Camelbaks

Participant · 16 Jun 2010 at 21:15

Hi guys

I need to buy a camelbak for someone's birthday...knowing very little about these, can someone recommended a good place to buy them from? What do you all use and what features if any should I be looking at?

It's for my brother who's going travelling and needs something for day excursions. Budget = £25 - £35.

Many thanks.

RadoX · 16 Jun 2010 at 21:20

got one from decathalon 3 or 4 years ago. works well done 3 peaks challenge with it on. buy a few spare nipples.

semi-pro waster · 16 Jun 2010 at 21:40

Wiggle are probably about as good a place as any to buy them from, I think for your budget something like the Rogue is probably about as good as you'll get. If your brother needs something that will hold more than a few extra items of kit then I'm afraid you'll need to up your budget or consider something other than Camelbak. The Karrimor Re-Fuel 8+2 Hydration Pack (not on Wiggle) looks interesting but I have no idea about the quality.

BennyC · 16 Jun 2010 at 22:06

Cheers for that recommendation SPW. Looking for something like the 'Refuel' as I'm planning on going for a few runs hopefully! Will see if I can find it, or something similar in town.

/thread hi-jack.

tom_e · 17 Jun 2010 at 05:22

I got the original model of these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Camelbak_Unbottle_20_Litre_Bladder/5360028108/ about 3yrs ago and its lasted me well, it was slightly different but not a great deal

Participant · 17 Jun 2010 at 08:46

semi-pro waster said:
Wiggle are probably about as good a place as any to buy them from, I think for your budget something like the Rogue is probably about as good as you'll get. If your brother needs something that will hold more than a few extra items of kit then I'm afraid you'll need to up your budget or consider something other than Camelbak. The Karrimor Re-Fuel 8+2 Hydration Pack (not on Wiggle) looks interesting but I have no idea about the quality.

Thanks. Those look like they'd do the job. I don't think he'll need much in the way of clothing, as he's going to Cambodia, so lots of storage probably isn't a necessity. A decent reservoir certainly will be though.

tom_e said:
I got the original model of these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Camelbak_Unbottle_20_Litre_Bladder/5360028108/ about 3yrs ago and its lasted me well, it was slightly different but not a great deal

Thanks but I probably didn't make myself very clear...that looks like a reservoir only? He needs to carry stuff also.

tom_e · 17 Jun 2010 at 10:30

Robbie G said:
Thanks. Those look like they'd do the job. I don't think he'll need much in the way of clothing, as he's going to Cambodia, so lots of storage probably isn't a necessity. A decent reservoir certainly will be though.

Thanks but I probably didn't make myself very clear...that looks like a reservoir only? He needs to carry stuff also.

Your right it does, I'd had a few beers last night

This ones like mine http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Camelbak_Classic_20_Litre_Hydration_Pack/5360048198/#more it really is just room for my puncture repair kit and maybe my keys, but it depends how much hes got to carry

semi-pro waster · 17 Jun 2010 at 11:06

Robbie G said:
Thanks. Those look like they'd do the job. I don't think he'll need much in the way of clothing, as he's going to Cambodia, so lots of storage probably isn't a necessity. A decent reservoir certainly will be though.

If it's the Rogue you are looking at then your brother will probably struggle to put in much more than a couple of t-shirts and sun lotion I suspect. Something like the Camelbak Mule is more likely to be useful if he needs to carry a bit about with him but that's about £50 or if he needs to carry a lot then the HAWG is a much better bet but that's about £90. I suppose it depends on whether he wants a rucksack replacement to go with the hydration or just something that will let him carry a couple of small items while staying hydrated.

SoliD · 17 Jun 2010 at 11:36

On this topic can anyone recommend a day bag with space for a bladder, I already have a 2l bladder so don't need another if possible and only need space for a jacket/few snacks really, is there anything like this on the market?

Zip · 17 Jun 2010 at 11:59

SoliD said:
On this topic can anyone recommend a day bag with space for a bladder, I already have a 2l bladder so don't need another if possible and only need space for a jacket/few snacks really, is there anything like this on the market?

Have a look at some Aarn packs

SoliD · 17 Jun 2010 at 13:51

Zip said:
Have a look at some Aarn packs

Look quite a bit bigger than the sort of thing I was after.

semi-pro waster · 17 Jun 2010 at 14:10

I've not got this pack myself but the Da Kine Heli Pro might be along the right sort of lines. I do however have another Da Kine rucksack which is pretty good quality so I'd have no worries about this one. Burton (the snowboard company) also do or did a few suitable models but no idea if they still do them.

BennyC · 24 Jun 2010 at 19:42

My Karrimor Refuel 8+2 arrived today, well yesterday but we weren't in so had to go to the depot today.

Haven't had a chance to use it yet but seems to be a nice tidy little bag. Hydration pouch works fine, it did seem to be leaking from the cap but it just seems I hadn't tighted it properly or well enough. Nice small pocket on the front for a phone/wallet and then a main compartment which you could get about 2 1litre bottles in. The hydration pouch sits behind the main compartment and between the padded back and just slips in.

I can take pictures at somepoint if anybody is interested.

Planning on using mine for the odd run, but mostly incline walks on a treadmil (or outside) with some added weight 5-10KG, not sure how it'll hold up but we will see.

Hamster · 24 Jun 2010 at 20:10

Robbie G said:
Hi guys

I need to buy a camelbak for someone's birthday...knowing very little about these, can someone recommended a good place to buy them from? What do you all use and what features if any should I be looking at?

It's for my brother who's going travelling and needs something for day excursions. Budget = £25 - £35.

Many thanks.

If he's using it for days out and wants to be able to carry some clothing and other bits, go for something with appropriate cargo capacity. I've got a Camelbak Cloudwalker from Halfords. If you can find a store that has any left, they're reduced to £30. 2L bladder and 22L cargo. Comfortable and doesn't feel too big. I filled mine with ice and water at 11am this morning and there's still loads of unmelted ice in it. It's a steal at that price!

Participant · 24 Jun 2010 at 20:48

JoeMama said:
If he's using it for days out and wants to be able to carry some clothing and other bits, go for something with appropriate cargo capacity. I've got a Camelbak Cloudwalker from Halfords. If you can find a store that has any left, they're reduced to £30. 2L bladder and 22L cargo. Comfortable and doesn't feel too big. I filled mine with ice and water at 11am this morning and there's still loads of unmelted ice in it. It's a steal at that price!

Thank you, I'll check it out at the weekend.

tom_e · 24 Jun 2010 at 20:51

JoeMama said:
If he's using it for days out and wants to be able to carry some clothing and other bits, go for something with appropriate cargo capacity. I've got a Camelbak Cloudwalker from Halfords. If you can find a store that has any left, they're reduced to £30. 2L bladder and 22L cargo. Comfortable and doesn't feel too big. I filled mine with ice and water at 11am this morning and there's still loads of unmelted ice in it. It's a steal at that price!

I dont even need one but at that price its very tempting

Hamster · 24 Jun 2010 at 21:02

Robbie G said:
Thank you, I'll check it out at the weekend.

No problem. As always with Halfords, ring the store up to check if they have stock even if their website tells you that they are. Halfords reserve&collect and stock system is abysmal.

tom_e said:
I dont even need one but at that price its very tempting

It may not be the highest spec camelbak around but i was considering the likes of Osprey packs at £90+ before i bought this one and i'm not disappointed.

Jonny ///M · 24 Jun 2010 at 21:31

I also have the cloud walker from Halfords which I got for a good price

It carries quite a lot easily enough and has been durable for the few years I've had it.

edit: I have the older style one and the new ones seem to be smaller, visually at least.

Hamster · 24 Jun 2010 at 23:04

Yeah they also had that one but in blue but i went for a slightly different one. I think they bring out a slightly modified version of it every year.