Hydration Packs-1 Review

Instead of an old water bottle on your next bike trip, consider a hydration pack. Hydration packs are backpacks equipped with water and a hose, allowing bikers and others to hydrate regularly without having to stop or slow down.

The packs are simple to operate. Water is stored in rubber reservoirs (sometimes called bladders) that hold between 1.5 and 3.0 liters. The reservoirs are connected to a hose, which can be clipped to the padded hydration pack strap or to the biker's clothing—any place really where it will be accessible. When the biker wishes to hydrate, he simply unclips the hose and inserts it in his mouth. There's nothing to turn on, nothing to accidentally drop on the side of the road, nothing to unpack. And since hydration packs make it easier to drink, bikers hydrate more often, enhancing their overall performance.

Hydration packs are usually insulated, so water stays cool on a hot day and doesn't freeze up in winter. Though they come in a variety of sizes, the inside of most hydration packs are just big enough for two full reservoirs, a snack, and a light jacket. That means they're light enough for a race, or maybe a day of biking in the mountains. A number of accessories can be purchased for hydration packs, including valves and locks for better water flow, cleaning tablets and reservoir driers for proper maintenance, and mouthpieces, which you can be kept in the mouth and bitten whenever you're ready for a squirt of water.

Reservoir cleaners are especially important for hydration packs. Water gets a plastic taste if it sits inside the bladders for too long, so make sure to invest in some cleaning tablets. Drop the tablets into the reservoirs and the water will taste good for the rest of the trip. Between trips, make sure to empty out the reservoirs, rinse them thoroughly, and prop them open to dry. The tube, too, needs to be rinsed and dried.

Hydration packs are not one-size-fits-all; they also come in women's models. Women's hydration packs are specially engineered to provide an enhanced fit for a woman's frame.

Anyone involved in biking knows how important hydration is. One liter of water for every hour of activity is a good rule of thumb. When you're looking to invest in your biking passion, you'll check out bikes, shoes, clothes, and helmets. Don't forget the water, though. Consider investing in a medium-sized, lightweight hydration pack.

Models

Pricing

Hydration packs can cost as little as $15 at discount stores or as much as $200 at biking supply stores. The cost will vary with the volume of water the pack can cary and other features.