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Fifty Sense: Common Sense Ideas for Thriving after 50
Fifty Sense: Common Sense Ideas for Thriving after 50

Review:
Camelbak Hydration packs

Fifty Sense Seal of Approval

In 1988 bicycle enthusiast, Michael Eidson, is competing in the "Hotter'N Hell 100." And that's exactly what it is: a 100-mile road race in the grueling summer heat of Wichita Falls, Texas. Water is vital to surviving the race, and there are few places to refill a water bottle. Eidson, an emergency medical technician by trade, decides to fill an IV bag with water and slip it into a white tube sock. Yes, a tube sock. Then he stuffs the contraption into the back of his bike jersey, throws the thin hose over his shoulder and clamps it with a clothespin.

Hands-free hydration is born. And Eidson is able to drink as he pedals...while the other racers laugh and fiddle with their water bottles.

From the tube socks and IV bags the company has grown to offer 60 hydration packs for biking, outdoor, running, and winter specific. They have expanded to include 16 water bottles and 3 electrolyte water supplement tablets.

Chute 1L

This is the water bottle I have been looking for! It delivers high flow of water without sloshing or spilling down my shirt and all over the place! Most water bottles are either too tough for me to get maximum water out of or they are completely open and I lose half the water on my face when I try to drink while in the midst of exercising, whether walking or running. The angled spout provides an ergonomic drink interface that puts just the right amount of water exactly where it is supposed to go…my mouth!

Just a half turn of the cap gives you easy access to your water and it snaps into handle to prevent it from getting in the way when drinking. I find this especially useful while in the treadmill or Eliptical. Additionally, the spout cap threads internally so there is no more drinking off those uncomfortable bottle threads! The wide-mouth opeing is easy to fill with ice and a breeze to clean. All in all, this water bottle has thought of everything….it even comes in a smaller, .75L!

Molokai

Camelbak has developed the Molokai for paddling enthusiasts. It is an external fill hydration system perfect for long canoe/kayak treks or Stand-Up Paddling (SUP). We took it on a canoe trek and using a SUP. In both activities, we used a lumbar pfd for flotation support. It fit comfortably with the pfd and the mesh back allows for some breathing.

The design of the Molokai is for the water sports so there is a wise absence of metal parts. It is very light and the exterior access to the water bladder is convenient. We found plenty of storage for necessities like a snack, diver’s knife and a small waterproof case. You can check off the emergency whistle as there is one attached to the Molokai. After playing all day, the chore of cleaning it out was rather easy. This is a very nice addition for anyone who is a paddling enthusiast.

2012 Aventura

This is a perfect pack to take out on all-day excursions. It holds up to 3 L of water and the total capacity of 1465 cu in so there is a nice amount of room to pack everything you may need for your adventure,

I took this on a 10-mile strenuous hike in the Smoky Mountain National Park and it was the perfect size. It has a nice size large pocket that was great for my rain gear and lunch. The front pocket has many internal pockets, some mesh, some zippered and some open- perfect to keep you organized. The pockets keep the gear from all ending up at the bottom of the pack thus dispersing the weight throughout.

It was a very comfortable pack to wear. This particular pack is a women's specific featuring the D fit, which allows it to fit a wide variety of women's body types. There is a ventilated back panel keeping you from getting sweaty from the pack on your back. The hip belt was very comfortable and kept the weight from resting entirely on my shoulders.

I used to be a water bottle only girl, but this pack has made me a hydration pack believer!

http://camelbak.com

...Fiftysense Product Review Panel

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