Advice on hydration packs/camelbacks

[irun4me]

I was thinking about trying out one this year (sometimes my fuel belt frustrates me). Is there a specific brand I should look into? Is it personal preference or all about the mouthpiece?

[ultraslacker]

The mouthpiece is less important than overall comfort.

I looooooooove my Nathan hydration pack and can't say enough good things about it. If you try on other brands and then try on the Nathan, you'll know why. It's about 1000 times more comfortable than any other pack. Light, breathable, cushy, perfect. Plus they have pockets on the FRONT, which no other pack does (that I've found, anyway). This means you don't have to take off your pack every time you need gels or whatever.

My only beef is that they've changed the bladders since I bought mine 2 years ago. I had to get a replacement bladder this year and it's terrible... still looking for an alternative (but most generic bladders don't fit nathan packs).

http://www.nathansports.com/our-product ... race-vests

[seuss]

look for a gender specific one - if you have boobs, some aren't made right for you.

[VeloCarrie]

Make sure you go and try them on to find one for you. I second the Nathan one, but it's a highly individualized choice depending on body type/torso length, etc.

[Spirit Unleashed]

I have the nathan pack with a camel-bak bladder. I love this combo. The camel-bak bladder is tons better than the nathan bladder.

[ultraslacker]

look for a gender specific one - if you have boobs, some aren't made right for you.

the cross strap on the nathan packs is adjustable up/down so you can adjust it to your chest's needs. :)

[irun4me]

Thank you everyone. Looks like I'm going shoppin'

[barebuns1]

I have one of the older Camelbaks I purchased about 15 years ago. I just bought a new Camelbak while travelling through Quebec at Sports Experts in Quebec City. I do wish it had a pocket in the front though.

[Country_Girl]

Nathan has come out with a women's one but I haven't been able to find it in Canada. Camel has one that has storage in the front, stores 3L and is super light (Octane XCT) that I'm considering as well...

[ultraslacker]

Nathan has come out with a women's one but I haven't been able to find it in Canada. Camel has one that has storage in the front, stores 3L and is super light (Octane XCT) that I'm considering as well...

two years ago I saw the women's one at Camper's Village in Edmonton, so they *were* available in Canada. They are essentially the same as the men's, but I think are slightly shorter to accommodate a woman's shorter torso.

[Country_Girl]

Hmm, maybe I'll have to peer around online ~ maybe I can order it from a Canadian company via the web? (I've found it online in the US but the shipping rates are crazy....).

Country

[PinkLady]

Question for anyone who's replaced their Nathan bladder with a Camelbak one..... what size Camelbak bladder did you get, and where/how much? I did a search on MEC and they don't list Camelbak branded bladders, just Platypus and some other brand ones. *confused*

My stewpid bite valve has been drip leaking for weeks now, thanks probably to it being stretched out by my tube freezing up in the winter. Anyways, I've mail ordered replacement tubing/valve from the US, but thanks to the Canada Post strike I don't have my stuff yet. It's been almost a month, and I think I've kinda given up on ever getting it. But I *am* getting awfully tired of my bite valve dripping all over my shoes.

Oh, and I have a Nathan's women's specific pack, the Intensity.

***
CountryGirl - I got my Nathan's Intensity at RunningFree.com, it's a store based in Toronto. They often have sales, so keep an eye on them.....I got my pack for 20% off of $109.

[Spirit Unleashed]

PL, I'm at work and bladders are at home. I don't have the same nathan as you. I think the camel bak 70 is what I got. Anyway, it is so much better than the nathan bladder.

[PinkLady]

PL, I'm at work and bladders are at home. I don't have the same nathan as you. I think the camel bak 70 is what I got. Anyway, it is so much better than the nathan bladder.

Thanks, HP!

Grrr, still having no luck finding Camelbak bladders on MEC or RR online. Don't want to mail order until CP is actually delivering stuff. So I'm stuck finding a local store.

So far, only found it here: http://www.atmosphere.ca/atmosphere/cat ... 4&pid=6332

But OMG the price !!!!!!! That's insane, and it's not even the big one!!!! For that price I'll just keep putting up with duct tape on my tubing.

[kpoire]

PL, I'm at work and bladders are at home. I don't have the same nathan as you. I think the camel bak 70 is what I got. Anyway, it is so much better than the nathan bladder.

Thanks, HP!

Grrr, still having no luck finding Camelbak bladders on MEC or RR online. Don't want to mail order until CP is actually delivering stuff. So I'm stuck finding a local store.

So far, only found it here: http://www.atmosphere.ca/atmosphere/cat ... 4&pid=6332

But OMG the price !!!!!!! That's insane, and it's not even the big one!!!! For that price I'll just keep putting up with duct tape on my tubing.

Bushtukah is a bit cheaper (but still not cheap): http://bushtukah.com/product/camelbak-u ... 5289-1.htm
Do the 'normal bladders work? if so, again a bit cheaper: http://bushtukah.com/product/camelbak-o ... 3328-1.htm

[Spirit Unleashed]

I have this:

http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpage-CB70AR.html

[Strider]

I think as far as comfort is concerned the Nathan series are the best, but their bladders are not the best. I posted a while ago about bladder replacement and ended up choosing the Hydrapak II. Love the bladder. BUT I bought the 50oz to use in my 1.5litre Nathan and it doesn't fit, BUT it works great in my 2litre pack, and I like having the smaller bladder with the slightly larger pack.

[carm]

Just bumping this thread up since I'm going hydration pack shopping tonight. Is the verdict still Nathan hydration pack with a Camelbak bladder? I saw Gregory packs on my running-mates last weekend and they really liked them. A quick answer would be appreciated since I'm leaving work in about 30 minutes and I don't have my smartphone today.

[ultraslacker]

I've had my Nathan pack for 3.5 years now and just today I was thinking to myself that I still love how it feels. So yes, that's still my vote!

There is a new brand called UltrAspire which has been getting very good reviews as well.

[carm]

I've had my Nathan pack for 3.5 years now and just today I was thinking to myself that I still love how it feels. So yes, that's still my vote!

There is a new brand called UltrAspire which has been getting very good reviews as well.

Thanks! I'll go try on a few brands tonight. I have other Nathan products and they've been great.

[orleansrunner1962]

Just bumping this thread up since I'm going hydration pack shopping tonight. Is the verdict still Nathan hydration pack with a Camelbak bladder? I saw Gregory packs on my running-mates last weekend and they really liked them. A quick answer would be appreciated since I'm leaving work in about 30 minutes and I don't have my smartphone today.

I have the Gregory, and am really happy with it -- it is the only one I have run with though, but no complaints.... and I have a Platypus bladder in it (2L).... happy shopping!!