What is the Best CamelBak for Mountain Biking?
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Best CamelBak for Mountain Biking
It should come as no surprise that we at BackpackingNut love the great outdoors. With such a wide variety of options and activities available to bring yourself closer to nature, there’s really no excuse not to get moving. This time we’ve decided to tackle something for the first time – mountain biking. While near and dear to my own heart (a rider of almost 10 years), this is new territory for the site. Not only that, but I’ve always been passionate about hydration when it comes to outdoor activities. Which is why today we’ve decided to combine the two and answer the question – What is the best CamelBak water bottle or hydration pack for mountain biking?
What is a CamelBak Water Bottle?
CamelBak is a company based out of Petaluma, California that manufactures different forms of drinkware such as bottles, packs (backpacks), vests, and waist packs. These are best suited for everything from hiking and running to mountain biking and trekking. They are well known and respected in the industry, producing top quality products to help you stay hydrated when out and about. Also, CamelBak produces a myriad of accessories for their hydration solutions, such as bite valves, filters, tubes, carriers, adapters, and caps.
How Much Water Should You Drink While Mountain Biking?
So, how much water should you drink when mountain biking? While this answer varies greatly depending on factors such as your intensity, the weather conditions, terrain, initial hydration level, gender, weight, height, and age, there are some general rules to follow. For example, during moderate activity levels, an adult of average weight should consume around half a liter of water in the span of an hour. Obviously this should be adjusted if intensity, weather, or terrain pushes your limits! Always make sure to be on the lookout for the obvious signs of dehydration!
Top 3 Best CamelBak Hydration Packs for Mountain Biking
1. CamelBak ThermoBak Hydration Pack with 100oz (3.0L) Mil-Spec Crux Reservoir
Starting things off, we have the “big daddy” of hydration backpacks. The CamelBak ThermoBak Hydration Pack features a massive 100oz capacity to keep you going through the longest of mountain biking adventures. Easy to fill and clean, this Mil-Spec Crux reservoir features a two-zipper fill cover for easy access to individual compartment entry points. While this is one of the more expensive options in the CamelBak lineup, it’s also one of the most robust and complete packages available. If you’re into long distance mountain bike voyages, this is the hydration pack for you.
2. CamelBak Rogue Hydration Pack (85oz)
Next up, coming in at a respectable 85 ounces of water carrying capacity, the CamelBak Rogue Hydration Pack is a feature-rich alternative to the ThermoBak if your average trek is a little shorter. Boasting 20% more water per sip, this pack is sure to deliver water when your body needs it most. A breathable air mesh covers the back panel, allowing proper airflow to keep that uncomfortable back sweat to a minimum. As an added bonus, these design choices have managed to keep the weight of the Rogue itself to an incredible 230 grams. External carrying hooks allow easy helmet carrying while a magnetic tube trap keeps the drinking tube in place so you never have to frantically search for it. If average distance biking is your jam, we highly recommend this pack!
3. CamelBak HydroBak Hydration Pack (50oz)
Rounding out our top 3 list of CamelBak hydration packs, we have their 50oz HydroBak Hydration Pack. As the most affordable option on this list, it places itself firmly as a solid pick for short to mid-range mountain biking rides. Available in six different colors, CamelBak touts this pack for being lightweight yet able to provide enough water for a ride up to two hours in length. The HydroBak also features a zip safety pocket to store your keys, phone, and other essentials. CamelBak also offers a lifetime guarantee on any of their bottles, backpacks, reservoirs, and accessories when it comes to manufacturing defects and workmanship.
What About CamelBak Water Bottles?
If shorter mountain biking excursions are more your style, going with a water bottle might be a better fit for your needs. Another added bonus is that they’re much cheaper than their hydration pack alternatives. Insulated water bottles do a fine job of keeping your beverage cool throughout the duration of your trip, especially if you add ice before heading off. Keep in mind if you plan on going the water bottle route, accessories will be needed to attach them to your bike. Also of note, water bottles are much less varied when it comes to price, capacity, and features. With that said, we do have a personal favorite bottle form CamelBak!
Best CamelBak Water Bottle for Mountain Biking
CamelBak Podium Dirt Series Mountain Bike Water Bottle (21oz)
We couldn’t help but our choice come from CamelBak’s Dirt Series, as they feature a “mud cap” to help keep the drinking spout clean. After all, mountain biking can be a pretty dusty and muddy adventure sometimes! This 21oz Podium Dirt Series Mountain Bike Water Bottle is comprised of a double-walled construction, which helps your drink stay chilled up to twice as long as other bottles on the market. It also features an optimized design, allowing it to fit snugly in a wide variety of bottle cages. Finally, the bottle easily disassembles into multiple parts for easy cleaning.
Best CamelBak for Mountain Biking – Conclusion
As you can see, CamelBak offers some of the best options out there for your mountain biking hydration needs. It doesn’t matter whether you prefer the feel of a hydration backpack or a good old fashioned water bottle, CamelBak brings something to the table for everyone. It’s very important to stay hydrated when performing any form of exercise, especially when outdoors and away from easy access water sources. We hope this list has given you a better idea of the available options out there. With that said, safety should be your top priority, so don’t forget to bring a First Aid Kit. Safe travels and happy adventuring!
