by crbutler on Fri Feb 17, 2023 11:54 am
It’s an option.
It doesn’t replace a canteen or water bottle on a true wilderness expedition because you need to be able to treat the water somehow.
I have found they don’t clean very well, but the price to replace the bladder isn’t that horrible.
If you are either doing something away from civilization for a prolonged time, it’s a different placement point for your water storage. I’m not quite sure why so many folks “have” to have water or whatever with them for not even being out for more than a couple hours (walking the dog requires a water bottle or camelback, WTF?) but it has its place.
In a hunting or military situation a camelback doesn’t make the sloshing noise a water bottle or canteen does. It does allow access while continuing most activity…
They are “tacticool” but do have a place. I have a few for hunting use, but that’s about the only time I bother.
I will second that the name brand one has better valves and hose, but not sure that matters all that much for my usage… but I’m definitely low speed high drag.