CamelBak Alpine Explorer 100 oz Hydration Pack
About CamelBak
"If you have found yourself wondering— with the unlimited amount of time you have reclaimed by texting instead of emailing— what CamelBak is really like, read through our mission statement and values. AN IDEA BORN FROM THE MOST BASIC HUMAN NEED — THIRST It's 1988. Bicycle enthusiast, Michael Eidson, is competing in the "Hotter'N Hell 100." And that's exactly what it is: a 100-mile road race in the grueling summer heat of Wichita Falls, Texas. Water is vital to surviving the race, and there are few places to refill a water bottle. Eidson, an emergency medical technician by trade, decides to fill an IV bag with water and slip it into a white tube sock. Yes, a tube sock. Then he stuffs the contraption into the back of his bike jersey, throws the thin hose over his shoulder and clamps it with a clothespin. Hands-free hydration is born. And Eidson is able to drink as he pedals...while the other racers laugh and fiddle with their water bottles. OPERATION HYDRATION — THE ROAD TO SURVIVAL Jeff Wemmer, a competitive cyclist who fell hard for CamelBak, was so impressed by the product that he started bringing packs to races to sell them. Talk about a fan. CamelBak eventually hired him, and in 1993, Jeff embarked on a road trip to keep the start-up running during very tough times. Company lore has it that Jeff visited bike shops from Florida to California, pitching our renegade product from the back of his motorcycle. Each order Jeff faxed back to the factory literally breathed another day of life back into CamelBak. THE REST IS HISTORY It took courage, conviction and imagination to evolve from an IV bag in a tube sock sold by a motorcycle-driven sales force of one. Our core values remain the same and drive everything we do - from inventing the hydration category to becoming the world's leading maker of hydration solutions. Oh yeah...about those bikers who laughed at Eidson? Well, chances are they've got a CamelBak strapped to their back or in their bike cage these days. Go figure."I think it is good to note as well that CamelBak has developed many products for the military/tactical. (ie military personal, firefighters, etc).
The Alpine Explorer
- Hydration Capacity: 100 oz / 3 L
- Total Capacity: 1952 cu in. / 32 L
- Weight: No Reservoir: 1.85 lbs / 0.84 kg, Full Reservoir: 8.74 lbs / 3.97 kg
- Dimensions: 22" x 11.5" x 10.75" / 559 mm x 292 mm x 273 mm
- Fabric: Pack Body: 70D Diamond Ripstop 420D Nylon + DWR Coating, Pack Base: 600D Poly + DWR Coating
So what do I think of it?
I have used this pack for hiking but mostly it is used to carry my climbing gear for the day including: 14 quickdraws, harness, extra carabiners, slings, set of nuts, shoes, light rain jacket, belay devices, chalk bag, and other small items like lighters, knife, headlamp and such. Oh and almost forgot the most important thing, lunch!Pros
- Comfort
This pack is very comfortable! It's shoulder straps do not grind into your body even with a full pack. The vent system keeps your back nice and cool. It kept my back from sweating like crazy even in 90 degree heat with 80% humidity when friends and I would go climb in Red River Gorge, Kentucky. The pack also has the standard waist and breast belts for added stability that I think fit perfectly to my body where I have found other packs have their belts too high.
- Many convenient compartments
With the different gear that comes with climbing it can get confusing to where things are. (Plus the fact I am a little over-organized when it comes to my gear) With the Explorer I have been able to keep everything in place where it needs to be for easy access. I especially love that I can air out my rock shoes while still keeping them in a "pocket". Also, the bottom pocket that can store a camera is perfect for when you get that feeling of a photographer. It can be simply taken out, you just have to get use to going around your back a little bit. There is even a mesh pocket on the side to easily store some extra water in-case you run out on your bladder.
- Bladder system
Of course it is CamelBak, and of course it has the original bladder system that made CamelBak famous. The bladder that comes with this pack is a 3-liter bladder with a stopper on the mouth piece. Perfect for any hiker. To add to this, the bladder is pressed up against your back with it's own chilled compartment, so you do not lose any space in the main compartments while also keeping the water semi-cool in the pack. Water will lose it's chill factor but by the time it comes close to warming up too much, the water is usually gone. (for me anyway)
- Size/Weight
It is big enough, like I said above, to hold everything. "That's what she said" (Michael Scott - Office) With it's many compartments and pockets, it evenly distributes weight for the day.
- Price
Won't cost you an arm and a leg. Cost me about $75 and I could have gotten it for $69 but I REALLY wanted the olive green and orange.
- Velcro on the shoulder straps.
I love the fact that you can shorten or lengthen the straps on the shoulders so you are not left hanging with super long straps.
- Style
Very last thing I should be talking about, but, c'mon it looks sweet! I personally went with the olive green with orange but you can get it in all black and a tan with red.
Cons
- Size
I think that the size of the pack is great and fine for any day adventurer. ONLY thing that I could even add to a "Cons" list for this pack is that it does not have enough space for a climbing rope, but it is not really designed for that.
RECOMMEND TO...
I recommend this pack to any one looking for one of the best day packs I have used. I love it and I think any mountain enthusiast will, too. The version I have is an older model but after reseraching some of the newer ones, you are not really changing a whole lot. So, go check out the CamelBak Alpine Explorer, you won't be disappointed.
Here are some photos of the pack below. If you have any questions or want to share an opinion of the pack, feel free in the comment box!
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