Discussion: Bottle holders on pack
in: Adventure Racing; Gear & Toys
Jul 21, 2012 8:40 PM
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I notice a lot of people use bottle holders attached to their shoulder straps in addition to the regular pack bladder.
I have 2 questions:
1. Is this just to keep your caloric hydration separate and more handy?
2. Which brand of bottle holder is the "preferred" one?
I have 2 questions:
1. Is this just to keep your caloric hydration separate and more handy?
2. Which brand of bottle holder is the "preferred" one?
Jul 22, 2012 12:49 AM
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I use mine for stuff with calories (Perpetuem, Gatorade). I mainly use mine when I will be taking water from the course, as it is much easier to fill them compared to a bladder. I have a Salomon pack, and use the Salomon bottle holders that are made for their packs.
Jul 22, 2012 3:11 AM
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Most Ar packs will have something built in to the strap and maybe a pocket on the side big enough for A Nalgene. I like a bottle with some flavoring. Nuun,Crystal Light,kool aid. Sometimes water is just not fun to drink.
Jul 22, 2012 2:11 PM
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GD44:
I use elastic cord to tie 2 bottles to my rucksack straps. My team mate uses bike tubes!
For the above method to work you have to use bottles with 'necks' so the bottle doesn't slip out.
I use Raidlight bottles which have tubes coming out of the lids. I then transfer the same bottles to the bike and vica versa. Nuun or similar in mine (never calories) and consume food and gels for energy. Having them so accessible makes it easier to refill (and faster) and kinda' encourages you to drink because they are literally in your face.
For the above method to work you have to use bottles with 'necks' so the bottle doesn't slip out.
I use Raidlight bottles which have tubes coming out of the lids. I then transfer the same bottles to the bike and vica versa. Nuun or similar in mine (never calories) and consume food and gels for energy. Having them so accessible makes it easier to refill (and faster) and kinda' encourages you to drink because they are literally in your face.
Jul 22, 2012 2:52 PM
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Thanks for all the info, it's always interesting to hear about other people's methods. I'd never even heard of Raidlight bottles before.
Jul 22, 2012 3:09 PM
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Bash:
Here are Salomon's detachable bottle holders that Bugsinteeth mentioned. One of my friends bought this type and sewed it onto his pack strap permanently.
http://www.salomonrunning.com/caus/product/custom-...
When I use an additional bottle, the main reason is to have a choice of plain water or sports drink. After awhile, I usually start to crave one or the other - and if I only have one, then the craving is guaranteed to be for the other!
http://www.salomonrunning.com/caus/product/custom-...
When I use an additional bottle, the main reason is to have a choice of plain water or sports drink. After awhile, I usually start to crave one or the other - and if I only have one, then the craving is guaranteed to be for the other!
Jul 23, 2012 1:52 PM
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Bash how are those new soft Salomon bottles working out? I'm thinking of getting the new Lab pack for my ultras, but normal bottles don't work in the pockets, thinking those soft bottles will be better. Wondering if you have tried them with that pack yet.
As per the original question. I only put water in my hydration bladder and my bottles have carbopro, gatorade, nuun and eload, for calories and electrolytes.
I don't like to muck up the bladder with all that stuff.
As per the original question. I only put water in my hydration bladder and my bottles have carbopro, gatorade, nuun and eload, for calories and electrolytes.
I don't like to muck up the bladder with all that stuff.
Jul 23, 2012 2:45 PM
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Bash:
The soft flasks work well, although I'm still working out the best way to fit them into my system. I'd like to carry multiple flasks but I also want to carry food and an iPod, so my front pockets are filling up! So far, I have used them to carry high-strength eLoad (while carrying water in my main bladder) and they would also work for gel. When they are empty, they fold up small, which is handy. The larger size is 237 ml so they are for smaller amounts of fluid.
http://www.salomonrunning.com/caus/product/soft-fl...
I notice that the elite Salomon runners are using prototypes of a new glove-style holder so that these flasks can be carried in the hands. It would be way more comfortable than clutching a handheld bottle.
http://www.salomonrunning.com/caus/product/soft-fl...
I notice that the elite Salomon runners are using prototypes of a new glove-style holder so that these flasks can be carried in the hands. It would be way more comfortable than clutching a handheld bottle.
Jul 30, 2012 7:32 PM
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Bob, check out the comments on this FB picture. Let me know if you can't access. I am attempting to order the Raidlight bottles today as I like the sound of the one-way release valve.
Essentially I have the Salomon bottle holders as mentioned above sewn directly to my pack (saves weight, but more importantly there is no way to attach them to my pack as there is on newer Salomon packs that have allowed and designed for them)
The straws are the easy part. The key is to purchase the new Specialized Purist bottles. They have this gasket/sphincter mechanism that seal around the straw. You have to drill out a hole the same dimension as the straw in the bottle lid, but the sphincter will seal the straw and the tight dilled hole in the lid keeps the straw in place. As far was making the straws... Just get some bladder tubing cut to the right size and bite valves. I prefer HydraPak. I've done a number of expedition races and never carried more than two bottles the whole race.
http://www.facebook.com/kylerpeter/photos#!/photo....
Essentially I have the Salomon bottle holders as mentioned above sewn directly to my pack (saves weight, but more importantly there is no way to attach them to my pack as there is on newer Salomon packs that have allowed and designed for them)
The straws are the easy part. The key is to purchase the new Specialized Purist bottles. They have this gasket/sphincter mechanism that seal around the straw. You have to drill out a hole the same dimension as the straw in the bottle lid, but the sphincter will seal the straw and the tight dilled hole in the lid keeps the straw in place. As far was making the straws... Just get some bladder tubing cut to the right size and bite valves. I prefer HydraPak. I've done a number of expedition races and never carried more than two bottles the whole race.
http://www.facebook.com/kylerpeter/photos#!/photo....
Jul 31, 2012 4:14 PM
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Wow, thanks for all the advice everyone! Hopefully I can get this setup put together before Thunder Rolls next month. I can't access FB at work, but will definitely give the photo a look tonight when I get home.
That blows my mind you only carry 2 bottles at a time. Incredible.
That blows my mind you only carry 2 bottles at a time. Incredible.
This discussion thread is closed.