Camelbak

I have several hydration packs that I use for running and hiking, but I didn't have a specific pack made for bicycling. After researching the pro and cons on the most well known packs I chose this one. I was originally leaning towards a USWE product, but decided on this pack because of the pockets. I use this when I ride in areas or distances where I may have to be fully self supported. The pockets allow for storage of small tools, telephone and food/gels. The straps are comfortable and move with my body. The straps make adjustment easy as the load changes in the pack

The pack stays in place, breaths well and allows me to easily access my jersey pockets. I certainly made the right choice!

I've bought various water bottles--plain and tepidly insulated--the latter lasting about twice as long as the plain one. Where I live we have microclimates, when I leave the house it can be 63' and eight miles inland 85'. This mean my ice filled insulated bottle water starting is fully melted at the 1/2 way point and will become rather yucky on the way back (and I still have another 500 feet of elevation to climb coming back. The Camelbak Podium is an excellent way to quench ones thirst on a hot day on my return leg, as it maintains the ice cold temps for two hours easily when kept full and makes the return so much more pleasant. It's a little heavier and rattles in my plastic water bottle cage, but a thin strip of Velcro dampens out the sound.

Expensive. It keeps my electrolyte liquid cold for over 4 hours while riding in 85+ degree (F) weather. Works 2 hours longer if you put about a 3/8" water on the bottom and freeze it overnight before use. The bottle is noisy if you put ice cubes in it, if your water bottle cage is a little loose, or on very bumpy roads. The bottle keeps cold at least twice as long as a Camelbak's plastic thermal bottle with about 25% frozen liquid in the bottom.

It's pricey but I live in the southeast and the summers are hot. On one hot summer day I left this bottle along with the gf's Yeti Rambler water bottle in the truck in direct sunlight. When I came back to the truck, this Camelbak bottle was colder. Both had a small amount of ice in each when I left but only this one had any left when I returned. Even road rides, this bottle has maintained cold, icy water for hours in 100'+ weather. It's a bit different to not be able to squeeze it but nothing you won't get used to in a couple rides.