The CamelBak Ultra LR vest is an incredibly lightweight vest that holds a 2.0 liter reservoir pouch for hydration. The pouch is easy to fill thanks to the wide mouth with a screw on cap, and since the pouch holds the water around your waist it feels very comfortable to wear with the weight on your hips instead of in a ball on your back, even when it’s completely full.

Since this vest is largely made of mesh it is lightweight and breathable. It also has two zippered hip pockets, two breast pockets and a larger pocket in back that’s large enough to stash a shedded layer — which I often had to do during the hot hikes I used it on throughout the desert and mountains of Utah last summer.

I was a little concerned at first that this vest may not fit me properly because I’m only 5’2” on a good day and have a smaller frame. Otherwise ideal vests and packs haven’t worked because they are just too big on me. But the Ultra LR comes in multiple sizes for different torsos, and once I cinched everything up on the smallest one it fit a little gal like me perfectly. Because of its glove-like fit (two sternum straps and hex-style shoulder padding, thank you!), this vest is the ideal hydration pack for fast day hikes, trail running and ultrathons. Planning to do the North/South route of the Olympic National Park in a single day? This is your pack.

Although it’s a small detail, I like that this vest has a 1.5” strip of reflective tape in the back, near the zipper to access the bladder. It also has reflective tape on the front. This vest is going to be the perfect companion when I run my legs of the Wasatch Back this summer. It holds just enough for long distances without being bulky, the mesh keeps it so lightweight and breathable, and if you’re running in the dark you’ve got some reflective tape. This vest would be perfect for marathons, Ragnars, or just about any type of distance sport or race.

CamelBak really has thought of every detail for this vest. Some of the items in my “gear closet” come and go, but this one definitely has a permanent home!

SHOP: Click here for more CamelBak gear.

We’ve had a spectacular fall in Tahoe this year. There’s nothing better than hiking, biking, or spending the last days before winter on the Lake. After living in Tahoe for nearly 5 years I’ve learned there are a few key elements that can make or break a day hike – socks, shoes, and H2O. Below are my top picks for these key components. What gear can’t you live without this fall?

3. Smartwool Women’s PhD Outdoor Light Micro
When it comes to skiing or snowboarding Smartwool is my go to sock, so why not try on a pair for hiking. This sock makes your feet feel good. It’s the blend of a high performance fit and light cushioning that keeps you comfortable during those fall hikes. There’s even a padded achilles tab  to offer additional protection. I would recommend the PhD outdoor Light Micro for any gal hiking no more than 5 hours. Available in 3 neutral colors

MSRP: $15

Features:

• 73% Merino Wool, 25%Nylon, 2% Elastic
• 4-Degree Fit System for all-day performance fit
• WOW™ technology in high density impact zones to reduce shock and abrasion
• Merino wool inside for moisture, temperature and odor control
• Duroyarn reinforcement for added comfort and durability
• Strategic mesh zones for maximum ventilation

2. Merrell Women’s Avian Light Ventilator
Your shoes can make or break your day. For day hikes I like to grab my  Avian Light Ventilor.  On top of being lightweight  there’s mesh panels built-in for climate control which keeps feet cool and not too sweaty.  Support, lightweight and climate control what more could one ask for on a day hike. Best for spring to fall hikes. Available in four fun colors.

MSRP: $95

Features:

UPPER/LINING
• Strobel construction offers flexibility and comfort
• Waterproof nubuck leather, pig suede and mesh upper
• Mesh lining treated with Aegis® antimicrobial solution resists odor
• Bellows tongue keeps debris out
• Ortholite® anatomical footbed

MIDSOLE/OUTSOLE
• Compression molded EVA footframe for stability and comfort
• Merrell QForm® Comfort midsole provides women’s specific stride-sequenced cushioning
• Merrell air cushion in the heel absorbs shock and adds stability

1. CamelBak 2011 L.U.X.E.™
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate… I don’t leave home for a bike ride or hike without my Camelbak.  Bigger isn’t always better, look for something  that can carry sunscreen, an extra layer and don’t forget lunch. The Camel L.U.X.E. comes with a 3L reservoir which is nice for those longer day hikes. It’s nice to pick up a extra  1L or 2L reservoir to swap out for the shorter day hikes. I love stash pockets and think they should be an essential for all gear. It’s a nice feature for a multi-tool, phone, ipod or camera. Available in four colors.

Don’t forget about the CamelBak® Got Your Bak™ lifetime guarantee: “If we built it, we’ll Bak it™”

MSRP: $89

Features:

• Hydration Capacity: 100 oz (3 L)
• Total Capacity: 732 cu in (12 L)
• Antidote™ Reservoir with Quick Link™ System
• Back Panel – Air Director™
• Harness – Women’s-fit Independent Suspension
• Belt- Removable 1 in/25 mm stability

Where are you hiking this fall?

I’ve run the gamut when it comes to water bottles. First it was the original Nalgene. Then it was Nalgene’s hard-material, wide-mouth bottles. But then we learned that those bottles leach BPA chemicals into your water. No good. So I moved on to Sigg aluminum bottles, which made for icy sips but raised questions about the health of soaking your water in aluminum.

So I’ve been on the prowl for a replacement. Yes, I’m active in the outdoors —- raised as the youngest in a family of crazy brothers, I learned when I was young to love hiking and skiing and everything outdoors. And I still love slaying mountains in both summer and winter. But now I’m also a busy mom of 3 young kids. So I don’t just use my water bottles for when I’m bagging peaks anymore. Frankly, they often get some of their best testing when I’m trying to keep my soccer kids hydrated and when I’m slamming out a crack-of-dawn workout in the basement before the kids are up.

Want to know what I’ve found over the past couple of months? The CamelBak Groove is the bottle to beat, if you want to go with a plastic bottle (though Thermos and UnderArmour paired up to make a good stainless steel bottle as well, and there is a stainless version of the Groove too, if you want to go that route instead of plastic). Currently scheduled to hit retail shelves in February 2012, I think the Groove Insulated will strike a few good notes with consumers. The current non-insulated Groove (available now) is already a hit.

First of all, some of the candy colors that Nalgene made popular are back. And I love my Amethyst-colored Groove Insulated bottle. But this time, the materials used in the bottles are entirely BPA-free (thank you, CamelBak!). But CamelBak has taken things a bit further…

The Groove comes in both insulated and non-insulated versions (I have used the insulated version — the purple one in the attached photos). The insulated will keep your water cooler and reduce condensation (it’s basically a purple bottle built inside of a slightly larger clear bottle — with vacuum space in between the walls). I used my insulated Groove throughout the dog days of summer in the hot Utah afternoons, and I was very impressed. I would expect this type of chill to come out of a metal canteen, but not a plastic water bottle.

The Groove Insulated also features CamelBak’s Big Bite sipping valve, just as the original Groove does, and CamelBak claims that tests show the valve helps you hydrate with 24% more water. It is effectively the same bite valve used on CamelBak hydration packs. But this time it’s on the end of a straw that goes down to the bottom of the bottle. So here’s a tip from me: Sip, don’t tip. What I mean is, since the Big Bite is attached to a straw, you just bite the valve and sip it like a straw — you don’t tilt the bottle and drink like you would out of a glass or cup or canteen. The rubberized bite valve also folds down flat between sips and helps keep out dust and grime. There’s also a gray plastic loop on the lid to hook to a clip on your pack for easily hauling the bottle.

But the greatest part is the water filter built into the straw. It’s like having a Brita pitcher in your bottle. I can just fill my bottle up with regular potable tap water, and then as I sip it through the straw it passes through the carbon filter and removes chlorine and bad taste and odor. Ingenious!

So keep your eye on CamelBak —– they are turning out some great new innovations. The latest of which is the Groove and Groove Insulated with water filters built into the straws. Pick up the Groove now, and watch for the Groove Insulated in early 2012.

SHOP: Click here to browse more CamelBak gear.

CamelBak sets the standard for hydration while being active, and they’ve continued to crank out innovative products like new bottles for Summer 2011, including the CamelBak Podium Ice Bottle.

CamelBak Podium Ice Bottle Review

CamelBak’s Podium Bottle is the best biking bottle out there. No competition, no questions asked, they’ve got that nailed. I fell in love with it years ago (read my original review here), and have been a dedicated user ever since. The bite valve is awesome. When you’re biking, there’s no more “grab bottle with one hand, wrench open with teeth, squeeze some hydration, jam the bottle up against my hip to re-cap it, place the bottle back into its lovely little cage.” Those of you who cycle, you know exactly what I’m talking about! Instead, the Jet Valve, a pressure operated valve allows water out when you want it, and none when you done. Want to make sure nothing’s sneaking out if you toss it in a backpack or the back seat of your car? Just lock it out using the “lock” mechanism, and even if there’s pressure applied to the bottle, nothing exits.

Now, take that excellent design and combine it with technology that keeps your water cold, even in warm temps, and you’ve got the CamelBak Podium Ice. Insulated water bottles are not a new phenomenon- CamelBak has been making the Podium Chill for a few years now, which keeps your Gatorade/Water/Whatever cool for a while while you’re riding in hot temps. Now, the Podium is available in the Podium Ice, which keeps product cold for up to 4x longer than the Podium Chill.

The Good

• Really does keep fluid cold for a good long while. I’m not exact enough to tell you if it’s 4x more than the original Chill, but on a 4 hour ride in 85 degree temps, my water was nice and chilly at the end.
• Podium design rocks the house. As always.

The Bad

• $20 is spendy for a water bottle. I don’t know if I’d regularly throw down that kinda cash just to ensure cold water. Hydration is hydration to me, and I’ll drink it at any temp. Cold is nice, but I’m not sure if it’s $20 worth of nice. Perhaps ask me again after 100 miles in 100 degree heat, maybe I’ll be singing a different tune!

Bottom Line

Great for long rides in hot hot hot temps. I’ve got 3 Podiums (both Ice and regular) packed for my bike trip.

Buy Now

CamelBak Podium Ice

Are you a filtered water junkie? But feeling guilty about the massive amounts of plastic that get wasted each year, a fact that goes hand in hand with a bottled water habit? Camelbak has the solution for you. The Groove bottle has a filter integrated into the straw, so you can have one bottle that is reusable, and still get filtered freshness with each sip. The Groove is available in multiple bottle sizes, and follows the design of The Better Bottle.

Personally, I do not have a discriminate taste when it comes to water. 15 years of competitive swimming has deadened my taste buds to chlorine, so I’ll drink just about anything, pool water included. I do, however, acknowledge, that there are tiny things living in my water that make it smell funky, and it might be nice if they were gone. But I despise plastic water bottles, and have the same 3 water bottles that I’ve used for years, so I just tote those along and fill them wherever, ignoring any stench or unusual taste that came with it. Until now. Why not filter it? The Groove has made it simple enough and environmentally friendly to drink filtered water on demand.

Camelbak Groove Bottle- How does it work?

The Groove has an integrated charcoal filter within the straw, with replaceable cartridges costing around $5. The filter is inserted into the straw, and you’re good to go. Then, the Groove acts much like a smaller version of a Brita water filter- as the water goes through the straw, unwanted odors and tastes are filtered out. By the time it reaches your mouth, you’ve lost the chlorine, and most bad tastes and bad odors. The difference between the Groove and a traditional water filter is the speed. You can get water up the Groove straw at the same speed as you’d be able to with a regular straw; no waiting for filtration to take place.

An important note- this is NOT a filtration device for non-potable water. Don’t take this into the backcountry and expect it to remove bacteria and viruses commonly found in streams. Don’t take this to foreign countries and expect it to keep you from getting a gnarly case of the runs. Don’t put Gatorade in your Groove. All of these things will throw of both yours and your Groove’s groove.

The Good

• Much more eco-friendly and economical way to consume filtered water. The Groove costs $25. Bottled water costs $1.49 at the last gas station I stopped at. If you buy a bottle a day, the Groove has paid for itself in 17 days. You still get filtered water, and aren’t filling landfills with your plastic waste.

The Bad

• The newly designed flip top on the bottle has a gel/plastic covered part that makes it a bit harder to open than the original design of The Better Bottle that just contains the hard plastic. While it might feel a bit nicer, it’s harder to open.
• This particular design of bottle from CamelBak (The lid on any Better Bottle), whether Groove enabled or not, leaks if you tip it sideways. It has to do with the straw and bite valve integration. I have a few of these bottles, and if they’re left sideways for a long period of time, you’ll have a few drips. Not a flood, but enough to want to ensure you don’t leave it in the same bag as your laptop.

Bottom Line

The perfect solution for the filtered water junkie. Am I going to convert immediately and only drink filtered water. Nope. But the Groove will go into my multi-bottle lineup of reusables that I reach for as I’m heading out the door.

Buy Now

Check out the CamelBak Groove or other great CamelBak Products on Gear.com

My two feet have taken me lots of places. Up mountains, across passes, down canyons… I’ve run, skied, climbed, biked, hiked, and surfed a multitude of places. However, never have my two feet taken me 1000+ miles in one go. This summer, my boyfriend and I have opted to simplify our vacation time and lives by allowing our two feet to dictate the entire journey. No cars. No motors. No gasoline. Just our feet. 1000+ miles of biking. Hours and hours of surfing. Countless trails and hikes. This summer, we’ll be biking the Washington/Oregon coastline with our surfboards, living on our bikes and enjoying the bliss that is simplicity.

The Plan

To bike from Seattle, WA to Eureka, CA (the goal being to end up at the Lost Coast Brewery for a celebratory beverage). All in, it should be close to 1200 miles. We’ll be riding the coast the whole time, so after leaving Seattle, the plan is to head out to Neah Bay, WA, and then bike south from there. We’ll be towing a trailer holding 2 surfboards and taking a full 6 weeks to enjoy this beautiful stretch of coastline, stopping all along the way to surf and hike. No support vehicles, hotels or anything fancy. Just simple, pedal-powered fun.

Throughout the trip, I’ll have the opportunity to test out some great gear from Specialized, Mountain Hardwear, CLIF, CamelBak, Avenir Accessories, Outdoor Research and Merrell Footwear. Look for lots of reviews during and after the epic!

Got Ideas?

Been on a bike tour before? Tried to tow surfboards before? Just a casual biker? If you’ve got suggestions for my plan, feel free to let me know. Though I’m an avid road biker, I am an avid day-trip road biker. 100 miles at a time, at the most. Never have I tried to live out of panniers for a six weeks. Got some input? Ideas? Good backpacking meal recipes? Share them with me! The plan is ever-evolving, and I’m stoked for any input.

I was a little skeptical when I picked up the Camelbak Podium ChillJacket Insulated Bottle. It’s seems too simple, why haven’t companies been doing this since the beginning? Camelbak made the promises and then they delivered.

Camelbak ChillJacket Bottle Features

• Insulation to keep drinks colder longer
• JetValve: i.e. No spill lid
• Hydroguard coating to inhibit the growth of bacteria
• Price $12

Camelbak Podium ChillJacket Insulated Bottle Review

The ChillJacket looks almost like any other bike bottle. To not sound like a cheesy, feel-good person, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. The bottle is wrapped with double-walls filled with insulation, providing the insulation to keep your drinks colder longer. The tags on the bottle claim 2x as long, the Camelbak website says “hours”. I didn’t get out the thermometer or the stopwatch, but the difference is significant. Kept my water cold all day while playing at the river.

Camelbak also coated the inside of the bottle with HydroGuard. It’s a coating to inhibit the growth of bacteria. This doesn’t provide an excuse for keeping a funky bottle, you still have to wash it often.

The JetValve (no-spill lid) is awesome. Just twist the nozzle one way and the water flows smoothly. Turn it the other way and nothing will come out. I gave it the highly scientific and precise “tip upside down and squeeze hard” test and not a drop came out. This would be killer on MTB rides where it always seems your sugary, electrolyte drink always seems to seep a little making a sticky mess.

I am skeptical about how well the bottle will stay in a bike bottle cage. The indentation on the bottle doesn’t seem significant enough to keep it in place. I plan on testing it out as soon as my bikes arrive from across the country. I am also skeptical about the JetValve use one handed. If the valve was open would it really keep everything in on a bouncy cross-country ride? It’d be fairly difficult to hold onto the bottle and open with one hand while riding. I’ll probably just keep it open the whole time.

The Good

• My drink isn’t warm after sitting in the sun for 5 minutes, or even 30 minutes, or even an hour
• No spill lid keeps everything inside
• Did I mention keeping your drink cold?

The Bad

• Might not sit in a bike cage very well
• One hand opening while riding would be hard

Bottom Line on the Camelbak Podium ChillJacket Insulated Bottle

I can’t wait to be able to drink cold drinks in the middle of the sweltering summer rides. I’m definitely picking up a few more of these bottles.

Buy Now: Pick up the Camelbak Podium ChillJacket Insulated Bottle and keep your drinks cold.

I have learned that all plastic water bottles are not created equal. I’m not talkin Nalgene-type plastic bottles, but the squeezy plastic type that you’d usually bring with you on a bike ride or a run. When CamelBak asked me to test out a Podium Bottle along with their Delaney Plus running belt, I didn’t think much of it. Figured it was just another plastic squeezy bottle with a CamelBak logo on it. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

I’ve only really used that type of plastic bottle for bike rides, and I had perfected the maneuver of “grab bottle with one hand, wrench open with teeth, squeeze some hydration, jam the bottle up against my hip to re-cap it, place the bottle back into its lovely little cage.” Those of you who cycle, you know exactly what I’m talking about! I first used the Podium Bottle on a century ride when I was running out the door, and grabbed it by accident, thinking it was my usual bike bottle. 3 hours later, I was stoked to have made that mistake. The coolest feature of the Podium Bottle? You get to skip the “wrench the bottle open with your teeth” and the “jam the bottle on your hip to close it before placing it back in the bottle cage” steps! The Podium opens and closes with a valve called the Jet Valve, which operates using pressure. You squeeze the bottle, or suck on it for some water, and the valve opens, allowing water to flow freely. The instant you stop, the flow stops, and the valve is closed. No more opening and closing! I was really impressed!

So impressed, in fact, that I started carrying my Podium with me other places. First, it was just a bike bottle. Then, it came with me on all my runs (even those that I didn’t bring the Delaney on). Then, it also got tossed in my backpack for yoga classes. Next, it was living in my TimBuk2 bag, and coming everywhere with me. I’m currently commuting about 2 hrs a day to and from and internship, and I love my Podium bottle, simply for hydrating in the car. I don’t have to fiddle around with opening and closing a bottle if I want a drink while I’m driving, I just grab my Podium. Comes in handy when I jump straight off my bike and into the car for my hour long commute every morning!

CamelBak Podium Bottle

• Jet Valve allows for easy access to water, and has a lock off feature, for when you don’t want anything getting out of the bottle.
• Bottle is lined with HydroGuard, intended to prevent the growth of bacteria that give bottles that “old, stale water funk.”
• Bite valve is made of medical grade silicon, so when it’s closed, it’s closed. There’s no sneaky leaks of water or gatorade to drip out onto your frame as you’re crankin out the miles.
• Available in an insulate version called the Podium Chill, that keeps drinks cold for hours.
• Around $8.00 per bottle= relatively affordable!

Buy Now

Check it out! The CamelBak Podium Bottle

At Outdoor Retailer this week, CamelBak is introducing a new product in their wearable hydration lineup (RaceBak and VeloBak) built specifically for Winter sports needs. This time, their wearable hydration technology is built into a fleece vest that would be worn as an insulation layer. For skiers or snowshoers who want to go lightweight and not wear a backpack, this looks like a great option. Another benefit is that with it worn inside the shell, it will better prevent freezing.

These products will be available in Fall 2010 with an MSRP of $100 for the Men’s or Women’s PowderBak system.

See below for more details:

CamelBak®, the inventor of wearable hydration, is further expanding the line with an innovative new product for winter sports. PowderBak™ is a performance-oriented, full-zip mid-layer with an integrated hydration reservoir.

In designing PowderBak, CamelBak addressed the specific apparel, climate and agility requirements of winter athletes to offer the most convenient and effective hydration solution on the mountain. It’s as easy as zip and sip.

PowderBak is made with QuickFit™, CamelBak’s proprietary compression fabric that offers optimal moisture-wicking and quick-drying capabilities in a lightweight, breathable material. It also features HydroPouch™, an innovative compartment that comfortably supports and stabilizes a baffled, low-profile 72 ounce reservoir in a mid-layer that is lift friendly and utilizes core body temperature to help prevent freezing.

“The combination of cold weather, altitude and a day on the mountain is a quick recipe for dehydration, and it’s not always easy to get a quick drink during the day” said Jon Austen, Director of Product Management for CamelBak. “We developed PowderBak to make it both easy and comfortable to stay hydrated for several hours, so you can trade water breaks for a few extra runs.”

More Info: Visit CamelBak.com

As the weather cools back down in Salt Lake City, I’ve been trying to get out and run more. When it’s in the mid nineties, I am less inclined to go on a 3 hour run, and the dog is not psyched at all about running in that kind of heat. However, now that it’s cooler, I’ve had the chance to get out a few times a week for some longer runs, and used my CamelBak Delaney Plus Bottle Belt each time.

Not going to lie, when the CamelBak Rep first showed me the belt at the Outdoor Retailer Show, I  was a bit skeptical. In my mind, it was a glorified fanny pack. I felt like I needed leg warmers, a scrunchie and an oversized sweatshirt to wear it with. However, CamelBak really does seem to know what they’re doing when it comes to hydration, so I figured I would give it a shot.

After a few short runs and several longer ones, I’m sold. The Delaney Plus is perfect for those runs when you need water and a small snack but nothing else. The belt is so well designed that you forget it’s there until you need to pound that Gu and chase it with some H20.

Sweet Features of the Delaney Plus

• 2 pockets allow for enough space for a hat, gloves, and a few Clif Bars and your keys. one thing to beware of- one of the pockets is mesh, so don’t toss anything that is super sensitive to water in that one. I went out last week for a run in the snow, and came back with a soaked cell phone. Whoops.
• Breathable mesh backing allows for maximum ventilation against your skin as you run.
• Dual strap adjustment lets you truly customize the fit, and buckles sit in unobtrusive places near your hips.
• Elastic bungee on outside of bottle holder allows you to cinch the bottle down, and you can also toss a lightweight jacket into the cords if you chose to shed a layer when you’re crankin’ out that uphill section.
• Comes with a squeezable CamelBak Podium Bottle

Buy Now: Search for CamelBak Products