 |
|
|
|
|
|
Hydration Packs
for Winter Weather
|
|
|
by Berne Broudy
Skinning up towards the snow-cone summit ahead, I am working extra hard to keep up with my faster friends. The skies are blue, but it's been a slog and the temperature is down right cold. I'm so thirsty, but stopping to pull the water bottle from the bottom of my pack will only set me back farther. By the time I near the top, I'm moving slow and haven't peed for hours.
We all know that dehydration decreases performance. When it's cold out and you don't seem to be sweating, it can be tough to remember how much moisture you lose with exertion. And there can be a thousand excuses from frozen fingers to plain laziness why not to stop for a water break.
In the past I've saved my hydration system for summer. I hike and bike with a hydration pack, and it makes a huge difference in how much I drink because I don't have to dig. When you don't have to stop, you've got no excuse, that is, unless your hydration system is frozen.
The drink tube's tendency to freeze often made winter hydration use futile. But in an effort to make hydration packs suitable for four seasons, hydration companies have rethought the needs of winter adventurers. Most now insulate their hoses with a closed cell foam sleeve, packs have been redesigned to keep reservoirs where body heat can help keep them from freezing, and insulating caps have been added to cover bite valves.
Despite the beefed up insulation, it's important to remember that any hydration system could still freeze on the coldest days if you don't take a few precautions. In full-on winter weather, fill the reservoir with hot water. Blow back into the drink tube after you've sipped to stave off the freeze. Keep the reservoir and hose as close to your body as possible to use the benefits of body heat. And when the mercury is hanging out in the bottom of the bulb and you're out for a long day, dust off your Nalgene bottles, fill them with boiling water and carry them upside down in a zippered insulated sleeve as backup.
It's only a matter of time before the ultimate anti-freeze insulation is found. But while the designers are hard at work, these systems represent significant improvements, including high-flow valves. The technical ski packs housing the hydration systems are testimony to the fact that hydration companies are working towards the best solution for the winter backcountry. Whereas once hydration packs were flimsy, now many incorporate technical features including advanced suspension systems, ski loops and shovel pockets tailoring them to demands of the backcountry.
|
|
|
|
Bladder Infections? Tricks for Hydro-cleanliness
More than once, I've tossed my hydration pack into the back of my car, where it's forgotten for weeks. When finally extracted the bladder is an algae infested science project.
Hydration system neglect can be easily remedied. The natural way to clean your hydration system is with baking soda and/or a squeeze of lemon juice. Mild biodegradable liquid soap, like Dr. Bronner's, is the second line of defense, which, combined with a long skinny hydration hose scrub brush (sold in most outdoor stores that sell hydration packs), can be quite effective.
When all else fails, mix one tablespoon of bleach per liter of water in the bladder and hose. Leave it overnight, and rinse in the morning. Go stronger on the bleach solution adjusting to wipe out various levels of microorganisms. If your reservoir tastes unpleasant, use a water treatment (which also removes odors) like Aquamira, making sure to thoroughly mix and fill the hose as well.
-B.B. |
|
|
Backcountry Access Alp 40
|
 |
capacity: 100 oz / size: 2,850 cu in / weight: 3.3 lbs
The burliest of the packs reviewed, Backcountry Access's Alp 40 is the pack of choice for versatility, capacity and a serious commitment to winter hydration. The Alp 40 has a removable frame sheet with one aluminium stay to support heavier loads. There are enough external lash points to strap ice tools, helmet, skis and extra layers and still have room for more. Shovel blade and probe specific pockets are easily accessible without opening the pack, and all external pockets use waterproof zippers.
Where Backcountry Access goes from good to great is the design of its insulation. A neoprene-covered hose runs from the reservoir through the left shoulder strap. Instant insulated access is via a waterproof zipper that runs the full length of the shoulder strap. A semi-rigid piece of plastic is sewn in to the hose pouch to prevent the mouthpiece from being accidentally squeezed and drained. Not only will the Alp 40 be your winter Sherpa, but you'll use it all year round.
|
|
|
|
|
Camelbak Snowbound
|
 |
capacity: 100 oz / size: 1,500 cu in / weight: 2.7 lbs
With a padded back and beefy ski/ice tool loops, the compact Camelbak Snowbound is a bomber pack for smaller loads. Probe and shovel handle sleeves in the main compartment keep gear separated, and external lash points hold the rest. The reservoir hangs from a loop in its own insulated zippered pouch and an extra-wide mouth and handle make for a friendly filling bladder. Similar to the Backcountry Access Alp 40, the Snowbound's hose passes through an insulated zippered half sleeve with an insulated rubber cap.
Camelbak attaches their insulation sleeve to the end of the hose so it stays put. But the hose can creep out of the shoulder strap as you pull it towards your mouth. On sub-zero days when you forget to blow back this can cause freezing. Otherwise the closed-cell foam sleeve will suffice.
My main complaint about this pack is the plastic taste of the bladder itself. Water left in the unit for any extended period of time tastes like plastic, and eventually like mildew. But if you keep the Camelbak reservoir washed and dried, it'll serve you well. |
|
|
|
|
Hydrapak Snowstorm
|
 |
capacity: 100 oz / size: 1,500 cu in / weight: 2.9 lbs
The Hydrapak Snowstorm's greatest advantage is its reverse zip-top compartment and multiple access points that makes it easy to get to the goods inside even when you've got gear strapped on. Wing flaps and a bottom harness fold in to hold a board, shovel blade or ice tools. Side compression straps double as ski supports, and a special outer pocket holds an MP3 player complete with an exit for headphones. A long, narrow outside pocket is slightly too short for a probe.
Hydrapak insulates their system with a neoprene tube cover and hard rubber bite valve cap. An uninsulated gap can form under the cap (easily fixed with a little duct tape). Hydrapak's reservoirs are innovative-they're marked with measuring lines and supple enough to turn inside out for easy cleaning. The reservoir has a roll top closure that velcros to itself to form a tight seal, and then clips to the top of the pack for extra insurance. Keep the reservoir upright since partially full reservoirs left on their sides will leak.
The Snowstorm took me the longest to get used to because of its unusual pockets and access points. But once I did, I enjoyed this broad pack that cinches down comfortably for downhill handling. |
|
|
|
|
Ultimate Direction Skyline 1200
|
 |
capacity: 96 oz. / size: 1,375 cu in / weight: 2.1 lbs
The Skyline 1200 is a winter pack for the backcountry minimalist. An open mesh stash pocket, sewn to carry a snowboard horizontally, increases its capacity. Ultimate Direction's claim to fame is their new DoubleShot valve. Any skier who can't get enough flow with other hydration systems will rejoice. In the open position, the valve has 1/4 inch of flow. Turn it 90 degrees and the valve seals completely.
The roll and velcro closure on the Ultimate Direction reservoir requires special attention when sealing. Roll the top of the reservoir tight, and clip it to the pack to keep it upright. Similar to the previous system, this roll-top closure can leak if left lying less than full. Although Ultimate Direction promotes this as a winter pack, you have to buy their insulated hose and bite valve cover separately for $16. It's the pack of choice when you're packing light. |
|
|
|
|
|
Platypus Megawatt
|
 |
capacity: 70 oz / size: 455 cu in / weight: 1.5 lbs
The relatively small Megawatt has just enough space to stash goods for a day trip in the backcountry and just enough stability to carry skis for the same. The elastic bottom strap of an open external flap will support a shovel blade, or carry a snowboard horizontally, and bottom compression straps serve as ski loops.
The Megawatt doesn't come as an insulated system, yet it offers advantages to the backcountry skier not found in any other pack. Its unique LED strip positioned against a reflective background lights up, making the wearer easy to spot at dusk, at night, or in an accident. It runs on a flat watch battery, and will work in the cold as well as the average watch.
The wide mouth Platypus reservoir seals securely with a zip-lock closure. If you land on your pack, not only will it'll stay shut, but will cushion your fall. However, if you don't get the zip right, you might find yourself taking an impromptu bath. Platypus reservoirs need to be cared for carefully. They seem particularly susceptible to punctures and cracks with extended hard use. The wide zip closure makes cleaning and drying the bladder easy. You can get an insulated hose from Platypus for $15.95. No valve cap available, which leaves it out in the cold and prone to leak if unintentionally squeezed. |
|
|
|
|
Source Winter Kit Plus
|
  |
capacity: 70 oz / size: 126 cu in / weight: 0.8 lbs
The only winter hydration system reviewed that's not designed to carry skis, Source stands out for its superior smell-free, taste-free reservoir, its price and its streamlined versatility that's compatible with any pack.
Source's reservoir is polyethylene, which is molecularly similar to glass, with an FDA-approved antimicrobial coating. That means the water in your pack will be as fresh as it was when it left the faucet or stream, and will never have the plastic taste of other reservoirs even if it's in there for longer than you'd like to admit. Because of its glass-like properties, the reservoir won't absorb odor like other hydration systems. Leave your Gatorade in there for a month, and you can still rinse and go.
The hose has a woven cover to keep light out and prevent proliferation of odor-causing organisms. In the winter system, all this is tucked inside a full-zip insulated pouch and hose cover. Nylon shoulder straps let the system fly solo or in conjunction with any other pack. It's the ultimate solution for backcountry addicts on a budget. It tastes the best of any system here and ranks high for insulating properties. Already have a two-liter/100 oz. reservoir? Use it inside the Source Winter Kit ($20).
|
|
|
|
|
|
All logos and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owner.
The comments are property of their posters, all the rest © 2003 by Backcountry Magazine
|
|
|
