Camelbak Flash Flo™ 1.4-Liter Hydration System and Fanny Pack : So Easy

I’ve been holding out for years against hydration systems, sticking with my clunky water bottles. After trying Camelback’s Flash Flo hydration system, I’m a new convert.

This system is marketed for runs and walks of one to two hours, but due to the season, I’ve been using my Camelbak while cross-country skiing. It's chilly out there, and I don't like stopping in my tracks and getting cold every time I need a drink. And come to think of it, how many times have I spilled water on myself while trying to drink from a water bottle while running or power walking?

My main concern about using my Camelbak was that the water would taste stale or bad coming through a long plastic tube, as did in hydration bladder systems I tried years ago. No so with this product. My chilled, filtered water tasted great. (Maybe that's because the bladder has a built-in Hydroguard™ anti-microbial filter that eliminates 99.99 percent of bacteria and fungus, so I don’t need to pre-filter the water.)

In spite of my tecnophobic tendencies, I found the Flash Flo hydration system surprisingly easy to use.  The system sits in a just-the-right-size little fanny pack that has an extra zippered pocket for an iPod, wallet, or cell phone. The attractive fanny pack is equipped with reflective strips and a breathable mesh waist belt, too.  For cross-country skiing, I’ve been putting the bladder in the top pocket of my day pack.  For shorter workouts on skis when I’m not straying too far off the trails, I carry the bladder in the fanny pack

Bottom Line: This system makes it comfortable and easy to stay well-hydrated for all-season activities.--(J.I. Dec '05)

Price: $40

Manufacturer's Site: www.camelbak.com

Buy Online: Altrec.com