m2244

Hello,

I wasn't sure how to title this, hope it makes sense.

Basically I've been thinking about whether I want a hydration day pack sort of thing or something mounted on the bike for carrying water and odds/ends. I'm not in love with the idea of a germ infested spittle nozzle on a hydro pack but could be handy for grabbing a drink without stopping. Could also use if for hiking.

Who knows, basically just looking for other pserspectives.

Here are some of the packs I've been looking at:

https://www.osprey.com/us/en/compare...KIN8%2CSYNCRO5

Thanks folks!

Melvang

I used to use a 3l camel back in the Navy while deployed on an aircraft carrier. I used water and gatorade in it constantly. I would drink 6 liters in 12 hours. Never had a problem with it. I just made sure to buy enough cleaning tablets to make it through deployment. I think I used them once a month and did a complete rinse once a week and a quick rinse after every shift. The only time it got funky was after a port visit when it would sit unused for about a week. This was when I usually used the cleaning tablets.

woodcraft

If you're going to use one, get it big enough to carry some stuff. I have a couple that barely have room for a banana.

Osprey is good but I would get something bigger than any of those.

The kind of bladder that folds at the top is better than the screw- on stopper IME.

Maelochs

Hydro packs are one way .... multiple bottles is another. I have tried both and prefer not to wear a pack but that is just me.

I used 32-oz (or larger) large-mouthed bottles (easier to till, easier to clean, and much easier if you are mixing up powdered sports drink) and pilled them whenever i could, so i could have a water bottle and a drink bottle on the frame (in cages) all the time, and whenever one ran dry I would pull over and refill with a bottle from my panniers.

Keeping all sorts of water containers clean is sort of a big deal---great way to spread disease, or to keep a cold alive. Also, not hard to do---H202, bleach, dish soap and a good brush .... I am sure I could make do with the microwave at a convenience store in a pinch.

With a bladder, keeping the hose clean might be the hardest task, but most bladder-makers also make cleaning tabs as mentioned by @Melvang.

if you prefer to carry a pack on your body versus panniers or a trunk rack, or if your bike is designed so that racks ar no thte best option, i second @woodcraft---get a big one.

I had a (I think) Camelback Mule. i could fit all my tools tubes, spare gloves, rain gear, snacks, and even wedge my helmet most of the way inside so it was secure. made things really handy.