Camelbak Classic
Price payed: $30
Years owned: 2

----- Overview -----

Camelbak hydration systems have been around for over a decade now, and several other companies now sell very similar products (North Face, Platypus, Hydropak). Since I like to stick with the tried-and-true original, my first hydration pack purchase was a 70oz Camelbak Classic. This is their most basic model, and consists of the backpack, water bladder with hose, and the big-bite valve for the hose end.

General storage space is nonexistent in the Classic model, except for a small pocket on the upper part of the pack that allows you to store your car keys, energy bar, or possibly a cell phone. If you want to take along food or just need storage space for longer trips, it’s best to look at larger Camelbak models.

The Classic looks great, and is thin enough that it doesn’t feel very bulky while you are wearing it. The two shoulder straps are adjustable for fit, as is the horizontal chest strap. The chest strap keeps the shoulder straps from spreading apart and sliding down your shoulders.

----- My Comments -----

The Camelbak idea is a great one and in theory it works very well, but… several key problems have plagued both of my Camelbaks since I purchased them, lowering the rating significantly.

Since I purchased it two years ago, my Classic model has always had a foul taste to the water. After about 30 minutes in the pack, it begins to taste strongly of plastic. This is also the case with my larger 100oz pack. I have done everything recommended by fellow bikers: Filling the bladder with water and baking soda and letting it soak, lightly bleaching the bladder, flushing it with water for 24 hours, and just plain using it frequently. The only solution to get fresh tasting water is to haul water to the area you will be hiking or biking, pouring the water in the Camelbak, and immediately taking off. This will give you 30 minutes of decent tasting water before it begins to taste nasty. Even flavored drinks begin to absorb the taste after 45 minutes or so.

This may not be a big deal to some people, but when I’m exercising hard I have a very fragile stomach. Anything strong will soon give me nausea and an upset stomach. After an hour of riding in the heat and sipping away at my Camelbak, the taste really starts to irritate me.

Drying the bladder after use in very important, or you will get mold or fungus growing in your water bladder. If you use any flavored drink such as Gatorade or Cytomax, make sure to flush well with water before drying. I purchased the Camelbak drying rack to assist in the drying process, but it only helps a little. You fold the drying rack and insert in through the filling hole. Once inside, it expands and inflates the bladder so air can get inside. Even with the drying rack quite a bit of water will remain at the bottom of the bladder, and it’s very hard to get out.
NOTE: The newer Camelbaks have a much larger opening in the bladder, which they call the Omega Reservoir. This bladder is very easy to both dry and fill.

Now for the good points about the Camelbak system: It’s easy to fill (unlike water bottles), frees your hands and gives you better control while riding your bike, carries a large amount of water, and gives you a place to stash small items.

The “bite valve” on the water supply hose is an ingenious idea, and it works very well in all conditions. To get the water flowing, you need to bite down with your teeth a little bit and suck at the same time. Think of it as a long, flexible straw to the water reservoir. When you are finished, spit the hose from your mouth and the mouthpiece closes off the water flow automatically. This system allows you to put your hands back on the handlebar instead of holding and drinking from a water bottle. Newer bite valves also have a manual shutoff on them to prevent any small leaks while in the car.

----- Bottom Line -----

I have yet to try the newest Camelbak system, and since the reservoir is different I can only hope they changed the material it’s made from. There are plastics out there that don’t leak the flavor into the water, I have 4 water bottles that I can leave in the sun for 2 days without the water having the slightest taste. I would gladly pay 10 or 15 percent more for a system that preserved the water quality in all conditions.

As it stands, I wouldn’t recommend the Camelbak Classic to my friends. I use water bottles for most of my short to medium rides, and only take the Camel when I’m going on an epic ride. I’m really surprised none of the other opinions mentioned this problem, which I consider quite important. I hope I can give a positive review of one of Camelbak’s new products sometime soon, as I really like their system and how it works.

From what I have read, the Omega Reservoir Camelbak is using now is a big improvement over the old design. Easier to clean and fill, and hopefully more resistant to flavor leaching into the water.

Related links:

Camelbak Classic
Camelbak Reservoir Dryer
http://www.camelbak.com/rec/products.cfm

Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment.

Openroad

Recommended: No