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Hydration packs, why?

I can easily go through a gallon of water on an overnight trip, so I carry at least 1 gallon of water, 3L in a camel bak and 1L in a bottle. Where I hunted this past year, water is very scarce and of questionable quality if found. I generally carry two bottles; one to get water from a source, and one into which goes filtered water. This second bottle is also used for chem treatment before the water goes into the camel bak. I don't like the taste of water from the camel bak, but it does take me back to my youth in the scouts. Even if my hikes were short 4-5 hour endeavors I would favor the camel bak in a day pack for the hands free ease of use. I've never pre-soaked beans while camping, but I'm sure that could be accomplished in some part of a mess kit, like a pot. And, I'm sure you could pre-soak them in a bladder if necessary.
 
soaking is usually done on longer backpacking trips. beans like pintos are a little tough, but lentils/peas and rice work well. Put them in a Nalgene with water, then hike for the day to the next camp. The soaking reduces cook time and helps save fuel when you cook them on a backpacking stove.
 
I use a hydration bladder for comfort and ease of use, same reason I use a Marmot pack instead of a Maxpedition or canvas ruck sack. Having the weight closer to your shoulders/upper back makes hiking a heck of a lot more comfortable. Also, easy access to your water usually means that you will drink more, which will help avoid some physical problems.

As for their durability, I have been using bladders since 1998 on a regular basis and have never had one have even a tiny leak, let alone burst. The quality ones are a very robust design. I have fallen HARD on my back many, many times while mountain biking, and the bladder actually make the falls not quite as bad as when I didn't wear a pack. :)

If you are just strolling through the woods on flat trails, then it probably does not matter. Try one out on a strenuous hike and I promise you will feel the difference.
 
I use mine when I'm biking . I love it. I never like taking even one hand off while mountain biking so the hydration pack solves that problem.
 
GWashington1732 said:
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.
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Are you serious? I usually carry 2L in a platypus and another liter in a bottle or canteen. Even so, I almost always have to filter or treat more water the next morning. In some circumstances it is recommended you drink up to 1 liter per hour. Granted that's extreme but the first liter or liter and a half are usually gone before I even stop hiking. If I know I'll be near water I may only fill the platypus up halfway but usually I start full.
 
Southstar,

That's very prudent. A buddy of mine once took both hands off while riding a mountain bike in a bike lane and talking on a cell phone. Rode the nose sled across two lanes of asphalt. Took me close to two hours to patch up 23 scrapes and cuts.

DancesWithKnives
 
I like the hydration packs. Most places I go I like to have plenty of water because the natural water is not clean and needs filtering and boiling, which takes time -to me it is worth carrying enough to lengthen the time between treating more water.

Another great use of the hydra packs is when I used to play paintball. For this I would use the extra slim packs. In Oregon and in Hawaii we would play single games for up to an hour sneaking around the forest. With the hydra pack I could drink without stopping and fiddling with anything -finger still on the trigger. I could also keep my mask on. They are just plain convenient.
 
I used to carry a water bladder, but after one too many sprung a leak in my pack (3 or 4 different brands, all eventually leaked at inappropriate times), I switched to Nalgene Cantenes. They're soft-sided water bottles, basically, so when they're not full, they fold up small, and while they can spring leaks too, they're cheaper and I carry more than one so it's not a complete disaster.
 
When I was a fire fighter (wild land) we moved 5 gallon boxes of water on our backs along with gear and food.

Water bladders are great.
 
GWashington1732 said:
I don't see the need of carrying 2L of water except maybe if hiking in a desert.
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I drink 2L per day, whether sitting at my desk at work, or spending the day out in the countryside.
Our bodies use and loose enough moisture to warrant drinking that much.
 
GWashington1732 said:
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.
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Dude, where are you hiking in the Las Vegas Desert Mall or New York City - need water, go to a bodega?

Try hiking in the mountains when everything is either snow or ice.

Try hiking in the north Georgia mountains in the summer when many the streams have dried up.
 
DWK2 said:
Southstar,

That's very prudent. A buddy of mine once took both hands off while riding a mountain bike in a bike lane and talking on a cell phone. Rode the nose sled across two lanes of asphalt. Took me close to two hours to patch up 23 scrapes and cuts.

DancesWithKnives
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Awww man that must have sucked. Good thing you were there to help out
 
dextersp1 said:
Dude, where are you hiking in the Las Vegas Desert Mall or New York City - need water, go to a bodega?

Try hiking in the mountains when everything is either snow or ice.

Try hiking in the north Georgia mountains in the summer when many the streams have dried up.
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Don't see the point you're trying to make here, I've already conceded that it's probably a much better idea to carry more water along, a while ago.
 
I've drank between 3 and 4 litres of water on a 4 hour hike before, and still suffered massive leg cramping. I had a 3 litre bladder almost filled up and a Nalgene. Water access was limited on the way up and down(destination was a lake) to the point that I had to pour some water into a makeshift cup so my dog could get something to drink. I don't live in a desert either.

For around town, or school or whatever, I'd rather a regular bag, or at least not use the bladder. For almost anything else, be it hiking or snowboarding, I much prefer having a water bladder. Lightweight, large capacity, and convenient. I do like carrying a Nalgene as well sometimes, for when I stop in one spot for a time, or to carry something other than water(Gatorade, etc.).

I'd like to set up a Maxped bottle holder kit, which would be fine for short hikes and trips in areas with easy water access, but for anything more than a short day hike, I'd rather a bladder pack.
 
GWashington1732 said:
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.
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2L of water for the DESERT? :eek: when i hiked our moderate desert here i consumed over 5 gallons just to stay hydrated while hiking. Another gallon while in camp that night. My urine was STILL dark orange from dehydration.

You are kidding yourself if you think 2 liters will suffice in the dersert LET ALONE in cooler areas.

sorry just being blunt.

:grumpy:
 
Hiking in the White Mountains, I bring 2 X 1L Nalgene bottles on a dayhike of around 12 miles. On an overnight trip I refill the bottles with an MSR filter/pump as needed.
 
Well, Like a lot of guys have pointed out theres different strokes for different folks. I personally like the hydration bladder, its convinient, comfortable and I don't have to worry about a water source. If you have a lot of water where you spend your trail time thats cool, and I hope you never get a bug, theres some nasty ones out there. I have never (7 years now) had a reason to clean my rig on the trail, I have a kit for that at the house. I have 3 camelbacks in different configurations. I have found that the backpack system is way more convinient and comfortable that a canteen on a belt ever was, I have never had one fail (busted my ass on the trail more than once). Here in S Fl there is a LOT of water, most of it is somewhat suspect, but I have a filter and purification tabs too. If your belt mounted canteen suits you, cool. But, if you have never tried the camelback type systems, you truely do not know what your missing.
 
GWashington1732 said:
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.
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If you don't need them, why are you only looking at hydration packs? ;)
 
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