CamelBak HydroBak
A Review
When you are participating in sports of any kind, staying hydrated is the most important thing you can do for your health and endurance. While you're exercising yourself, you want to be able to hydrate yourself while keeping yours hands free. It's also great to have a place to store other essentials like keys and / or snacks. Hydration packs, like the CamelBak HydroBak are ideal to meet these needs.
What is a hydration pack? At its the most basic level, a CamelBak HydroBak is a bladder (rubber bag), inside a backpack with an attaching tube with a mouthpiece. The technology used to make this pack is very sophisticated but you get the idea! The user and the sport are a very big part of the product design for each CamelBak product and as such there are many to choose from. These packs are designed to allow the user to hydrate and get as much water as they need and also to hold any equipment that you might need on your adventure. The straps and weight-bearing adjustments also allow the wearer to be comfortable while exerting themselves. Packs can be worn differently, some like a backpack like the HydroBak, while other sit on the hips like the CamelBak FlashFlo.
How much water do I need? Generally speaking, you want to drink a good amount of water before, during and after exertion to make sure you stay hydrated. If you are going to be participating in extreme activities or activities of a long duration you want to plan out your water intake starting with 16 ounces two hours before you begin. Around 30 minutes before you begin it's ideal to have another 8 ounces and then another 8 ounces every 20 minutes while you are in motion. Make sure to check with your doctor before beginning any recreational exercise plan and consider drinking not only water but sports drinks if you plan to be active for longer than 40 minutes. This is important as your body will lose salt and electrolytes along with water as you sweat.
How do I know which CamelBak hydration pack is right for me? As mentioned above, the CamelBak company produces several different models to accommodate different needs. To determine which pack is right for you there are some elements to consider. First, what is your sport? Some sports such as cycling have pack specifically designed for this purpose. Second, how long are you planning to be active? Or in other words, how much water do you need. This is very important and is a key decision making factor, make sure to get a hydration pack that holds enough water for the length of time you will be out. Third, consider your size and what you'll be wearing. Some packages come with patented material to prevent chafing if you plan to generally wear tanks tops. There are also pack designed specifically for men, women and children in order to best fit your frame. Lastly, what else do you need to bring? Remember that you will be carrying everything you bring with you, so make sure you only bring what's necessary. The good news is that your pack will get lighter as you drink you water! For long trips make sure to bring energy snacks and general first aid supplies. Most CamelBak packs have zippered pockets to hold travel essentials.
Who would use the CamelBak HydroBak? The answer to this question is easy! Anyone can use this pack! This is the most basic hydration pack made by CamelBack and can be used for a variety of activities and is ideal for beginners. If you've never had a CamelBak product before this may be the place to start. This pack holds 1.5 liters of water (50oz.) Which would last you for about 1-2 hours.
There are many features that make this pack a great choice. It has a wide opening which makes filling it a breeze. The wide opening also allows for easy cleaning which is a real blessing! The pack is leak-proof so you do not have to worry about the other gear in your pack getting wet. The bladder is insulated so your water stays warm or cool as you like it. The mouthpiece prevails spills with the patented bite-valve technology. There is lots of storage space to pack all your gear and 'stuff'. The pack material is durable and long-lasting and it is also BPA free. Should any ever go wrong with your CamelBak product, make sure to check back with the store as all products come with a lifetime guarantee!
Key Specs: Holds 1.5L (50oz) of water; Total carrying capacity of 1.5L (91.4cu in); Weighs in at 1.1lb (0.5kg)
Happy Trails!