Camelbak - first-time user's impressions

[workinwifdakids]

I bought a 3L 100oz Camelbak Thermobak in ACU, and used it at the range yesterday. I took the bladder out and filled it to nearly-full capacity. Then I realized you can't put the bladder back in the unit with the lid on, and you can't put the bladder in with the lid off and full! Darn... so, I emptied the bladder and put it back in, and then filled it. I realized that the weight of the shell made it hard to fill, except at an odd angle, and even then it wouldn't fill to capacity. It filled to 75%, I'd say.

So, on the range. I enjoyed the way it hung on my back, and it was very convenient. The capacity was good - I drank all I wanted all day long, and it wasn't quite empty at the end of the day. Also, I found the bladder kept the water cool all day long, but the water in the hose would get warm. So, I blew into the hose and then turned the valve to the off position. Probably not sanitary, but hey, I don't plan on sharing.

Convenience of use: 9
Convenience of fill/refill: 4

[mekender]

went to an air show today... man i wish i had one now...

[randy]

I've been using them for about 10 years and love them.

The whole family has one. I still keep one in the back seat from when my daughter was a toddler and it was a lot easier to keep it filled and not spilling than a sippy cup.

I've used mine for SAR operations, working outside security, and various Amateur Radio public service events such as parades and triathlons.

I have a carrier strapped to my LBE gear, and used it during a tactical rifle course that involved a bit of run and gun. I found it didn't throw me off balance the way standard canteens did, especially when one was partially filled. Of course I did get a little damp when shooting prone on my back.

I drink more often and keep better hydrated on hot days than with regular canteens because it is so much faster and easier to get to the tube than to pull out/re-holster a standard canteen. On more than one occasion with a standard canteen, I'd be just about to pull it out and get a drink when a radio call for me came in and I'd forget about it for a while.

I learned fast on hot days to blow into the tube and clear it of hot water before drinking.

I use the sprayer hose on the kitchen sink to fill mine, rather than try to line it up under the faucet.

A trick for the night before you will be out with it on a hot day: Fill it about 1/4 to 1/3. Closed the lid and then blow into the tube to inflate the bladder. Lay it in the freezer flat so that the lid and the tube connection are not in the water.

The next day, pull it out, give it a minute or 2 for the tube and lid to thaw out, then fill with water.

Did that for a parade this past Labor Day. On post at 8am, left at around noon. Mid-80's. Late that afternoon when re-organizing and storing my gear there was still a chunk of ice floating in there.

[Weetabix]

Another cool thing: if you fill them from a pump style filter from a cool creek, you can just insert the pump's output tube into the tube of the camelback (with the bite valve off, of course) and fill it without taking it out. Be careful about over filling, though, because it will leak in your pack.

This thing kept me way better hydrated than anything else I've used because of the convenience as Randy stated. No headaches!

[Joe ex PNG]

They are especally great for long motorcycle rides. Especally if one rides in hot climates such as in Central Florida while wearing the reccomended safety gear.

[crazylegs]

Our squadron booster club used to give out low profile camelbacks to us lower ranking airmen who were all heading out to pull all day details in the sun. I managed to snag one.

The big lid allows me to just toss in ice cubes from any convenient ice machine. Total capacity is about a gallon, I'd say. Its more then enough if you're just going to be out for a couple hours, or if you know you're going to be able to refill it while you're out. The extreme lowprofile makes it great for running, jogging, and biking. I wore mine over my body armor, or clipped it to my backpack. Even full it wasn't so heavy that it would throw me off balance. On extremely hot days, some troops would place it under thier oversized body armor, it was that slim. I didn't do that, because It had the tendency to make the armor chafe my shoulders, and I have bony shoulders already. But during the rain I would wear mine under my Goretex or raingear. It wouldn't be hard to imagine a motorcyclist wearing one under his riding jacket or armor. The size was so small and light I'd say it make a good childrens camelback. Small and light enough for an older kid, it has just enough pocket space for a few granola bars or a bag of chips, and its mostly spill proof. Much better then buying bottled water, or having to trek back to the car for some water.


Some more disreputable types, (Not me, I swear) had a tendency to fill up their camelbacks with ice cubes, redbull and vodka prior to the squadron hiking trip or all day picnic.

[The Wizard]

they are alright, but we all have problems with them getting off center or hanging loose and snagging on stuff when they are on our IOTVs. but that said we are getting in and out of trucks and gun turrets all the time. not bad though if you have just it on by itself.

oh and we had a guy fill a 3L one up with vodka and try to sneek it into our barracks when i was in AIT.