Exercising in nature is a fulfilling experience, in such a way that once you are hooked you will struggle to imagine life otherwise. During your outdoor experience there are certain things to keep in mind, and staying hydrated is probably one of the most important things. How to clean hydration pack is also important to keep bacteria from growing in it.
During activities like cycling and long distance running or hiking your body requires constant hydration and a hydration pack might make it a lot easier to supply a proper fluid intake and prevent dehydration symptoms. Hydration packs are so convenient and easy to handle and they also provide space to carry other workout essentials. While you are working out you may be so focused or trying to maintain a certain heart rate, that you do not want to pause to reach for a water bottle. It might cause distraction while a hydration pack helps you to hydrate without a break in your rhythm.
In This Article You Will Learn…What Is A Hydration Pack?Main FeaturesReservoir CapacityDrinking TubeGear CapacityAdditional FeaturesWho Uses Hydration Packs And Why?Runners HikersCyclists SkiersKayakersMilitary UseTypes Of Hydration PacksBackpacksWaist PacksHow Does One Drink From A Hydration Pack?Fill The ReservoirPut The Pack OnPlace The Tube In Your MouthCan Hot/Cold Or Carbonated Things Be Stored In Hydration Packs?How To Clean A Hydration PackManual CleaningDishwasherDedicated Cleaning KitsMaintenanceConclusion
What Is A Hydration Pack?
A hydration pack is a system that consists of a water reservoir or bladder that is contained in a surrounding pack. It is designed to allow you to drink water without using your hands. Hydration packs are most commonly used by people during outdoor activities for example running, cycling, hiking, kayaking etc. It is also often used in the military field.
The reservoir or bladder is most often made of flexible plastic or rubber and fits inside a backpack or waist pack. A small hose or drinking tube is connected to the reservoir and it ends with a bite valve that opens once you bite down on it, allowing water to flow into your mouth.
It makes drinking easier and efficient since it is a hands-free device and you don’t have to stop your activity to take a drink.
Hydration packs are made in different types and sizes depending on the specific activity you need it for. They can also fit on either your back or waist. All of them have the same basic features with some having additional ones to make life easier.
Main Features
The three main components are your reservoir, drinking tube and the pack that contains it. Let’s look at the different options with regards to these major components.
Reservoir Capacity
Reservoirs comes in different sizes, varying from less than 1 L up to 3 liters.
Drinking Tube
The mechanism to get the water from the system into your mouth is through the bite valve. After biting on it the valve opens and water is released through the tube. Some of them twist to open or close and others has a switch to close the valve when not in use. The backpack has an opening for the tube to connect from the reservoir to the external side of the pack. A pack with two portals allows you to use either shoulder to position the tube while some packs have only one central opening for the tube to exit from the pack. It also comes with a clip on the shoulder strap to keep the tube in the right position which makes access easy.
Some packs feature quick-disconnect tubing where you can easily disconnect the tube from the reservoir. This is an advantage during refill times since it disconnects after pushing a button and you only take the reservoir out of your pack, leaving the tube strapped in place.
Gear Capacity
The pack that contains your hydration system also comes in different shapes and sizes. You get backpacks and waist packs which we will discuss later, let’s first have a look at the different size options.
Additional Features
The mouth opening of the reservoir is quite important since a wide-mouth can help you a lot when cleaning. If you have a reservoir with a small opening you would need to use a cleaning kit that contains brushes to reach the inside of the reservoir.
Weather add-ons includes insulation for your drinking tube or reservoir, as well as reservoir and bite valve covers. Although it is rare for water to freeze inside the tube when close to your body, it is a possibility in extreme weather conditions. A rain cover is another helpful feature to protect the other content in your backpack.
Other features can include a built-in safety whistle or pockets for your sunglasses or cellphone. Compressions straps is also useful to make the pack more comfortable and to spread the weight more easily over your body.
Who Uses Hydration Packs And Why?
As mentioned above hydration packs can be used for all sorts of outdoor adventures. Hydration is a key component of safe exercising and should be number one on your list of supplies when heading to exercise, whether it is outdoors or indoors. Modern day gear, such as hydration packs, are designed tomake exercise expeditions easier and safer.
Different packs are available for different activities which can include hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, running, kayaking, and winter specific expeditions such as skiing and snowboarding.
Runners
Running hydrations packs are designed to accommodate runners in the best way possible. Two different options are available: Running vests and running backpacks
Running vests, as the name suggest, looks like a vest and the idea is that they will fit snugly to your body. They are also carried on your back, but they usually have more pockets on the front of the shoulder straps and comes without a hip belt.
These vests most often have space for water bottles, but you also get reservoir type vests, or you can buy the bladder separately and insert it inside the vest.
Running backpacks are very similar to a hiking backpack, but they have a more low-profile design, comes with a simpler hip belt or without one, and they also have lots of easily accessible pockets which are easy to reach while running.
They have more storage space in the pack than running vests, which makes them a better alternative for longer trail runs where you might need extra food or clothing.
Hikers
Hydration packs for hikers are a lot like standard backpacks, since hikers in general need more space to carry food, extra layers of clothes and other essentials. They are also able to carry more weight since they move at a slower speed than runners or bikers. These packs range in size from small for short hikes to larger ones that you can use on overnight hikes.
Cyclists
Cycling hydration packs have different features for road cycling and mountain biking. They typically have low-profile waist belts in order that it won’t interfere when pedaling.
Packs for road cycling are more compact in order to be more lightweight and stable on your back and also to reduce wind resistance. Mountain bike packs are somewhat larger to create space for extra gear and bike tools.
Skiers
Snow sports hydration packs have special features added for skiers and snowboarders since they need to help prevent your water supply from freezing in extreme cold. They have added insulation for the reservoir and the drinking tube and may also have a cover for the bite valve.
Kayakers
Since you can use your boat as a support base, kayaking packs may have extra straps to secure the pack to your kayak. Some also have extra friction layers to prevent it from moving around on the base of the kayak.
A useful feature is a longer drinking tube to make it more accessible when the pack is not on your back. Some of these packs are also made of Neoprene which is suitable for wet conditions.
Military Use
Military hydration packs need to be sturdy and of good quality durable material to be able to withstand extreme circumstances. They usually have a large capacity of 3L or more. Proper insulation for the reservoir is important during winter conditions.
The color of the pack needs to be appropriate and are thus traditionally brown or more earthy colors, since not only is camouflage important when in the field, but they tend to get dirtier than packs that are used for recreation only.
Types Of Hydration Packs
The two main types of hydration packs are backpacks and waist packs (also called lumbar packs).
Backpacks
As the name suggest backpacks are carried on your back and they are the most popular type of hydration packs available. They have more storage space for gear than waist belts and they can also carry more water.
source: tetonsports.com
Backpacks are best for longer runs and mountain biking, cycling or hiking. Backpacks come with adjustable shoulder straps to make sure the bag is fitting snugly against your body while still having a lot of freedom of movement.
Waist Packs
Hydration waist packs are carried around your waist. They can be used with water bottles or a reservoir. The cargo space is smaller than those of a backpack.
It is suitable for shorter hikes, trail running or cross-country skiing where you do not need to carry a lot of gear and do not want to carry the bulk of a larger backpack.
A waist pack is also helpful if you have back or shoulder problems, since the weight of the pack is transferred to your hips. It can help with balance and posture.
In warm conditions the waist pack is better for ventilation of your back and for women who like to wear tank tops with thinner straps it is easier since it doesn’t rub on the bare skin of the shoulder blades.
Disadvantages of a waist pack is that you can bring carry almost nothing else besides your water and small essentials with you. Thus, it is only for short durations and also depending on stable weather since you won’t be able to carry extra layers with you in the pack.
How Does One Drink From A Hydration Pack?
Drinking from your hydration pack is as simple as sucking on the bite valve. However, the reservoir won’t fill itself and thus you need to follow these easy steps:
Fill The Reservoir
Take your water bladder out of your pack and open it. Most designs have a cap that you need to unscrew, while others might have a clip that holds it together at the top or a locking mechanism that you need to slide open. When the bladder is open, fill it with warm water, shake it and empty it. Now refill it with cold water.
Some models allow you to remove the reservoir while leaving the drinking tube in place, while with others you would need to remove the reservoir and tube as a unit.
Put The Pack On
After filling the reservoir, place it within the hydration pack. If you had to disconnect the tube, rethread it through the appropriate hole. Place your arms in the appropriate shoulder strapping (right arm through the right-side strap and left arm through the left-side strap), like when you are putting on a normal backpack.
Place The Tube In Your Mouth
You use the drinking tube as you would a straw. Bite down on it and suck inward and water will start to flow because of the suction power. Drink until you are satisfied and then release the tube from your mouth.
Clip it back on the strap on your chest (if not already clipped on) and use as needed.
Some designs require you to twist a valve on the bite piece to get it to open, just check your product information sheet. If you have a pressurized hydration pack, you would need to squeeze the pressure valve that is attached to the air tube eight to ten times before biting down on the valve.
Can Hot/Cold Or Carbonated Things Be Stored In Hydration Packs?
Hydration packs are manufactured to be filled with water for hydration. However, you can fill it with other liquids such as juice or energy drinks, but you must bear in mind that cleaning will be more difficult.
Sugary drinks tend to be stickier and more residue can build up in your reservoir. The problem with this is that if the valve, tube and reservoir are not cleaned properly, bacteria can grow inside of your pack which can cause disease.
Carbonated drinks, are not recommended, but if you do decide to use it do not fill your reservoir completely as it needs space to prevent pressure building inside the bladder. If you suck on the drinking tube your drink might squirt forcibly in your mouth which can cause you to choke.
Do not use very hot liquids since it can burn your mouth when released from the biting valve. It can also damage the inside of your pack. Cold water is a good idea to be used in summer, just keep in mind that it will warm up eventually due to warm conditions or direct sunlight and because of your body heat.
How To Clean Hydration Pack
Proper hydration pack cleaning is extremely important. After coming home from your trip, you are least likely to feel inclined to do this and it is most probably the last thing on your mind. However, if you leave the pack for a few days without cleaning, you will regret it, since strange new life forms will colonize inside your pack…
The best way to prevent this is to clean and dry your pack after every use, especially if you use liquid other than water. If you are using water only you can do this less often.
How to Clean Hydration Pack Manually
The easiest and most important part is to rinse the pack after every use with hot water by filling the reservoir, shaking it, and then emptying it again.
For more proper cleaning or every time after using liquid other than water, you need to add a cleaning agent to the water. Baking soda (about 2 T) or even mild soap added to the water works well to help clean stubborn particles.
Make sure you get the water mixture into the drinking tube when cleaning. You activate the mechanism by pinching the valve with your fingers over the basin and then the water should start to flow through. Holding the reservoir up so gravity helps the flow, can also help.
It is a good idea to leave the solution inside the reservoir and tube for about half an hour. Then you can pinch the tube again to empty the water from the drinking tube and rinse it with clean water.
It is important to dry the hydration pack afterwards, otherwise mold can grow inside it. Just hang it to air dry. After a day or two squeeze out any remaining water and reposition to dry the rest. If you struggle to dry the valve, you can use a toothpick in the opening while drying to increase airflow.
With a new hydration pack, you may notice a plastic taste in the water. This is normal and a way to get rid of it is to disconnect the tube, squeeze a whole lemon’s juice into the reservoir and fill it up to about three quarters full of water.
Seal the bladder and then place the reservoir into the freezer. Remove it the next day and let it thaw. Drain the lemon water from the bladder and now the taste should be gone.
Dishwasher
You can dissemble the parts and put the reservoir in the dishwasher, but you would still need to clean the drinking tube separately.
Dedicated Cleaning Kits
Some reservoirs have a small opening through which you won’t be able to clean properly without a brush, or sometimes the shape is awkward and you would need a brush to reach the corners. These cleaning kits are available and is easy to use.
Maintenance
If your hydration pack uses a quick disconnect mechanism you need to lubricate the rubber O-ring from time to time to prevent it from hardening. You can use glycerin, silicone or pure bees wax, but avoid using any cooking oils, e.g. olive oil or coconut oil since they can cause the seal to swell.
Another tip is to store your reservoir in the fridge to keep it mold-free. Many users have tried this and said that by putting the hydration system in the freezer it stayed mold-free. It should however be clean and as dry as possible before storing it in the freezer.
If you see visible mold that can’t be scrubbed out it is better to discard the reservoir and buy a new one.
Conclusion
A hydration pack is an easy, efficient and quick way to rehydrate while focusing all your attention on your outdoor expedition, whether running, cycling, kayaking or hiking. While exercising is good for your body, dehydration is not and with a hydration pack you can enjoy and push yourself without worrying about stopping to pull out a bottle out of your backpack.
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