Camelbak is one of the most well known brands when it comes to water carrying systems. They have a wide variety from water bottles and bladders, to filters, backpacks, and drink mixes. In fact, they even make gear for the military. Because of the quality and name, they are a little pricey, but you do get what you pay for.
To start out, let's look at a water bladder (since that is primarily what this review is about). Camelbak makes 3 sizes of bladders: 50 oz., 70 oz., and 100 oz. These can range from backpack style bladders to lumbar pack bladders. All bladders are BPA free and range in shapes. The lid is easier to get off and on than other bladders. With Camelbak, it only takes a quarter turn to take it off or replace it. This makes refilling so much quicker. The mouth also has 2 stands that flip out to air dry the bladder, which is unique to Camelbak. The top of the mouth also has a little hook to secure it in other packs (such as your large pack for backpacking).
The hose (that I have) is a little shorter than other brands. It took some getting used to, but I think I like it better. With my old bladder, if the hose hung down it would drip. However, the nozzles on Camelbak bladders are very well made and have a shut off valve on them. Therefore, if the hose is hanging, it won't drip. The way it hangs also makes it easier to just pick up, drink, and drop it. There is also an option to get a clip that goes near the bite piece and can be clipped to a shit or strap to have it near your mouth. Camelbak also makes insulators to keep the water, that is in the hose, cold.
Altogether, the bite piece and hose are comfortable. And not only are they comfortable, but also easy to clean. The bladder, hose, and bite piece are all very well designed.
Now, onto the carriers. Camelbak has a huge variety of packs. They have large day packs that are great for short backpacking trips. They also have small packs that only hold the bladder. As I said before, they have backpack and lumber pack styles. Each of the packs are designed for a specific purpose, whether biking, running, or hiking. The pack I have is the "Rogue". This is a medium sized pack that is a actually designed for biking.
This pack comes in either red or black, unless you get the redesigned one which has green. It runs around $85. The pack is made of a durable nylon material. The front of it (the part on your back) has 2 mesh/foam pieces down the sides. These make the pack more comfortable and allow for air flow. The straps have this mesh as well for breathability. The back of the pack has reflective striping for cycling in low light or at night. The bottom of the pack has a small drain hole for the unfortunate event of a leaking bladder or if it gets wet. On the top of the pack is a loop to hang it up or carry it by hand.
The bladder slides in the top like most do, and a Velcro strap holds it in place. In fact, the carrier holds the bladder snug enough to fill it without taking the bladder out. The flap that covers the mouth of the bladder does not secure like most small bladder carriers do. At first I didn't like this feature, but found that it makes filling the bladder much easier. There is a little plastic piece on the bottom of the flap to hold it down.
The straps have nylon webbing that are adjustable. The ends of the straps have Velcro loops to secure them to the strap itself, to avoid the straps from flying around. The front of the straps have small gear loops with reflective tape on them. One strap also has a clip holder for the hose. The straps also have a chest strap with buckles.
Looking at the face of it, the pack has a zipper pouch on the bottom part. Inside this zipper pouch, is a netted pouch. This is designed to hold bike repair tools. This pouch is suspended by netting, which makes an additional pouch behind it. Inside this pouch is an elastic loop which I call a "banana pocket". The mesh netting on sides also have compression straps that can be tightened.
The flap that covers the mouth of the bladder also has a zipper pocket. On the inside of the pocket, is a small lanyard with a gear hook. In addition, all of the zippers have pull cords instead of standard zippers to keep from having a lost or broken zipper.
The pack itself is very comfortable and feels natural on the back. It fits me well. For those of you who are ultralight hikers, this pack is very light when empty and it holds weight evenly. When I initially started looking for a Camelbak, I was trying to find a small daypack such as the "Fourteener" or "Mule". However, I am very happy with this smaller pack. Even though it is made for cycling, it works great for hiking as well. In fact, it has just the right amount if room for my essentials (compass, paracord, food, jacket, flashlight) and then some. For cyclists, the Rogue is great for day rides or if you are also riding with panniers. However, if you are cycling a long distance, I recommend looking into a lumbar pack because they don't sweat on your back.
If you are looking for a good day hike pack, consider looking at the Mule, Rim Runner, Could Walker, or Trail Blazer. For what I'm doing, this pack is perfect. I put the bladder in my Teton Explorer pack and strap the Rogue pack on the outside to use for short day hikes after camp is set up.
Overall, I would recommend getting a Camelbak. They are pricey, but it is a good investment. Any questions or experience, please comment below.
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