Hydration Backpack for running/cycling

[giantcanopy]

I am looking to get a hydration backpack (mainly) for running ( to work ) and cycling as well. Doesn't have to be a huge reservoir bladder, a 2 L or so would be great, with some spare room to put my clothes / towel / work shoes for change.

At the moment I am eyeing the Nathan HPL 020 which has great reviews. Cannot seem to get much info on UD Wasp which seems to be another great contender.

Velocity running lab has the Nathan at 130 SGD thereabouts. ( Online overseas can source for less than 80 USD, but factoring shipping and hassle, I am not too sure how much greater savings I can scrape )

Recommendation on where else I can get them locally ? I read that beach road might carry similar hydration packs, and may have Camelbak systems ( at a hiked price of course )

Regards and good health
Ryan.

 

[ortega]

Beach road army market has lots, don't know about the price

 

[princej]

I suggest going to local bike shops, cyclist here call it lbs. Beach road pricing I noticed almost double.:bheart:

Two brands I would recommend based on personal experience, camelbak or deuter.

 

[giantcanopy]

Thx guys! will definitely drop by beach road and scout ard. I visited a handful of LBS north without much luck yet. Maybe I might drop by Rodalink one of these days when i zip pass thomson

 

[Guni_hoon]

here are a list the trekking shops i know. hope they have what u want.

campers' corner, http://www.camperscorner.com.sg/news/news_detail.php?id=49
51 Waterloo Street #01-01 Singapore 187 969
Tel: (65) 6337 4743

adventure quest, http://www.adventure-quests.com/location.asp
187 Sims Avenue #02-02 Singapore 387497
Tel: 6841 3314

adventure 21, http://www.adventure21.com.sg/
133, New Bridge Road, #02-03A, Chinatown Point Singapore 059413
Tel: (+65) 6535 0232

outdoor life, http://www.outdoorlife.com.sg/
Novena Square #02-60/67, 238 Thomson Road Singapore 307683
Phone:6255-4814

x-boundaries, http://www.x-boundaries.com/index.php?modal=Home/ContactUs
238 Thomson Road, Velocity @ Novena Square, #03-59/60 Singapore 307683
Telephone No.: +65 63567280

 

[pinholecam]

The usual places : Running Lab; Beach Road; Sports Connection

If its for running, they are usually a bit too hot and clunky (can give abrasion to arm area as well from the shoulder straps). Try a smaller 1.5l one or a waist pouch type.
Personally, I'd just take a 5min break in a convenience store (cheers; 7-11; petrol kiosk) and that is if the run is more than 2hrs.

For cycling, same thing, the bigger ones covers up your back area, trapping heat and making you hot. Opt for a smaller 1.5l one. I've used a high sierra one extensively for 3+years. Liquid intake is about 500ml/h so it can last about 3hrs (YMMV); IMHO, anymore and the body can't absorb too much anyway, resulting in potential puking situations.
Look for one that 'pulls up' or secures the mouth piece, so that it does not dangle here and there while running/cycling. Make sure the mouth piece is a design that does not leak.

 

[giantcanopy]

Thx for all the great inputs and suggestions thus far.

I usually run or cycle with waterbottles, but recently thinking of taking up running to/fro work ( less than 10 km for me per leg ) so that I can still spend time with family after work ( i.e the exercise i sorta integrated into the work schedule ) , and I needed a snug fit bag that does not slush ard and yet carry my rolled work clothes and shoes. ( and since I am getting such a bag I was thinking of getting those hydration backpacks to try - more of a case of might as well heh )

Will be calling the shops up, and visiting Running lab tmr after work to see if their bags work out.

Ryan

 

[rwkobie]

Hi Ryan,

I've done many long distance expeditions, so have used quite a bit of gear... I'm always keen on anything that will do the job better than the last...
Wanting a new hydration pack that was ultra-light, small, thin, comfortable, but could carry a reasonable load, I think I found what I was looking for...

For the past 6-odd months, I've been using the Osprey Raptor 14L regularly when mountain-biking, and I LOVE it.

It's small and thin enough that it feels airy and light on my back, doesn't restrict my arms at all, has a sternum strap and a hip belt, and holds a 3L bladder easily... The magnetic bite valve easily snaps back onto the sternum strap with one hand, so you are never left hunting for the hose clip or with a flapping hose.

Osprey are available at Sports Connection, and comes in a few sizes. For shoes, the 14L might be a little tight, but it does expand well. I believe they do an 18L too, as well as a few smaller capacities. I think it cost me about $150 SGD, including the bladder.

In 20+ years of adventuring, I've had a lot of 'favorite' bits of gear, but for the past months, this has been top of my list.

The Raptor be coming with me on my next adventure in 5 weeks time... I'm mountain-biking from Hanoi, Vietnam, all the way down though Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, And Malaysia, to arrive back in Singapore about 10 to 12 weeks later. Should be good!

Hope you find something you like as much as I like mine.

Best regards,

Kobie.

 

[petetherock]

Bro
I used a few camlbaks, for NS, for hikes and cycles...
I buy overseas a lot, esp since the costs locally are quite high. Why not explore the possibility of shipping from Campmor.com, REI.com (outlet) or amazon etc once you have chosen the back you want?

 

[fredchong]

Have you seen Geigerrig? Try http://www.geigerrig.com
EBay Singapore has a couple.