The Pros And Cons Of Hydration Packs

Staying hydrated is an important part of enjoying out door activities like cycling, walking and hiking. Carrying a water bottle from which to drink while on the move has been the traditional way of achieving this. However carrying a water bottle has some obvious disadvantages such as having to stop to get the water bottle out while on the move. Hydration backpacks are designed to ensure that nothing prevents you from remaining hydrated throughout the duration of your outdoor activity.

A hydration pack consists of a "bladder" or reservoir to store liquid as well as a hose which allows the wearer to drink the liquid hands free while on the move. The water or liquid is administered via a bite valve' which opens when the wearer bites on it.

Pros and Cons of Hydration backpacks

Before you commit to buying a hydration pack, it is important that you consider the pros and cons regarding their use. As mentioned earlier, the main benefits of a hydration backpack include:

1. You avoid having to interrupt or stop your activity each time you feel thirsty. You can easily take in water or some other liquid even while engaged in your outdoor activity like cycling down a track on a mountain bike. One major benefit of being able to drink consistently and easily is that you will be properly hydrated.

2. Another benefit of hydration packs is that they let you carry more liquid. A typical hydration pack can hold about 1.5 to 3 liters of liquid, which makes them suitable mainly for outdoor activities such as cycling and hiking.

The disadvantage of hydration packs include:

Leakage and spillage can be a concern.

They can be difficult to clean, especially if you include lots of sports drink powers in your water.

You will have to spend some money to get a good hydration backpack.

Selecting the Right Hydration Backpack

1. Choose a backpack that is Appropriate for Your Outdoor Activity

The outdoor activity you engage in plays a vital part in deciding the type of hydration backpack you should be using. For example, if you are a recreational hiker, a hydration backpack with only a reservoir might be sufficient for you. If you are a mountain biker, you might need additional room within the pack to store things like spare tire tubes or some food.

2. Bite or Sip

Hydration packs are fitted with a tube that has a mouthpiece which you would have to bite in order to release the liquid, or sip straight from the mouthpiece. The tube should be sufficiently flexible to get to when you feel like drinking, particularly when you are snowboarding or cycling.

3. Consider the volume of the reservoir

Choosing the reservoir or bladder volume is vital, because you would not want to get dehydrated even though you are carrying a hydration backpack. Conversely, you also want to avoid needlessly carrying a heavy burden on your back. Take into account the outdoor activity you will be doing, and do not forget to consider the weather conditions also.

Hydration backpacks were initially designed for professional bikers; however they have now become extremely popular among sports enthusiasts throughout the world, due to their utility value.