Hydration pack

From Trail-Finder -- Dedicated to getting you outside

Overview

A hydration pack is any pack which contains an integrated water bottle and a drinking hose. Normally, the water bottle is actually a flexible, collapsible bladder. Originally popularized by Camelbak, most pack manufacturers now produce hydration packs, as well as packs which are easily convertible into hydration packs. Hydration packs are most commonly used for hiking and mountain biking.

Components

Hydration packs all contain at least the following minimum components

• Water bottle: The water bottle in a hydration pack is normally a flexible, collapsible plastic bladder. It's the bladder that makes a pack into a hydration pack. Bladders are usually available in anywhere from 1/2 liter to 3 liters.
• Pack: Usually some form of backpack, although waist pack-type hydration packs are also available. Hydration packs include a separate compartment for the water bladder, as well as a way to route the drinking hose, generally along a shoulder strap on the pack.
• Drinking hose: This long, plastic hose connects at one end to the water bladder, then routes through the pack, with the other end conveniently placed near your mouth for easy access.
• Mouthpiece: At the far end of the drinking hose is the mouthpiece. These round or oval shaped pieces of flexible plastic have a single slit cut into them. When you bite the mouthpiece, water can flow and it's just like drinking through a straw. Some mouthpieces have a 90-degree bend in them, which some people find more convenient and some find less convenient.
• Valve: Not all hydration packs have these, but the better ones usually do. The valve can be either a twist-type of a lever-type. Both work equally well.

Maintenance

When not in use, you should empty your water bladder, drain the drinking hose, and leave it held open. There are some custom-made devices to help with this, although you can probably get the same results without spending the money.

Since most people don't remember to do this, at least sometimes, you can wash the inside of the water bladder with dish soap and water. Lots and lots of water. You don't want your only water supply on the trail to taste like soap. Drain this through the drinking hose to clean the hose.

It's rare to get mold in a hydration pack bladder, but it does happen. If you get mold in your bottle, or just haven't used it in a long time, you can use a dilute bleach solution. Just pour it in, and make sure it fills the drinking hose, then let it soak for a while. Rinse well. Then rinse again. Then rinse a few more times. Be sure to run at least a couple liters of clean water through the hose, then taste it to be sure it's doesn't taste like bleach.

Packs can be cleaned according to manufacturer recommendations, but usually just brushing the dirt off is all they get.