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I took my trusty bottle, easy to fill, easy to wash. If you're having trouble reaching your bottle, instead of taking your pack off, try momentarily loosening your waist and shoulder straps, this may lower the pack enough for you to access it.
Used platypus in 2012 tube got very dirty and without cleaning brush hard to clean,this year I'm using Bcb water bottles one fitted to backpack waist belt sitting in water bottle pouch,a lot easier to access ,cleaning with denture tablets or a spoon of bicarbonate of soda.I took my trusty bottle, easy to fill, easy to wash. If you're having trouble reaching your bottle, instead of taking your pack off, try momentarily loosening your waist and shoulder straps, this may lower the pack enough for you to access it.
Hi JoodleCan I get a few opinions on carrying plain old water bottles or using a water bladder. I tried putting a water bottle in each side mesh pocket, but I can't quite reach to put the bottle back. I would have to take off pack to get a drink and put bottle back. I guess that can be a good thing to do every hour or so anyway. It seems like a pain to refill the water bladder. I have a Platypus Big Zip. At least it opens from the top with a zip lock type closing.
Ahhh, I never thought of that. This is why we newbies depend on the wise words of those who have gone before. Thanks. I'll try it.I took my trusty bottle, easy to fill, easy to wash. If you're having trouble reaching your bottle, instead of taking your pack off, try momentarily loosening your waist and shoulder straps, this may lower the pack enough for you to access it.
I did both - carry a Camelback and water bottle. The Camelback was easy to fill each morning and easier to sip some water from along the CF. The bottle is easier to fill from the spigots along the way.Can I get a few opinions on carrying plain old water bottles or using a water bladder. I tried putting a water bottle in each side mesh pocket, but I can't quite reach to put the bottle back. I would have to take off pack to get a drink and put bottle back. I guess that can be a good thing to do every hour or so anyway. It seems like a pain to refill the water bladder. I have a Platypus Big Zip. At least it opens from the top with a zip lock type closing.
Thanks. I saw those on this foum and just ordered one today. I am going to take the Platypus Big Zip back. In trying to put it into and taking it out of my pack, It's a pain. You think you have things all figured out and then you see a good idea. Oh well, i'm learning a lot just getting ready. I think I have everything that I need and my pack with water is 15.5 lbs. It feels good on my back. I haven't taken it out on the trail yet, but I will. My back is getting into pretty good shape with my rowing machine.I purchased a bladder but based on a tip from someone on the forum I am scrapping that idea and I bought one of these!
And to avoid buying Aquarius, the local "Gatorade", also sold in 1.5 l. bottles in the grocery stores, bring your own electrolyte capsules, like Zymm, Nuun, or what have you. Even helps cover the very few times the tap water's taste is not optimal.One thing I will definitely get on my soapbox about in terms of water and what to carry it in on the Camino, is to not buy plastic water bottles everyday. It just adds to the billions of them out there, piling up and poisoning our environment.
Do what I did. I only used 3-4 plastic bottles the entire 30+ days. Or bring your own, preferably the type that are BPA free. I never had any problem filling up my bottles several times everyday with potable water and I never had any gastric problems on any of my Caminos. That's over 100 days.
A woman just wouldn't do that. It would make our thighs look bigI carry 2 of the commonly availabe 600ml water bottles. One in each of the side cargo pockets of my shorts. Takes a little getting used to but, imo, a much more acceptable option than carring a kilo+ on my back.
Regards
Gerard.
I used and re-used 1 and bought one extra for the Meseta. You're preaching to the choir Mark.One thing I will definitely get on my soapbox about in terms of water and what to carry it in on the Camino, is to not buy plastic water bottles everyday. It just adds to the billions of them out there, piling up and poisoning our environment.
Do what I did. I only used 3-4 plastic bottles the entire 30+ days. Or bring your own, preferably the type that are BPA free. I never had any problem filling up my bottles several times everyday with potable water and I never had any gastric problems on any of my Caminos. That's over 100 days.
Yeah, I figured (and hoped) that most members of the forum advocate less plastic waste, but I figured there's non-members out there reading it too who may take it to heart.I used and re-used 1 and bought one extra for the Meseta. You're preaching to the choir Mark.
From a previous post, and saying the same thing as others have. However, the SmarTube or BlueDesert option works great and they work with most any bottle. I used the BlueDesert tube, but changed their bite valve out for a CamelPak bite valve. It worked much better.I use two 28 oz. bottles used for running or cycling and an attached hose system with a bite valve attached to the pack’s shoulder strap. The bottles go into net pouches on the sides of my pack; thus, convenient to refill unlike a bladder but with easy access of your water. Check out Convertube and BlueDesert SmarTube on the web. They come with adapters that work with all kinds of commercial water and soda bottles, too.
View attachment 22556
I used this shoulder strap bottle with angled tube and bite valve. I didn't need to do anything but turn my head when I needed a drink. As a result I drank a lot more water and stayed well hydrated at all times. The bottle is 750 cl and I carried an additional 750 cl water bottle from my waist pack or in the side pocket of my backpack, depending on the weather and if I needed to wear a rain jacket (my waist pack would be zipped inside my rain jacket and there was insufficient room for the bottle). It was extremely easy to refill the pack strap bottle from the waist pack supply, even whilst still walking.
On very long days with no possibility of a refill, I would buy a further bottle of water to see me through.
I liked this system so much that I have purchased an additional shoulder strap bottle for my refill supply. Another advantage of this system is that the bite valve almost never ends up touching the ground when removing my pack, unlike when I used a bladder and I found that the valve always seemed to hit the dirt when I took off my pack.
The bottle is sold by a French company called Raidlight and they are a bit pricey and the shipping is expensive, but the product is excellent quality. See link here.
I guess it might be possible to source the product from elsewhere.
View attachment 24254 View attachment 24253
I purchased the Raidlight system Magwood described. Be sure that your backpack shoulder straps can be removed at the bottom or you won't be able to use the Raidlight. My current Camelbak straps will not fit through the buckles. However, I do plan to buy an Osprey which has straps that are removable and should work fine with the Raidlight. I recently purchased a Camelbak Eddy hands free water bottle adapter which can be attached to any Camelbak Eddy, Groove, Better Bottle or Performance bottle. I suppose it is similar to the SmarTube but limited to Camelbak bottles. You basically remove the bottle's mouthpiece and attach the tube. See below. It sells for $9.99 or so and can be purchased from Camelbak's website or other sources online.I used this shoulder strap bottle with angled tube and bite valve. I didn't need to do anything but turn my head when I needed a drink. As a result I drank a lot more water and stayed well hydrated at all times. The bottle is 750 cl and I carried an additional 750 cl water bottle from my waist pack or in the side pocket of my backpack, depending on the weather and if I needed to wear a rain jacket (my waist pack would be zipped inside my rain jacket and there was insufficient room for the bottle). It was extremely easy to refill the pack strap bottle from the waist pack supply, even whilst still walking.
On very long days with no possibility of a refill, I would buy a further bottle of water to see me through.
I liked this system so much that I have purchased an additional shoulder strap bottle for my refill supply. Another advantage of this system is that the bite valve almost never ends up touching the ground when removing my pack, unlike when I used a bladder and I found that the valve always seemed to hit the dirt when I took off my pack.
The bottle is sold by a French company called Raidlight and they are a bit pricey and the shipping is expensive, but the product is excellent quality. See link here.
I guess it might be possible to source the product from elsewhere.
View attachment 24254 View attachment 24253
I have never before heard of a water bladder bursting. Can you tell us what happened and whether the maker or retailer was prepared to replace it?After suffering a burst water bladder
I've seen them leak quite a few times when I was working overseas and when I was walking the Camino in 2014 there was a woman at an albergue who's hydration bladder leaked all over the inside of her backpack, soaking her sleeping bag.I have never before heard of a water bladder bursting. Can you tell us what happened and whether the maker or retailer was prepared to replace it?
My own experience is that I have had the seam on a bladder fail, and a slow leak develop. And I have failed to seal screw caps up properly, but I haven't seen or heard of a bladder bursting before.I've seen them leak quite a few times when I was working overseas and when I was walking the Camino in 2014 there was a woman at an albergue who's hydration bladder leaked all over the inside of her backpack, soaking her sleeping bag.
I imagine most cases are a matter of leaking, not bursting.
Yeah, I suspect the word "bursting" was not used literally in that post and not meant to denote an actual burst, as a balloon does when over inflated with air or filled with too much water.My own experience is that I have had the seam on a bladder fail, and a slow leak develop. And I have failed to seal screw caps up properly, but I haven't seen or heard of a bladder bursting before.
I have never before heard of a water bladder bursting. Can you tell us what happened and whether the maker or retailer was prepared to replace it?
The advantage of my clips is that one can get a drink using one hand. I do not know of any other method that is as convenient.
Aha @t2andreo, did you not read my post above? I need precisely no hands to drink from my system. Beat that!
This really is clutching at straws in trying to find some point of difference. Lets have a reality check here about what is fact and what is merely imaginative speculation.You can replace the ubiquitous half-liter water bottles anywhere, and at almost any time. This is NOT true with a water bladder system. You could find yourself carrying deadweight. This is never a desirable situation.
I spoke of hydration options. Please do not confuse that to mean only bladders.With all the respect, it is hardly a point ... Sure, one can walk Camino with hydration system. Why not? But is there a need for this?
Hydration systems are really helpful when riding a bike, on tactical mission or when climbing in mountains. Carrying water in a bladder also improves overall balance for the gear. Actually they are the right choice when the conditions do not encourage to use more conventional mode for water intake. I would not consider this is the case on Camino. So why bother?
And there is also a social issue with those hydration systems. How one can share the water with another thirsty pilgrim?
I see, you are prepared to share your spit, but don't want to share their'sFor God's sake! What kind of spits are you talking about? I simply pour some water from my full bottle in the thirsty pilgrims empty one...
I would be only partialy anal retentive as I use a Smartube system@t2andreo - just to let you know - Aarn packs also sell front packs for other packs, not their own, with a slightly different clip-on system.
So - going to be assertive here (and some may see this as rude) - as far as I am concerned only the anal retentive would use a bladder unless on a serious climbing expedition where being hands free is important (or when being chased by a tiger).
They have a sort of Star Wars/Star Trek super-sci-fi-fantasy-futurisity to them that is at odds with being a simple human walking around this planet.
If you use a bladder you don't stop - and here is the thing - apart from walking, stopping and resting and looking back to where you were is the most important thing to do! When you stop, shuck off the pack, stretch and look around you as you drink from your bottle - well, how wonderful is that?
And then - with a bottle you can share with another pilgrim, give water to a dog or cat or wild animal, water plants, plant seeds, empty the bottle over your head when you are over-heated, rinse off mud or dirt, clean a wound .... the list goes on - and NONE of these can be done with a bladder .... so, if you are isolationist and anal retentive, by all means, a bladder will suit you well, go ahead, please do, but if you are open and sharing and casual and joyful - go for plastic bottles.
Now, I know that it isn't anything to do with being anal retentive, that it is merely a different choice, but too me that is what it looks likeso is only my point of view, from which I shall never be moved! - Buen Camino!
(Anal retentive: noun - a person who is excessively orderly and fussy).
@David, what an ugly rant this is, and such an unpleasant and unnecessary characterization of a class of individuals based on their personal choice of a particular way of carrying their water. It really is unworthy of you.@t2andreo - just to let you know - Aarn packs also sell front packs for other packs, not their own, with a slightly different clip-on system.
So - going to be assertive here (and some may see this as rude) - as far as I am concerned only the anal retentive would use a bladder unless on a serious climbing expedition where being hands free is important (or when being chased by a tiger).
They have a sort of Star Wars/Star Trek super-sci-fi-fantasy-futurisity to them that is at odds with being a simple human walking around this planet.
If you use a bladder you don't stop - and here is the thing - apart from walking, stopping and resting and looking back to where you were is the most important thing to do! When you stop, shuck off the pack, stretch and look around you as you drink from your bottle - well, how wonderful is that?
And then - with a bottle you can share with another pilgrim, give water to a dog or cat or wild animal, water plants, plant seeds, empty the bottle over your head when you are over-heated, rinse off mud or dirt, clean a wound .... the list goes on - and NONE of these can be done with a bladder .... so, if you are isolationist and anal retentive, by all means, a bladder will suit you well, go ahead, please do, but if you are open and sharing and casual and joyful - go for plastic bottles.
Now, I know that it isn't anything to do with being anal retentive, that it is merely a different choice, but too me that is what it looks likeso is only my point of view, from which I shall never be moved! - Buen Camino!
(Anal retentive: noun - a person who is excessively orderly and fussy).
@David, what an ugly rant this is, and such an unpleasant and unnecessary characterization of a class of individuals based on their personal choice of a particular way of carrying their water. It really is unworthy of you.
When I see a koala on the Camino, I will rethink my position on bladders vs bottles!
So long as it's the right species of eucalyptus, it will be fine!!Doug, I am SO tempted to buy a Koala stuffed toy and perch it in a tree the next time you go on Camino!!
There is a yoga pose/stretch that allows one to loosen up the shoulders, it's the one that is a reverse namaste behind your back. btw the is no way that I can do this, but I can get my bottle
well played...I think this photograph states my case - try doing this with a bladder ...
I took my Platypus back to REI. I will use two water bottle in my side mesh pockets with the smartube set up. ThanksI did all three of my Caminos carrying two 1/2 liter bottles of water in the side, net like pouches on my pack. I bought the bottled water in SJPdP and refilled the same two bottles several times everyday all the way to Santiago whereupon they found a new home in a trash bin.
A couple of days (first day out of SJPdP and the day out of Carrion de los Condes) I carried a third bottle of water.
I just don't like those water bladders and I saw one leak into someone's backpack. Besides, for me the bladder was never doable because I carried on my backpack on the flights and wanted as little as possible in it. The water bladder would just have been something else to carry.
Actually I have shared water with my pooch, quite sterilely, from my hydration bladder by squeezing the bite valve and letting gravity take it to his mouth.I think this photograph states my case - try doing this with a bladder ...
View attachment 24314
"A thirsty koala has been photographed sitting on a bicycle wheel as it drinks from a cyclist's water bottle in the Adelaide Hills region.
Passing cyclist Nick Lothian stopped to take a happy snap of the unusual scene yesterday afternoon.
The koala was still drinking on his return journey 30 minutes later, he said.
Fauna Rescue volunteers later arrived to collect the one-year-old female marsupial.
She spent the night recovering at the Adelaide Animal Hospital.
Vets told 9NEWS she is doing well and is due to be released tonight."
I rest my case
Can I get a few opinions on carrying plain old water bottles or using a water bladder. I tried putting a water bottle in each side mesh pocket, but I can't quite reach to put the bottle back. I would have to take off pack to get a drink and put bottle back. I guess that can be a good thing to do every hour or so anyway. It seems like a pain to refill the water bladder. I have a Platypus Big Zip. At least it opens from the top with a zip lock type closing.
Hi Joodle
I have just ordered a SmarTube.
Try this link to a recent post
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/hydration-bladder.37851/#post-379094
Buen Camino
I think this photograph states my case - try doing this with a bladder ...
View attachment 24314
"A thirsty koala has been photographed sitting on a bicycle wheel as it drinks from a cyclist's water bottle in the Adelaide Hills region.
Passing cyclist Nick Lothian stopped to take a happy snap of the unusual scene yesterday afternoon.
The koala was still drinking on his return journey 30 minutes later, he said.
Fauna Rescue volunteers later arrived to collect the one-year-old female marsupial.
She spent the night recovering at the Adelaide Animal Hospital.
Vets told 9NEWS she is doing well and is due to be released tonight."
I rest my case
I brought both a water bottle and my pack had a bladder the bladder was impossible to Fill and I didn't want to pollute it with electrolytes I bought a water bottle with a wide mouth easy to add of water at fountains . ...Ultreya... Willy/Utah/USACan I get a few opinions on carrying plain old water bottles or using a water bladder. I tried putting a water bottle in each side mesh pocket, but I can't quite reach to put the bottle back. I would have to take off pack to get a drink and put bottle back. I guess that can be a good thing to do every hour or so anyway. It seems like a pain to refill the water bladder. I have a Platypus Big Zip. At least it opens from the top with a zip lock type closing.
I used this shoulder strap bottle with angled tube and bite valve. I didn't need to do anything but turn my head when I needed a drink. As a result I drank a lot more water and stayed well hydrated at all times. The bottle is 750 cl and I carried an additional 750 cl water bottle from my waist pack or in the side pocket of my backpack, depending on the weather and if I needed to wear a rain jacket (my waist pack would be zipped inside my rain jacket and there was insufficient room for the bottle). It was extremely easy to refill the pack strap bottle from the waist pack supply, even whilst still walking.
On very long days with no possibility of a refill, I would buy a further bottle of water to see me through.
I liked this system so much that I have purchased an additional shoulder strap bottle for my refill supply. Another advantage of this system is that the bite valve almost never ends up touching the ground when removing my pack, unlike when I used a bladder and I found that the valve always seemed to hit the dirt when I took off my pack.
The bottle is sold by a French company called Raidlight and they are a bit pricey and the shipping is expensive, but the product is excellent quality. See link here.
I guess it might be possible to source the product from elsewhere.
View attachment 24254 View attachment 24253
Hi Joodle
I have just ordered a SmarTube.
Try this link to a recent post
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/hydration-bladder.37851/#post-379094
Buen Camino
My wife uses a a tube which attaches to her water bottle as attached . All the convenience of the availability of water using the bottle. I usually have her pull my bottle out!Can I get a few opinions on carrying plain old water bottles or using a water bladder. I tried putting a water bottle in each side mesh pocket, but I can't quite reach to put the bottle back. I would have to take off pack to get a drink and put bottle back. I guess that can be a good thing to do every hour or so anyway. It seems like a pain to refill the water bladder. I have a Platypus Big Zip. At least it opens from the top with a zip lock type closing.
For reasons of my own, I cannot in conscience buy the SmarTube. However, I did use the idea to make my own. I used the pump top from a liquid soap bottle, removed the pump action and inserted a tube from a burst water bladder. It works fine on a regular bottle of water. I recently got a collapsible plastic bottle with caribiner and it fits nicely on that. Hardest part was thoroughly rinsing it to get all the soap residue outHi Joodle
I have just ordered a SmarTube.
Try this link to a recent post
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/hydration-bladder.37851/#post-379094
Buen Camino
I'm going through the same thing do I use bottle or bladder. My day pack will accommodate a bladder but they seem like a lot of fussing.
Then I read magwood's response. I'm going to check into the system she recommended. It sounds like just the right solution. The other thing I liked about this is counter balance.
Hi Joodle,Can I get a few opinions on carrying plain old water bottles or using a water bladder. I tried putting a water bottle in each side mesh pocket, but I can't quite reach to put the bottle back. I would have to take off pack to get a drink and put bottle back. I guess that can be a good thing to do every hour or so anyway. It seems like a pain to refill the water bladder. I have a Platypus Big Zip. At least it opens from the top with a zip lock type closing.
Hi Pattty, Where is Bow, WA?? I live in Olympia. I will be starting out from SJPP on May 12th. I wish I'd seen your message before I bought my ticket. I would have loved to have gone with you. I wanted to celebrate my 60th Birthday on the trail, but I had a foot issue that I need to get healed up before I dare go. I took my Big Zip Platypus back to REI and ordered the Smartube. You can use it from the water bottles in your side mesh pack pockets. It's perfect for me. Just refill your water bottle and put the tube and cap back on.Hi Joodle,
I have been wanting to connect with you. I also have the same problem with my Osprey pack. Biggest question for you is where do you live? I live in Bow-Edison Washington and would love to hike during the week if you are close. I leave April 27,2016 for my Camino with 7 women I have met on a forum. I wanted to tell you that you could go with us but you had booked by the time I read your frustrationemail me at
Shopgirl6184@hotmail.com
Would enjoy talking!
Patty
I am just south of Bellingham. Too funny onHi Pattty, Where is Bow, WA?? I live in Olympia. I will be starting out from SJPP on May 12th. I wish I'd seen your message before I bought my ticket. I would have loved to have gone with you. I wanted to celebrate my 60th Birthday on the trail, but I had a foot issue that I need to get healed up before I dare go. I took my Big Zip Platypus back to REI and ordered the Smartube. You can use it from the water bottles in your side mesh pack pockets. It's perfect for me. Just refill your water bottle and put the tube and cap back on.
I likewise used CamelBak Eddy water bottle (1L.) with Hands-free adapter. I loved it and will not use anything else in the future (assuming the availability of frequent refill sites as exists on the Camino).I use a CamelBak Eddy water bottle with Hands-free adapter. My second bottle is a CamelBak All-Clear UV purifier, for extra protection from drinking from fountains.
-Paul
Thank you for the link. I just now ordered it and plan to test it out before I go. Great adviceHi Joodle
I have just ordered a SmarTube.
Try this link to a recent post
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/hydration-bladder.37851/#post-379094
Buen Camino
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