Hydration Packs or other options

Woodsman

Woodsman

Barefooters
Jan 13, 2012
125
96
28
#1
Can anyone recommend a good hydration pack or other water carrying option? With my barefoot runs getting longer and summer coming, I am soon going to need bring some water along on my trail runs. I think I’d like something that I can also bring along a small first aid kit and my sockwas in case I get myself into trouble.

There seems to be tons of option on the market. What are you guys using?
 
#2
I am curious about this too Woodsman. I am trying to figure out how to carry a hydration pack without it rubbing and creating friction problems while I run, not to mention how most that I have seen sit directly on the back which makes one sweat more, kind of defeating the purpose of a pack.
 
#4
I recently got the Nathan Intensity Women's Hydration vest and I absolutely love it. I believe the men's equivalent is the HPL 020. It moves with you, doesn't bounce, is very easy to fill and clean and is very easy to drink with on the run. It has a couple of pockets on the straps, as well as a pocket on the back. Although it can carry 2 liters (70 oz), I used it with about 40 oz and it still worked great. I did turn it upside down and remove the excess air before running to keep it from sloshing.

http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpage-NHPL020.html

If you use code Runblog10, you can get it for $62.95.
 
#6
I do sweat from it, but I don't really notice it until I take it off. I'm one of those people that would sweat a lot no matter what and having adequate hydration that's comfortable is worth it to me.
 
#7
I recently got the Nathan speed belt 4. Fits great, no bouncing, really easy to get the bottles in and out, holds about a litre in the 4 bottles which is plenty for me and has a pouch I can put my phone in or some food if I ever start running long enough to need an energy bar or something like that.
 
#8
I run with a Camelback Lobo 3 L backpack. I don't normally fill it up all the way but during the summers in Virginia I sweat like a pig and if I'm going for a long run I end up drinking 2+ liters. It doesn't bounce or move around but on my 50k last year I did get some slight bruising on my shoulders. I don't think I'll wear it on my next 50k due to the aid stations and 3 liters of water is another 6 pounds of weight that I don't need to lug around on December.

Eric
 
#9
+1 to everything Andy said!

I LOVE my Camelbak L.U.X.E.! (The men's version of the same pack is the M.U.L.E.) Of couse it does make my back sweat more than usual, but like Junkie says, you don't notice it until you're done. Also, I was concerned when considering investing in a hydration pack that the constant bouncing would irritate the poo out of me (I wasn't even willing to try hydration belts because just my keys bouncing gets to me!) but this hasn't been the case at all. With the waist strap and the chest strap combined, the thing barely moves at all (thus no chafing, which is also a huge plus!) and I tend to forget that it's even there. I've ended up using it way more than I ever expected...for marathon training, hiking, field trips (I work with kids ;)), day trips of my own...
 
#10
Glad you started this thread. I was just thinking about other options. I have the Camelbak Octane XCT. Pros: lightweight, waist strap, pocket can fit huaraches. Cons: sweaty back, side pockets a little hard to get into on the run, and water will warm up fast next to the back. Camelbak does make an insulated sleeve that I might try with it.
camelbak-octane-xct-backpack-2010.jpg

I just noticed a new Camelbak in the Trail Runner magazine, vest type, with a lumbar reservoir . I would really like to try this one.

camelbak-ultralr-12.jpg


Sorry the pictures are so big, I don't know how to resize.
 
#11
Well, handheld bottles are surprisingly good, I have camelback's 0,6 liter bottle and nathan sprint, which is 0,3 liters. Camelback's bottle is bit too large for most of my runs, since I sweat pretty little, nathan's bottle will suffice for 10-25 km distances.. Mostly I use small hydration belt of 0,1-0,2 liters, just enough for up to 15 km. I also have camelback xct which carries 2,5 liters, but I usually use it to carry other stuff than liquid.

But my way of hydration might actually be more about getting dehydrated bit slower, since I drink only a little at a time and not too frequently. Like when I tried out running marathon distance (half of distance was trail), I had 0,8 liters (four bottles of 0,2 liters) with plan of first bottle during first 15 km, next at 15-25, third at 25-35 and last in 35-end. I was dehydratetd, but not too badly.
 
#12
Just bought the Fuel Belt revenge 2 belt I'll let you know how it works this weekend. I like that I can carry my VFF's in the bungee cord for running new trails where I'm not familiar of the surfaces without having to turn around or walk.
 
#13
I don't always carry water, but when I do I use an amphipod handheld:

images


They make a lumbar belt as well that was really comfortable in the store, but I haven't tried one running yet. It keeps the bottle in close to the body to minimize the bouncing around (they say...):
images

Or you could try this:
images
 
#14
I have a Camelbak Ultra LR and love it. I like the fact that the water is down low in the lumbar area - it feels very stable. The straps keep it from shifting around, and as I drink I can tighten the straps and stop the reservoir from sloshing too much.
 
#15
I just saw the Camelbak Charge LR in a running store today. Another pack with a lumbar reservoir. It looks like it would be a good pack for longer runs and hikes. http://www.camelbak.com/Sports-Recreation/Packs/2012-Charge-LR.aspx

One trick I did last summer was to fill the Camelbak reservoir with just ice. Sip as it melts. I had cold water for 4 hours. But, the condensation from the ice does make your pack and back wet.

I like the beer hat Lomad. You've got to have pretty good form to keep it from sloshing out.
 
#17
Good point, Eric. I had forgotten that trick. I used to do it when mountain biking with a camelbak. I've been on shorter distances lately and using a bottle/handheld and there's no avoiding the slosh with a partially filled bottle. Makes me crazy (crazier?!)
 
#18
I have http://www.nathansports.com/our-products/hydrationnutrition/race-vests/hpl-020

and absolutely love it. The only thing i found is that 25+ miles I get some rubbing on my inner arm. I think I could probably fix that by using it more when I run. i think its actually the walking motion that causes the rubbing, hence the longer runs where there is more walking causing it. I fixed it by throwing an ace bandage on my arm on the very rare occasion where that becomes an issue. It took me a bit to get the fit right, but there are so many belts on it that its infitely adjustable. I highly reccomend it.
 
#19
I have two packs, one is an Osprey Manta 25 with a 3 liter bladder. The other one is a North Face Enduro 13. Both serve a purpose, the Osprey works well on warm days when I need to drink a lot and the other one works well for just about everything else. I like the flexibility of having two small bottles and they're way easier to clean than a bladder but sometimes I just need a lot of water and you can't beat a bladder in terms of capacity.
 
#20
Lomad said:
Or you could try this:
images
Click to expand...

Foaming would be the issue, here. Also, the beer would get warm sans coozie. That said, back in my drinking days, I used to prevent the prematurely warm beer issue by storing the beer safely inside of me while it was still cold (it was still got warm, but I didn't notice nor care much). This method also addresses the accidental beer spillage issue.

When I was training for a marathon, I'd use a Camelbak Blowfish, which not only carried water, but also allowed me to bring food, as well (on an 18 mile training run, I learned the hard way that the back 9 miles had no places to stop for food, whatsoever). Disclosure: I used the Blowfish because that's what I had. If I were to do it now, I'd look at one of the running-specific hydration vests.
 
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