Hydrapack?

I figured that this was best put in the mountain bike forum since I figure you ladies are the members most likely to use hydration packs. I know some of the other road women do as well, but we are probably the minority.

I currently use a Camelbak on all of my rides, and while this works for me fine, I dislike having to store it in the freezer. There isn't much room and it would be nice to have something different. I have the cleaning kit and so forth for the bladder, but I am uncomfortable not storing it in the freezer. I do like storage in the pack as well, especially since my new bike won't have racks.

I've been looking at this one. I like, very much, that the bladder is fully reversible - you can turn it inside-out for complete drying!

Does anyone have experience with hydration packs from Hydrapack? I do want the 100 ounce bladder if I do decide to replace my Camelbak - I probably wouldn't truly fill it very often but I do tend to ride in areas where there are no gas stations or anything else where I can refill my water if I need it...

My LBS is trying to talk me into purchasing an Osprey pack, but from what I can tell I would need to store that bladder in the freezer as well, so why bother?

No experience w/ Hydrapak, but like the concept a lot. I had a Nalgene bladder that had the detachable hose and it was much easier to deal with than Camelbak, alas, they stopped making them.

A couple reviews mention a plastic taste, I have no tolerance for that but YMMV...

If I were you I'd just get the Hydrapak bladder and keep using your Camelbak pack. Most folks end up having to replace bladders any way and this way you can keep the original as a back up and see if the Hydrapak works as well as claimed, without the expense and fit issues with a whole new pack. Unless you don't like your Camelbak for some reason besides the bladder cleaning issue...

I'm just curious, why do you have to store the bladder in the freezer? I never heard about that, is it Camelback specific, or something else?

I use a Dakine Bike Backpack, the bladder (with is a Hydrapack bladder made for Dakine) is easy to clean because you can open it on one side (the opening is big enough to clean it from within). I think it's the same kind of bladder that is shown in the youtube video. I like it but I never tried anything else so far, so I can't compare to different bladders.
I have been using it for one year and haven't had any problems so far.

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Originally Posted by Susan

I'm just curious, why do you have to store the bladder in the freezer? I never heard about that, is it Camelback specific, or something else?

I use a Dakine Bike Backpack, the bladder (with is a Hydrapack bladder made for Dakine) is easy to clean because you can open it on one side (the opening is big enough to clean it from within). I'm not sure if the backpack you linked uses the same kind of bladder. I like it but I never tried anything else so far, so I can't compare to different bladders.

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I keep it in the freezer because I am afraid of things growing in it. Even with all of the tips to clean/dry the bladder I just don't trust that I won't wind up sharing my bladder with things that I don't need to drink :eek:

The bladder that goes with the Hydropack opens all of the way at one end, and you can easily turn it inside out for cleaning/drying. Considering that I do sometimes put Heed in my bladder, I really LIKE that idea... I am unsure of the bladder would fit my Camelback pack - but I really would like more storage in the actual pack than what I have. I am going to check and see if it would actually fit my existing pack - that would be very helpful to know even though I would like a larger bladder than what I have.

I have never had grungy stuff growing in my Camelbak bladder or hose and I've had the bladder for 5 years now. I think the reason I've had such good luck with the original bladder is that I run fresh water through the bladder and hose as soon as I get home. Then I fill fresh water in it and store it in the refrigerator. ( I do use an antibacterial wipe and clean the mouth piece and during transit I tuck the mouthpiece into the zippered pocket of the pack.) I had a spare bladder that was filled half way with water and stored in the freezer and eventually it leaked where the hose attaches to the bladder so I am not one to endorse freezing the bladder.

Freezing has worked well for me, I just want to move to something that doesn't live in either refrigerator or freezer :)

I would also be afraid of parts getting brittle if they were frozen.

If I leave water in the drink tube for more than a few days :o it will get grody, but that's why I have the long brush. :p Bite valves clean up nicely with a brush (such as the kind that's sold as a toothpick, or a child-size toothbrush with the bristles cut down) plus a soak with a denture tablet.

The inside of the bladder is very easily cleaned - even brands with a narrow filler hole. Get a dishrag wet - somewhere between damp and sopping, depending on how much residual water is in the bladder. Shake a generous amount of baking soda into the bladder. You don't want it to dissolve completely, so that it acts as a mild abrasive. Close the filler cap/zipper and shake vigorously so that the dishrag goes all around the bladder. Change your hold a couple of times to make sure no corners get missed. Then fish out the dishrag and rinse. Shiny clean!

I've been freezing empty flat bladders for at least 5 years now, and no problems yet. That said, I completely understand wanting your freezer space for more palatable items :)

I have one made by Deuter with a big opening. I like the pack sensibilities too, but I am learning how to drink from bottles on the road too.

I have one from North Face with a wide opening and detachable hose. Never tried a hydrapack.

I also run hot water through after I'm done, and then put a couple paper towels inside to sop up anything that's left. I've never frozen or refrigerated a bladder.

Then again, stuff here (besides month-old bread sealed in plastic) seems to dry out long before it grows anything.

Even the bread dries out here, unless we leave it over the steaming kettle.

:)

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Originally Posted by Catrin

I keep it in the freezer because I am afraid of things growing in it. Even with all of the tips to clean/dry the bladder I just don't trust that I won't wind up sharing my bladder with things that I don't need to drink :eek:

The bladder that goes with the Hydropack opens all of the way at one end, and you can easily turn it inside out for cleaning/drying. Considering that I do sometimes put Heed in my bladder, I really LIKE that idea... I am unsure of the bladder would fit my Camelback pack - but I really would like more storage in the actual pack than what I have. I am going to check and see if it would actually fit my existing pack - that would be very helpful to know even though I would like a larger bladder than what I have.

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Ah, ok makes sense :)

I'm sorry I edited my posting after you had already written you answer and didn't notice it yesterday. After seeing the youtube video, I'm quite sure that my bladder is just the same as the one you want. I just never did the inside-out thing, because even without turning it around it's quite easy to clean.
I just wipe it from within and hang it upside down to dry.

I use a Camelbak all the time, road and mtb use.

When it gets muddy on a mtb ride I throw the bag (not the bladder!) in the washing machine, looks nice and new again in no time!

I can understand your concerns re germs and bugs lurking in the bag and pipe though. I use steriliser tablets, the ones that can be used to clean baby bottles. When I get back from a ride I just wash it all through with clean water and then soak the lot in the sink with water that has been mixed with the steriliser tablets (or liquid, we use Milton here in the UK) and then let it dry naturally. No aftertaste, just nice and clean.

Job done :)

Good idea Muddysmudge! I have used denture tables to soak the inside of my 50 ounce bladder, but I like the idea of soaking everything in a sink of solution. Will look for baby bottle sterilizer tablets - great idea!

My new 100 oz bladder for my new Camelbak is easier to clean - I can get my hands down in there and clean everything well, but soaking is still a good idea. I do put Hammer Heed in my bladder for long rides - it works for me and am not changing that habit. I just have to be even more careful with cleaning it when I do that.