Which hydration bladder for F-Stop Ajna

ecoleman

ecoleman

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Elliott
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So, after 4 days of hunting high and low, I've managed to track down an F-Stop Ajna and Large Slope ICU in stock in the UK and it should be arriving in the next few days.

My question is for those that already have this backpack and the question is what hydration bladder should I get?
I've never had a pack with hydration before so it's completely new to me.
 
I've just bought a generic 2l jobby form the dreaded online auction site, £4 delivered for my Sukha, no brainier..
 
Cheffievrs said:
Why would it be more likely to burst more than others.?
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Cheaper, thinner materials maybe. Most cheap Chinese products are produced with little regard to the product actually working for very long.

They may be fine if you are just carrying clothes etc. The worst that can happen is you have wet trousers.

Am I going to try one with £5k worth of camera equipment in the same bag. Hell no.
 
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Doesn't your hydration pack have separate compartments for bladder & kit? If you were really concerned about bursting/leakage then coul could double-bag the bladder in its own compartment to protect the content of your pack.

FWIW bladders generally tend to be tough. I once went over the bars on a long ride and was then promptly soaked from my camelback - not the bladder leaking, but a can of energy drink bursting instead.
 
ancient_mariner said:
Doesn't your hydration pack have separate compartments for bladder & kit? If you were really concerned about bursting/leakage then coul could double-bag the bladder in its own compartment to protect the content of your pack.

FWIW bladders generally tend to be tough. I once went over the bars on a long ride and was then promptly soaked from my camelback - not the bladder leaking, but a can of energy drink bursting instead.
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I haven't received the pack yet but from what I can see there is a pocket for the hydration bladder inside the main body of the bag. I'm sure a decent bladder is made from pretty strong stuff and designed not to burst or leak, but can I trust a cheap £4 bladder sold on eBay to be made from the same strong, quality materials? Maybe it is, but for the sake of an extra £10-£15 I'd rather not be the one to find out.
 
No way would I trust my water supply to a 4 quid Chinese bladder, sod the gear getting wet, dehydration and death are more of a concern.

Some places like the arid parts of the US south-west require a full bladder being left for the return hike therefore something tried and trusted is required
 
tijuana taxi said:
No way would I trust my water supply to a 4 quid Chinese bladder, sod the gear getting wet, dehydration and death are more of a concern.

Some places like the arid parts of the US south-west require a full bladder being left for the return hike therefore something tried and trusted is required
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:LOL::ROFLMAO::tumbleweed: I don't think I have to worry about death and dehydration whilst walking the hills of Wales. An 8 mile hike for me is pushing the limits ;)
 
ecoleman said:
:LOL::ROFLMAO::tumbleweed: I don't think I have to worry about death and dehydration whilst walking the hills of Wales. An 8 mile hike for me is pushing the limits ;)
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Probably right there, bit thirsty is nearer the mark I suspect :)

On a more serious note its surprising just how much water we should try to drink, nowhere near enough is what we manage in general.

Despite common belief very cold water is actually better for the body on very hot days, lowers body temperature quicker

Good cleaning stuff is the powder for cleaning and sterilising home brew gear, recently got some from Wilko http://www.wilko.com/homebrew-accessories+equipment/wilko-cleaner-and-steriliser-100g/invt/0022658
 
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ancient_mariner said:
Doesn't your hydration pack have separate compartments for bladder & kit? If you were really concerned about bursting/leakage then coul could double-bag the bladder in its own compartment to protect the content of your pack.

FWIW bladders generally tend to be tough. I once went over the bars on a long ride and was then promptly soaked from my camelback - not the bladder leaking, but a can of energy drink bursting instead.
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The hydration bladders sit in a pouch/sleeve in the main compartment where the ICU fits. This pouch/sleeve can be used for storing a laptop. I've never liked the idea of using a hydration bladder inside the main compartment next to the ICU, especially as the ICU lies on top on the hydration bladder when you lie the bag down to get the camera kit out of the back panel. You basically sandwich the hydration bladder between the ICU and the ground with all the weight of the camera kit inside the ICU pressing on the bladder. The new f stop bag do have side pockets where I would be happier putting the hydration bladder.The tilopa BC I have has a front pocket with a drain hole that would be a better location than inside the main compartment. if it bursts it drains straight outside the bag, the only problem is there is no securing points for the tube from this position.
 
For the interest of transparency, my bladder turned up today, (not from China..!) Seems ok, No leaks.. And for £4 if it's no good, it will just go in the bin and I'll resort to using bottles again.
 
Cheffievrs said:
For the interest of transparency, my bladder turned up today, (not from China..!) Seems ok, No leaks.. And for £4 if it's no good, it will just go in the bin and I'll resort to using bottles again.
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I hope its works okay for you, but a failure of the product with a bag full of camera equipment isn't just a loss of £4.

As I said above, if I was just carrying around a bag of clothes I'd happily try one. I'm not one to pass on a bargain. I'm just not prepared to risk it with a bag full of very expensive kit.
 
I've used hydrapak for years with no drama. Full width opening- so they're relatively easy to clean and dry. Only criticism is the bite valves- which i find slightly dribbly when open and a little too hard to close- so I normally replace them with a cheap chinese job:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Replaceme...551631?hash=item3abf3d09cf:g:qssAAOSwvgdW4oyk

The last one I bought was the 'military' type one with an insulated hose- cheaper than the bog standard 'non-tactical' one last i checked:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301991167348
 
I use a Camelbak bladder with my FStop Guru, I also use the FStop bladder sleeve, I'm not sure if they still do this/incorporate it into the newer packs.

I've come off my mountain bike and the bladder/cameras/bag have surived the fall intact.
 
kellett said:
Did you get a bladder in the end Elliot?
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Yes, I ordered the one in post 4. I liked the idea of it being low profile with the middle zip lock and the fact you can turn it inside out for cleaning.

It only arrived yesterday afternoon and to be honest it's still in the box.

Did you manage to get a large ICU?
 
You will have to let me know how you get on, yes they had a few in stock just awaiting arrival. The bag turned up yesterday very impressed look forward to abusing it over the next few months.
 
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