Water bottle access

imported
#1

Does anyone have a way worked out for water bottle access without taking your pack off to get in the side mesh pockets? I am wondering if there is a way of mounting a water bottle on the front of you where it is not in the way but easy to access? I have seen pictures of adventure racers with bottles mounted on their shoulder straps… I tried mounting mine on my waistbelt in a holster but it seem to interfere with the swing of my arms. I also have tried hydration bladders with hoses (like Camelback) but don’t like the plastic taste esp. in hotweather and I have tried tying a cord to the neck of the water bottle which helps get it out of the pack pockets but doesn’t help get it back in…

noknees

#2

You can buy a small holster that will hold a 32 oz. gatorade bottle. It attaches to the hipbelt and is mostly secure. Check Campmor.

Suge

#3

I have mine mounted on the shoulder straps. It comes as an option with ULA packs. All it consists of is shockcord, a cord lock, and a cord end. There is two per side. One on the neck of the bottle and one on the body. You can see the basic idea here: http://www.ula-equipment.com/p2_options.htm

Jerm

#4

I used a Dana Design Wet Rib. It is a pouch that fastens onto the straps of your pack and sits about midway up your torso when you are hiking. I used it for my water bottle, my camera, my trail mix and snacks, and my maps, toilet paper, hand sanitizer. It kept them all withing easy reach. It comes in two sizes: small, 150 cu in and 6 oz and large, 235 cu in and 7 oz. It solved the same water bottle problem you have and gave my camera a place to go where I would actually find it easy to use. I got rid of the top pouch lid on my pack because I moved everything into the wet rib. See here for a photo.

Disco

#5

That should be “within” and I had to have Jeff at Mt. Rogers Outfitters show me how to mount it on my pack because it’s really not obvious.

disco

#6

I tie it to my mother ****ing straps next to my nipple with a rag and a carabiner. It hangs by the loop on the god damn nalgene cap.

W00t

#7

Noknees:I hike mostly in the North East U.S. I find I rarely need to carry more than a pint of water,it’s not a problem to take off my pack and take a swallow of water.My opinion is that too many new hikers have been sold a bill of goods in regards the needs to carry water bladders or carry large amounts of water.I dont hike in the desert or stay above tree line for long periods of time.I find if I come to a stream or source of water I “Camel Up”,that is,I drink untill I’am no longer thirsty,fill my water bottle,and move on.Water is heavy,it defeats the pack light philosophy.

OLD & IN THE WAY

#8

bladder

virginian

#9

you should easily get to your water bottles by unclipping your hip strap and then lengthen your straps. the pack will have dropped atleast 6 inches allowing you to get at the bottom mesh pockets. or get another elbow fitted!

“SQUEAKY”

#10

I have two different water holster that hang my bottle directly in front of me. One will hold a one liter soda bottle (I use this for most trips) and one for a small squirt bottle that I use for small day hikes. I tried putting it on my hip but found that it interfered with my arm movement so I moved it next to the buckle directly in front of me. Its secure enough so that it doesn’t bump against my twig and berries as I walk but it took some getting use to.

Big B

#11

i just reach back and grab them out of the mesh pockets. i dont even have to stretch to do this. What kind of pack do you have that keeps you from doing this. My old Gregory Forester was much easier because the pocket was a little bigger and stretched out. My new one was a little more difficult. but still possible. I would not want anything dangling around in front of me. it was a big step for me to get a camera holder for my hip belt. A bigger problem for me is putting them back in the pockets.

WISE OWL

#12

If you should go to the Wet Rib, be sure that you are tall enough in the torso to keep it high…otherwise, you might be banging your knees on it while climbing. I have one and really like it a lot. :tongue

Lady Di

#13

Try using smaller bottles, ex 16oz powerade on one side and a 32oz on the other. Fill 16oz from the 32oz, easyer to put back in pocket. I use an osprey ather, works fine for me, don’t even have to stop,…

Lumber

#14

I have been looking for a wet rib. Where can you go to buy one?

Big B

#15

I have an Mountainsmith Phantom and I can reach the side pockets without straining. No problems.

Bob

#16

I have a 3yr-old REI Morningstar 55 (3500 cu in.) and have no problem reaching the bottom/side water bottle pockets. One thing that REI really did right on this 4 lb pack was to angle the netted water bottle pockets forward, making for easy access while walking. My buddies carry bladders, but I’ve gotten by for years with just bottles - and have moved from Nalgene’s to discarded sport-drink bottles. It’s all good.

OregonHikerDave

#17

many thanks folks!..you’ve given me some great ideas to explore

noknees