Three liters of water flow through big bore tubing to get you hydrated when you need it; the Hydrapak new surge bite valve (mouthpiece) gets the water to you and keeps the water in the tube when you don’t.

2010 marks Hydrapack’s tenth year serving, focusing, and delivering top hydration systems to the cycling industry. But if a piece of gear is worthy of serious cyclists, by all means it’s going to work when you’re on your feet.

Morro is not only a great choice for single-track mountain bikers, but it’s ideal for those 10 mile day hikes and trail runs where you need just enough storage for your wind parka, a fresh pair of socks, and some nutrition to keep your energy up. Check out the full 2010 Hydrapak lineup of hydration and pack systems at Hydrapak dot Com.  

Specifications:

• Capacity: 800 cubic inches (13.1 Liters)
• Volume: 100oz water bladder (2.96 Liters)
• Drink hose: Big Bore
• MSRP: $110

With the Nomad LED Compass Watch you get many design and construction elements only found in more expensive timepieces. Things like a mineral crystal that resists scratching, and specialized Swiss-quartz movement housed in a brushed stainless steel, 43-millimeter diameter, case that’s water resistant to 100 meters. A water resistance rating of 100 meters or 330 feet indicates you can leave the Nomad on when you surf, kayak, snorkel, or trudge to your destination in a monsoon downpour.

A traditional buckle clasp fastener on a silicon wrist strap keeps the watch on your wrist where you can keep your eye on the day, date, and direction of your travel. The compass function is digital, so it confirms direction of travel with your hand-held compass, or can be used as a primary compass.

Large numerals and hour/minute/second hands on the black watch face are illuminated in low-light conditions for easy reading. The suggested retail price for this sturdy timepiece is $375.00 U.S. For more information of the Wenger line of watches, go to: www.wengerna.com

So if we can safely consume our own tap water from our own sources, then we need to look at what kind of container is reusable and not potentially detrimental to our health. The following is one alternative water container type that uses BPA-free Tritan™ plastic and stainless steel in the new CamelBak Better Bottle products involved in a study at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

Taken at face value (there’s a slight sense of bias towards the new product)  – the study does open the doors to the potential for consumers to break away from the costly ruse of paying premium prices for bottled water that comes straight from the tap at the back of the warehouse.

This study conducted at Pepperdine University revealed that participants drank up to 24 percent more water with CamelBak reusable water bottles than with other reusable and disposable bottles tested. Dr. Holden MacRae, professor of sports medicine at Pepperdine University, conducted the first-of-its-kind study to test the effects of water bottle design on personal fluid consumption.

More study subjects preferred the CamelBak Better Bottle, saying it was easier to use, easier to drink from, didn’t spill even when open, and that the bottle’s Big Bite^TMValve mouthpiece was more fun to drink from.   One participant noted, “The CamelBak is quick to open and easy to drink from without distracting myself from whatever else I’m doing.”

Study subjects used each of the following four bottles for a two-week period: 

- Reusable screw-cap plastic bottle

- Reusable screw-cap metal bottle

- Disposable screw-cap PET bottle

- CamelBak Better Bottle with the Big Bite Valve mouthpiece

With the CamelBak Better Bottle, participants drank 24 percent more water than with the disposable bottle, 18 percent more water than with the reusable metal bottle and 15 percent more than with the reusable plastic bottle. 

“Drinking water is one of the greatest gifts you can give your body – it’s essential for everything from heart health and fat metabolism to complex brain functions,” said Dr. MacRae.  “The results of this study were quite surprising in that a simple difference in design enabled people to do something that’s good for their bodies without any extra effort.” 

The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Pepperdine University.  Dr. MacRae earned his Ph.D. in physiology from the University of Cape Town in South Africa.  He is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine and is on the editorial review board of the Journal of Sports Science and Coaching.  Dr. MacRae expects to publish his report on the study in late 2009 or 2010.

Dehydration is a significant health concern, especially in the summer, as temperatures rise and outdoor activity levels increase. The benefits of hydration include body temperature regulation, fat metabolism, cardiovascular support and improved focus, concentration and alertness. Even mild dehydration can affect physical and mental performance. 

About the CamelBak Better Bottle

CamelBak Better Bottles are made from BPA-free Tritan^TMplastic and Stainless Steel, featuring single-walled and insulated options. Adult and Kids’ versions of the Tritan bottles are available now starting at $12 (MSRP). Adult Stainless Steel bottles start at $24 (MSRP); Kids’ Stainless Steel bottles will be available beginning in July at $20 (MSRP). All CamelBak Better Bottles feature the exclusive Big Bite Valve, which offers non-tip sipping and won’t spill, even when open.