Mugged by a Camel
By the time you read this, I’ll probably be in Machu Picchu! So I may be slow responding to comments.
Okay, I’m not usually one to complain about prices when it comes to gear, because one pays for quality. But I just had to buy a replacement part for my Camelbak hydration reservoir – the Big Bite valve, which I somehow lost while snowboard carving this past weekend. Let’s just say I was a little shocked by the price:
You read it right. Eight euros (or about $11) for a tiny piece of molded rubber with no moving parts.
So, that brings me to my question for all of you hikers, trekkers, and backpackers:
What’s the best hydration pack system?
- Pricing that doesn’t make you feel like your wallet has been violated
- Long-lasting materials and parts which are high quality
- Usable bite valve with an easy-to-operate lock
I’ve tried a couple brands of hydration bladders over the years, and so far Camelbak is the only hydration system that I liked. But today I’ve seen there are several new ones out there that I hadn’t seen before (Deuter, Platypus, etc). Does anyone have an experience with a hydration reservoir that compares well to Camelbak?
