Hydration packs, why?

[Ramm9]

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.

Generally I don't like the hydration tube things very much although they can be handy if you are doing something and want to keep moving. Bicycle comes to mind.

I like having the hydration sleeves in a pack so I can slide a platypus or dromedary water bag in it's place.

Of course when you are traveling around a constant source of water there is no need to carry much. In the desert, that 2L of water would probably be gone before you lost sight of your parked car.

 

[GWashington1732]

I'll take the point about some extra water being needed in case of an emergency on a hike where I wouldn't be able to get to my water supply, In fact I'll probably start carying an extra couple of containers with me. But I just don't buy that the hydration packs are the best. I guess they're just not for me, not sure why but I don't like them.

 

[Rick Marchand]

1 quart of water in a military canteen is heavier that 1 quart of water in a 2-3 quart hydration bladder. Where's the problem, exactly. I don't use a hydration pack but all things considered, it is the more efficient way to go.

You must realize the difference between understanding the need... or understanding the want.

 

[Rick Marchand]

I'll take the point about some extra water being needed in case of an emergency on a hike where I wouldn't be able to get to my water supply, In fact I'll probably start carying an extra couple of containers with me. But I just don't buy that the hydration packs are the best. I guess they're just not for me, not sure why but I don't like them.

Maybe you should start by telling us why you think containers are better than bladders.... so we can see where you are coming from?


I don't think that hydration pack are the best.... they are just an option.

 

[GWashington1732]

Maybe you should start by telling us why you think containers are better than bladders.... so we can see where you are coming from?

I'm not sure why. I think it's partly because I'm afraid of them bursting but that's not the whole reason. I just don't like them is all, containers might not be any better than them but I'm more comfortable with them.

 

[paleojoe]

It's not enough to carry an msr pump/filter. I don't know how clean your water is, but here in California, Giardia abounds. I would never think of constantly searching for a water source to drink through my filter like a straw. I carry a canteen and an empty backup bladder, no extra weight there. I go through my canteen in a matter of hours or even twenty minutes if going uphill. It gets me to a water source or to camp. I use the backup, hanging or perched, around camp. My stainless canteen touches my lips and only takes a quick boil to clean.

I don't drink directly from the container I put in the water source as this just defeats the purpose of purifying it. Hence the bladder. My canteen stays clean.

As well, I also don't put up camp right next to the water source. They're cold and breed insects. Plus my presence there scares all the wildlife/game away. High and dry is the best way...

Another note, when I was hiking in the Scottish Highlands, I brought my msr, canteen, and an empty backup bladder. The locals just brought cups. Apparently the water was that clean for them. Even then, I still used my msr... It can take time for the stomach to adapt to different waters, even if they're 'clean'. Diarrhea is a major cause of dehydration...

What I'm getting to is, an empty water bladder, whatever the material, is a great backup to add to a canteen.

 

[Guyon]

I'm not sure why. I think it's partly because I'm afraid of them bursting but that's not the whole reason. I just don't like them is all, containers might not be any better than them but I'm more comfortable with them.

My Camelbak bladder is pretty robust. I've used it on kayak trips without the pack, and despite getting knocked around a bit, I haven't seen any leaks. That said, I like a wide-mouth Nalgene just because it's easier to fill from a water source, and it has gradations for measuring water (to mix with dehydrated foods). Mostly, I use the Camelbak for mountain biking. There, the advantage is pretty obvious.

 

[mcjhrobinson]

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.

you obviously dont go hiking in the southwest...otherwise itd would be "which bladder to get?"

i packed about 1.5gallons for a 3 day hike and i still got dehydrated. plus if you dont want the bladder take it out. problem solved.

 

[C_Kyle]

I'll take the point about some extra water being needed in case of an emergency on a hike where I wouldn't be able to get to my water supply, In fact I'll probably start carying an extra couple of containers with me. But I just don't buy that the hydration packs are the best. I guess they're just not for me, not sure why but I don't like them.

You still haven't answered what you're doing outside. Are you casually walking down trails for an hour or two? Are day hiking with a 10lb pack for 6 or more hours? What? I don't hump 20lbs of water for 3-4 hour hikes. So, if you're just casually walking in the woods for an hour or two, I can see where you wouldn't need much water.

 

[GWashington1732]

You still haven't answered what you're doing outside. Are you casually walking down trails for an hour or two? Are day hiking with a 10lb pack for 6 or more hours? What? I don't hump 20lbs of water for 3-4 hour hikes. So, if you're just casually walking in the woods for an hour or two, I can see where you wouldn't need much water.

Lately it's just been shorter 4-5 hour day hikes, but I don't remember ever bringing a lot of water along when I was going on longer overnight hikes. But Like I've said, I am pretty much always around lakes and streams where I hike so it's never really that big a problem to get more for me. If I was going for a hike somewhere where there was no readily available water source I'd carry more but I haven't done anything where I've needed to bring a lot in a while.

 

[sizzler]

I don't like hydration bladders. Gimmicky, hard to clean on the trail, I've had them leak, lots of disposable plastic parts that really aren't built for the long haul, not the best for doing a pre-soak on beans or rice, harder to dip in a spring with your pack still on. Too much maintenance.

They are OK and work great for a lot of people, but I don't want one.

Two quarts is often the amount used by AT through-hikers. Usually water sources are plentiful, and if you drink up while filling your bottles, two quarts is usually enough.

 

[stingray4540]

I'm not sure why. I think it's partly because I'm afraid of them bursting but that's not the whole reason. I just don't like them is all, containers might not be any better than them but I'm more comfortable with them.

Well, I wouldn't worry about them bursting. I crashed on my mountain bike and landed on my back, and all 220lbs of me at the time, didn't even cause a leak in my camelback at the time, much less burst it.

As far as weight is concerned, I guarantee you a hydration bladder doesn't weigh more than the same size canteen or bottle. So, you have a 2 liter bladder, doesn't mean you have to fill it to the top. I routinely fill mine with only a liter of water for short hikes or biking trips. So, your weight argument is invalid.

Lastly, if you don't like them, then just take it out of the pack, the pack will function just as well without the bladder, I promise.

As for your question to why all the packs are made to hold a water bladder, well, because the consumer wants it, so companies are going to make what sells.

So, if you don't like them, that's fine, it's a personal choice, that's why they didn't stop making canteens and bottles.

So, you may or may not like them, but I don't think you could show me one good reason why a bottle or canteen is better than a bladder, besides personal preference.

P.S. Why do I like bladders? Because they are a hell of a lot easier to use, just suck on the straw, no need to unscrew or flip up caps. They also make it easier to carry the water's weight, and make the water more pack friendly. Let's face it, water carried right against your back is a lot more comfortable than a canteen or bottle making you lopsided. And when you put your bottle or canteen in a pack, they are more cumbersome and harder to pack around.

 

[CWL]

why would you want to carry around all that extra weight? It does not make sense.

Shhhhhh... Don't tell anyone that you heard this from me, since this is a Special Forces Top Secret that I'm passing to you... you don't need to put water in it. You don't even need to put the bladder into your pack if you don't want to.

Don't know how clean the water is in New Jersey, but there are plenty of places in the world that "available" does not equal "potable".

If you want to lug bottles off your hip, go ahead, most people would agree that spreading the weight along your shoulders and back make for easier portage.

 

[DWK2]

If you don't want to carry 2-3L of water, you don't have to fill the bladder all the way. However, on a longer hike the available capacity can be a great thing. That said, if I am doing my usual 4 mile/800 v.ft. exercise hike I often bring just a 1L bottle because it is sufficient and easier to clean.

DancesWithKnives

 

[smersh]

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.

This is key. I don't like drinking out of them either, but a good pack with a bladder is usually much more comfortable than the same pack with a couple of bottles flopping around. The design minimizes the effect of the weight and bulk by placing it high and close to your back.

 

[C_Kyle]

I don't like hydration bladders. Gimmicky, hard to clean on the trail, I've had them leak, lots of disposable plastic parts that really aren't built for the long haul, not the best for doing a pre-soak on beans or rice, harder to dip in a spring with your pack still on. Too much maintenance.

I never clean mine. When mold develops, which is after about two years of steady use, I throw them away and get new bladders. Sounds gross, but they don't smell or cause the water to taste strange, or make me sick, so...

 

[DWK2]

I usually use a small amount of dishwashing detergent and bleach, applied with hot water and a bottle brush. That seems to chase off the bad stuff.

DancesWithKnives

 

[stanley_white]

It's a tool for the tool box.

Don't like it? Don't trust it?

Ok.

Don't buy / use them.

 

[luckykitty]

When I started doing cycling tours I was pretty dehydrated one day, and I got myself a cycling pack with a bladder. We got plenty of water - with giardia ... so I rather take my own. I've also used the sleeve for the bladder to organize other stuff inside the pack when not cycling ... in some packs you can take the sleeve out, if you don't use it.

 

[BrianBoyles]

I used one when I was a member of a tactical team. Hours in heavy gear can dehydrate you and you can't stop and walk away to take a water break.

In some situations they are great.