CamelBak | Evolving Consumer

CamelBak Pitches It

CamelBak has entered the filtered-water pitcher market with the CamelBak Relay, which featured a Double Filter Technology system that filters water twice – once as the pitcher is filled and again as water is poured. CamelBak says that this means the pitcher filters water 10 times faster than the leading competitor.

The filter lasts four months with regular usage and removes 97 percent of chlorine, taste and odor. The pitcher holds 10 cups of water and fits in most refrigerator doors, while a pair of side-locking latches keeps the lid in place and ensures spill-proof pouring.

CamelBak Official Website

Weekend Reading List (03.15.2014): Park Run, Camel Down, Samsung Gets Moving

Park Run

From Runner’s World: When Can I Run In The Park?
When Peter Shankman was cited by the New York City police for breaking curfew by running in Central Park at 4:27 a.m. on a Thursday in late February, it was an eye opener: So Central Park has operating hours? And, in a city known for banning trans fat and trying to limit soda sizes, they’re actually enforced against a grown man jogging for recreation? Yes and yes. Anyone who enters Central Park between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. runs the risk of being issued a citation for “unlawfully in park after hours,” as this offense, PRR 1-03(a), is officially called. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (03.15.2014): Park Run, Camel Down, Samsung Gets Moving

CamelBak Releases High-Flow Chute

Refillable water bottles have become quite the accessory whether you’re taking one on a workout, a hike or even just a long shopping expedition. CamelBak makes a number of rigid bottles, but one recurring complaint is that to get the water, you have to bite down on a nozzle and then draw the water from a straw. CamelBak has just released Chute, a high-flow bottle that is made with the same durable, rugged body of the existing line, but with a high-flow opening that pours water. Continue reading CamelBak Releases High-Flow Chute

CamelBak Revenue Declines

The cooler than normal weather this year has affected CamelBak’s bottom line, while military downsiding is also causing isn’t revenue to decline.

“The weather is never something I’d like to have to point to when commenting on a business performance but it’s just a reality in this case,” said Elias J. Sabo, a founding partner of Compass Group Management. “It was cold and wet in many parts of country; that was a headwind that is hard to do anything about. The company did everything it could to position it with good products in the marketplace and continued innovation.”

Compass bought CamelBak in 2011.

While CamelBak completed a large order for the U.S. Marines in the first quarter this year, historically most of its military sales are to individual soldiers through base retail operations.

CamelBak Official Website
[Via BRAIN: CamelBak revenue decline blamed on weather and military drawdown]

Camelbak Makes Water All Clear

UV light is a common method for purifying water, but there aren’t too many portable options. One is the SteriPen, a device you dip into a glass of water. But Camelbak has a new option, the All Clear bottle. All Clear is a 0.75 liter water bottle with a UV light built into the cap. Once filled, the light operates for 60-seconds to sterilize the water.

Continue reading Camelbak Makes Water All Clear

Do you Have a Drinking Problem?

When you are out riding your bike, hiking or engaging in any other outdoor activity do you use a hydration backpack to carry your water with you? Have you ever gotten back from an activity and found that your pack was full of water, but you were dehydrated since you did not drink enough?

Or worse, you ran out of water miles from home since you did not know how much was left in your pack and you did not ration your water accordingly? The Flow Meter from CamelBak might be the drinking aid for you.

(Video after the jump)

Continue reading Do you Have a Drinking Problem?

Hydromax – The End of the Water Boy?

We may soon mark the end of the end of the era in football. Over the years there have been many changes to the game, the introduction of helmets and pads, the change of the grid field and even rules in scoring. But soon, the once proud water boy maybe out of a job thanks to a new wearable water supply system.

In truth, this could actually solve an increasingly worrisome problem. Dehydration remains an issue for many players, especially in southern states and on those sunny and warm fall days. The Hydromax system could just be the key to keeping athletes hydrated for those times when water remains on the sidelines – so close and yet so very far away. Continue reading Hydromax – The End of the Water Boy?

Hands On: CamelBak Groove Puts Filtration in the Bottle

Before a ride, run or other outdoor activity, I often fill a bottle or two with water from my filter at home then set out on the road. If I need a refill I either buy a bottle of water, defeating the purpose of bringing bottles, or fill from the tap and don’t always appreciate the taste.

CamelBak has taken its Better Bottle design and added an internal filter to create the Groove. This bottle is made of CamelBak’s BPA-free Tritan plastic, and also available in stainless steel. The Groove uses the CamelBak Big Bite Valve where you bite down on a silicon seal and sip from the straw inside. It doesn’t let water out if the bottle falls or is left on its side. The filter is a cylinder of charchoal that’s placed in the straw. Continue reading Hands On: CamelBak Groove Puts Filtration in the Bottle

CamelBak Launches Into Orbit

Back in the 1970s the drink mix Tang was advertised as being “what the astronauts drink,” which somehow meant it was better. Why an orange drink mix would be better because it was consumed by astronauts remains a bit confusing. And we’re still not sure how the powder was mixed with water in zero gravity, or why powder would be ideal over a liquid drink in the first place – after all the water still has to make the trip (we hope they mixed it with water anyway).

The idea that it was used by astronauts remains intriguing however. But what is even more impressive is a product that is so good on Terra Firma that it can head to outer space. Enter the CamelBak Big Bite Valve, which has been integrated into the NASA spacesuit because it was easy to use, self sealing and of course could stand up to extreme conditions. No one needs liquid floating around in zero gravity. And while the astronauts have special suits, the valve system for the drinking system is actually the same one found on each and every CamelBak water bottle and hydration pack.

Sound won’t travel in a vacuum we know, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t get thirsty while in high orbit. So if you plan to take a trip up beyond the heavens he Big Bite Valve will let you can take a sip of a cool drink under the stars.

CamelBak Lab Official Website

Fitness Journal: Water, Water (Bottles) Everwhere – Here’s on Hands On Test Recap

Over the past month we rode, we drank, we tested. We tried out many water bottles and wrote up the findings. Here is a recap of Brian O’Connor’s hands on tests of this year’s water bottles:

Nalgene ATB Bottle with Black Closure
The 32 oz version didn’t fit many cages, but the wide neck opening of the bottles made dropping in an ice cube no problem at all. Read the full review.

Specialized Purist
No bad taste, just pure water with this bottle, which mostly rinses clean. Read the full review.

BioGreen ProX
Want to use the same water bottle in a century? Most of the time you can, as the bottles aren’t so biodegradable – but the BioGreenX is made from 20 percent post industrial recycled plastic and should biodegrade in just two years. Read the full review.

Hydrapak Gel-Bot
Like a burst of energy with some gels? The Hydrapak can supply water and gel from one bottle. Read the full review.

Polar Insulated Bottle
On a hot summer ride nothing is better than a cool drink. Too bad most bottles let the liquid heat up to a temperature resembling bath water. Not the Polar Insulated Bottle. Read the full review.

Clean Bottle
Getting a bottle clean can sometimes be no easy task. Wouldn’t be easier if both the top and bottom came off? Oh wait, with the Clean Bottle they do! Read the full review.

CamelBak Podium Bottles
Ready to make a dash for the finish line. The CamelBak Podium Bottle might just have you on the podium. Read the full review.

Nalgene Bottles
Are you tired of the same old bottles? If so consider the variety offered by the Nalgene Bottles that are made from Tritan plastic. Read the full review.

Hands On: CamelBak Podium Bottles

KineticShift.com continues our hands on test of water bottles.

Time for another dash to the finish line, and this one might just be the water bottle to help you on the long ride to the podium and beyond. And we hear it’s good for the casual group ride too.

CamelBak Podium Description: Step up to the Podium. The New CamelBak Podium Bottle incorporates Jet Valve, a revolutionary self-sealing valve into a taste-free bottle with a high flow rate.

CamelBak is the official hydration sponsor of Team Garmin-Transitions, and proud to support the team’s 100% Clean initiative for untainted sports performance.

Bottle Sizes: 21oz and 24oz
Plastic: Polypropylene
Country of Manufacture: China
Retail Price: $8 (21oz) and $9 (24oz)

Continue reading Hands On: CamelBak Podium Bottles

Hands On: CamelBak Chill and Ice Insulated Bottles

KineticShift.com continues our hands on test of water bottles.

The company that invented the backpack with a water bladder built-in has some new offerings in the water bottle category too.

CamelBak Chill Description: The CamelBak Podium Chill Bottle is a soft, lightweight, easy-to-use insulated bottle. Keeps beverages cool for hours. Perfect for cyclists, runners, and other outdoor athletes. With great thermal performance and innovative features, the Podium Chill Bottle sets a new standard for insulated bottles.

CamelBak is the official hydration sponsor of Team Garmin-Transitions, and proud to support the team’s 100% Clean initiative for untainted sports performance.

CamelBak Ice Description: The ultimate insulated bike bottle, the CamelBak Podium Ice bottle keeps water cold four times longer, to maximize your performance and keep you focused on your ride.

Bottle Sizes: 21oz
Plastic: Polypropylene
Country of Manufacture: China
Retail Price: $12 (Chill) and $20 (Ice) Continue reading Hands On: CamelBak Chill and Ice Insulated Bottles

Carry a Reservoir on Your Back

Dehydration on the trail is not an option. One, maybe two bottles tucked into cages on your bike only supply so much fluid. A backpack hydration system such as the Osprey Packs Hydraulics line Raptor Series gives you 2- and 3-liters of H20. The Raptor Series is focused on mountain biking and trail running, giving you a few pockets to stash gear in a streamlined design. Osprey puts a great deal of design into its pack.

Start with the water reservoir. Three of the four Raptor styles come with 3-liter reservoirs; the streamlined Raptor 6 has a 2-liter capacity. The reservoir is built with a plate that aligns with the contours of your back so the water doesn’t barrel. You won’t feel the shape of water as it all buckles at the bottom of the tank while you ride. The framework of the straps are constructed by perforated molded foam to create a lightweight and flexible support. The same foam is ridge molded to create a ventilated back panel. Lightweight webbing adds reinforcement surrounds both the straps and back panel. The A LidLock helmet clip straps through the vent holes on your helmet — when you’re off the bike — so the two stay together and ready to pick up and go. The bite valve rotates to an open and closed (no leak) position, and has a magnet so the sip portion stays in a handy location on your sternum strap instead of flying around with every bump on the trail.

Features are too many to go into. Research, trials, and serious evaluation went into the development of the Raptor Series hydration packs. Every pocket, strap, and tab is built for a specific need while the unnecessary bits of a backpack were left out to keep the pack lightweight and streamlined for a more enjoyable ride.

Osprey Raptor Series ($79 to $119)