EricW Posted February 1, 2005 Author Share Posted February 1, 2005 Any of the MILITARY ones. The civvy ones blow. Bought a Mule from Cactus Tactical. Have not regretted it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDave Posted February 1, 2005 Share Posted February 1, 2005 M.U.L.E. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Di Vita Posted February 1, 2005 Share Posted February 1, 2005 I have the Hawg, but the mule is a good choice too. If your hiking in the forest, don't forget iodine pills....Would not be fun to get a couple of them NASTY ailnesses you can get from drinking unpurified water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErikW Posted February 1, 2005 Share Posted February 1, 2005 I picked up a sport-model "Snowdawg" Camelbak for snowboarding. The insulated hose and bite valve cover do not prevent freezing in very cold temperatures. When it's well below freezing, I have to stick the hose down the front of my jacket to let my body heat prevent it from freezing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhino Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 I snagged a couple of camel-back style water carriers over the summer by mail order (Campmor.com). I think I could be satisfied with just about any of them in terms of features, but I've found that none of them have shoulder straps long enough for my to wear the darned thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Moore Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 jake, how do you like the hawg? what color do you have? is there enough space in there to get through a local match? bring it with you when you come to dsc i would like to see it before i buy one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hank Ellis Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 Also take a look a bicycling suppliers. I usually support my local shop but every so often I'll order through http://www.coloradocyclist.com. The price I found at Colorado Cyclist was very competitive, like 44% off list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimel Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 If you just want to carry water and maybe an energy bar or other snack then Viper is the way to go. If you want to carry a lot of other stuff then the MULE or HAWG are the way to go. I only want to carry hydration and snacks. I don't backback or hike and when I bicycle I am not going far enough to even think about clothes or anything like that. The nice part about the Viper (and some of the other Military versions) is that the reservoir is baffled. The sloshing around just doesn't happen with these. That bugs some people (me) but not others. The bad part about the baffle is that the nifty drying hanger that Camelback makes for the other bladders doesn't work. No big deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B.J. Norris Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 Tom, I just bought a Blackhawk Patrol Pack from lpstactical.com and love it. It has enough space to carry my 8 mags, 1 gun, ammo, and all other assorted spare parts, tools and accessories that might be needed including a stool, which slipped down on the side of the pack where it has openings to carry radio antennas or a machete. It also has holes pre-cut to install a Hydra storm bladder, however a Camelbak bladder fits nicely. Everything is buckles instead of zippers, 4 small external pouches on the back of the pack, 2 larger pouches on each side. On the inside there are 2 large pockets on the front and back (one is for the bladder, I keep my gun in the other) and 2 small, yet very deep pockets on each side. 38/357 mag ammo boxes stack nicely in the bottom of the main internal compartment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Moore Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 bj, thx for the nfo. i'll definately have to put this one on the top of my list. i'm tired of carrying the bag off one shoulder. it's hard to walk and it makes my back hurt after awhile. is this the cheapest place you've seen it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B.J. Norris Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 Tom, That's the cheapest place by far, buying from Blackhawk direct I think its around $220 + shipping. I had previously ruled out Blackhawk due to price, but since I was close to spending $189.95 + shipping ona Guga Ribas pack from speedshooters. I decided to take a look at BH. I was even planning on spending the full price at BH, but then a friend gave me a link to LPS, and I think my jaw hit the keyboard when I saw $179.95 shipped. It even has a good carry handle on the top for when you're just going around the corner and don't need to it on your shoulders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricW Posted February 2, 2005 Author Share Posted February 2, 2005 The best part about the camelback is the "hydrolink" fitting. You can pop the bite valves off, which makes it great for hunting. I have two bladders in my Mule, one for me, one for the dog. It's the only practical way to carry enough water for me and the dog during early season hunting. As far as "deals" go, Cactus was about as cheap as anybody, especially once you added in what you weren't getting in a consumer-grade Camelback. Camelback's warranty is also second to none. I had couple issues when I first got mine. Made the call. Bam! New parts showed up. Don't think you'll get that with someone else. FWIW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessej Posted February 6, 2005 Share Posted February 6, 2005 Thanks alot for the info guys. This place is the best. I ordered a black hawg. I figure it could double as a range bag and do some camping with it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooter Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 On long mtb rides, I usually carry two bladders in my Mule. One with an energy drink and the other with water. I have gone through 170 ounces of liquids in the span of 4 hours. The baffle isn't necessary to prevent sloshing. After you fill up the bladder, flip it upside down and suck all the air out of it. Sloshing only occurs if there is air present. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AikiDale Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 Mule or Hawg if you want water, up to 400 rounds of .40 in 50 round plastic boxes, match score sheets and maybe a snack? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Moore Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 ok i've narrowed it down to two packs. 1. CamelBak BFM in od green 2500 cu in space, 5.5 lbs empty. 2. Blackhawk Patrol Pack coyote tan 1200 cu in space, 3.5 lbs empty. any thoughts on the two? keep in mind this will be my range bag, so stuff has to fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtr Posted May 2, 2006 Share Posted May 2, 2006 Anyone have input on the Thermoback? I just want something for hydration not to carry anything in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricW Posted May 2, 2006 Author Share Posted May 2, 2006 Anyone have input on the Thermoback?I just want something for hydration not to carry anything in. If it's the military grade camelback it's good. I'm very glad I got one with the big cap. Makes cleaning easy. Shudder to think what it'd be like with the little cap. CB also backs up their product. I had a couple problems, and they promptly shipped replacement parts, no arguments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tightloop Posted May 3, 2006 Share Posted May 3, 2006 Alright Eric, tell us how you got shafted out of a new Caddy....by Evil Tx... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricW Posted May 3, 2006 Author Share Posted May 3, 2006 David, Local joke for when we pooch a stage/match. "Oh well...there goes the Cadillac..." It's my new life philosophy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ima45dv8 Posted May 3, 2006 Share Posted May 3, 2006 I'm very glad I got one with the big cap. Makes cleaning easy. The large cap also makes it a helluva lot easier to add ice to whatever you're drinking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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