CamelBak
I used the bad boy for the first time today on my 8 mile run. I liked the set up and fluid delivery. It held 62 oz of Gatorade easily and even kept it pretty cool as the fluid bag is somewhat insulated in the backpack case. I did like that it rode on my back and not at waist height-I got enough stuff giggling on my waist as it is. It has a chest strap and between that and the should straps (all can be easily tightened) it rode with NO bounce. That amazed me.
The mouthpiece is slick. The hose is held over your shoulder and then you can easily get the mouth piece in and suck in the fluid. The mouth piece flops around some so I just tucked it into my top. The piece doesn’t drip fluid and has a sweet system that keeps it closed and then opens when you clamp down on it and suck-very smooth. Oh yeah-no plastic taste either.
The problem became apparent when I got home-how do you clean this thing?! I emptied it and ran water through the bladder which is removable from the backpack. But unless you suck on the hose, fluid doesn’t flow through easily so I still have to work out how to clear the hose and mouth piece easily. I can see that this thing might not last very long just because it can get junked up without cleaning.
My BBF told me I could get cleaning tabs and some sort of hose cleaner. There is also a specialized hanger to dry it on-I might have to look for those on Amazon. In the mean time, I held it open with a baby bottle so it can air out. I will be using it for any run over 3 miles. It works well.
June 26th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
I’ve had pretty good success just rinsing mine out (including sucking water through the hose until it stops tasting fruity) and letting everything dry well.
I usually hang it upside-down by the hose connector and jam a paper towel in the wide mouth part to soak up the inevitable water I can’t shake out.
Definitely something you want to stay on top of, though—my husband didn’t clean his well enough last winter and it turned a very disturbing black.
June 28th, 2007 at 3:37 am
They’re a pain to keep clean. I use mine while dirtbike riding, and it gets, well, dirty.
I just pull out the bladder, give it a wash and flush it out several times, stuff it with a couple of teetowels, then hang it on the line (believe it or not)
They’re worth the hassle tho. Its the only reliable hands free delivery system (and the mouthpeice fits well under the bike helmet).
Anyway - keep at the running and good luck with your goals. I’m about to start with interval training (the whole sprint for 8 secs, then stop for 12 and keep at it for 20 mins three times a week).
I’ve a sneaking suspicion an 8 mile run would all but do me in, so well done
June 29th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Yeah, Camelbak makes a special cleaning kit along with a drying hanger. Make sure to take the bite valve off and clean inside that, too.
June 30th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
These tips from experienced users are awesome. I did get a cleaning kit from Amazon-14$. I figure I will rinse well after use and weekly do a whole cleaning job in it. It is a really nice delivery system for fluids. I think my long runs have been going so well BECAUSE I am keeping ahead on fluids. I am going to try the paper towel trick and I didn’t think about the mouth piece so thanks for pointing that out.
August 24th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
You are doing great! everytime I read your runs I feel your mental pain and remember those very same feelings. You are almost there. You can do it! You are an amazing woman and you will do it. Hang in there. Lori Bell