Got Superkids? Get them a Camelback Skeeter
Written: Aug 07 '06 (Updated Aug 08 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Keeps the kids hydrated in style just like mom and dad.
Cons: May lack some features of the big ones, but so what?
The Bottom Line: A kid-sized hydration pack they will love. Peace of mind for parents who want the kids to stay hydrated on the trail or just riding bikes around the hood.
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| Mark_A.'s Full Review: CamelBak Skeeter |
Scenario: You're out for an extreme adventure with the family. Maybe you've packed up the bikes, perhaps you've loaded the kayaks, and now you go grab your kit. Checklist time. "Sunscreen?" "Check." "Daypack?" "Check." "Powerbars?" "Good to go." "Hydration?" "Camelbacks." "Dad?" "Check." "Mom?" "Check." "Jr.?" "What, no Camelback? Here's a bottle of water."
This is no way to start a family adventure! The kids need a Camelback, too, and I know just the one that is sized just right. The Skeeter fits the bill perfectly.
Giving them their own Camelback has a couple of benefits. For one, they feel more like part of the tribe when they get the good stuff just like mom and dad. Here's another benefit that is pretty important and pretty obvious. They will hydrate better with than without. Nothing brings family recreational operations to a screeching halt faster than an overheated and dehydrated curtain climber. Here's the most important benefit: they will quit bogarting yours!
I've been using Camelback products for a decade now. I started out with a standard military issue 70 ounce model in fashionable black. I didn't know how I lived without that thing before I discovered it. From there I was issued a Camelback Mule, which was even better, with a better carrying system, some space to pack kit, and an insulated drinking tube. The insulated tube comes in handy if you're going to be using the pack in sweltering temperatures for extended periods.
I've recently acquired an Alterra, which is a Camelback waistpack which is awesome for running. The kids Skeeter Camelback is fabricated with all of the great materials that the grown-up models utilize. This is a serious piece of gear.
Description: The Skeeter is scaled way down in the strap department, but it boasts an impressive 35 ounce reservoir, which for reference is three ounces greater than a quart of Gatorade. It is essentially a liter, and a liter will keep the tykes hydrated for quite a bit. The Skeeter does not have pockets for things, nor does it have a belly band, but it really does not need one. The front of the straps feature two tube straps. You simply run the tube over the shoulder, under the tube strap, and there it can easily find the thirsty mouth above. The Skeeter has a bite valve like the big ones, but no shut off. If you really needed the shutoff, you could add one by purchasing that as an accessory.
Comfort: You know you don't want to get six miles up the trail and then have Jr. start in on how the Camelback is bugging him. The company has put some thought into this, and they've succeeded in making this little pack comfy even for the shrimpiest kids. The main reason it works is that it is scaled down. This means the Camelback fits them just like the big ones fit the adults. A quick adjustment of the straps, and it is good to go. They have also incorporated a "wicking mesh back panel" which does a nice job of keeping the back from getting too sweaty.
Use: One great thing about the Skeeter is that it has a nice, large screw top opening that makes filling a snap. My eight-year old did it herself on the first try. Since she has drank out of her mom's Camelback before, using it was a cinch for her. The minute I pulled it out and showed it to her, on it went. She was pretty stoked to get her own Camelback, just like mom and dad's.
Cleaning: Cleaning is very easy with the Skeeter, rinse it out and dry with paper towels after use to avoid problems. The newer Camelbacks like this one feature an "OMEGA" reservoir which resists bacteria and fungus. If you desire to deep clean your Camelback, you can use their kit (or you can use a couple of drops of Clorox bleach and fill the reservoir with some water, shake, drain and dry). The newer models also have a "taste free" drinking tube. They are pretty close to being taste free, but I can always tell I'm drinking from my Camelback.
Safety: They don't recommend giving the Skeeter to kids under five, but those kids aren't going to be nailing the trail too hard anyway. One great safety feature of the Skeeter is a patch of reflective material right in the middle of the back. What a great idea! Safety features like that are what you won't find on the cheap knock-offs.
Style: The Skeeter is stylish, and comes in at least two color combinations, pink and gray, and yellow and blue. It may come in more. The problem will be finding the right color. I wanted a pink one for my daughter, but I couldn't find it at my base exchange, so she got a yellow and blue one. She really doesn't seem to mind, though!
One final point I'll make about the Skeeter is its value. The Skeeter, while lacking some of the features of the grown-up models like clips, pockets and shut-offs, is a great bargain. You can get this little guy for around $20. Not too bad, even if you have to buy a couple. Remember, this one is not a toy, it is a real hydration pack, and it is constructed from the same high-quality materials as the big ones.
The Skeeter is a winner. Your kids will love it.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Mark_A.
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Member: Mark A
Location: Schauerberg, Germany
Reviews written: 117
Trusted by: 74 members
About Me:
The time will come when we are no more, so let's just eat some BBQ...
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