, if you need water Fast and have no nearby source "like you are injured and can't walk" Having a quart is leaving you un-prepared. I finish most hikes with more than one quart of water left in bottles - because I want to make sure I have sufficient supply for an emergency. Your OP was quite direct and to the point, it dealt in absolutes I don't think you are qualified to deal in.

 

[BlackHills]

I'm not being antagonistic here, I was just wondering what the big deal is with the hydration pack on all the backpacks I'm looking at. I just don't feel that I have the need to carry extra water when most of the places I go have nearby water sources. I'm aware that there are places where extra water is a necessity but I don't get the need for the hydration pack. I just don't like them, that's all.

So take the bladder out and use it like a regular pack. The features on a pack associated with the hydration bladder don't add very much extra weight.

I think the hydration bladder is one of the best inventions ever. It makes drinking a lot easier and when you have that tube in plain sight you drink more often.

 

[Katdaddy]

but I don't get the need for the hydration pack. I just don't like them, that's all.

As my old grampa used to say "that's the reason they make more than one flavor of ice cream."

 

[STAGE 2]

I'm aware that there are places where extra water is a necessity but I don't get the need for the hydration pack. I just don't like them, that's all.

This right here is cherry. First you state that there are places where extra water is needed, and then you say that you don't know why people would need to carry extra water.

Your last sentence is probably the best explanation however because it is honest. You dont like hydration packs. Thats fine. Its clear there are people who do however.

As far as the need, well there simply isnt a better way to carry 3L of water. With it on my back I can move and run largely unimpeded. Cant do that with multiple canteens. Furthermore, if you're going to carry a backpack then why not carry one that does double duty. It just makes sense.