I leave mine full of water 100% of the time. If I have not used the water in 30 days, I replace it.

I do not have any of your listed problems.

 

I use mine constantly with no problems

 

I've stored mine in a closet dozens of times after hikes with almost a full bladder to almost dry without emptying or cleaning. I've owned mine since 02 and have used it a lot. I have not had a single problem with it. I've cleaned it twice since I got. The drying rack is actually a pain in the butt to use. I improvised with a hanger to get it to dry better.

 

I 've had one since 04 and it has never had any mold or anything in it. I just rinse it out every now and then. Maybe I'll add a few drops of bleach next I fill it up and let it sit for a few hours then drain and rinse just to be safe.

 

I have used camelbak for a long time now. Dont bother with the drying rack, You can make your own using a coat hanger. As long as you dont put anything else but water in the system, you wont need to clean it to often. But if you put juice, OJ, gatoraide or anything else like that in the bladder then you will need to clean it out good. The sugars in that stuff will feed bacteria.

Now eventually your backflow in the mouthpiece will eventually build up enough bacteria to make it a little funky but that will be isolated to mostly the tube and not the bladder. I just rinse it out in a light bleach solution every year or so after heavy use.

You can get it completley dry by holding the bladder upside down and blowing into the tube. Then get a towel and dry out the inside or hang it on a hanger.

Overall pretty low maintenence. Cleaning kits are a waste if you ask me.

 

Camelbacks and the like are EXTREMELY practical.

I have a Blackhawk Hydrastorm and a Platypus hydration bladder and I wouldn't trade them for anything.

The bite valve on the platypus is kinda lame and comes off easy but that's nothing to replace.

The Hydrastorm is a bigger 100oz bag but it's built like a rock and the bite valve is great.

Don't worry about the drying rack and all that crap, as was said you can make your own and a little soapy water or drop of bleach every once in while is all you need to clean it. I've had water in mine for months, dumped it out, rinsed it and it was good to go.

Just don't put gatorade or sugary crap in them (Blackhawk makes disposable cheapie bladders for that) and they won't get nasty.

 

I had mine grow something once. it tasted...wrong so i flushed the thing with bleach and it was perfectly fine after that

 

The only thing that I've noticed is that after a few days, it develops a bit of a plastic taste. I think it's mostly the hose, because it gets better if I drain a little bit off. Like most are saying though, as long as you change the water out, and add a few drops of bleach for long storage, you should be fine.

 

I bought my first one in 1993 and have had it since. I don't use it much anymore as I prefer the nalgene water bottles at my side.

Keep the bladder and the pack clean and free of dirt. It's amazing what can get in there.

The pack straps seem to be pretty good, particularly on the new ones. Camelback systems are very popular with troops.

 

I have a 3 liter Camelback that stays in my ALICE. I take care of it the same way Vicdotcom does and have no problems. I updated the bite valve with a lock for hiking. If I set up camp for the day early I take my bag out and tie it hanging from a limb with paracord to use for cooking and cleaning. I also keep a Nalgene bottle as a backup or for small excursions from camp. I find it easier to fill the Nalgene then my Camelback when I'm alone using my MSR Miniworks, as the Camelback has a large opening the filter doesn't fit. Not the easiest, but works well for me. I like to hydrate.

 

Cabela's has a nice pack called the Elite Scout. It comes with a 70 oz bladder but I replaced it with 100 oz. The large was too big for my frame so I traded it in for a regular. Comes in 5 versions of Real Tree camo.

 

I have 2 camelback 100oz bladders and love them. I bought bladders because my gear pack and painball vest both have bladder pockets so I didn't need actual packs. I originally used the coat hanger method, but they start rusting and I don't want the iron flavor in my bladders, so I bought a drying rack.

After a camping trip or paintball day I drain the bladder and hang it to dry overnight, then cap it and put it away. I've only ever needed to bleach a bladder once and it was just a matter of a couple drops and a rinse. I also replace the bite valves every year whether they need it or not (personal preference).

If you intend to get a portable water filter get the quick release connectors used on the NBC version, katadyn has an adapter for their handheld units that hooks right up to it.

 

I originally used the coat hanger method, but they start rusting and I don't want the iron flavor in my bladders, so I bought a drying rack.

Had the same problem, but then I switched to plastic hangers.

 

Never a problem

Started using them 3 yrs ago on my hunting pack. Now own four of them (hunting, upland, backpacking, and hiking packs) and will not go into the woods without one if possible. I have left water in the Camelback brand bladder for a year (between seasons) and the water was still good.

I did have a cheap one from Walmart that made the water taste rubbey if left in for more than a few hours.

 

I find mine very practical. I don't have any trouble with mold. I put a Sawyer inline filter on mine, and it serves double duty.

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Have you actually used it with the filter?

Does the water flow the same? Does it create flow issues?

__________________________________________________
“The very existence of flame-throwers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done.” - George Carlin

 

I have a 3 liter backpack type. Fill it in the morning and add a bunch of ice, it stayed cold til the end of the shift (10 hours) or it ran empty.

Full of water and ice made a nice lumbar support in the car all day. Cold and good support.

 

I like the big opening of Source hydration bladders, they are really easy to dry and clean (I can put my whole hand with a cloth inside).

 

I use a cammelback "O2 Fit" backpack as my daily carry/GHB, and so far I absolutely love it! The bladder that came with the pack is nice, but the bite valve pops out too easily. I have replaced it with a 2L dromedary bladder, which IMO is the best bladder on the market.

To clean the bladders I'll usually just rinse with clean water and hang to dry on my home-made drying rack. Every once in awhile though, I'll toss a denture cleaning tab into the bladder to kill all the little bugs in there.

 

you wont regret buying a camelbak. i have a camelbak mule pak with the camelbak bladder and it works great. alot better than lugging around a water bottle.

i have used mine for hikes, long walks, runs.

 

Another plus for the Blackhawk Hydrastorm. Had mine for years and love it.

 

i've had a camelback mule (3 liter bladder) for a few years now, and they're great......pretty much same as everyone's been saying.

i did have an issue with some bacteria buildup in the straw after a year or two of heavy use and no maintence......a cleaning tab and the brush in the cleaning kit got rid of it no problem. i'd recommend the feild cleaning kit if you can find one, same stuff as the bigger ones except for usually cheaper and everything is smaller (mine is in a pouch in the actual camelback).

as far as size goes, i'd recommend a huge one which is a bladder in a fully functional large capacity backpack, or a small one that's just the bladder in a small bag with straps......the ones in between are good for military and leo types who just want a few extra pockets for stuff and their water.........but as far as camping or wearing with a pack goes, you either want to put a bunch of stuff in the bag/camelback or you just want to use the bladder (or wear the entire thing under another pack, which is okay with the smaller models).........the medium size ones are kind of a niche thing, i love mine but i'll probably upgrade to a "mutherload" once i have the cash...and make that my bob.

medium size ones make a great daypack though, and as previously stated a sort of assualt pack..........all about what you want to use it for.

 

Does anyone freeze them for storage? say fill about only 1/3 full because water expands when frozen, and then freeze.

 

I clean mine with Listerine.... no need for the cleaning kit and such..

 

I use one for hunting with dogs. It allows me to carry plenty of water while Chukar hunting, and the dogs know how to use the bite hose (I apply pressure to release the water and the dogs drink from it, just like a water bottle).

I am also looking for a 3 day tactical pack compatible with camo and the camelback.

Good system.

 

no problems, just don't go second guessing your purchase by looking at all of the "accessories" available and feeling overwhelmed. You don't need any of them. A coat hanger positioned properly will allow the bladder to dry completely.

 

Desert Stuff

In a real no kidding survival i would not even consider it, have backups like one you can throw against a wall. I have had two problems once I fell while walking at night in the desert and got several thorns in it, the other died when sat on the pack and the seem burst. My fault, probably, so what I want what ever is near bomb proof as possible.
Now with that said I think the are great in the east where water is abundant and for recreational hiking they rock, but bet my life on it, NO WAY!

 

In a real no kidding survival i would not even consider it, have backups like one you can throw against a wall. I have had two problems once I fell while walking at night in the desert and got several thorns in it, the other died when sat on the pack and the seem burst. My fault, probably, so what I want what ever is near bomb proof as possible.
Now with that said I think the are great in the east where water is abundant and for recreational hiking they rock, but bet my life on it, NO WAY!

In a real no kidding survival situation you don't get to choose. :thumb:

Did you have an actual good name Camelback/Hydrastorm/Platypus brand or a knockoff?

I've hear from people who have take spills off their bikes onto their camelbacks and they didn't burst.

If I was in a real deal situation I'd be more than happy to have a camelback. Of course backups are always in order! :thumb: