CamelBak RaceBak
Brilliant! That was the thought that went through my head when I first heard about CamelBak’s wearable hydration system at last years OR show.
CamelBak, based out of Petaluma, California, has been the leading manufacturer of hydration packs for as long as hydration packs have been around. Their motto is ‘Hydrate or Die’ and now they have made it even easier to hydrate yourself with the RaceBak and the VeloBak wearable hydration systems, as “intuitive as putting on your jersey”.The RaceBak and VeloBak (the VeloBak is new, so it’s not on their website yet) are a base layer and cycling jersey, respectively, with an integrated hydration system, which holds 72 ounces of water (or Elixir, which is the greatest thing since sliced bread). They are both breathable and both have a compression material, called Quickfit that goes around your shoulders and your chest, like a backpack, to stabilize the water weight on your back. It does this amazingly well, too.
You can wear the RaceBak for almost any cold weather activity that requires water, and most of them do. Any endeavor that you are going to be sweating and you need to wear multiple layers; skiing and snowboarding, ice climbing, snowmobiling, ice fishing (although you would probably fill the reservoir with your favorite adult beverage when ice fishing), etc. However, it feels a touch awkward with a backpack on.
The VeloBak has a ¾ zip at both the top and bottom for temperature regulation and is the first three pocket cycling jersey to integrate hydration. And it does this very well. It works great for road cyclists and endurance, ultra-light athletes and I don’t know why somebody didn’t think of it before 2009.
CamelBak says that the VeloBak is good for mountain biking, but that’s a bit of a stretch. I like to have my tools, spare tube, first-aid kit, and some snacks, etc. on mountain bike rides. All of this gear will not fit in the VeloBak, so you would be better off wearing one of CamelBak’s other hydration packs. Preferably, the Mule NV, which carries enough water for a 1-4 hour bike mountain bike ride, has a wealth of pockets to store all of your gear, rain cover if the weather gets inclement and is low profile enough for you to not even notice it on your back. Even with 100 ounces of water in it.
If you are serious road cyclist or an ultra-light endurance athlete you need one of these.
Retail availability October 15, 2009.
MSRP: VeloBak $130--, RaceBak $100--
Comments