Camelpack/similiar thing for a small torso'd woman

NyxValentine · Post by **NyxValentine** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 12:25 pm

Last year, I took my boyfriends Camelpak with me. He's a lot bigger than I am through the chest, so I ended up not wearing it, because it was so damn uncomfortable.

So, my hope for this year is to find a water carrying backpack device type thing that will fit a very short torso'd female with wide shoulders, a narrow waist, and back problems. And be comfortable. Thoughts? Suggestions? Specific product recommendations or just general input, either way...

gaminwench · Post by **gaminwench** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 2:59 pm

Camelbak has both a women's 1.5 liter feminine shaped, and also children's shapes, I've had excellent luck with both...

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 3:50 pm

Is it true that smaller people drink less water ?

NyxValentine · Post by **NyxValentine** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 4:08 pm

I dunno....I'm on my 3rd? 4th? 24oz bottle of water for today....

I'll probably check out the kids size ones. Maybe they'll fit better!

justfred · Post by **justfred** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 5:23 pm

oneeyeddick wrote:Is it true that smaller people drink less water ?

Don't know; I know that if you squeeze them hard enough, less water comes out.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 6:19 pm

You might go to a store and try some on. Most serious camping stores will have weights you can test with.

But maybe you don't like camelbacks. I know they are the gold standard around here, but to be honest for me: meh. Much easier were the two stainless steel bottles I carried around last year. And I'm sure the plastic in the bladders is the soft stuff that leeches proto-estrogens into the water. I don't actually care what works for you; I do hate that the board ends up promoting a monolithic idea of what works.

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 6:42 pm

I am with you on that one, bottles are just as easy in a backpack, if even that is necessary.

I just don't need a feeder tube for my water.

I have been thinking about getting one of those man-purse thingys that all the meterosexuals
are sporting these days, but only if I can find one with a big cool Skull embroidered on it already...that would be killer !!

NyxValentine · Post by **NyxValentine** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 7:38 pm

I'm with you on the not sticking with a Camelpak thing - more than open to other ideas! I did the carry a water bottle thing last year, and it worked, I'm just anti things in my hands :D (picky picky, I know). I think I need to find a canteen maybe that will hold enough water for me, or a belt I could put water bottles in...

Hmmm...I like the belt thought...then I would have pockets!

gaminwench · Post by **gaminwench** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 7:54 pm

In my avatar, I'm wearing my playa belt/pouch with rings for carabiners,which attach the water bottle, and whatever else, to you...options are always good!

Coastburner · Post by **Coastburner** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:25 pm

I got a fanny pack camel back from REI about 5 years ago for my first burn and it's been great every year since. It doesn't hold as much water but it's always got me there and back during the day and night. It's a little heavy when you first put it on but it hangs on your waist so I don't notice it as much as a full CamelBack water backpack.

I can't wait to go this year. I hope it keeps raining so we can ride our bikes at night again.

Coastburner

NyxValentine · Post by **NyxValentine** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:52 pm

Coastburner wrote:I got a fanny pack camel back from REI about 5 years ago for my first burn and it's been great every year since. It doesn't hold as much water but it's always got me there and back during the day and night. It's a little heavy when you first put it on but it hangs on your waist so I don't notice it as much as a full CamelBack water backpack.

I can't wait to go this year. I hope it keeps raining so we can ride our bikes at night again.

Coastburner

I was just in Half Moon Bay last weekend :) Hi to another local :)

Strangely, don't mind stuff around my waist. Doesn't bug my back that way, so I can deal with it.

I'm all bouncedy, and want to be on the Playa nooow!

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 12:14 am

You will be walking around with platformed shoes, right now.

Coastburner · Post by **Coastburner** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 12:45 am

Hey there local -- I've been on the coast for over 10 years. I love it.
I'm so ready to have Playa dust between my toes. I can't wait.

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:22 am

theCryptofishist wrote:You might go to a store and try some on. Most serious camping stores will have weights you can test with.

But maybe you don't like camelbacks. I know they are the gold standard around here, but to be honest for me: meh. Much easier were the two stainless steel bottles I carried around last year. And I'm sure the plastic in the bladders is the soft stuff that leeches proto-estrogens into the water. I don't actually care what works for you; I do hate that the board ends up promoting a monolithic idea of what works.

Maybe this is another option?

NyxValentine · Post by **NyxValentine** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:25 am

Sail Man wrote: Maybe this is another option?

:P

Muhahaha... I could fill one side with beer, and the other with water, and make the water tubes glowy for at night. This sounds like an entertaining project, if nothing else...

penguin · Post by **penguin** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 4:56 pm

Since you asked for ideas

This just struck me... depending on what exactly bothers your back, etc. you could always get one of those baby snuggly carriers (that you wear on your chest) and stick the bladder in it and have a camel front sort of thingie, of course that might make for wet hugs or something

just an idea!

Post by **mdmf007** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:57 pm

I was just thinking that - you can put the bladders in whatever pack you find comfortable, the hoses, and nipples are sold at REI type stores. Target and WalMart sell versions of the bladders as well.

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 1:37 pm

My recommendations from small to large

http://www.lapolicegear.com/blhysihypo.html
http://www.lapolicegear.com/capa50oz.html
http://www.lapolicegear.com/cawaabbl.html
http://www.lapolicegear.com/caam100oz.html
http://www.lapolicegear.com/blhyba10hysy.html
http://www.lapolicegear.com/cade5tahyve.html
http://www.lapolicegear.com/casi200ozhyp.html

If you go the water bottle route make sure you use BPA free Nalgene to avoid what Crypto mentioned. Most hydration gear is now made with decent stuff due to the aformentioned gene alterations from chemicals released etc etc. Some of the cheaper shit can really fuck ya up though, especially in the higher temps.

NyxValentine · Post by **NyxValentine** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 1:43 pm

Thanks for the recommendations! The watermaster one looks like it'd be a good shape for me... The ambush is what I was carrying last year, and it was just too much, but I'll have to go try the other one one. And the first one, the side carrying would be great too..

Cassidy · Post by **Cassidy** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 5:18 pm

mdmf007 wrote:... comfortable, the hoses, and nipples are sold at REI type stores.

hm. I guess I'll be using my REI gift card after all.

P.S. I used a kid's camelpak the last two years for the same reason (being small and all that). It worked fine as far as fit, but it didn't really provide enough water for me so I had to carry an extra bottle of water in it on those across-playa treks.

NyxValentine · Post by **NyxValentine** » Fri Mar 27, 2009 5:20 pm

Cassidy wrote:P.S. I used a kid's camelpak the last two years for the same reason (being small and all that). It worked fine as far as fit, but it didn't really provide enough water for me so I had to carry an extra bottle of water in it on those across-playa treks.

*sigh* That is a problem with the smaller ones - I drink a lot of water anyways, and even more out there.... I guess I could carry an extra though.

RedheadBarbie · Post by **RedheadBarbie** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 10:38 am

You can use water bottles and get the car sunscreens from the dollar store. The ones made of thin foam with tinfoil on one side. I sewed a simple carry pouch with a long strap and lined it with the sunscreen. Easy and keeps the water cool. I never leave the house without one now. Can do errands and leave it in the car in the Texas heat.

Elorrum · Post by **Elorrum** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 5:57 pm

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,167 ... tbelt.html

UPS delivered this today, I got it with one of STP's online coupons for 11 bucks. I wanted to try something other than over the shoulder. Last year I had a nalgene on a clip and a shoulder strap which was a pain after a while, always having to hold my arm sort of stiff to keep it from flapping about, and my neck got sore. then I used my daypack, but getting it off, opening the bottle etc was a bit of a hassle. This waistbelt pack has big pockets, a one liter bottle easily fits in any of them. I thought I'd try a platypus bottle wrapped in reflectix with a drinking tube perhaps. It's different than a lumbar pack, and it feels like having the pockets part of a jacket without the jacket. I'm gong to sew some velcro on the side pockets because they are just open at the top,

Â¡Niers! · Post by **Â¡Niers!** » Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:14 pm

Do you know how to sew? I find sewing very simple and soothing. I say, if you have Camelback...just cut it 6 or 12 times to shorten, and tuck....you just might have one that fits you perfectly.
Try it.
Though, I just carry a bottle of water that can double as a drink glass.
Never know when you need a drink, right?

Camelpack/similiar thing for a small torso'd woman

Camelpack/similiar thing for a small torso'd woman

Camel Back for your waist

Re: Camel Back for your waist

You can get ANYTHING there!!!

Re: You can get ANYTHING there!!!