Just wondering what the latest thoughts are on hydration backpacks. I was originally looking for something I could just stash a little bit of gear in for downwinders/exploring, but figured a hydration bag could be good - so now looking at those.
I saw this one the other day which looked OK for $55 and seemed to have pretty good arm clearance. Some of the camelbaks seem a bit tight up under the armpit.
BlackWolf Rattler Hi-Vis Hydration: An ideal hydration backpack for worksites, cycling or for those who just want to stand out!- Padded mesh back system with waist strap
- 2.0 litre Nalgene® reservoir included
- Separate padded bladder housing (dual side port)
- Waterproof zips
- Generous sized main pocket
- Elasticised front pouch
- Reflective double-clip sternum strap
- Rugged moulded zip tabs
- Reflective trim
- Carry handleSize: 39cm x 27cm x 12cmWeight: 0.6kgCapacity: 8ltsWarranty: Lifetime
Anyone got one, or a better suggestion? How well do they last if used in the water 2 or 3 times a week? What should I look out for?
Thanks
I use a PFD that has pockets and a water pouch, most races require a PFD so I just use it so that I am used to wearing it and it does not feel weird in the race.
Check out the Dakine Sweeper Waist Pack, keeps your shoulders free and weight down low on your hips. Works much better for supping than the backpack style. Save them for the ski or the bike!
I use a back pack every now and again. It doesn't bother me too much but have mates who hate wearing them when paddling.
I would suggest that you get one that has a chest strap. Mine has a chest strap and one around the gut area but do not do this up as it tends to move around and drop down as I bend over. Strap over the chest tends to pull the arm straps in and away from your are pits and also stops it floating around when you fall off.
Just my 2 cents. Think it is just personal opinion
I use a Camelback "Octane LR"...the LR stands for "Lumbar Reservoir", keeps the weight down on your hips instead of sloshing around up and down your back. Otherwise it's pretty light, has a few pockets for a bit of gear and plenty of arm room.
Select to expand quoteHumanCartoon said..
I use a Camelback "Octane LR"...the LR stands for "Lumbar Reservoir", keeps the weight down on your hips instead of sloshing around up and down your back. Otherwise it's pretty light, has a few pockets for a bit of gear and plenty of arm room.
It looks like I could get that for around $90. I was looking at the camelbak website and they have a watersports version - Baja LR ($125), which is a bit smaller gear capacity but touted as being made of waterproof/quick drying materials. I'm in and out of the water a bit - how does the Octane LR stand up being wet a lot of the time? or maybe you don't fall off as much as me 
?
One neat little thing I saw with the Baja pack was the paddle retainer strap.
I haven't seen either of these ones in the flesh - just the overview vids on the camelbak site.
I have the baja it is good and very comfortable, down side is the none of the pockets have full security, ie small velcro only so have never trusted my phone in it, but gets wet and dries off well....
got mine from the UK shipped was about $60 cheaper than here... from a cycle shop from memory..
Select to expand quoteAir80 said..
down side is the none of the pockets have full security, ie small velcro only so have never trusted my phone in it
Good to know... I am definitely after something with good zippers; a scrap of velcro on a $125 pack doesn't really cut it for me. That's really disappointing as I wouldn't mind paying a bit for the pack if it was the right solution.Select to expand quoteJeroensurf said..
thumbs up for the sweeper.
Leaning more towards this at the moment. Does this bag have any clip leashes inside any of the pockets?
2 or 3 loops on the inside to attach keys etc on with a lightweight swivelhook (that is what i do with my keys and mobile) or rope behind the zipper on the back.
a zip pocket for other small stuff like an Ipod nano (or again keys/ or a bar) at your waist.The only downtrade of the whole system is that you cant put the waterbag inside out fror cleaning/drying like some backpacks can. If they ever change that they are 100% perfect!
You don't want zips on anything that is going to go in the sea often. You have to rinse them all the time, which means you've then got to dry them all the time... Too much trouble.
The Baja is very good. It gets round the weakness of the back mounted pack by having a lumbar Resevoir, and gets round he weakness of the bumbag types (which is that as they empty they start to sag round your waist so need to be constantly adjusted which is rubbish if you are eg. racing) by having shoulder straps that keep the lumbar pack up. It is hugely adjustable so most people should be able to get comfortable, and the material is well aerated and the pockets don't hold water. It dries pretty quickly and there are some nice touches like the whistle and paddle holder. The only problem is the cost.
Incidentally, if you are going in the sea anything you carry with you should be affixed to your hydration pack or whatever by a lanyard. That makes zips redundant and is much more effective when you are trying to use something with wet hands in the middle of the sea. One fumble and it's gone...
I use mine on sweetwater and sea as well.No problem at all with the plastic zippers and you need to open your zip for the water resevoir anyway after each session to clean or refill it.
Select to expand quotefoamballer said..
One neat little thing I saw with the Baja pack was the paddle retainer strap.
I haven't seen either of these ones in the flesh - just the overview vids on the camelbak site.
The paddle strap is a bit of a wank as is the claim the Baja is designed to be worn with an inflatable PFD.
Select to expand quoteArea10 said..
You don't want zips on anything that is going to go in the sea often. You have to rinse them all the time, which means you've then got to dry them all the time... Too much trouble.
...
Incidentally, if you are going in the sea anything you carry with you should be affixed to your hydration pack or whatever by a lanyard. That makes zips redundant and is much more effective when you are trying to use something with wet hands in the middle of the sea. One fumble and it's gone...
It would be wet everytime I took it out, and I'd wash it everytime I got back in, but yeah... corrosion of the zips would be a concern.
I agree with the lanyard comment for anything that you'd want to get out and use whilst on the water.Select to expand quotePTWoody said..
The paddle strap is a bit of a wank as is the claim the Baja is designed to be worn with an inflatable PFD.
How so?
I have the Camel Back Molokai. Very comfy. Don't really notice that I'm wearing it.
Select to expand quoteDavidJohn said..
I like mine.
DJ/Jeroensurf - How are the zips holding up? what's the bag like to get out and clean etc.?
Select to expand quoteZeusman said..
I have the Camel Back Molokai. Very comfy. Don't really notice that I'm wearing it.
The camelbak website implies that the molokai doesn't have any additional storage in the quoted specs. The left figures are for the baja LR and the right is for the molokai. Is this right? The molokai looks like it would have more space.
I have been using the Camelback Octane LR. Having the reservoir down low is ok but it is difficult to clean due to the shape of the bladder. Side pockets with zips are ok for protein bars and gel packs. Storage is excellent as I can fit a waist PFD and a flare in the pockets for meeting safety regs for open water, long distance races. Seeing some of the top racers at the NZ Champs using the Wilson Vestpac with the front pocket got me thinking about convenience for accessing gels- definitely worth a look.
Does anybody have a solution for keeping the mouth piece of the hydration pack in a convenient position so the you do not have to stop paddling and using your hand to find the nozzle?
Select to expand quotefoamballer said..antonfourie said..
I use a PFD that has pockets and a water pouch, most races require a PFD so I just use it so that I am used to wearing it and it does not feel weird in the race.
I don't race, but have thought about a pfd - which one do you use?
x2, question regarding a comfortable PFD with the pockets etc ?
Thanks,
Scott.
@zephyrg: camelbak do a sleeve for the drinking tube that is shapeable so you can angle it where ever you want. Check it out on the accessories section of the camelbak website.
Select to expand quotefoamballer said..DavidJohn said..
I like mine.
DJ/Jeroensurf - How are the zips holding up? what's the bag like to get out and clean etc.?
Zeusman said..
I have the Camel Back Molokai. Very comfy. Don't really notice that I'm wearing it.
The camelbak website implies that the molokai doesn't have any additional storage in the quoted specs. The left figures are for the baja LR and the right is for the molokai. Is this right? The molokai looks like it would have more space.
Normally I don't buy anything but Camelbak [because they're the best] but this is a good one.. Zips seem very good. [chunky]
Select to expand quoteKieranr said..
@zephyrg: camelbak do a sleeve for the drinking tube that is shapeable so you can angle it where ever you want. Check it out on the accessories section of the camelbak website.
Thanks for the tip - will check it out.
Can't go past the comfort of a Vestpac ;
- Adjustable strapping so one size fits all
- Low profile to wear over or under a t-shirt or PFD
- Mesh panelling provides a soft, breathable alternative where water/wind breezes straight through keeping you cool
- Easy access bite valve ensures liquid at all times
- 1 litre bladder with easy access compartment to accommodate a 2ltr bladder
- Never any rubbing/rash under arms, strapping is over shoulder & around waist
- Chest compartments for energy bars/phone cases/sunscreen/sunglasses etc
- Most popular pack globally amongst SUP & Outrigger
- Outside of water is ideal for hike/bike/snow etc
Jackson pak is $95
Wilson pak (with additional zipper pouch) is $110
http://vestpac.quivers.com/c/380
Interesting that on vestpac's hydration page the first thing you see is:
Camel Back Systems for Every Sport | VestPac®
Our camel back systems are are incredibly light and comfortable.
So they can spell 'camel back' properly, but then leave the 'k' of their own name? 
Trying to pick up a few web hits? Maybe they came up with the name concept first?
In any case, the front pocket would be handy, but it would be nice if the capacity was over 1 L. I would be nice to see one in the flesh, but the only Australian distributor I could see was in Cronulla www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/StandUpPaddle-Paddles-and-Accessories/~a8tg8/Vestpac.aspx
Select to expand quotefoamballer said..HumanCartoon said..
I use a Camelback "Octane LR"...the LR stands for "Lumbar Reservoir", keeps the weight down on your hips instead of sloshing around up and down your back. Otherwise it's pretty light, has a few pockets for a bit of gear and plenty of arm room.
It looks like I could get that for around $90. I was looking at the camelbak website and they have a watersports version - Baja LR ($125), which is a bit smaller gear capacity but touted as being made of waterproof/quick drying materials. I'm in and out of the water a bit - how does the Octane LR stand up being wet a lot of the time? or maybe you don't fall off as much as me ?
One neat little thing I saw with the Baja pack was the paddle retainer strap.
I haven't seen either of these ones in the flesh - just the overview vids on the camelbak site.
Hi mate, sorry Ben away and lost track of this thread. The Octane is mostly light weight stuff and a bit of mesh here & there, drains well and doesn't get heavy when it's wet. Mine's survived hundreds of dunkings over the 3 years or so I've had it and is still good (I fall off more than ANYONE), plenty of life left in it yet although it's starting to fade a little. Never had a problem with zips gunking up. I give it a good rinse with the garden hose once a week or so. On downwinders and away from shore I wear a bumpack PFD below it quite comfortably.
I've seen a Baja up close and I was underwhelmed, seemed a bit overbuilt for the task and if you wanted a paddle loop you could probably sew one onto another pack or onto your boardies (if I recall correctly someone on here's Mrs had a clever way of doing that)
Select to expand quoteZephyrG said..
I have been using the Camelback Octane LR.
Does anybody have a solution for keeping the mouth piece of the hydration pack in a convenient position so the you do not have to stop paddling and using your hand to find the nozzle?
With my octane LR I run the hose up over my right shoulder (got a couple of extra accessory clips from camelback to hold it in place), and swapped the straight mouthpiece for a right-angle one. I've got the mouthpiece a couple of inches to the side of my mouth so I just have to turn my head and bite on to get a drink.
Trying to pick up a few web hits? Maybe they came up with the name concept first? 
