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Running with a CamelBak
PC67
Posts: 101
in General Chat
I'm thinking of getting one of the smaller ones. If last weekend was anything to go by we're in for a hot summer. My run took a nosedive in Windsor in June '06 when, following a cold May, temperatures soared. I honestly believe the heat slowed me by about 5-6 mins.
I hate running with a bottle in hand.
Anyone here ever used a CamelBak?
I hate running with a bottle in hand.
Anyone here ever used a CamelBak?
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As a couple of the others have said you don't really notice it once you get your stride going although I did notice that running without it on shorter runs was much easier and perhaps faster as I just felt lighter. I was probably running around 7-10lbs lighet than with it on.
Mine was a bargain at £12.50 from a camping shop so look around before buying.
For the record I didn't use it for Paris but I'll keep using it for mid to long runs in future.
I use a basic camelback for the bike leg (also to store tube and tools in) and it's much easier to drink from than a bottle BUT...
If you're going to run with one, make sure it's got a waist strap and preferably a chest strap too. I know from adventure racing that the pack must be cmpletely stable or it will drive you mad!!
The water wont slosh about if you get rid of the air first; after filling the bladder, invert it so that the air travels up the tube, open the valve and gently squeeze the bladder until all the air is expelled, then close the valve (and dont open it again until the bladder is the right way up again)
Only problem I've got now is that after two years of, franky abusive, use it's got a very small hole in it. I'm pretty sure this was a climbing related injury involving taking the bladder up to the bottom of a climb, drinking whilst belaying, then chucking it down to land on my bag when I started climbing (was a chimney type climb, so wanted nothing on my back). Sadly I missed my bag and it landed on the rocks... impressive that it's only a small hole really.
Any thoughts on using a puncture repair kit to fix it?
[color=#810081]http://www.outdooraction.co.uk/acatalog/CAMELBAK_UNBOTTLE__2006_.html[/color]
Then I could switch it between different backpacks depending on what kit I needed depending on the race.
My favorite pack being a North Face Sliquid , which I have had 6 years and is a comfortable as an old pair of slippers.
As AndyA mentioned stability is key so a waist and chest strap are a must for running.