Hydration Pack 101
March 12, 2009
One of the most important aspects of distance running is hydration. This article will focus on equipments that will transport and protect your precious cargo. Welcome to the world of hydration packs, fuel belts, belt bags and hand held water bottles. Through out our training and running we have used several of these systems and each runner will have different horror or positive stories.
Hydration packs or bags are necessary since most ultra runs or even long trail runs don’t have predictable water stations. Sometimes water stations are spread far apart around 7-10kilometers away. Hydration packs allows the runner to take in food and fluids while running preventing the fuel tank to run dry. Allowing the runner to continue its strong pace and be focused on the road ahead. A well fueled runner is likely to finish an ultra marathon. Fuel belts used in triathlons and marathons would be great since its light and well balanced. However it doesn’t have ample capacity for food and fluids, it will be great for road events but not for long ultra marathons especially on trails. So a much bigger storage system is required.
Hydration Packs
Hydration packs are the most common hydration and storage system. It can range from different shapes and sizes. It can have a capacity of 5 to 20 liters depending on the need. These packs are very efficient, ample straps to customize the fit to the runner.
This pack is coupled with a hydration balder, which stores the fluids. Water runs through a tube delivering it to the runner like an elastic straw. Hydration bladder varies in sizes from half a litter to 2 litters and sometimes three litters for those gas guzzlers out there. Some people will only need one liter since they don’t want the extra weight. These runners are very efficient and can gauge and manage their drinking schedules. Some people would prefer the 2-3 liters since they don’t want to run out of fuel in the run. Good brands will include The North Face, Camel Back, Deuter, Habagat, Conquer, Mountain Smith and Nalgene.
Pros:
- Easy to find in stores, relatively cheap and a huge selection to chose from. Hydration bladders are easy to use and have lots of pockets for food provisions.
- Hydration packs allows the runner to hydrate while running. Person doesn’t need both hands to take in fluids. Just bite the valve and suck in the water. It is less strenuous to use allowing the runner to focus on the trail.
-It can carry huge amounts of equipment from energy bars, bottled energy drinks, jacket, extra socks, and other thinks you can think off.
Cons:
- Very hot!!! It covers the whole back trapping heat inside the body. At long runs it doesn’t allow the back to breathe making you sweat more.
- It can be very heavy and has a tendency to hurt the runner’s shoulders. Moreover since it’s a back pack it has a wider area which can create chaffing and hot spots in the shoulders, neck and the back.
- The ample storage tempts the runners to pack to much gear, making the pack real heavy to run with.
- Sometimes the pack is not well made it bounces up and down which can be stress full to runners. Sometimes it can obstruct the runner’s rhythm or stride.
Hydration Belt Bags
