Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25253
Da Kine's 35-ounce Glacier is a ski-specific hydration system. Designed for resort use, it fea- tures an insulated sleeve for the drinking hose and enough room in the single, insulated main compartment for food, tools, odds and ends. Starting with mesh shoulder straps, the fit is then tweaked with an adjustable sternum strap and detachable waist belt. Though it comes with a Platypus-brand reservo ir, one might opt to upgrade to a Camelbak or Source system for better performance and easier filling. Just remember to hold on to the insulated sleeve. Da Kine, 541-386-3166, www.dakine.com. $45 A leader in backpack fit and technology, it was no surprise that this was one of the more com- fortable packs in this review. The yoke style suspension system fits a variety of shoulder slopes. Two side pockets are attached on either side of the pack for quick, on-the-fly access to snacks, tools, and bear spray. Inside, an insulated sleeve holds the 128- ounce reservoir, which features a screw cap for filling as well as a roll-top closure for thor- ough cleaning. As bite valves go, this one is slow and cumbersome. As of press time, though, we're told it's been redesigned with a higher flow rate. Gregory Mountain Products, 800-477- 3420, www.gregorypacks.com. $90 Having designed running-specific packs from the get-go, there wasn't much out there to challenge the Stinger "hydration vest." Its most outstanding quality is a glove-like fit. Wide mesh straps c'onform snuggly around the shoulders and chest, while a sternum strap can be tailored to torso lengths. Chest pockets provide on-the-fly access to food and cell phones, while acting to balance the rearward 32-ounce reservoir-plenty to get you from aid station to aid station on a marqthon run. The roll-top design makes this bladder one of the more cumbersome to fill, but it's a cinch to clean. Sucking the juice takes a rather vigorous bite compared to oth- ers, but it also takes a lot to make it leak. Ultimate Direction, 800-426-7229, www.ultimatedirection.com. $65 Hydration packs are notorious for leaving a shadow of sweat on the back and shoulders. Deuter's Aircomfort system addresses this issue with mesh straps and a unique mesh panel that suspends the load about an inch off the back, thereby allowing air to flow between it and your body. Sternum and waist straps secure the load, which holds enough for a long day of biking or hiking. All Deuter hydration packs feature Source-brand reservoirs. Deuter USA, 303-652-3102, www.deuterusa.com. $79 Because every river in the lower 48 is somewhat polluted, kayaking is bring-your-own when it comes to hydration-in this case, 64 ounces' worth. This boat-specific design attaches direct- ly to your PFD (life vest) when you're paddling. Then the tuck-away shoulder straps let you wear it as a pack for those tough approaches ... or any other activity, for that matter. Ultimate Direction, 800-426-7229, www.ultimatedirection.com. $50 PLATYPUS KILOWATT This high-tech system addresses the needs of urban cycling adventures. Built into the back panel is a watch-battery-powered red LED with modes for constant and flashing light-the blur effect is up to you. Fit-wise, a wider-than-average profile does two things: first, it's anatomical; next, the f luid in the 60- ounce bladder can be more evenly distributed so you don't feel or look like a camel. A dedi- cated bladder sleeve makes it easy to refill without having to unpack and repack. The latest Platypus-brand reservoir is given. It uses a Ziploc-style closu re, making cleaning and filling easy, but the bite valve is inferior to both the Camelbak and Source designs. Platypus, 800-531-9531, www.platypushydration.com. $70