Camel bak, good or bad?

[LastNight]

Used my camel bak pack for two years on playa, loved it and it became my best companion, didn't wind up using any of the pockets belts I thought I would. Just swapped out a few items depending on whether it was day or night, carabiner'd a drinking cup to one of the straps for gifts of booze, and the thing lived on my back for the whole time, on foot, on bike, on stilts, loved it.

Some tips- spring for the insulated hose if you like, but definitely the bite valve that comes with the rubber cap, (http://www.camelbak.com/Sports-Recreati ... olkit.aspx) works great for keeping even playa dust off your bite valve. Like someone above mentioned, blow back into the hose when you finish each drink to keep water in the hose from overheating. If you a freezer or dry ice at your camp, fill the bladder 1/4 to 1/2 full the and freeze it, then when you are ready to go out top it off with liquid. Nice cold water for at least a couple hours.

If you want to put something other than water in your bladder, like gatoraid and/or tequila, have a spare bladder for that because it is very difficult to get the taste/smell of anything else out of the bladder if you want to switch back to water later.

I didn't even think of the dust getting on the valve. Thank you!
I've heard that before. Growing up,whenever I tried to put juice or milk in my little bottle with the straw sticking down in it, my mom would turn purple and scream that I would never be able to get the taste out.

[dragonpilot]

I didn't even think of the dust getting on the valve. Thank you! I've heard that before.

It's not that bad...gives it a little salty taste.

[eLPea]

You can always "milk" the valve a bit and squirt out some water before drinking to make sure there's no muddy dust stuck inside.

I think I'd get more annoyed taking a cover on and off, but I'm a lazy sack of shit, so there's that.

[delle]

Although I got a good camelbak, I found about midweek that I couldn't wear it anymore because of chafing on my somewhat (but really not too badly) burned shoulders. The anti-sweat webbing was totally irritating to me.

I found that wrapping it in some material and shoving it in my little backpack with the fakefur covered (aka super comfy) shoulder straps not only was WAY more comfortable, but also gave me enough room for my all my other essentials in one single spot.

I think that next time I'd just sew up an insulated "shoe bag" in which to place it within my day pack -- offering it protection and keeping everything else safe from the inevitable sweating of the bag (I like putting ice in there).

Going without isn't an option for me. It was ALWAYS a treat.

[Ano]

I brought a small one the first year (1.5L I think?), and then purchased a larger one for the second year (3L). I prefer the larger one because of the pockets and stuff. Really quite helpful. I carry lights, piss jugs, snacks, oh and water of course. Get one that fits the estimated time you'll actually be out on the playa/city without returning for a refill. Bigger than that and you're just hauling more shit on your back. Smaller, and you're going to have to refill more often than you like.

Oh, and if you're going to use a Camel Bak, use it as a Camel Bak. Don't jam water/juice bottles in there because they may damage the bladder, or just fall out. That was my mistake the first year, but that was probably because I didn't have enough capacity in the first place.

Hmmmmm Ok.. I'm not sure what size I need though.. Some times I feel very unprepared for all this :/

As for sizes, well, I went with a small Mini MULE last year, 40oz of water. I found it to be too small for my tastes; I couldn't hold anything in the pockets beyond small trinkets, and I could easily chug down the 40oz of water really fast. I am going with a 100oz MULE this year, which has far more carrying capacity, and over twice the amount of water (100oz).

I'm a bit paranoid and I like to carry a good amount of things in my backpack, JUST IN CASE, or whatever. I'm neurotic. I'm excited to go with a bigger capacity, and when filled to 100oz, I can still barely feel it.. and it's so much water!

If you want to be less burdened with stuff, perhaps getting a smaller one would be fine. If you want the option of carrying a lot of stuff, and more water, and you're fine with it being heavier, go with the bigger one.

[Ratty]

I have a couple of different packs to slip my 'bladder' into. This is one of my favorites. He rides on the outside of my regular pack or on my back.

[litlaur]

My Camelbak stays attached to my back pretty much all week. I love it. The 70 oz. capacity is plenty for me, but I'm pretty petite and don't drink as much water as most average-sized people. (If you're unsure, better to go with the larger capacity and not need it than not have enough.) Water stays cool enough during the day with some ice. Like others have said, blow into the tube once you're done drinking so you don't get a mouthful of warm water the next time you take a sip!

I only use mine for water, though. Separate water bottle for alcohol, Gatorade and anything else.

I've also never paid full price for one. You can usually find the previous year's model on sale, so look for those 2011 Camelbaks now!

[Ugly Dougly]

I have a couple of different packs to slip my 'bladder' into. This is one of my favorites. He rides on the outside of my regular pack or on my back.

Nice! I'd want a monkey.

[Ratty]

I want a sockmonkey face mask to match my sport bottle cover.

[lucky420]

lol fantastic ratty, looks like a weird creepy baby

[BBadger]

What about a Precious the Orangutan?

[happydragon]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALYoQ_-5sUI

What's wrong with you people ?
Nobody cares about camel back, let's talk about camel toe..

someone has to do that

I vote you start us off in the camel toe talk, I'll follow your lead XD

[yumyumms]

Cant tell you how many times Ive misplaced my bag. Seriously.

Simple solution: While out and about don't ever, ever take your backpack off and leave it somewhere. Problem solved.

If it where only that simple.

When I hear good music, I HAVE to dance... And I dance like a fish flopping around out of water- that backpack is way way too much of a burden to dance with strapped onto my back.

Being awesome is not always easy.

[Savannah]

Cant tell you how many times Ive misplaced my bag. Seriously.

Simple solution: While out and about don't ever, ever take your backpack off and leave it somewhere. Problem solved.

If it where only that simple.

When I hear good music, I HAVE to dance... And I dance like a fish flopping around out of water- that backpack is way way too much of a burden to dance with strapped onto my back.

Being awesome is not always easy.

Yeah, I don't dance with my pack on either. Dancing with a pack on feels like sacrilege. I take my bag off and put it somewhere either really, really visible to me or really, really invisible to as many people as possible. It's the Night Bag, and has less to lose. No keys, no camera, or anything else truly valuable, usually.

[CapSmashy]

Love my camelbak.

I have 3 liter one and when I go out wandering I always throw a full water bottle in the pack part. When the camelbak goes dry, the water bottle is my reserve and reminder to head back to camp for a refill.

[Ratty]

Arielmonster, thanks for the video. You've improved my vocabulary of the 'nether' parts. (ok. I laughed).

[brcprincess]

Single most important thing I have, other than goggles and dust mask. You don't need it crazy big. I think I got the Mule or the Luxe - it was perfect. They have good prices on ebags.com and you can usually find a coupon at retailmenot.com or some other coupon website to further reduce the price.

[junglesmacks]

Cant tell you how many times Ive misplaced my bag. Seriously.

Simple solution: While out and about don't ever, ever take your backpack off and leave it somewhere. Problem solved.

If it where only that simple.

When I hear good music, I HAVE to dance... And I dance like a fish flopping around out of water- that backpack is way way too much of a burden to dance with strapped onto my back.

Being awesome is not always easy.

The trick is getting a backpack that fits you perfectly and snuggly without even realizing that it's on. I sound like a shill at this point for DaKine packs, but seriously.. they're perfectly slim and centered over your core just right that it feels totally natural and come in many different sizes for all frames.

I dance jussssssssssst fine with mine on..

[Merc007]

Yep, you bet! I have a 3L camelback. Would not trade it in for anything. More pockets than you can stuff all your lip balm in, plus all your other goodies. And weaving EL wire for visibility, hang your booze canteen off of. That pack is my best friend out there, the one thing that goes everywhere with me! LOL

I used to have a 1L bladder that came with the pack originally, but I found it just wasn't enough for an artwalk or day of camp visiting. Get as big a bladder you can find. I do put electrolyte powders in with the water. It does stain the bladder, but really, doesn't everything get a little stained out there? You can always get replacements or make your own bladders too!

As for dancing with um. Nope, I'm with yumyumms... I can't dance well to begin and with the offset weight... I've landed on the ground like a flipped over turtle more than once.

[Fiver]

I had mine last year and loved it. I'm not sure the size but guessing it holds 2-3L. I was wearing it all the time... It became my clock. I would fill it nearly full of ice every day and fill the remaining space with water. When I was out and about and it would run dry that was my time to head back to camp to recharge/restock etc. They are a godsend. Get the real deal, camel baks are expensive, but you do get what you pay for with them.

[Elorrum]

get the best you can afford.

[SprinkmanPat]

I wear mine for 2 reasons, and hell yea it works great. 1. I had access to fresh ice everyday and would fill mine with ice and bottle water. 2. Mine happens to be Military issue that my son wore on his back in Iraq...it served him well and I am proud to have it on my back on the Playa.

[alex_]

3.1L and enough room to store essentials. I got it on sale for 73 dollars, like other people have said go with a camelbak over a cheapo brand.
http://www.camelbak.com/Military-Tactic ... mbush.aspx

[stew]

I can only recommend this one:
http://www.deuter.com/en_US/backpack-de ... Air%20Lite

Great ventilation on your back, so you won't get all sweaty.

[plantmandan]

I tried a 1L camelback my first year and didn't like it. It was very hard to drink from if it was less than half full. I'm sure a larger reservoir would have helped. If your primary mode of transportation is biking, it's easier to throw some water bottles into your basket and drink as needed.

[yurtgirl]

ditto on the bike basket idea. in 2009 i had a camelback and had to return to camp on too numerous occasions for a refill. last year we put a gallon jug on the bike and since we biked everywhere we had water on hand at all times. i guess it depends if you walk or bike most places.

[RedHeaven]

I just adore my leather strap hand made cordoroy leopard spotted chick back pack. Holds everything, and I can attach my steel water bottle to it if I dont feel like carrying it. A camel back sounds divine.....but out of all the comfort things I do out there (wear good shoes, sporty non tangly clothes, barely any costumes) the last thing I need is an ugly back pack as the cherry turd on top. If I can sport a cute backpack without hassle, dammit I'm gonna do it

I put a half gallon water in my bike basket too, its a small crate in the front, really balances well on the bike.

[ChilliPapaSmurf]

My Camel Bak is my playa life support system.
I'm a big guy: 6'2 and 210lbs, (that's 185cm and 95kg for us Europeans) and I found out on day ONE of my first burn that it was my most crucial bit of kit.
At night, in the cool and the dark, I drink all 3 litres in around 6 hours.
In the day, 3 litres disappears in under 3 hours.
The air is so clement, so dry, the sweat just evaporates off you with barely a register. So for that reason juice and rehydration salts are also crucial, water alone is not enough!
But then, I'm fairly athletic and will spend hours at a time walking, dancing, cycling non-stop. I only realise I'm tired when I sit down... and go straight to sleep.
Plus, fill it with ice and people will adore you when you share.
(Edited for typos, I'm a stickler for that)

[vargaso]

Buy an off-brand pack and then stick a genuine Camelbak bladder and valve in it. Camelbak charges WAY too much for their packs when any old brand will do, but their bladders/valves really are worth the extra cost. And yes, the insulated tube and especially the bite valve cover are essential. Fill it half-way with ice, the rest water and you'll have icy cool hydration the whole day and night. The ones with storage are great out there, perfect for carrying snacks, wet wipes, camera, goggles, extra drinks, lip balm and sunscreen, etc. I never leave camp without it. And you can lock it up with your bike by threading the cable through one of the non-adjustable straps, so if you feel like dancing without the weight on your shoulders, no problem. That doesn't guarantee that someone won't steal something out of it, but at least they can't steal your whole pack.

[wh..sh]

If it where only that simple.

When I hear good music, I HAVE to dance... And I dance like a fish flopping around out of water- that backpack is way way too much of a burden to dance with strapped onto my back.

Being awesome is not always easy.

Have you tried drinking water out of camel back while dancing? You should...