HYDRATION BACKPACK FOR BIKE TOURING
Benefits and considerations for your Bicycle Adventures.
Some reflections on the choice of hydration backpack
Preparing for a bicycle trip is always an exciting experience. Choosing the itinerary and the equipment to take along is one of the things I love most. Although it has been fifteen years since I started traveling by bicycle, I have learned that you will never stop learning. Although the basic equipment for a three-day or three-month bicycle trip may be the same, your choice of equipment may vary depending on the season or where you ride.
In my bike Touring Workshop , I analyze in detail all choices related to travel, including the issue of a water backpack. In this article, I would like to share my opinions and experiences regarding the choice of a hydration backpack.
Why opt for a hydration backpack? In the world of bicycle travel and bikepacking, everyone has their own opinions and preferences, and these should be respected. However, I think it is important to develop personal critical thinking and tailor choices to your own needs. Over the years, I have heard mixed opinions and tried numerous backpacks of different sizes on various travel occasions. Today, I will only discuss water backpacks and not other types of backpacks.
There are two main reasons for choosing a water backpack. The first is the ability to carry an extra load of water with you. In situations where water is scarce, a water backpack can hold 1.5 to 3 liters of water, providing a valuable option (such as during the Seven Serpents, when I went through long stretches without the possibility of filling water bottles). The second reason might be related to the bikepacking set-up, which sometimes leaves no room for using water bottles.
A third reason, especially in ultracycling, could be the need to reduce stops and carry more water to stop only when necessary.
The hydration factor is crucial. I have learned that it is important to take small sips of water every five minutes to keep your body hydrated, even if you do not feel thirsty. A hydration backpack can become a key item in situations where water is scarce.
What features should a hydration backpack have?
I will try to list the features that I think are important:
Compactness: I prefer a small backpack with limited capacity to avoid overloading. A backpack that is too large can cause discomfort when you have to carry weight for many hours.
Adherence and adjustability: It is essential that the backpack fits snugly against the back and does not move while riding. An unstable backpack can create problems when riding, especially off-road. The adjustability of the backpack’s straps is important to adapt it to your needs.
Extra pockets: Front pockets on the shoulder straps are convenient for storing items such as energy bars, cell phones or soft water bottles. Some backpacks also have pockets on the back for other items or food.
Waterproofness: Although the backpack does not need to be 100% waterproof, water resistance is important. It is advisable to protect items inside with plastic bags.
However, it should be noted that wearing a backpack can be inconvenient when you have to add or remove layers of warm or waterproof clothing. It also depends on the backpack and the time it takes to readjust it with the straps.
Conclusions
In general, I have become in favor of using a water backpack, especially when the features mentioned are present. The advice of experienced cyclist friends, such as Simone e Christian, have positively influenced me in this choice.
During my summer adventures, I used Apidura’s water backpack on my trip through Europe riding the Giant Defy, participating in the North Cape 4000. Presto scriverò una recensione su questo zainetto, quindi rimani aggiornato by signing up for the newsletter. Seguiranno altri articoli sull’attrezzatura che utilizzo per le mie avventure.
I hope you enjoyed the article, and if you are a novice cyclist, don’t miss the opportunity to learn by participating in my Bike Touring Workshop.
You can see a series of reels on the hydration vest by Apidura by clicking here and find out for yourself about the entire series on the North Cape 4000 on my Instagram profile.
Thank you for taking the time to read, and you will be informed about upcoming adventures.
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