Which one is better to use while you’re mountain biking a hydration pack or water bottle?
I shared a few thoughts on that question just for you. Check out the video below, or if you can’t see the video click this link to watch Bottles vs. Bladders.
Hydration Pack or Water Bottle
How do you get a drink of water while on the bike?
Choosing which of these hydration options you use if a choice that only you can decide. Each one has it’s own pros and cons and it’s a personal preference of which one you choose to use.
Water Bottles
A water bottle is the simplest way to carry water with you on the trail. They are very easy to carry, quick to prepare and cheap to use. Simply stash a bottle in your bottle cage on the bike and if you need an additional bottle you can easily carry that in the back pocket of your cycling jersey. There are lots of different types of water bottles, but I prefer the Polar Insulated water bottles. These water bottles have a special lining that helps to keep your water cold, a huge perk when riding in Texas’s 100+ degree weather. Water bottles also have the benefit of being very lightweight, which can be helpful in a race. You can carry one bottle and then get handed a new one as you pass through the water handup on the way to lap number 2.
Polar Insulated Water Bottle – $9.95
Retail Price: $19.95
You Save: $10.00
from: Jenson USA
My preference is to use water bottles on short rides and I always use them on road rides where rough terrain won’t keep me from taking a drink. I will usually keep at least 2 bottles with me, 1 in my bottle cage on the bike and a second in the rear pocket of my jersey.
Hydration Pack
A Camelbak or hydration pack is terrific, mine are probably among the top 5 purchases I have made for mountain biking. It’s basically a backpack that has a special enclosure for a rubber bladder that holds water. I use the Camelbak Lobo and it has plenty of room to keep a spare tube, CO2 cartridges and lots of mid-ride snacks. It has a 100 oz bladder that is easy to open and quick to fill. The hose for drinking stays right over the top of my shoulder at about chest height where I can easily grab it mid ride. The bite valve on the end is really reliable and it has an extremely helpful cut off that prevents it from leaking while in the car or when accidentally pressed on.
Camelbak Lobo Hydration Pack 2012 – $105.00
Retail Price: $115.00
You Save: $10.00
from: Jenson USA
My personal preference is to use my camelbak on 90% of my rides. I am able to keep my hands on the handlebars and to focus on the trail instead of juggling a bottle in my hands. It also allows me to keep extra gear or repair supplies without feeling like my jersey pockets are about to explode. On more challenging terrain or tight and twisty sections of trail it takes maybe 5 seconds to put the bite valve to your mouth and bite down. Once you’re done just drop the hose out of your mouth and your on your way.
What About Racing?
When I’m racing my mountain bike it really depends on the trail as to which one I use. If the trail is fairly smooth and flat like Rowlett Creek Preserve (RCP) then I will take water bottles because they are lighter to carry and easy to switch off for fresh bottles. But on more challenging terrain like Big Cedar, Isle Du Bois and others I greatly prefer to use my Camelbak.
When I’m racing my first priority is to keep my rhythm and speed, I don’t want any distractions. Having to take my hand off of the bars for 15 to 30 seconds presents a risk that I would rather not take in a race. I have less control of my bike and an will likely be slowed down while fumbling with a bottle. I honestly do prefer the Camelbak in just about every mountain biking situation, but occasionally I will use bottles even while racing if I think the trail is easy enough. It would be possible for me to learn how to use a bottle just as effectively through practice and developing more stability through core strength. But, at this stage in my racing life I just really prefer the ease of use that comes with my Camelbak.
So what do you think? Is your preference for the tried and true classic water bottle or for a more streamlined hydration pack like my Camelbak Lobo? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Hydration pack for riding long distances or just going out and doing a few laps. Bottles for racing because they have hand up zones.
Thanks George! If the course is more technical I will often opt for a pack then as well. But we are totally like minded on that!
Dont ever ride without my camel pack. Looking at a larger model for next year. Want to ride longer and worry about bonking. Got heat stroke this summer at northshore. Not a great feeling.
G$
Heat stroke is no fun. I highly recommend the Camelbak Lobo, it holds the equivalent of 4.5 20oz bottles. That’s what I use and I can stay on the trail for hours without needing a refill. If you want a bag with a ton of storage, check out the M.U.L.E, or HAWG versions. They both have quite a lot of storage.
Just moved to Roanoke and found your site, great site and articles. I almost always use my HydraPack and highly prefer it over a bottle. It has a 3Liter bladder and was great in Florida! I usually fill it 1/3-1/2 full of ice cubes and then fill. And of course it holds my keys, map and anything else for the trail rides.
I need to look into the pickle thing though.
Thanks guys!
Thanks Logan, and let me say Welcome to the metroplex!!
The pickle juice is pretty great on long hot rides. After a couple of hours on the trail or road, the saltyness of the pickle juice is delicious.
Why are most hydration packs BLACK??? That don’t make a lick o’ sense….
My wife’s as you can see from the video is actually a really bright blue and red. A lot of the manufacturers are getting bold with some bright coloring, but I think black is tried and true because it hides dirt and dust so well.
I’m a big fan of the Polar Insulated Bottles. One of my tricks for summertime rides is the night before to fill them up about 1/3 and put them in the freezer, with the LID OFF. Then top them off with water before you go ride. In the intense summer heat, the ice will melt slowly during the course of your ride, and will ensure that the water you are drinking is always nice and cold. You can do the same thing just using ice cubes, but sometimes it’s a little tricky to squeeze them thru the narrow neck of the bottle.
I use ice cubes in mine very frequently. It’s so refreshing to have ice cold water on a scorching hot summer day.
I use my Camelbak on 98% of my rides. If I have the foresight to plan ahead, I fill the bladder between a 1/4 and 1/3 of the way the night before and put it in the freezer. The next day, I fill the bladder the rest of the way with cold water and ride. The block of ice melts slowly and helps to keep the water cold.
I also take a few shots of pickle juice before the ride. The salt and acidity of the pickle juice helps to keep me hydrated. I remember reading about a game at Texas Stadium years ago. It was something like 225 degrees on the field (I may be remembering that part wrong) and the Eagles players sipped pickle juice and water to help them stay hydrated. It sounded like an old wives tale but if you google “pickle juice hydration” there is some science behind it.
Sean, the pickle juice myth is no myth at all. Well, the cowboys game may be… but it really does help you stay hydrated!
I had my first encounter with it about 4 years ago while riding my first Hotter than Hell 100. It was about 105 and mid-day, I had been drinking tons of water and a little bit of gatorade throughout the day. My body just didn’t have any salt left in it from all the sweat and it was wrecking me. At one of the aid stations they had small milk bottles filled with pickle juice and I drank one down. The taste isn’t the best, but it worked like magic. I finally finished that ride in about 8 hours time.
I love your idea of freezing 1/4 or 1/3 of your camelbak overnight and then filling it with water the next day. I will usually fill mine with ice cubes, but your idea seems much easier. Thanks for letting me know about it!
the block of ice melts slower than the ice cubes do, so it keeps the water colder for longer. It is a good tip. I don’t recall where I read it first, but thank you anonymous internet tipster, wherever you are.
The pickle juice definitely works. Like you said, it is not the tastiest stuff, but there is some real science behind it.
I have seen pickle juice ice pops for sale at various outside events in Texas. They are that sickly looking greenish color, and they taste nasty, but they do the trick.
I don’t think I would ever use a “pickle pop”. Just give me the bottled juice and I will be good. Yick.
Hydration in August…in Texas. Oh man, this is a majorly important topic at all times, but especially this month. Great to see you offering up advice and information on this.
As a road biker I go for the bottles, but I also have a hydration pack that I would use if I ever got out there mtbing with you.
Darryl
Darryl there is nothing more important than hydration this time of year. I can’t just talk about how much fun it is to crash allll the time!
I hope to make you use that hydration pack soon my friend!