OK here it goes. I recently got a "Hydration compatible" backpack. It is an early Father's Day gift in time for the Ham Slam. I think it will work out great. I have always carried a couple of water bottles but I picked up a 70 ounce camelback bladder to use instead. When the bladder is full it becomes kinda cylidrical and makes the pack a little awkward. This is a bladder only. I also saw some "pouches" that are made specifically for bladders. Do i need to put the bladder in one of these and then put that setup in the hydration pocket? Also, has it been your experience that 70 oz is enough or should i get a 100 oz instead? is the extra weight worth the extra water? Thanks, Tony
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grtwythunter
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I don't have that type of pack, I usually just stuff my Camelback into my daypack. I believe in your pack the bladder just goes into the pocket without using the "pouch" you refer to. I does feel a bit akward at first, but I get used to it. As you drink the bladder will flatten out and become less of a bulge. 70 oz has always been plenty for me for a morning or evening hunt.
My
Scott
My
Scott
ozstriker22
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Agreed. I hydrate as much as my stomach will hold before I leave. Then drink as much as I can when getting out of the truck. Never run out of that full 70oz. Even if I did, it'd be on the way back, and I keep extra water in the truck. Never a problem.
I've got the "Mule." It's small, that's nice, and it has enough space for all of my walking stuff... food, knife, tags, rope, lighter, etc...
I've got the "Mule." It's small, that's nice, and it has enough space for all of my walking stuff... food, knife, tags, rope, lighter, etc...
I've got a 100oz Camelbak that is issued to us in the Marine Corps..I have gone through it about three times in the course of a day before. The more water the better, make sure you are hydrated even before stepping out for a hike. As far as gear storage, it has d-rings on it, so I attach a buttpack to it and it offers adequate storage.
I have the mule as well. Great little bag. Holds everything I need, food, machete, jacket and has the smaller pocket to hold everything not listed. I bought mine for 80 bucks from a bike shop. I saw a cheaper camo version on cabelas that is basically the same exact design. Looked good, I would buy it if I didnt already have the camel pack.
mine is the 100 oz, Ive only ran out of water a few times, and it is usually on the way back to the truck. Only problem I've noticed with these is you never know how much water you have without taking the bladder out of the pack. So you could be drinking a lot and run out all of a sudden early in the hunt.
evan
mine is the 100 oz, Ive only ran out of water a few times, and it is usually on the way back to the truck. Only problem I've noticed with these is you never know how much water you have without taking the bladder out of the pack. So you could be drinking a lot and run out all of a sudden early in the hunt.
evan
One Track
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I like the 100 and also carry a few quart bottles in the pack. It's nice to have extra water to clean up after guttin' a hog. Also, it could be 90 degrees in May and I could easily find myself a mile down in some steep ars canyon with 100 lbs. of pork to pack. Nice to have too much water. I think the extra weight makes your legs stronger too. And, if you stumble across some poor dog that's out of water and about to die, you could save his life. Wow. The power of water.
I have a 100 oz baldder and rarely have I run out of water. I usually am taking sips all day long.
The one thing that has always bothered me was, how do you know when you are near empty? I thought that eventually I would buy a 70 oz baldder and then a half liter bladder. I would fill them both up and drink out of the larger bladder thruough the day without any worry of emptying it. Then if and when I did finally empty it I would then switch over to the smaller baldder and know from that point on how much water I actually had left. One day I'll try it.
The one thing that has always bothered me was, how do you know when you are near empty? I thought that eventually I would buy a 70 oz baldder and then a half liter bladder. I would fill them both up and drink out of the larger bladder thruough the day without any worry of emptying it. Then if and when I did finally empty it I would then switch over to the smaller baldder and know from that point on how much water I actually had left. One day I'll try it.
I think the 70 oz. is more than sufficient.
I used to just stuff my camelback into my day pack but now I own a pack system made by Tac Force that does it all, it's similar to the blackhawk system but costs 1/3 the price and has better stitching.
I also keep extra water in the truck.
Also, to makle the liquid more effective, I use this stuff called Gookinaid or Hydralite. It's Isotonic which means it's absorbed into the body faster than water and maintains your electrolytes.
I learned about this stuff at training in the desert and I swear by it.
I used to just stuff my camelback into my day pack but now I own a pack system made by Tac Force that does it all, it's similar to the blackhawk system but costs 1/3 the price and has better stitching.
I also keep extra water in the truck.
Also, to makle the liquid more effective, I use this stuff called Gookinaid or Hydralite. It's Isotonic which means it's absorbed into the body faster than water and maintains your electrolytes.
I learned about this stuff at training in the desert and I swear by it.
chap_dog48
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Any of the oz. sizes are great and agree with all you guys have said. Here are some tips that I came across on this years hunts:
1- When in hot weather let the water inside the tub go back into the pack otherwise when hiking around in the sun the first sip or two will be hot from the heating of the sun.
2- Whn hunting in hot weather and you want the water to stay cold through the day fill the bladder with water about 1/2 and freeze it then just before you take off from the house or truck fill the rest up with water. Keeps the water cool and you cool on your back witht he as the ice melts.
3-when in cold weather make sure the water also in the tub goes bakc into the pack it will stay warm enough in the pack to not freeze.
This last season I ran into all of these problems. Hope any of this info helps.
1- When in hot weather let the water inside the tub go back into the pack otherwise when hiking around in the sun the first sip or two will be hot from the heating of the sun.
2- Whn hunting in hot weather and you want the water to stay cold through the day fill the bladder with water about 1/2 and freeze it then just before you take off from the house or truck fill the rest up with water. Keeps the water cool and you cool on your back witht he as the ice melts.
3-when in cold weather make sure the water also in the tub goes bakc into the pack it will stay warm enough in the pack to not freeze.
This last season I ran into all of these problems. Hope any of this info helps.
ozstriker22
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p.s. In cold weather... You can pick up a neoprene insulated tube guard... Keeps the water in the tube as well as the little drops that pool up at the tip from freezing.
It runs the entire lenght of the tube and even has an insulated end cap that goes over the mouthpiece. Designed by Camelbak for snow boarders and such.
It runs the entire lenght of the tube and even has an insulated end cap that goes over the mouthpiece. Designed by Camelbak for snow boarders and such.
It was previously mentioned about bringing a little extra water - like a store bought water bottle in case you need it for downed game.
I fill my 70 oz and bring one store bought water bottle. Since I never know when the bladder will be empty, when it is, I'll still have the full water bottle. If it's a shorter hike, I might not fill the 70 all the way, but I'll still carry my back up bottle. Then I can ration that last water.
I fill my 70 oz and bring one store bought water bottle. Since I never know when the bladder will be empty, when it is, I'll still have the full water bottle. If it's a shorter hike, I might not fill the 70 all the way, but I'll still carry my back up bottle. Then I can ration that last water.
Was looking at these at Bass Pro yesterday... You guys that just have the bladder and not the pack, do you just put it inside your regular hunting back pack.. I like the looks of the camel packs, but I need my backpack.. I did see some backpacks that were also hydro packs.. I guess they just had a place to put the bladder inside a regular pack.. What is the best way to go???
Arrowslinger
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The easiest way is to have a backpack that is hydration compatible...by that i mean the b-pack has a sleeve to put the bladder in. That way it is protected & out of the way. It will also have a small slit to run the hose thru & most likely a clip or some attachment on the shoulder's for easy access to the nozle. If it doesn't, you can always rig one up by having a sleeve sewn in or just putting the bladder in a regular pack.
DILPRXO
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Camelback has been partnering with Eagle Industries on Hydration packs for the military. Looks like they might make a great hunting ruck as well.
Eagle Motherlode
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Eagle Motherlode
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Arrowslinger
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EBay has camo camelbacks designed for military use & are usually under $100.
This one looked like a pretty good pak for the money.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=96709
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=96709
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Arrowslinger.. that is exactly what I was looking at.. I found a redhead pack that was hydration compatible, but might look around a little more to see what else is out there.. It looked to me like I could get the bladder and new (bigger) pack for about as much (maybe even a little less) as the whole camelbak setup... Appreciate all of the info.. This is going to save me a ton of headaches lugging 4 or 5 waterbottles around...
Arrowslinger.. that is exactly what I was looking at.. I found a redhead pack that was hydration compatible, but might look around a little more to see what else is out there.. It looked to me like I could get the bladder and new (bigger) pack for about as much (maybe even a little less) as the whole camelbak setup... Appreciate all of the info.. This is going to save me a ton of headaches lugging 4 or 5 waterbottles around...
Arrowslinger
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I'd skip getting the camelback and go for the RedHead or Cabela's model. The price is better, there's more cubic inches, & a camo pattern to match the rest of your goods. Here's a tip though, if you get a bladder......clean & dry it carefully after each use or simply refill & put in the fridge. Those things mold up quick!!
