Chockstone Forum

      Sponsored By
      ROCK
   HARDWARE

Chockstone Photography

Australian Landscape Prints

Chockstone Forum - Gear Lust / Lost & Found

Rave About Your Rack Please do not post retail SPAM.

Topic Date User

Hydration Packs 28-Mar-2014 At 3:14:10 PM martym

Message

I've owned at least three bladders - I bought a green one from Paddy Pallin (can't remember the brand) got one with backpack from Kathmandu & was given at least one other if not more by friends.

- All eventually leaked in my bag.
- The ones with the "suck" valve leak all down your shirt and backpack, the ones with the nozzle are worse if left open.
- Patching holes is easy, but kinda wonder about having raw glue just sitting in a water bladder...
- They go mouldy and anything you use to clean it will be tasted for months after.
- Only really practical while drinking on the go - who wants to suck hard out of a squished bladder sitting down having lunch?

In short - I hate bladders & opt for a swiss bottle clipped to my harness for a sip while waiting for the seconder who should carry at least 2 or 3 litres in a backpack.

MTB is different - your bag doesn't move / get squashed in chimneys / hung up on belay anchors - and at the same time, you want to be constantly accessing the water. Getting wet wouldn't be much of an issue either.

So my vote is: for climbing purposes, don't bother with a water bladder, just fill up an old softdrink bottle.