Expensive Hydration Bladders - I don't think so

[Jekemi]

Tucked at the bottom of my day pack is a plain old blue rubber water bladder you get at Walgreens for under $5 bucks. It holds a quart of watter and has a large "gas cap" for easy filling and drinking. When it's empty it doesn't weigh much and collapses nearly flat. Not as cool as the little plastic drinking tube extending out of the pack but it doesn't cost $80 bucks for the pack either. Plus, you can fill it with ice, snow, or hot water for easing sore muscles or joints. You can even fill it up with hot water and put it at the bottom of your sleeping bag.

[HawkenBob]

Plus, you can do enema's too! Kidding, sorry...

A good bladder with hose to go in any pack is only 20 to 30 bucks. MSR's is awesome for about 33 bucks.
It's not just the cool hose that makes it. Its the fact that you dont have to remove the pack. You hydrate better when the water is easier to get too.

When doing hard long hikes the tubes make the difference. Most pack are "hydration" ready now a days.

But a great tip for lower cost if stopping and taking off your pack dosent matter to ya.

[HawkenBob]

The MSR can do all too with its BIG cap. And its enama ready with a hose already!

Check em out...http://www.msrgear.com/hydration/systems.asp

[uncoolperson]

anyone else use the bags from boxes of wine for extended trips?

[Alpine Mojo]

I just wash and reuse empty water bottles.  The 1 liter Aquafina bottles fit perfectly in the side pockets of my pack, one on each side and I'm carrying a full days worth.  Hydration bladders and feeding tubes just seem like a trendy accessory to me.

[rasbo]

anyone else use the bags from boxes of wine for extended trips?

yeah but im usally shatfaced by the time I get there.I used to use bottle,to much noise.the bladder with the tube on my shoulder has been well tested by me and I love it.thats a good idea on the wine bag

[Jekemi]

Well you guys go right ahead and spend $30 for a plastic bag with a plastic hose coming out of it. Me, I'll stick to my trusty water bottle and ice bag. Fight high prices, use what you have.

What did hunters ever do 50 years ago; you wonder how they ever took any game without camo, $200 dollar techno boots, and $30 dollar plastic bags.

[rasbo]

Well you guys go right ahead and spend $30 for a plastic bag with a plastic hose coming out of it. Me, I'll stick to my trusty water bottle and ice bag. Fight high prices, use what you have.

What did hunters ever do 50 years ago; you wonder how they ever took any game without camo, $200 dollar techno boots, and $30 dollar plastic bags.

If they would have had it they would have used it.I was hunting with my dad since far back as  i can remember,it was tuff.about 5 yrs before he died I bought him some goretex bibs and coat.After a few hours in the rain he stopped and said,I dont care how much this cost,this is better than sliced bread.we never used tents,it was the bed of the truck,and if it was raining it was under the truck with a tarp.I love the elements but,I like to make things comfy as possible also.I broke my neck a while back,my pack didnt have a waist belt,the neck problems made it painfull with out the waist belt.So I bought a pack that would relieve that pain in my shoulders.It came with the bladder.Im sure happy with it.

[gasman]

I have used a "Platapus" blatter for 4 years now. I have used the water bottle and it makes to much noise as it gets empty and takes up much needed space. The cheap water blatters always tend to taste bad and its very difficult to get rid of the bad taste of rubber in most of them.

The "Platapus" i use has a opening like a "Zip Loc" bag that i can put ice in it and it does not leak andare very easy to clean.

[ICEMAN]

What did hunters ever do 50 years ago; you wonder how they ever took any game without camo, $200 dollar techno boots, and $30 dollar plastic bags.

They used to hunt from the truck, wearing cotton flannel shirts, lay the rifle across the hood as they smoked a cigarette and pick which buck to shoot, from the many.

I added a water tube to a one liter bottle on the side of my pack for years, so I could get a sip ever now and then without taking the pack off.... finally caved and bought a camelpack to add to my hunt pack. Technology and new stuff are not my enemy. Work is my enemy.

[Wolf Track]

I'm continually amazed on how much "importance" people are taught to put on certain "things"

I've been teaching survival classes now for a couple years and practicing it for about 10

I've been in the Olympics, Cascades, Rockies, Mojave Desert...

While water is very important, it’s not one of those issues sitting at the fore front of my mind any more as it used to

I use a couple plastic pop or water bottles and collect it when I can

It would probably surprise most on how much water a guy can do with out when they retrain themselves

I've been with people that think they need to take a sip or drind every couple minutes to stay "properly" hydrated

I suppose in the most perfect sense, in the most perfect world, this is true

I also fight wildland fires and there are times it gets very hot and dry with no water in sight except that which you brought yourself

I've seen some of those kids on my crew literally drink close to three gallons a day and still show signs of dehydration

Trick is to drink as much as you can in the evening, giving your bodies cells plenty of time to re-hydrate, then some in the morning before you head out

The natives of this continent used to suck on a rock to keep their thirst down until they could get to water, this works very well as it keeps the ol’ saliva glands working

It may surprise some of you how long you can go with out water or less of during the day and still function quite fine

[Machias]

I know for a fact, I hunt better and longer when I constantly drink from my camelbak.  Turkey season is a prime example, I can hunt way longer and feel better by staying hydrated.  As a kid I used to hunt all day without water and I'd get back to the truck and drink and drink from a gallon jug of warm water.  This is soooo much better now.

[BLUEBULLS]

It's hard to believe that anyone would not consider using a hydration bladder. you can get a pretty good 2 liter for $10. It definitley helps if you're on a intense hike or just want a drink without digging for a bottle that's sloshing around loudly in your pack. I always thought it was just another new money maker gadget until I used one, now I don't like going without one. the bottom line for me is, I hunt harder and longer when I'm hydrated and if water is tough to get at, I will not drink as much. sure you can go for fairly long periods without water but when it's simple to pack a couple liters, why not have it?

One of the best inventions ever, for hunting in my mind.

[Jekemi]

OK, you talked me into a hydration bladder. Someone mentioned you can get one for $10. What's the brand?

The Old Guys: My grandfather had a small hunting cabin in Stony Creek NY, above Saratoga. He built an amazing stone fireplace on the side of it. He and his hunting buddies would go up there for a week, drink, tell lies, and eat bad food. They would hike miles in the snow with rubber goulashes, heavy army-green wool pants, and red flannel jackets. How they ever stayed warm I'll never know. No binoculars, heavy wicker rucksacks, iron sights. My Grandfather had a custom-made Savage lever action rifle, not sure of the caliber. He got deer every year, many of them were on the wall in their house or in his workshop. I'd love to talk to him today about those hunting trips.

[BLUEBULLS]

I'm not sure the brand of the $10 bladder but if you do a google search you'll find a lot in the $10-15 range. you can make about any pack work with them.

[ICEMAN]

I know for a fact, I hunt better and longer when I constantly drink from my camelbak.  Turkey season is a prime example, I can hunt way longer and feel better by staying hydrated.  As a kid I used to hunt all day without water and I'd get back to the truck and drink and drink from a gallon jug of warm water.  This is soooo much better now.

Totally agree machias.

Dave, very cool little story and great pic. Looks like they could also hit the fish? Boat in the pic? Camp Half Way?

[Machias]

Love that photo!~!

[Alchase]

All my packs now have hydration units. One thing I have noticed is that I do drink allot more when using the hydration units then when I use to with a canteen. Part of that was ingrained to never have a partially full canteen do to noise. Another thing is drinking from a tube is not as satisfying as opening the lid and taking a nice big swallow. So now I drink twice as much and still do not feel as hydrated, lol
I know it does not make sense but that is what it feels like. 

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

I had 2 camel backs in the persian gulf in 99 while doing boardings in the north arabian gulf they were life savers, on a boat searching cargo boxes for 12 hours a day in 110 degree heat in the sun. I will never go on a long hike without one again. I also like carrying water with out it sloshing around.

I carry a 2 liter hydration pack, and 2 1 liter bottles to refill it with when it is empty. I also drink 2 liters of water before bed.
I got a pack from Joes 3 years ago for 9.99 and it works better than my old camel backs because it is a pack also, not just a hydration bladder holder.

[Intruder]

I used to think these bladders were kinda goofy too.  However I bit the bullet and bought an 80oz bladder last fall.  All I can say is I totally think they rock.  I drink more water, carry it more comfortably, access it much easier, and feel much better at the end of the day.

[rasbo]

I have used a "Platapus" blatter for 4 years now. I have used the water bottle and it makes to much noise as it gets empty and takes up much needed space. The cheap water blatters always tend to taste bad and its very difficult to get rid of the bad taste of rubber in most of them.

The "Platapus" i use has a opening like a "Zip Loc" bag that i can put ice in it and it does not leak andare very easy to clean.

I always squeeze a little lemon with my water in the morning,not much but its really refreshing

[mtndew]

One BIG drawback is hunting in very cold weather, the water freezes in the tube! I went back to a water bottle because most of my hunts take place in cold weather

[Wolf Track]

Ditto this...

I have bladder bags for fire fighting, but not huning any more...

It's easier to heat the water up, put it in the bottle, tie it around your neck, hanging on your front under your shirts and coats to keep it from freezing and use the bottle to help keep you warm at the same time

I suppose the same could be done with the bladder, but to each their own...

[Jekemi]

Camp Halfway! The boat was rotted out as I recall. I used to play in it as a kid. I don't think my Grandfather was much of a fisherman. My dad tells me that he and his hunting buddies drank a bunch on those hunting trips. He'd come home a little hung over but he always got his deer. This is why my dad didn' hunt. His dad never took him hunting because his hunting trips were a way to get away from home and associate with his drinking buddies. I had to pick it up on my own.

Oh, I ordered a bladder. $25 bucks. Camelback.

[ICEMAN]

Hey, you will definitely love the bladder.   

Did you just modify your name to read "Old Hunter Learning new Tricks?" 

[Slider]

I use a Camelbak 100 oz and have an adapter on the hose. You can hook a water purifier to it and fill the bladder without removing it from your pack.

http://www.camelbak.com/index.cfm

[dbllunger]

Plastic canteens while hunting....actual water carrier with bite tube when riding DB's.

[farmin4u_98948]

Camp Halfway! The boat was rotted out as I recall. I used to play in it as a kid. I don't think my Grandfather was much of a fisherman. My dad tells me that he and his hunting buddies drank a bunch on those hunting trips. He'd come home a little hung over but he always got his deer. This is why my dad didn' hunt. His dad never took him hunting because his hunting trips were a way to get away from home and associate with his drinking buddies. I had to pick it up on my own.

Oh, I ordered a bladder. $25 bucks. Camelback.

Which part did you have to pick up on your own. The  hunting or getting away from home with associates/drinking buddies!!!   

[Jekemi]

I've had the drinking and getting away with buddies for many many years now. The hunting thing I just picked up about 5 years ago