Hydration Backpack Pack for Climbing, Operating, Biking, with 2L Water Bladder

Wow!!
This far exceeded my expectations. We had water enough to last our power hike through all the Universal parks and it held tons of extras without making me sweat or feel weighed down.

Leaked straight out of the box
Terrible quality

A Great Starter Hydration for Runners, Walkers, Hikers, and VR Gamers at a Great Price
[The Short Version – A good solid performer for the price. Using it for walking, running, extended outdoor projects and occasionally for extend VR activity. Requires a little bit of orientation before using. It has the features of the more expensive units- removable bladder, insulated storage compartment, top shoulder exit point – but at a price that works for first time users. Only major issue is the absence of instructions or a link code to a web based tutorial for first time buyers. ]Long version with suggested steps after you purchase -Out of the box there are a few things you will need to get oriented to. First, this is a smaller backpack that is designed primary for hydration. The nozzle through which you drink is a “push-pull” type, similar in principle to the old water bottles used when biking. The difference being that the release is below the mouthpiece and not part of the mouthpiece itself. The bag is configured so that the bladder can be put in and taken out of the backpack without disassembly. The hose exits the backpack through shoulder strop openings, so you can have it exit on your left or right based on your personal preference. The bladder and hose, once filled and secured can be stored in the refrigerator or on a counter prior to use and the bag has an insulator lining that will help reduce the impact of the sun and body temperature on the water you are carrying. At 2 Liters it is right size for walking and running, particularly for those who are in the sunbelt. There are two attachment strips at the top of the case that thread into your bladder to hold it upright in the backpack. The design is not complicated, but it is clean with a minimal number of wear points to be concerned about. Cleaning and maintenance are the issues you will need to focus on. The bladder and hose should be dissembled and thoroughly cleaned as before your first use. This is done by unscrewing the hose from the bladder and using your preferred cleaner – a few drops of dish detergent in my case – and running water though the bladder until it comes out clean, without bubbles or any detergent taste. Yes, I know the taste of soap, and not just from a misspent childhood. Reassemble, make sure the mouth piece is in a locked position, fill the bladder, securely close and I recommend laying it flat to make sure all your connections are tight and there are no leaks as any of the connection points. The bladder itself is thick gauge and tightly sealed in terms of manufacturing. The bladder, when full, feels a bit like a hot water bottle but slightly thinner gauge. This is NOT a bladder for putting other beverage types in. While you could do so, clean up is the issue to think about. With just water you will still want to clean your bladder and hose regularly. If you add anything else for drinking out of the bladder you are increasing the possibility of mold or bacteria development. The manufacture specifically indicates that such beverages are a bad idea, as are temperature extremes. A very solid unit for the price and currently keeping me hydrated on walks and occasionally for extended VR sessions.

Perfect Size for longer hikes
We live in the mountains and are avid hikers. I have completed 6 trail runs- and hydration is key for those competitions. I have had 3 previous water backpacks. It takes some getting used to- my previous packs had a different nozzle that you basically bite down and then suck from to dispense water. This has a pull type nozzle. At first I didn’t like it as much, but I have found over time that I like this one more. It doesn’t leak at all. My other nozzle types would leak when the nozzles got in a bind. I have also learned to fill my pack with 1/4 ice and the rest water. This keeps my water colder for a longer time period and the ice is always melted before I finish. I am careful to empty the bladder after each use and I use a sanitizing cloth on nozzle.The pack has 5 small pockets for phone, keys and snacks. It secures well along the waist and the shoulders are padded so no discomfort. I wore a thin strapped shirt once with it- and did have some chafing on my shoulders from strap- but lesson learned- I wear sleeves now. Solid pack. Seems durable.