Northwest Hiking

For extended periods of hiking, you may find that running out of water is a big deal when it’s hot. It’s also not always practical to use water bottles when you need more than 20oz of water.  I have used the Cyclone hydration bladder from Outdoor Products for quite some time. It offers you 2 liters of water which you can slip in a backpack with a headphone hole in it, thereby supplying you with plenty of water for that all day hike.

As far as durability goes, the pack has more than enough “toughness” to stand up to the wear and tear you throw at it.  I have had this particular hydration system for over two years, and it still works and is in good condition.  That’s quite a feat for Outdoor Products considering that the system has yet to form any holes, clogs, or rips.  On the side of convenience, the bite valve lets you continue walking or hiking while drinking, so you aren’t losing those valuable miles.

Tip:
For maintenance, the bladder will start to taste foul if the water is not changed and the bladder is not rinsed.  It will also hold the flavor of any other beverage or powder you may choose to put in the bladder.  To help rid the bladder of a flavor stuck in it, fill it halfway with water, put 2-3 good squeezes of lemon juice in, gently shake, suck out the excess air, and store it in a dark and cool place.  After a day, remove the lemon water rinse the bladder, refill halfway with plain water, and let sit in a dark and cool place for a day.  Afterwards, empty it, let it dry, and you should have fresh water whenever you bite on the mouthpiece.  Happy trails!

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