Looking to buy a camel back, please advise.

[C/SSGT Seifer]

I am looking to buy a camel back, however I do not know if either of these are worth the price and whether or not they come with a bladder (what the water goes in.) If you have any knowledge in this field please enlighten me so I don't waste my money. Also I have heard that hydration kits can be quite annoying when running, is that true?

[armysc_25b]

I purchased a 3-liter Camelbak for in the range of $60 (can't remember the price right now). I don't wear it when running (seems pointless to me, I hydrate before and after), but I've worn it while rucking, out in the field, and other situations where it was practical to me, and have had no issues with it. Comes as the complete set.

[PhilK]

I do not run with a hydration system, so someone else will have to cover that one.

Most systems come with a bladder, so I wouldn't worry about that.

The things to look at are:

Functions (there are many different types of camelbacks, so find the one that meets your needs)

Bladder size (there are different sizes, so find the one right for you)

Price (obviously each of the two above come at a price, so determine how much you want to spend and look within those ranges)

I would recommend looking at either the Camelback website, US Cav, Ranger Joes or Brigade Quartermaster.

[C/ZOOMIE]

I had a camel back once. As soon as I put water in it, the damn POS started leaking. I'm gonna stick with bottled water from now on......

[Airbourne Infantry]

I bought a camelback and went running with it during and orienteering meet. Running with it was horrible, the water kept sloshing around causing the pack to bounce up and down and the hose started to leak as well. The water tasted like rubber and it felt like I had to suck on an empty water bottle to get any water. If you can get a good camelback, it's probably a practical piece of equipment to have when you're walking or hiking, but be sure that it's the actual camelbacks used by the Army or sold at outdoors stores, anything else is just a waste of time and money.

[soccermark23]

Honestly I wouldn't bother with one for running. I would just hydrate beforehand and after you finish your run. If you get one that doubles as a backpack with space for other things, I would recommend using it for hiking.

[flyBoy2010]

I have a 3-Liter "Blowfish" that I use for hiking and it is great for what I use it for. I have had my CamelBak for about 3 years and love it. Before that I had a Platypus and it leaked, wasn't big enough, and was hard to fill. I would definitely recommend CamelBak for any hydration pack you get. If you are looking for a running CamelBak, I would go with one like the "Octane XC." It has 2.1 Liters, is lightweight, and stays close to your back.

[C/SSGT Seifer]

Thank you all very much for answering. Honestly for me I am going to be using this at JROTC events like camp as well as working out. I really can't spend a lot of money (more than $70) so some of them are out of the question. On average, how long does a camelback last, and does anyone know if the two I posted on my first comment are of good quality?

[Drill for life]

This is Hilarious. C/SSGT Seifer you can get a good Camblebak for $50 dollars, They have various off-brands(the best is Condor). I'm going to address the leaking first, you don't have the tube tight enough or the entrance valva tight enough. When you put water into your bladder use a Bathtub or one of those tall big water spouts in a Kitchen sink. Make sure when you put the water in it doesn't come past the Valve(that is for melting ice,without ice it only hold 2.5 liters) Maek sure it is screwed tight enough, screw it nice and slow, BE GENTLE(If your not it will break). Running, I run with my Camelbak all the time. The key is to hold it firmly where the claps are at the bottom. THe sloshing doesn't bother me, it adds a little resistance training also. Rubbery taste, that is inevitable. The first time you will use it it will taste like pool water. If you use it constantly the taste will leave. If you don't here's what to do.
1.Drain it completely making sure the Bladder is dry.
2.Put a dry mix of energy dring powder os Kool-Aid(Do not put sugar, it twill clog up the tube valve,be very careful not to clog up the tube valve).This is to make it get rid of that taste.
3.Screw the top on tight and I mean tight.
4.Slosh it around.
5.Drain it.
If anyone has any questions PM me. Hope this helped.

[Drill for life]

Getting water out is going to take a while. I got mine at the beginning of the day, I couldn't drink water continuously until third period. Take the rubber mouthpiece off and just find that slit where the water comes out. Bite down until it parts and you can suck air through it. To suck water with my Camelbak there is a post where the mouthpiece attaches to the valve, pull up and water will come out, Push down and it won't.

[flyBoy2010]

Rubbery taste, that is inevitable. The first time you will use it it will taste like pool water. If you use it constantly the taste will leave. If you don't here's what to do.
1.Drain it completely making sure the Bladder is dry.
2.Put a dry mix of energy dring powder os Kool-Aid(Do not put sugar, it twill clog up the tube valve,be very careful not to clog up the tube valve).This is to make it get rid of that taste.
3.Screw the top on tight and I mean tight.
4.Slosh it around.
5.Drain it.
If anyone has any questions PM me. Hope this helped.

If you put Kool-Aid, Crystal Lite, etc. in CamelBaks, Nalgenes, etc. the taste will take months to come out, if it ever does. When you first get a CamelBak they don't taste like anything but the water you put in it.

[Drill for life]

If you put Kool-Aid, Crystal Lite, etc. in CamelBaks, Nalgenes, etc. the taste will take months to come out, if it ever does. When you first get a CamelBak they don't taste like anything but the water you put in it.

I didn't mean to make Kool-aid, I meant use the powder to get rid of that Rubber taste so at least you don't have to taste it. The Kool-Aid is not even reconizable.

[flyBoy2010]

I didn't mean to make Kool-aid, I meant use the powder to get rid of that Rubber taste so at least you don't have to taste it. The Kool-Aid is not even reconizable.

I've never had any problems with a rubber taste in new CamelBaks, so I just keep it as a general rule: never put flavored drinks in CamelBaks and water bottles.

[C/SSGT Seifer]

Honestly I don't care about the rubbery taste. The reason I would want a Camelback is because the school has canteens which are issued out, however they are rather bulky and do not fit well in to the pockets of BDU's/ACU's. The water is going to taste like rubber either way, I am used to it.