Need recommendations for a Camelback

by **Bearcat** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 10:15 pm

I'm going on a ten day trip to Israel in August where I am told it will liekly be 100 deg or more constantly. Because this a somewhat physically intensive trip it was recommended that I get a camelback for the hikes. Does anyone know of a good quality, light weight and light COLOR camelback? It seems like all the ones on google shopping are black or other dark colors which I guess is trying to be fashionable but seems stupid to me.

by **TheLastOne** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 10:23 pm

I got this one

http://www.camelbak.com/Military-Tactic ... ak-3L.aspx

I put a 3L source bladder in it.

Why not just put a bladder in whatever edc/day hike bag you already have? That way you can carry snacks, sunscreen, etc?

by **Bearcat** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 10:35 pm

TheLastOne wrote:I got this one

http://www.camelbak.com/Military-Tactic ... ak-3L.aspx

I put a 3L source bladder in it.

Why not just put a bladder in whatever edc/day hike bag you already have? That way you can carry snacks, sunscreen, etc?

I wanted the bare minimum for this trip is all, didn't want to carry around a large pack if I didn't have to. Hey how'd those ORAL IV tablets work at the MilCopp class?

by **TheLastOne** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:14 pm

Dude I drank so much gatorade and water that I was hydrated enough to even remember to try one :oops:

I dunno if they're even necessary. I think they are just a vitamin bump to restore some electrolytes. Just keep drinking and you'll be fine.

by **omega_man** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:29 pm

Anything camelbak brand is going to be GTG. Considering where you are going, I'd look into their civvy packs and go totally non-mil. Omega_woman has a sweet little CB daypack that she loves, we got it at REI. Or, as Last One said, drop a Source bladder (my personal favs) into your favorite daypack.

by **TheLastOne** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:37 pm

And bring us back pics of IDF chicks. 8-)

by **omega_man** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:41 pm

TheLastOne wrote:And bring us back pics of IDF chicks.

yes. pretty please :clap:

(lovin' the new smilies

)

by **Exploriment** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 1:14 am

You could also support an Israeli business and get a Source bladder
http://sourceoutdoor.com/
http://source-military.com/

by **the_alias** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 1:34 am

Exploriment wrote:You could also support an Israeli business and get a Source bladder
http://sourceoutdoor.com/
http://source-military.com/

I just came here topost that :lol:

Shared a smoke with one of their chief sales guys at an expo couple months back.

by **TodaysBushcraft** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 1:46 am

Hydration will be extremely important, but do you know that your water source will be safe? If going to another country, I would treat anything that is not in a sealed bottle. THEN worry about what to put it in.

by **Kutter_0311** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 5:04 am

omega_man wrote:Considering where you are going, I'd look into their civvy packs and go totally non-mil.

This is a must for any overseas travel IMO. Even more so in your destination country.

I absolutely love the civ M.U.L.E. model, and bought a new one a couple years ago, only to find I had an old one hanging out in the garage! The 2012 MULE's somehow don't look as nice as my older ones, but aren't really much different. Carries a 3L bladder, FAK, snacks, and a long sleeve shirt pretty easy, more if you want to. Bring a light long sleeve shirt everywhere, the sun is a lot more direct there.

by **GOODdaysir** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 8:47 am

If I were you I would check out dakine's selection of biking packs, in my opinion they are lighter, cheaper and of better design then anything camelbak has

by **Bearcat** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 1:13 pm

Thanks for the advice guys, and thanks for the links Exploriment. And I will definitely be taking some photos with the IDF girls as I believe we are supposed to travel with some of them on leave for half the trip.

by **TheLastOne** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 1:19 pm

Bearcat wrote: And I will definitely be taking some photos with the IDF girls as I believe we are supposed to travel with some of them on leave for half the trip.

Oh now I just totally fucking hate you. :evil:

by **MidnightRunner** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 9:44 pm

my vote is for a camelbak 2012 lobo.

small, light weight, 3L water, plus just a little storage witch will be nice for things like camera or gum.

by **MichaelM** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 10:08 am

I'm really happy with my Camelbak MULE. It's got plenty of space for snacks and some clothing even with the 3L hydration bladder. When I'm out for day hikes, I usually have lunch, some snacks, an extra layer, some more socks, and outdoor basics (sun screen, bug spray, etc). The mesh section is really good for drying out sweaty socks. The compartments are well organized, so it's easy to divide stuff up between them so you can find them quickly.

It's also nice and light, so it doesn't feel stupidly bulky if it's not packed with much and you're just using the hydration system. You can cinch everything down tightly, and it's got a slim profile.

Mine's bright orange. It screams, "I'm neither a deer nor a military target, so don't kill me." This is good for hunting season and world travel.

by **Lugnut** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 10:16 pm

I had a Lobo which worked fine but didnt have enough space and made my back sweat. I replaced it with a Mule NV. The NV is by no means a real back pack, but it has enough space for my lunch and a light rain coat. The improved back panel made a HUGE difference in hot weather comfort too.

http://www.camelbak.com/Sports-Recreati ... LE-NV.aspx

by **Bearcat** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 3:35 pm

Side question, what's the proper procedure for cleaning the bladders? Does it need to be done after every use?

by **Grey Ops** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 3:55 pm

Bearcat wrote:Side question, what's the proper procedure for cleaning the bladders? Does it need to be done after every use?

There are cleaning kits for bladders with different methods, but IMO just airing it out properly after use (if you're just using tap water) will work fine (if you don't air it out, it'll get moldy). You'll probably want to clean it properly every once in a while.

by **Niblick** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 4:12 pm

The way I was taught to do it was to add a capful of bleach to a full bladder, then pull some of the bleach mix through the hose (remember to spit out the bleach), let it sit like this for 24 hours, empty it out, fill with freshwater, make sure to clear the bleach mix out of the hose, and then finally empty and refill a few times.

This may not be the suggested method but it has worked for me for years without having to buy a separate cleaning kit.

by **74 or more** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 4:15 pm

Grey Ops wrote:
Bearcat wrote:Side question, what's the proper procedure for cleaning the bladders? Does it need to be done after every use?

There are cleaning kits for bladders with different methods, but IMO just airing it out properly after use (if you're just using tap water) will work fine (if you don't air it out, it'll get moldy). You'll probably want to clean it properly every once in a while.

I completely agree. I have a 50oz and a 100oz, and I clean them the same way. Just by airing them out. The cleaning kit comes with a hanger that connects to the quick link (or whatever it's called) thing at the bottom. I use that to hang them up on the shower rod over night, use the prongs on the bladder itself to hold it open, give it a quick check with a paper towel before storage, and Im good to go. I've never had any mold or funny taste.

by **omega_man** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 6:42 pm

There's no need to clean after everyuse. Just follow the above advice about airing out. Now, if you have anything but water in there--I'd recommend cleaning it. Personally, I only use water in mine.

by **Bearcat** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 8:30 pm

omega_man wrote:There's no need to clean after everyuse. Just follow the above advice about airing out. Now, if you have anything but water in there--I'd recommend cleaning it. Personally, I only use water in mine.

Definitely only water. And as for the bleach idea, I would, but since I'll be mobile for the entire trip, I don't want to dick with buying bleach while I'm over there or trying to bring it on a plane.

Thanks for the advice guys.

by **Kutter_0311** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 11:28 pm

Bearcat, you can run a bladder for weeks with zero maintenance as long as you only run clean water and don't allow air in the system.

The only time I've ever bothered to clean a bladder was after defiling it with gatoraide, Mt Dew, or such other crap. Actually, the Mt Dew rinsed right out, it didn't have a chance to grow shit. Gatoraide grows shit like a MF'R, though, don't forget about that in the bottom of your wall locker. The taste never really goes away after that.

Water is easy, though. Fill it as full as you can, close it, turn the tube port up so the bubbles float to it, then squeeze them out the tube. This not only silences the sloshing(mostly), but keeps the water from breathing. A sealed system grows no moss.

Unless you backwash. Never let small kids drink directly, they're gross.