Inexpensive Hydration Pack

[pooks]

Anybody know anything about this brand? It would be a lot easier to pick one of these up (assuming they have them) than driving across town:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4645499

[SouthernBelle]

I don't know about that one in particular. I paid about that for a Camelbak Blue Wave at Bass Pro Shop.

[Nanci]

Bell is very well-known for helmets- been around forever.

[Bikingmomof3]

I have not heard of that brand (which means nothing). I paid less than $10 more for my CamelBak and it came with a cleaning kit.

[Rai Sue]

Hey,
I have a platypus bladder in my crank-tank hydration pack, and am looking to replace it with a better style (i.e. that has a zip-top, rather than just an opening at the bottom). They're so expensive--i priced them at $25-30. Anyone have any secret cheap brand/trick?

rs
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journal/RaiSue2006

[pooks]

I didn't realize the camelbaks came in that price range. Great to know!

[Bikingmomof3]

I didn't realize the camelbaks came in that price range. Great to know!

Check out www.nashbar.com and search under brand, CamelBak. I am in no way affiliated with them, other than being a happy customer and they are having a sale.

[pooks]

I need mine this weekend! I liked the one at Walmart because it holds 50 ounces. But there's no guarantee they'd actually have it in a specific store. I may go to a local camping store just to be sure.

[Rai Sue]

I didn't realize the camelbaks came in that price range. Great to know!

I meant for just the bladder--i'm happy with my little backpack-thing it goes into (which i got for free! so i guess i shouldn't complain about the fact that i got it sans bladder)

[Tuckervill]

It didn't appear to me that the one from Wal-mart had a sternum strap. I don't think I'd want it without that. It goes across your chest and keeeps the straps from slipping off your shoulders. Let's just say there's a lot of outward force on any shoulder straps for me!

However, if I bought it and it became a problem, I could rig something up with a bungee or something.

I would also question if the bladder would have a taste or not. Although, I think I have a collapsible water jug from Wal-Mart that is made out of the same stuff (for camping) and I don't recall a taste. If the bladder really smelled strongly, I'd skip it, because I'd taste it for sure.

You can actually get a real Camelbak from Bass Pro for just $10 more.

Karen

[Kano]

I don't know how far you're going Pooks -- a couple of years ago, I was given two of them for Christmas. One is 50oz, the other is 70oz. I like the 70 oz better for biking -- it's hotter, and the farther we go, the more water I want. I do like the 50 oz for skiing!

That chest strap that's been mentioned is nice to have too!

Karen in Boise

[Geonz]

I got my Camelbak from ebay for $25 counting shipping. (However, it was Hi-Viz - the Dork factor might have kept the bidding low. )

[pooks]

I'm thinking I'll just go to REI or the other place and get one I can try on (and smell) first. Or rather, have a variety to choose from. It seemed like Walmart would be so close and it would be easy to run in and pick one up, but actually Walmart isn't in a direction I usually drive in so it's out of the way, even if it's closer. Bah. Go where I know I can find something instead of fighting the crowds at W-mart. (Which I don't like, anyway.)

[withm]

50 ounces is too small. Esp in Texas where it's hot. Go for the 70 oz size.