Hydration Packs

scantrll

My husband and I are getting ready to start training for our second full marathon (tomorrow is our first long run of the 20 week program) and we're interested in getting some hydration packs to carry water with us on our training. Our city has very nice green-ways throughout it, but as the weather gets colder, we discovered last year, they turn off the public water fountains which makes refilling our water bottles very difficult along our longer routes and I hate running in circles to keep passing by the car to refill our bottles. We both know from previous experience that we drink a lot throughout our runs (my husband more than I due to a medication he's on) so we need to be able to have access to fluids.

My question is, what are your experiences with the backpack style hydration packs and what brand would you recommend for running? I'm not looking for alternatives to the pack, we know we're going to get them, I'm interested in product reviews from folks who might already use them.

Thanks so much!

MeanderingMammal

I have two, a waist pack with space for 2*500ml bottles and gels/ keys, and a backpack with a 3litre bladder and several large pockets.

I use the waist pack for everything up to 15 miles, as that gives me enough load carrying capacity for what I need, along with an armband for my phone. It has a deep lumbar pad and cinches in nicely so stays stable. The only irritation is the sloshing of the part full bottles. That's the TNF.

The Camelbak is good, but when filling you need to remember to drain excess air out or it will feel unstable. With 3litres available it's easy to end up carrying too much water, also the pockets do lead to a temptation to carry more than I need. The frustration with it is having to stop to get anything out of the pockets, like gels or my head-torch for night running or changing the lenses on my shades as the light changes. You can get them with pouches on the waist belt to ease that though.

I'd recommend both waist and chest straps to help stability and fit. You will find chafing from it.

You can get them with both vertical bladders or horizontal, the latter sitting lower on the hips. Haven't used one so can't comment, other than comparing the two packs. I don't mind the weight up my spine.

One point would be choose one that's easy to clean, particularly if you use tabs in your water. Removable hose and valves are a good thing.

Samstan101

I've just bought one for similar reasons. After a lot of reading around I went for this one http://www.nathansports.com/hydration/race-vests/intensity as it is designed specifically for female anatomy. I found it took a bit of adjusting the first time I wore it to make sure it didn't move around or chafe which was quick to do (just tugging on a few straps to tighten it all up). I found using the bite valve had a bit of a knack to it that I'm still working on but it was comfy to wear and didn't make my back overly hot which I was concerned about. I've only used it for a couple of runs but so far so good!

scantrll

Thanks for the replies! We already have the waist belt bottle holders for shorter runs, but like I said, we both drink a lot of fluids during our runs so the larger capacity is needed when we are going to be training for the marathon with the public water fountains turned off.

I was leaning toward the Nathan brand Intensity as well (and the men's version for my husband) so I'm glad to hear from someone who has used it and likes it.

Again, thanks for reading and replying!