Monday, September 19, 2011

Kit, Kit, Kit(once again): Camelbak Cloudwalker reservoir backbag

Camelbak Cloudwalker
Since I started geocaching I've been hiking and biking a lot more than before. When you are on the move for three hours or more a single half a litre bottle does not get you far. You just need to have more drinking water with you. Secondly my old backbag was a bit too big for short hikes and bike rides. Luckily I spotted a used (in this case used 3-4 times) Camelbak Cloudwalker at an on-line auction and managed to purchase it at very good price.

I've used the backbag almost daily and used the water reservoir couple of times on short hikes and I must say that I am very pleased. It is just amazing what a difference having enough to drink makes on your stamina. I could quite easily walk for three hours and when I got to home I wasn't that tired. Hydration is important! But now to the properties of Cloudwalker.

The backbag is designed so that it does not make your whole back sweat after half an hour. Somehow the design is better ventilated and the bag is narrow so it does not cover all of your back. I also like the 10l of carrying space. It fits quite easily the equipment I need for geocaching (flashlight, multitool, camera etc.). Last weekend I had my jacket and some food in the backbag and it all fit quite well inside. Pocket in front of the bag hold easily your wallet, phone, gps or what ever you need to take with you to the trail. The front compartment has two pocket with zippers so your stuff won't be flailing around.

Pocket for the water reservoir.
The drink reservoir itself fits quite nicely to the pocket in the backbag and there is loop inside the pocket that holds the reservoir in place. Having the reservoir in place does not affect the carrying comfort in anyway. The bag still feels comfy. If you are a runner this is not the bag for you, the water inside the reservoir does start slosh the moment you start running. The reservoir holds 2 litres of water and if you are not drinking all the time it should be enough also for longer workouts. After you come home you most likely want to dry the reservoir. The operation calls for little creativity. I use the drinking tube to hold the reservoir open by making a loop out of the tube and sticking it inside the bag. The tube itself is a bit harder to dry. Mine has been in the cupboard for a week and it still contains some moisture. I guess I need to remove the nozzle next time.

Nozzle and valve
The drinking nozzle is really ingenuous. When you squeeze the tip of the nozzle with your lips it opens up and you can take your sip of water. The seam is really tight when closed and no water will run out. There is also a valve in the nozzle (the yellow bit in the picture) that turns and closes the pipe if you want to be extra sure that no water gets out. The valve comes useful, for example, when you want to keep the drinking  tube inside the bag.

Over all Cloudwalker very good backbag for me. I am pretty sure it will serve me for a long time on my geocaching adventures, hikes and bike rides.

1 comment:

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