Camelbak Hydrobak Light - Hydration Backpack

I bought this hydration pak because it is fairly small. I needed it to fit into a tight spot in a rowing shell. Given that it is fairly small, it does not have much extra room for storage. I normally fill the water bag about a quarter full. I can store a small handheld VHF radio and a set of keys in a dry bag and that is about it. If you fill it completely with water, there will be very little room left for storage. This bag is best suited for uses where space is constrained. If you are walking, hiking or something else where space is not an issue, you might wish to choose another product with more storage capacity.I like the toggle switch for the water. Much easier to use rather than any sort of rotating valve. I have not used this pak long enough to know how ... MoreI bought this hydration pak because it is fairly small. I needed it to fit into a tight spot in a rowing shell. Given that it is fairly small, it does not have much extra room for storage. I normally fill the water bag about a quarter full. I can store a small handheld VHF radio and a set of keys in a dry bag and that is about it. If you fill it completely with water, there will be very little room left for storage. This bag is best suited for uses where space is constrained. If you are walking, hiking or something else where space is not an issue, you might wish to choose another product with more storage capacity.I like the toggle switch for the water. Much easier to use rather than any sort of rotating valve. I have not used this pak long enough to know how durable the water nipple will be.The water bag is a bit of a strange design. There is a built-in handle like that on a hairbrush that is attached to the collar around the water filling opening. The water fill lid is threaded and spins on. You have to be careful to make sure the lid is done up tight.Tip: If you don't fill the bag completely with water, lay the bag on a flat surface before closing the lid. Let the bag sag onto the surface so that all the air is out of the water bag and the water is almost spilling out. Then close the lid. If you don't do this, the bag will be bigger than necessary due to trapped air which takes away from storage space.

I bought this device about 3 weeks ago, because I wanted something smaller when simply doing 10K walks very close to home. I have a M.U.L.E. device and loooove it, yet it's more so for serious hikes out in the boonies. I really like absolutely everything about this 50 oz HydroBak EXCEPT the shoulder straps. I judge those to be either too narrow or perhaps in need of a little bit of padding. Initially, when I begin my 10K walks, I find 50 oz of water to be too heavy for those straps - from a comfort standpoint. I suppose if I was bicycling with that pack and leaning forward, more so, then it might not be an issue due to shifting the weight distribution. This all said, the mild discomfort pretty much goes away by the time I've consumed about 1/2 of the 50 oz and thus ... MoreI bought this device about 3 weeks ago, because I wanted something smaller when simply doing 10K walks very close to home. I have a M.U.L.E. device and loooove it, yet it's more so for serious hikes out in the boonies. I really like absolutely everything about this 50 oz HydroBak EXCEPT the shoulder straps. I judge those to be either too narrow or perhaps in need of a little bit of padding. Initially, when I begin my 10K walks, I find 50 oz of water to be too heavy for those straps - from a comfort standpoint. I suppose if I was bicycling with that pack and leaning forward, more so, then it might not be an issue due to shifting the weight distribution. This all said, the mild discomfort pretty much goes away by the time I've consumed about 1/2 of the 50 oz and thus lightened my load. Maybe you could engineer and start selling some form of accessory that cushions the load bearing portion of the upper should area :--) *remember me when you start making millions off that idea. What I use is a large hand towel wrapped around my neck and covers my traps, and it does the trick. I would travel with less water, but here in Phoenix, AZ, you need every drop of that 50 oz water bladder when walking 10K or more - when it's 100+ degrees outside (and the sun is slapping you silly because there is NO shade, anywhere). Thank you! Work on a better shoulder design for increased comfort. Other than all of this said, you nailed a product niche when creating this smaller pack, because it's perfect in all other respects.

It works, it has a nice design and it is streamlined enough for bike riding (used it for hiking), but I do ride and can see where it would not be obtrusive at all on the bike. I read several reviews prior to purchasing and can tell you that the lid will not leak, more than likely whomever has complained about this has cross threaded it and for sure it will leak then (it can happen if not paying attention). A couple of things that impacted me were the plasticky taste it gives the water and the valve. The water does have a peculiar taste even after rinsing several times prior to use, I read online that warm water and baking soda do the trick…just got back from my trip so I will try that prior to next use. The second part is the valve, pulled back and streamlined with ... MoreIt works, it has a nice design and it is streamlined enough for bike riding (used it for hiking), but I do ride and can see where it would not be obtrusive at all on the bike. I read several reviews prior to purchasing and can tell you that the lid will not leak, more than likely whomever has complained about this has cross threaded it and for sure it will leak then (it can happen if not paying attention). A couple of things that impacted me were the plasticky taste it gives the water and the valve. The water does have a peculiar taste even after rinsing several times prior to use, I read online that warm water and baking soda do the trick…just got back from my trip so I will try that prior to next use. The second part is the valve, pulled back and streamlined with hose is open and pulled forward and open is closed, makes no sense that the valve closed could get caught on stuff, gear, etc…I’m sure they had a reason for it but it just doesn’t actuate like you would think a valve should work. At 50 oz it’s just right for short to medium activities since it’s the equivalent of three bottles of water…overall a good product and great quality.