Advice on Camelbak for park touring

[RooRach0906]

We are thinking about getting a Camelbak style backpack for park touring. We definitely want one with the hydration pack and room for our gopro and sunscreen. Any advice on what one we should get? It will probably only get used for Disney and like Busch Gardens.

Mods if this isnt the right place for this please move.

 

[soniam]

Depending upon when you go, I think a Camelbak or any backpack worn on the back could get hot. We usually carry a tiny backpack on one shoulder and stainless steel water bottles on lanyards. Keep in mind that you want the bag to be able to fit into the holders or be able to hold onto it on rides. If it's too big, it becomes difficult. How do you plan to fill it? I have a Camelbak bladder, and I find it can be difficult to fill due to the shape and size of the opening. Also, have you ever used a Camelbak bladder? The plastic from either the bladder or the tube tends to leach into the water adding a strange flavor, especially if the water sits for a while. You will also want to be sure to air it out every night or it can get funky. Water is decently accessible in the parks, either via water fountains , purchased bottled water, or cups of water from quick service restaurants. I don't know if the capacity of a Camelbak bladder is really needed. We only use ours on long hikes/runs, bicycle rides, or motorcycle rides.

 

[ADRANAS32]

We used ours this trip and it was great. Put the bladder in the fridge overnight so it was cool on our backs. I have the Aurora and my friend used the Daystar. The Daystar was better for carrying extra items but all I really needed was my AP card, Id and phone.

 

[DLgal]

I have a Camelbak LUXE with a 100oz bladder and I am taking it next week to the parks. The great thing about it is, if you put ice in it, the backpack actually keeps you cool! I put in a cooling towel with the bladder to catch the condensation and stay cold and then I have a bonus cooling towel ready to go when I need it. 100oz is a perfect amount for my whole family of 4 and we only usually need to refill it once a day, usually when we are back in our room for the midday break. We use the ice machines to fill it up with ice then put tap water in. We don't care about the taste of the water and when it is ice cold, it's fine. We have refilled it using ice water cups from a QS restaurant too. Takes two people (one to hold the bladder, one to pour), but it's not hard at all. Mine can be refilled without removing it from the pack. I don't know what the previous poster is talking about when he says it is difficult to refill due to the "shape and size" of the opening...mine is a circle about 3.5" in diameter. It is huge. Super easy to fill in a sink or by pouring water from a cup.

The pack also has an additional two zippered compartments (one large, one small with pockets and a key hook). I can carry 4 ponchos, my hat, sunglasses, phone, wallet, gum, pack of hand wipes, and probably more if I needed to. The bag itself is small and fits very ergonomically on my back and is not heavy at all. It is FAR more comfortable than my cross body bag with 28oz stainless steel water bottle that I usually carry to Disneyland. That one makes my shoulder/neck ache after the whole day.

They are expensive but completely worth it. I have never had an issue with my bladder having a strange taste nor getting "funky." The material resists mildew as long as you leave it open after use to air out. I have had the same bladder/tubing for over 6 years and it is still going strong.

Also, carrying it on rides is not an issue at all. I NEVER use the provided pouches on rides to put my bag...they are always too big for those. I just put it on the floor of the ride vehicle by my feet with my foot through the strap to hold it there. No biggie.

 

[soniam]

...
Takes two people (one to hold the bladder, one to pour), but it's not hard at all. Mine can be refilled without removing it from the pack. I don't know what the previous poster is talking about when he says it is difficult to refill due to the "shape and size" of the opening...mine is a circle about 3.5" in diameter. It is huge. Super easy to fill in a sink or by pouring water from a cup.
...

This is exactly what I am talking about. I don't think needing 2 people to fill something is the definition of easy. I think the large opening and shape of the bag can make it difficult to get it all the way full without spilling. Even doing this at home with my filtered water spout can be tricky. I don't see filling these at a water fountain to be easy, not that I like the fountain water. A cup wouldn't be bad, but it would take a lot of cups from the QS to fill it, especially if they give you the small ones. Also, about sharing it, maybe your kids are older, but my son is young and is the king of backwash. I don't know how, but he can manage to backwash into at least the tube of a Camelbak without even trying. So, DH and I don't like to share with him.

 

[DLgal]

This is exactly what I am talking about. I don't think needing 2 people to fill something is the definition of easy. I think the large opening and shape of the bag can make it difficult to get it all the way full without spilling. Even doing this at home with my filtered water spout can be tricky. I don't see filling these at a water fountain to be easy, not that I like the fountain water. A cup wouldn't be bad, but it would take a lot of cups from the QS to fill it, especially if they give you the small ones. Also, about sharing it, maybe your kids are older, but my son is young and is the king of backwash. I don't know how, but he can manage to backwash into at least the tube of a Camelbak without even trying. So, DH and I don't like to share with him.

Well, my water bottle takes two people to refill at a water fountain too...someone has to hold the lid/straw while I fill it up, so...

My kids are 10 and 12...no backwash issues here, but yeah, that sounds unpleasant so I don't blame you.

 

[NH-to-FL]

I haven't used it in the parks but I do use a Camelbak when I ride my motorcycle in the hot weather. As a previous poster noted, put some water in it, maybe 3/4 full, the night before and put it flat in the freezer. Then fill with cold water the next morning. That way you will have some cold water to drink right away. I also second the suggestion of wrapping it with a small towel to both catch the condensation and provide some insulation.

And I suggest the fill and freeze method rather than adding ice cubes as the ice cubes will melt into small pieces and potentially block the drinking tube. It will take much longer to melt the larger block of ice. Oh yes, make sure not to leave any water in the drinking tube when you freeze it.

If you already have a backpack you can just get one of the Camelbak bladders.

Nothing like a sip of ice water to cool you down on a hot day.

 

[RooRach0906]

Thank you everyone for your replies!

Depending upon when you go, I think a Camelbak or any backpack worn on the back could get hot. We usually carry a tiny backpack on one shoulder and stainless steel water bottles on lanyards. Keep in mind that you want the bag to be able to fit into the holders or be able to hold onto it on rides.

We are already used to carrying a regular backpack.

This has really helped with us making a decision. It will be myself and my husband trading off with the bag.

Also thank you for the tips about cooling towels and freezing water over night we will definitely be doing that. I appreciate everyone help!

 

[soniam]

We recently bought new Camelbak backpacks for a Grand Canyon trip. We haven't tried them out yet though. DH has one of the backpacks that pretty much just holds the bladder. I have a bag with a handle that holds the bladder. Don't get this for the parks. It's a hassle to carry around. I use it on my scooter, which has a hook. We ended up getting the Arete 22 & 18. These backpacks seemed the lightest weight and seemed to have the most room to carry stuff without being too large. The Arete 22 holds a 70oz. I already have a 70oz bladder, so I thought it might be nice to be able to switch off if necessary. The Arete 18 holds 50oz. We got this for DS, since he's only 10. If you need to carry a lot, like filling a normal backpack, I think the Arete might be too small.

 

[dreiwhit]

I've been using Camelbacks and other hydrations systems for years - I bought my first Camelback back in 1997 when I was doing a lot of Search & Rescue and never carried a canteen or water bottle again.

These days, "Camelback" has become a generic term, sort of like Xerox. There are several companies who sell hydration systems. I'm currently using a model made by Source. They have several different lines for outdoor, tactical, etc. I bought my Source system last month and really prefer it over my Camelback because the entire top of the bladder will open up and the bladder is engineered to have no taste and has an anti-microbial coating. The carrier is also insulated - I have ice left the day after I fill it up.

For a Disney trip, a hydration system works great. 100 ounces of cold water lasted me all day and the weight was not bad. I do carry my carrier and bladder in a day pack that has a pocket for it. What I do is to fill mine as full of ice as I can get and then top it off with water. I also use an insulated tube cover. Also, get a carrier and tube cover made from light colored cloth to prevent heat absorption.

 

[gap2368]

I have a magellan back back ( I have been trying to find it online but I can not) it has the canal pack that came with it ( I do not use it) there is a rain fly that covers the whole thing so if it rains ( and when dose in not rain in FL) the back stays dry there is a wast strap so you are not carrying every thing on your back. It is set up so that it dose atay off your back to let some air flow ( but you back will get hot some) I just take it off my back and hold in in front of me for a bout 5 minutes ( I often go alone) there are a number of packets so that things stay organized or you can turn 2 biggest pockets into one big one. it fits in all rides with not problem ( the dianasor one is a little tight but I can always get it in and I really do packet full of stuff) I have never been on the water ride at AK so that is the only ride I have not been on.

 

[jkh36619]

Here's what I do. The night before I freeze 2 20oz bottles of water. I'm n the morning, fill th bladder full of ice, then top off with cold water, then pack the 2 frozen bottles into the insulated compartment next to your bladder. Bottles will melt as the day goes for fresh supply of water.

 

[GaryDis]

Do people find the hotel tap water acceptable? I'm looking at getting a collapsible water bottle from REI, and I'm wondering if it's worth getting one with a charcoal filter. We'll be at BWV (and Universal) if that matters.

 

[gap2368]

some people do not like the tast of FL water I do not mind the I do not mind the tast of the water

 

[jkh36619]

Do people find the hotel tap water acceptable? I'm looking at getting a collapsible water bottle from REI, and I'm wondering if it's worth getting one with a charcoal filter. We'll be at BWV (and Universal) if that matters.

I do. Hasn't killed me yet. Heck, I drank out of a water hose as a kid. I personally then the bottled water industry is a huge scam.

 

[dreiwhit]

My wife doesn't like it, so I buy bottled water for her. I don't mind the taste - i've had worse.

 

[MouseEars4Ever]

Do people find the hotel tap water acceptable? I'm looking at getting a collapsible water bottle from REI, and I'm wondering if it's worth getting one with a charcoal filter. We'll be at BWV (and Universal) if that matters.

After our first visit during the hot summer months, I decided it best to get some of these backpacks for my kids. It was one of the best decisions for our park touring! That said, my DS has never complained, but my DD can't stand the taste of the water. We found that putting ice in it to make it cold helps tremendously. I hadn't thought of the above suggestion of putting the reservoir in the mini-frig overnight. We will definitely be trying that on our next trip!

 

[dreiwhit]

One other trick to keep the water cooler is to make an insulated sleeve out of thin closed cell foam to cover the hydration bladder.

My son and I used our hydration systems last March when we went to Disney. After paying attention to us using them, my daughter now wants one as well!

 

[GaryDis]

I wound up getting this Vapur brand collapsible water bottle, largely because of the flexibility of having the carabiner built in. I didn't want anything too big because I figure we can refill it.

In a couple of months, I'll know how well it turns out.

 

[erin1715]

I realize this thread is a bit older, but after many many summer trips I am considering either getting one camelbak for my husband and I to share or one for each of us. In the past, we've brought one water bottle to share and filled it throughout the day but to be honest I don't think we were getting enough water that way.

Any thoughts about just getting a large one (100 oz) to share or each having our own smaller one? We don't have kids to don't have a lot to bring into the parks with us, so we don't need a huge bag for other stuff.