Anyone have comments, experiences, etc. regarding water bags (I can't call them 'hydration systems' without chuckling..) such as Camelback, Platypus, etc.? I'd be interested in thoughts on their use in general or comments on specific makes/models....Brian *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Brian Jernigan wrote: > > Anyone have comments, experiences, etc. regarding water bags (I can't call > them 'hydration systems' without chuckling..) such as Camelback, Platypus, > etc.? I'd be interested in thoughts on their use in general or comments on > specific makes/models....Brian I suspect my use is not what you are after. I do not wear mine and use it to hydrate myself while paddling. I use mine for bulk water storage, both in camp and while on the water. Mine are MSR's largest Dromedary bags (10 L = 2.5 gallons), and they are bombproof! Tough, fit anywhere, can hang 'em from a tree limb. I've gone for a week using them as my sole water supply (in cooler climates, using sea water for everything but ingested water) and usually use up two. Great way to transport water. Bought mine in '96 and they show no wear and no holes. Only drawback: funky taste if the water sits in 'em for a while. Mine are the ones issued after the recall on the initial run -- the original D Bags had some weird phosphorus (?) antifungal stuff impregnated into the liner to protect it, and it leached into the water -- wretched taste! The new ones are OK. Guess if you were fussy/concerned you could run it through a carbon filter. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR chemist *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Brian Jernigan wrote: > > Anyone have comments, experiences, etc. regarding water bags (I can't call > them 'hydration systems' without chuckling..) such as Camelback, Platypus, > etc.? I'd be interested in thoughts on their use in general or comments on > specific makes/models....Brian > I had gotten an early version of one of these for skating. found that having a contoured pouch as opposed to the dead weight of a water bottle was much less of a nuisance 'in motion'. However, cleaning the thing was a real bear, and eventually got a bit tedious to follow the directions and I chucked it (wasn't as costly as the recent incarnations). I was babysitting a friends store last summer and recieved a call from the Gaia rep about a shipment. I thought it was an oppurtune time to give a personal critique of this hydration system. He countered with the (rather brilliant or obvious) solution of freezing the bag when not in use. He puports that this will not adversly affect his product, I would imagine the others would hold up as well. -- Gabriel L Romeu http://studiofurniture.com -------> furniture http://users.aol.com/romeugp ---> paintings, prints, photos + stuff http://members.xoom.com/gabrielR --> a daily journal of observations *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
On Thu, 29 Apr 1999, Gabriel L Romeu wrote: > However, cleaning the thing (hydration system) > was a real bear, and eventually got a bit tedious to follow the > directions and I chucked it (wasn't as costly as the recent > incarnations). Alka seltzer works quite well for cleaning out the bladders. I also built a drying rack that I store the bladders in, but once in a while when you leave gatorade in the bladder for a week or so... kirk *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Interesting to see all this stuff about the hydration systems. I prefer to stop every half hour or so to take a break and pull out a nalgene bottle or some Gatorade. I think the half a minute breather is as important as the hydration. It amazes me how little people around me carry in the way of water. In summer paddles of just a few hours duration I carry about 3 quarts or a gallon. In moderate temperatures never less than 2 quarts for a two hour paddle. I see people with just one quart under just about all circumstances. Moreover, I know individuals who refuse to drink in cold weather because of the need to pee and the awkwardness of cold water gear. ralph -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I use them a lot of the time - I generally go through about 10-16 oz of water per hour in 50 degree temps and more than double that at 70+ degrees. I don't wear them in the boat, strapped on the deck or under deck works fine. Some of them rust badly - they have metal parts some zippers some other fasteners, I have 3 or 4 of them from various hot climate bicycle trips, and the ones that worked best for kayaking were the ones without metal zippers - after they rust they don't open or close well. I also prefer the refill opening to get as big as possible - makes it easier to clean. If you drink something like Gatorade, you can add a bit of soda pop and viola - you have a pressurized container - you just squeeze the nozzle and it squirts into your mouth - no sucking required. If you pressurize them they also work pretty well for squirting your fellow paddlers ;-) Time to go drink something... - Saul -----Original Message----- From: Brian Jernigan <nbd1bpj_at_corpmail.ups.com> To: PaddleWise_at_lists. intelenet. net <PaddleWise_at_lists.intelenet.net> Date: Wednesday, April 28, 1999 9:09 PM Subject: [Paddlewise] Use of "Hydration Systems"? >Anyone have comments, experiences, etc. regarding water bags (I can't call >them 'hydration systems' without chuckling..) such as Camelback, Platypus, >etc.? I'd be interested in thoughts on their use in general or comments on >specific makes/models....Brian > >*************************************************************************** >PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List >Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net >Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net >Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ >*************************************************************************** > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
>Anyone have comments, experiences, etc. regarding water bags (I can't call >them 'hydration systems' without chuckling..) such as Camelback, Platypus, >etc.? I'd be interested in thoughts on their use in general or comments on >specific makes/models....Brian I've been using the Platypus water baggies & drinking tube for a while and like them, usually carrying a 1 litre bag under deck bungies. Drinking tube is easy to use, bags impair no taste, and they are very economical. However, compared to a Nalgene bottle the bags are not very durable. Haven't had any leaks, but my original bags (approx. 1 year, 2-3 times a week use bikes/boats/in rucksacks) look like they now need replaced. Lucky they only cost 3.50 ;-) Being able to drink with both hands on the paddle is a major bonus. HTH Cheers Colin Calder 57º19'N 2º10'W *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
>Anyone have comments, experiences, etc. regarding water bags (I can't call them 'hydration systems' without chuckling..) such as Camelback, Platypus, etc.? I'd be interested in thoughts on their use in general or comments on specific makes/models....Brian ====== A specific homemade model: For each outing, i use a plastic water or juice bottle of a size appropriate for the weather conditions.. cut a small x in the lid and insert a new section of tubing. These jugs are 'free' because i normally drink bottle water and juice so have a steady supply. Tubing costs are insignificant... i have a collar assembly that is a stiff/flexible copper wire in a heavy cloth wrapper - to which is attached a block of foam with a solid plastic tube that slides up and down (giving the height adjustment for drinking while paddling). i attatch the fluid jug to my waist so that i can walk around with the entire system. Not much to clean anymore... i use a plastics recyle bin. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Well, I tried one (forget the brand, but it's the bag and liner variety) and didn't like it for kayaking. The bungee tended to block the flow and the tube kept dragging in the water. I didn't like the idea of running the tube up inside my PFD, which I think some people do, as I was afraid of getting tangled up if I capsised. I prefer your basic plastic bottle. Milo Poughkeepsie, NY *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Well, I tried one (forget the brand, but it's the bag and liner variety) and didn't like it for kayaking. The bungee tended to block the flow and the tube kept dragging in the water. I didn't like the idea of running the tube up inside my PFD, which I think some people do, as I was afraid of getting tangled up if I capsised. --------------- I used to run the Camelback hose up through the PFD with the bag behind the seat. Most of my paddling is rather sedate so capsizing wasn't much of a consideration. The problem I had was I would get out of the kayak and forget the hose was in there. I'd either get yanked back down or the hose would pull lose from the PFD and I would lose the cover/plug thingee at the end of the hose that holds the water in. It's amazing how quickly they can disappear in muddy water. I was buying a half dozen of them at a time and finally stopped doing that. I now carry the Camelback in the rear hatch as spare water and just use the plastic bottles. Clyde Sisler http://csisler.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I also used a hydration "system" but found it ungainly and it was never clean when I was ready to go. I converted a fannypack-single bottle carrier to clip on the apex of my deck with 2 bungees with SS hooks. It's out of the way of the paddle and I can shove a bottle of Gatorade in it. It's almost as easy to use but does require one hand *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
On Tue, 27 Apr 1999, Brian Jernigan wrote: > Anyone have comments, experiences, etc. regarding water bags (I can't call > them 'hydration systems' without chuckling..) such as Camelback, Platypus, > etc.? I'd be interested in thoughts on their use in general or comments on > specific makes/models....Brian Ah, a topic near and dear to my heart. I'm very prone to dehydrating. I've blacked out a couple of times, from dehydration, while canoe and kayak racing. It's an experience worth skipping. My current system is to use a one or two of the camelbak style systems. I put one of the models with quick release buckles on the shoulder straps and strap the camelbak to my pfd. This way the camelbak is in the normal location and the straps don't go over my arms (which caused chafing the one time I tried it). If I'm taking 2 fluid resevoirs with my I wear one and put the other on the front deck under some of the deck lines. I haven't yet mastered a system for keeping the bite valve in a place where I can get it without using my hands. As for brands I currently own: 1 camelbak half back (35 oz) 1 camelbak ice back (70 oz) 1 camelbak insulated (70 oz) 1 platypus bladder with drinking tube. 1 blackburn race lite with bladder. The bladder on the platypus is the best, it doesn't leave a nasty taste. But the bladder is too wide to fit in a standard camelbak sleeve, or in the blackburn sleeve, fortunately the blackburn has a zipper compartment that the platypus bladder fits into. The bite valve on the blackburn is my favorite, it's spring loaded and you can put the valve into your mouth and open it by pressing it against your teeth. Unfortunately, the blackburn bladder is still giving off a lot of nasty taste to the water. The camelbak ice back works well for cross country skiing but during warm weather the fluids are body temperature by the time you want them. The blackburn race lite pack has comfortable straps, but it doesn't have quick release buckles so I only use it for walking/hiking. kirk *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
|Interesting to see all this stuff about the hydration systems. I use the platypus bottles filled with water. I don't put anything else in them. DONT clean out your bottles by using softsoap. Did that once and even though I thought I had gotten the residue out, I had not. Not a fun paddle. I did have another bottle of water but still was not fun. I put the bottle behind my seat, with the cap angled down. The house I run out of the cockpit and clip it to my PFD. I can somehow get the sprayskirt on so that it does not close off the supply tube. This makes it very easy to drink while paddling. I usually take at least two bottles, 2+ liters, with me. Hotter days another liter or two. I'll freeze one and put the other in the fridge the night before a trip. That way I have at least some cold stuff when on the water. Even if I leave the bottles in cooler in a hot car all day before getting on the water, the bottles are still cold/cool. |I prefer to stop every half hour or so to take a break and pull out a |nalgene bottle or some Gatorade. I think the half a minute breather is |as important as the hydration. I stop every hour to rest, drink and maybe eat a snack. Yes, the MRE oatmeal bars. The break is very important. I stop for 5 minutes or more. Just depends on what I doing and location. If it is a hot day I'll drink some Gatorade. Gatorade makes me sick if I drink it when I'm not excercising but it certainly makes a difference when expending lots of energy. On so so days I'll take one quart and on hot days at least two quarts in the kayak and a third left in the truck for the trip home. Water as well. |It amazes me how little people around me carry in the way of water. In |summer paddles of just a few hours duration I carry about 3 quarts or a |gallon. In moderate temperatures never less than 2 quarts for a two |hour paddle. I see people with just one quart under just about all |circumstances. Moreover, I know individuals who refuse to drink in cold |weather because of the need to pee and the awkwardness of cold water |gear. Agreed. I have seen people with young children, 4 to 6 years old, on a 6.5 hike in hot weather with just a couple of 20oz bottles of water. I would be on the same trail with a couple of liters just for me. I have seen this several times and it still amazes me. I guess they think there is a water fountain out there somewhere.... |ralph *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
>Interesting to see all this stuff about the hydration systems. SNIP >It amazes me how little people around me carry in the way of water. In >summer paddles of just a few hours duration I carry about 3 quarts or a >gallon. On hot summer days paddling or hiking I carry a lot of water, and very definitely dry Gatorade I can add to the bottles. While paddling, especially, I will often get leg cramps toward the end of the day. The Gatorade helps immensely. I've also taken to carrying a PUR Filter with me to replenish my water bottles. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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