Hydration Packs for All Day Mountain Biking
How to Stay Hydrated During a Long Bike Ride
Mar 23, 2009
Long mountain bike rides require plenty of water for hydration and the necessary bike tools and clothing to cope with unforeseen trailside repairs and changes in weather and altitude. Fortunately, modern hydration packs made specifically for cycling offer good storage and, more importantly, the capacity to carry up to 3 litres of water.
Why Use a Hydration Pack for Mountain Biking
Water is carried in a hydration bladder attached to a tube and mouthpiece, which allows easy drinking on the move without the risk of falling off on rough terrain whilst reaching for a water bottle.
The bladder is held in a separate compartment in the pack for easy filling and can be removed for cleaning after the ride.
Hydration packs designed for all day epic rides have a host of technical features and storage pockets to neatly store water, clothing, medical kit and bike tools in one neat backpack.
Features to Look For in All Day Hydration Packs
- 3 litre hydration capacity (2 litres as an absolute minimum). Water fountains and natural springs can be scarce so plan to carry the maximum.
- Cargo capacity of at least 15 litres or 900 cu.in to cope with clothing layers and bike tools.
- Internal pockets for easy storage of bike tools, pump, spare inner tubes and additional clothing.
- Internal key ring tabs to securely store small valuables like car keys that might fall out when removing other items.
- External bungee cords to secure windproof tops or other items requiring quick stowage capability.
- Breathable mesh exterior on the back of the pack to minimise perspiration. Some hydration packs have a built in frame to allow airflow but at the cost of internal capacity.
- Hydration bladder should be included. Read the small print if buying online as some packs are sold without the actual hydration bladder.
Using a Hydration Pack for Mountain Biking
- It is advisable to only fill the hydration system with water as energy drinks leave a sugary residue in the tube, which is difficult to remove and eventually turns mouldy.
- Empty the hydration bladder after each ride and run fresh water through the tube and mouthpiece.
- Sterilise the entire hydration bladder on a regular basis for maximum hygiene.
- Clean mud and dirt from the pack and the mouthpiece, which often attracts dirt if the pack is put down on the ground.
- Hydration packs can be put in the washing machine but secure all buckles to prevent any damage.
Which Hydration Pack Brand?
Camelbak is the market leader and is synonymous with hydration. Camelbak offers a wide range of hydration packs including the popular Camelbak Mule, specifically designed for all day epic bike rides.
Other good brands are North Face, offering innovative features like magnets to secure a mouthpiece to a chest strap, Hydrapak, Dakine and German brand Deuter.
Stay Hydrated on a Long Bike Ride
Choose a hydration pack with 3 litres water capacity and enough storage space for tools and spare clothing. Whilst carrying a heavy load of water and other essentials may seem like a literal pain in the back, keeping well hydrated is a must and that bike multi-tool comes in handy when needed most.
Related Articles
Read our articles on Essential Bike Maintenance before starting an all day bike ride and How to Choose a Hydration Pack for Cycling. Keep packs clean with our article on How to Keep Hydration Packs Clean.
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