Has anyone used a Hydration pack at the parks?

[theirish68]

Just curious how useful you have found them. There are 5 of us and my kids drink a ton of water on normal days and when they play sports so I figured it was worth the $40 to purchase one. I'm a guy but I bought a small ladies version so it wouldn't have to big a "footprint" on my back when I carry it. I just got it and it also holds our video camera,regular camera and possibly snacks and ponchos... it also has some small pockets for maps/keys and things. My wife will carry a small fanny pack to carry the more valuable things since she won't take it off...

We are going to 6 flags twice this summer and once for 3 days so we should get a pretty good dry run for disney.

I see most people just like fanny packs or buy everything but I was wondering how many kids these people are traveling with. With the 5 of us I wouldnt' want to buy everything like water or a little snacks and they aren't really old enough to carry their own stuff yet so it seemed like a good purchase to me. It holds 2 liters of water which I figured I could replenish at the park if need be.

Just looking for tips or experiences anyone has had with these type packs.
thanks

 

[tmt martins]

Yes we take ours to Disney and sometimes to Six flags (if we are staying the entire day).

They work great you can also go to any CS place and get FREE cups of ice water to replentish it as you go.

DW carries ours and it is also the ladies one and works real well getting on and off rides as well.

 

[Kick Save]

Haven't tried one, but am interested in the model that you purchased. Sounds like it could fit our needs pretty well, too. Do you have a link to it, or the brand and model so I can Google it?

 

[rigs32]

DH and I use one - it carries everything except our camera. It could, but I wanted easier access to the camera, so I carry it in a separate small camera bag.

Anyway, we fill it with ice and top it off with water. Ice cold water all day long as the ice slowly melts AND it keeps the carrier's back cool all day.

 

[theirish68]

So you can get cups of ice water without any problems? That's great, I really wasn't sure.
Is there any problems with the bladder system with putting ice in there, or are they strong enough (in general, I realize all makes are different)
so that it doesn't puncture it? I figure it would, the rubber seems pretty thick but I wasn't sure so it would be great to hear from someone that
has put ice in it.



I can't speak to the ease of getting on rides and things or what you do with it when you are on rides. But as far as storing stuff this one is really great:

DAKINE Women's Axis Hydration Pack

There are so many out there I know camelbak is the best but since I didn't know how great it was going to be so I went for one with really
great reviews for a very small price... so far so good. no leaks and very light weight.

I got it off the EMS (eastern mountain sports) web site and it was only like $30... We have a video camera that is a little larger than the newest models(5 years old) and it fit in with lots of room left over for backup batteries and tapes/cables etc.... a small pocket on top is fleece lined and perfect for our still shot camera. then there is a big pocket the whole length of the bag that I didn't even need to use.... Probably put snacks/ponchos etc. in there... I was really excited when I loaded it up with all i would want to carry and i didn't even feel it on my back. We only took it on a mini test (1 mile walk) but I practically forgot it was even on there... of course the kids wanted a drink every 30 seconds but I figure at Disney they will be a little more preoccupied.

hopefully people didn't have any ride issues, because I love everything else about it. Plus the idea of not buy water for 5 people....

 

[Kick Save]

rigs...I read on here somewhere of somebody using a carbiner (sp?) to attach their camera to the shoulder strap of their backpack. Quick access to the camera, and easy to take off if somebody else wanted to snap some pictures.

 

[theirish68]

That I figured my kids could use it for their soccer games as well... plenty big for food for all day tourney's and cleats etc......

I thought I'd mention it just incase people have kids that play a lot of sports... most likely the 2 oldest will argue who gets to use it since they aren't on the same team and I'll end up having to buy a 2nd one.

 

[tmt martins]

This is the one DW has

http://www.outdoor-rangefinders.com/hydration/daystar.htm