To Camelbak or not to Camelbak
I think a Camelbak is a good solution to my hot running problems and will help keep me hydrated on long marathon training runs. Thing is, I have this weird thing about plastic reusable drinking receptacles. They give me the heebie jeebies. I hate it when drinks taste like plastic. Bleurgh. And I feel like you can never truly get a straw or water reservoir clean. That’s prime time for stagnant water and mould hell. It’s giving me the shivers just thinking about how grubby it is.
So, Camelbak owners, I have some questions.
(A) Do they make water taste like plastic?
(B) Are they hard to clean and grubby?
(C) Do they leak?
Answers on a postcard! (The comments will do, the postal system in the UAE is terrible)
I can only really speak for a week long experience…but I honestly loved my Camelbak! I did Kilimanjaro last summer and to prevent altitude sickness you have to drink about 4-5 litres a day and I was guzzling through my 3ltr pack. Obviously this is completely different to running with it, but as far as I can remember, it didn’t make the water taste funny (but I did throw some berocca in there at one stage for energy!) and cleaning was fine. I heard toothpaste is a good alternative to the kinda expensive cleaning kit and if you’re not using it, store it in the freezer to stop mould! Sorry…that was a really long way to say I liked mine!
I find they always to taste a bit funny (but nothing that can’t be masked with flavoured electolytes). I picked up some tips from experienced ultra-runners on a recent race about cleaning them (I’d always just dumped mine after a race then flushed it with bleach to clean out all the gross mould - not recommended!). They advised to clean it then dry it out with a hairdryer, or keep it in the freezer which stops anything growing in it. Apparently you can clean them with a baby bottle steriliser (Milton) too.
Interesting challenges you are facing over there!
1. Well yes the water can taste a bit odd, but try putting some orange squash in the water?
2. At Workplay bags we make a cute Hydration backpack called a Mercury that is good for running and cycling - we recommend that you use Milton baby bottle cleaner to clean the water bladder. Also use a long ‘bottle brush’ if you want to be really careful.
3. They will leak if the seals are not screwed tight, and the rubbers seals can perish after time - but that normal wear and tear you should expect, so buy a new water bladder and fit it in if you feel this helps - no need to throw the bag away!
Best Regards, Guy M.
I love using my Nathan Hydration vest- great for storing gels, phone, money etc too! I don’t think it tastes that weird, but when you’re thirsty anything tastes amazing! Going to take Cat’s tips and put in the freezer between useage!
Make sure you clean the out with Milton or another brand properly than place in freezer or dry them out correctly as, as soon as they get moisture and time they will grow mold if not cleaned correctly.
Useing sports drinks promotes the growth of mold if not cleaned correctly.
For first use of the hydration bag, clean them out with milton. I never noticed any odd taste (switched to Osprey bags)
Make sure you get the right bag for your back, as the reason i switched to Osprey was that there bags were more female friendly regarding the ‘Back length’ and the ‘Sternum’ strap and fit around breasts.
Have fun out there, from rainy England
Water you carry on your back is great. But don’t get a Camelbak brand!
Check out Hydrapak - you can turn them inside out for proper cleaning and drying, and they don’t taste of plastic. The only bit that’s ‘hard’ to clean is the pipe, but you can do this easily with a bottle brush thing that you can get from them.
Don’t put anything with carbs in it, and use sterilising stuff from time to time. Little bit of maintenance, but only the same as you would (should) wash a bottle with a sports nipple top thingy.
I love my camebak, I take it on all my long runs and half/marathons, it’s so easy to carry around, and it doesn’t bother me at all. I didn’t really clean mine for a while (gross I know) and then I noticed black mould in the tube, so now I make sure to always clean it out after every use, I use a baking soda solution. I’ve heard the freezer thing is the best thing to do.
I always put nuun tablets in mine so no plastic taste After a run I wash it and store it in the freezer - that way it doesn’t get mouldy.
Have you tried a hydration belt instead of the camel back? The only thing that I dislike about the belt is that it rubbed my back so much during my last marathon, my skin was super raw. Next time I will make sure it is a bit tighter on my hips.