Ultimate hydration pack suggestions? What do you use?

[PonoBill]

If you want a quick and pretty solid 3L two fluid solution, the Camelback Baja carries 2L in the lumbar section which is a comfortable load. You could put a 1L (or more) bladder in the copious back pocket. If you drink that first you'd move the weight distribution down, but I think it would be pretty comfortable anyway. More comfortable than a big 3.0L bladder on your back.

Now the trick is to find a Baja. I don't think they make them anymore but you might find one remaindered somewhere. I bought three when I heard they were cancelled.

[starman]

I'd look for a way to store some of that hydration on the deck of the board. My concern would be the added weight on your back would just add more stress on the leg muscles over a long distance. Granted the approx 6 1/2 lbs is decreasing as it's being consumed but it does affect the workload on the legs as you are always balancing and working those muscles.

Good luck with the crossing and I hope you have a great result!

[yugi]

Personally, I’m not too worried about the weight of 3L on my back. I Mtn Bike and ski tour. Both always with backpack with safety gear, tools, extra layers, food and water. I’m a weight weenie and take the very lightest of everything and pack minimally but still the packs are quickly 5-10 kg. I’d feel weird if I didn’t have one on. Both sports are heavy on the legs, both up and down. So, personally, 3L carry is peanuts. Not to worry.

I’ve got both back and waist packs. Tend to use backpack for DWs, waist for everyday. Backpack for DWs mostly for easy camera access but I do enjoy the freedom at the hips for swimming and clambering back on the board. One is definitely slicker through the water. Quicker is safer. Even if my daily waist pack is pretty out of the way for highly active like a race have a slight preference for the backpack to be freer at the waist.

As always. Best get used to race loads in practice.

Guessing nobody is putting stuff on the board on a good DW.

[burchas]

I use the Divide with my Vaikobi PFD on a regular basis. I got used to the weight and it's no longer an issue.
I was also looking for a lightweight hydration pack for competition usage and I found this one:

http://www.eogear.com/index.php/sup-bags-packs/eohydration/eohydration-kits/2500.html

Haven't got around to it yet, but thought I'd to put it out there in case that fits the bill.

This is a modular system that have an option for a large bladder like the 3 litter and could be used
with a Chest Module if needed.

[blueplanetsurf]

Thanks for the suggestion Yugi, I ordered the EO pack with chest module, like in the attached photo, looks good.  I also ordered the Mountain Hardware Fluid Race vest last night, so I'll have options, I need to be able to switch out packs anyway.   Carrying a lot of weight sucks but so does having to stop often to get stuff from the escort board or to stop paddling to get stuff from the back of the pack.  I find it's almost impossible to catch up after even just a short stop, so this year I'm planning to stop as little as possible.
I'll keep you posted on how it works out.

[JakeSupNC]

I dug out my Camelback Baja and still don't like it. It's in really good shape, if anybody wants a good deal on a used one shoot me a pm.

Also, performance bike is having a camelback clearance plus 20% off. Some pretty good deals happening.

[blueplanetsurf]

I have a new favorite hydration pack, the EO Gear pack with the front pouch worked great, very comfortable and it had all the features I wanted, thank you burchas for the tip, standupzone came through again.  This is a photo of me wearing it at the M2O finish.

[burchas]

I have a new favorite hydration pack, the EO Gear pack with the front pouch worked great, very comfortable and it had all the features I wanted, thank you burchas for the tip, standupzone came through again.  This is a photo of me wearing it at the M2O finish.

Congrats on the M2O!  I'm glad it worked for you. Was it enough for the entire race. What did you put in your divide bladder?

[Ichabod Spoonbill]

That EO System is pretty cool. I like my Molokai for the fit, but the lack of pockets is a drag!

That chest pocket is really cool. One of the problems I have with keeping my phone on my back is that my iPhone is hard to hear in the waterproof case. If it were right on my chest, that would be a lot easier to hear.

[blueplanetsurf]

I have a new favorite hydration pack, the EO Gear pack with the front pouch worked great, very comfortable and it had all the features I wanted, thank you burchas for the tip, standupzone came through again.  This is a photo of me wearing it at the M2O finish.

Congrats on the M2O!  I'm glad it worked for you. Was it enough for the entire race. What did you put in your divide bladder?

I received the divide bladder a day after the race, so could not use it, they ship out of Israel, so it took a long time.  The front pocket is great for nutrition without stopping.   I just had water with electrolytes in the bladder.

[blueplanetsurf]

This is an old post but I really like the divide reservoir, it allows me to have both water and an energy mix in the same bladder.  They are having a 20% off holiday sale going on, use code: COLD17 when checking out. 
I have no affiliation with them, just like the product and highly recommend it for long distance racing:

https://sourceoutdoor.com/en/source-reservoirs/149-divide-hydration-system

[PonoBill]

I bought the last two Camelbak Bajas I could find on the web. Front and belt pockets, big rear carry volume, a big bladder that's low on the waist and shoulder straps. Best pack I've found by far, but they are no more.

[Eagle]

Used to always strap a hydration pack on.  But for the past while just push on without.  Seems that if out for an hour or so -> am ok.  However if out for more than that find that drinking some water helps with any symptoms of dehydration.  Could be that temps here in Van are typically pretty cool.  Not blistering hot like Mex or PC.

For me a small pack which is hardly noticeable is much better -> whereas a big one is good if out for long durations.  Generally for a quick outing just hydrating before and after seems ok with no ill effects.  Was getting to be a pain always cleaning and drying out the system after each use.  Is amazing how quickly nasty grows in the bladder and hose and especially nooks and corners of the bite valve.  With just plain water.  Yum yum.  So basically always clean and dry out.

http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/45/14/1149

https://www.camelbak.com/en/customer-service/help-center/care-cleaning/product-cleaning/how-to-clean-reservoir

[Lake Paddler]

This is an old post but I decided not to start a new one in the hope that the original one gets updated so that it can evolve into a community wiki.

I own a Dakine hydration backpack with a 2L reservoir from HydraPak (fixed hose). So far I have used it for about 10 SUP sessions and discovered some drawbacks. Now water drops leak from the mouthpiece where a tiny crack is visible. So I started looking for a new lightweight backpack which has a 2L or 3L reservoir with a more durable mouthpiece and enough room for a smartphone. Unfortunately some of the models from two years ago like the Camelbak Baja which has been mentioned a lot in this post are no longer available. After reading it up in the Zone and producers' websites I have my eye on two models:

• Source DUNE X-Fit
  https://sourceoutdoor.com/en/running-packs/90-dune-running-hydration-pack#/pack_color-black/reservoir_volume-2l_70oz_widepac_lp
  
• Camelbak Octane XCT (as suggested by Area 10)
  https://international.camelbak.com/en/packs/run/R01050--Octane_XCT?color=3db3ab97f362493cb8b4e619a1848116
  

Has any Zoner had any experience with hydration backpacks from Source? Which backpacks do you currently use for distance paddling (≧10km)?

[yugi]

I wouldn’t use a style like the DUNE X-Fit. When getting on and off your board you don’t want any thickness between any area where your thigh will press against your body.

I’m guessing the CamelBak’s Octane thick side pockets remain on the side of your waist and don’t get in the way. But I’m also guessing the side pockets are difficult to access. I prefer the Dart.

What do you need to access in such a hurry you can’t store it in the pack? When DWing I use a camelbak with large chest strap pockets where I stash my pocket camera for quick access. Like the CamelBak Chase.

Can’t you just replace your current mouthpiece? Or even score a new bladder with new mouthpiece?

Take a look at footage of SUP races and see what racers use. That’ll give you a fair indication of  what works. High small backpack style or waist style are the most common.

If you race over 10km hydration is a good idea. For shorter not necessary. For training and fun outings I have two lash down points and a bungie strung between where I can stash a simple pint size coke bottle (or similar). If you travel along shore with water on tap available these are the simplest to refill. For  huge outings a 1.5 L plastic bottle.

Stay simple and light.