Is it a bottle? Is it hydration? ~The question of how to stay hydrated in the mountains~

Is it a very convenient hydration system or a safe water bottle?

When I first started to get addicted to the mountains in the 1990s, when I was hydrated, I was the only choice for water bottles and for some reason when it came to water bottles. But now, I suddenly realized that the variations in outdoor hydration gear have been a surprising development compared to 20 years ago. Today, the sturdy and heavy body, the translucent design as bland as medical equipment, and the pale chemical smell that transforms even the most clear natural water into "polytan water" are nostalgia, and the sepia-colored memories. And in the times, we have evolved in a variety of ways, "lighter," "compacter," "more efficient," and "safer." Among them, the hydration system is particularly eye-catching in appearance.

Certainly it looks quite eccentric. When I first had it, the members around me made me a lot of fun (sweat). More than its appearance like an IV drip, it's honestly quite amazing to see him drinking a tube with a tube in his mouth. However, the reason why only people who have used it knows and become addicted once it's just the convenience that makes up for it. Hydration is currently the hottest area in the outdoor hydration equipment industry, with the latest models still being released by many manufacturers.

On the other hand, the old-fashioned water bottles are no match for them. The body is thin, light, durable, and most importantly, it doesn't smell and is safe for the body. The materials are all unique, such as traditional aluminum, metal bottles such as new stainless steel, new synthetic resin bottles that prevent chemicals from melting out, which was the weakness of plastic tanks, film bottles that fold compactly when you drink, and other handy plastic bottles, so to be honest, you don't know which one to choose! For those of you who are interested, we have created a comparison table for each of these in the next chapter, so please take a look at it if you are a water bottle refugee.

We recommend this article for information on hydration packs.

• Comparative test: Comparing hydration packs from each manufacturer

Summary of ways to stay hydrated in the mountains

Plastic bottle

These water bottles were mainly made from synthetic resins such as polycarbonate, and in the past they were thick and would give them a chemical flavor when they were filled with water for a long time. However, these days' products don't taste good, and no longer contain BPA, which is harmful to the body, making it a popular water bottle that is still popular even outdoors. There are many sizes, shapes, colors and brands, so you can choose the size and variations of parts for the mouth, so depending on your ingenuity, it will be quite easy to use. Main brands include nalgene and CAMELBAK .

Metal bottle

Aluminum water bottles from the early days of mountain climbing are the most popular water bottles, but recently, stainless steel bottles, which have evolved rapidly in recent years, have become a response to the BPA problem of plastic bottles. The two major metal bottle players have slightly different characteristics, but the common feature of both is that they are environmentally friendly materials compared to plastic (some aluminum is coated on the inside). Other features are not significantly different from plastic bottles, and options such as capacity and parts are gradually increasing. It seems that the weight, which was once a critically heavy, is now quite comparable. Main brands include Klean Kanteen , SIGG , and LAKEN

Film-shaped bottle

It has a multi-layer plastic laminated structure, and its major feature is that it can be rolled up and stored after use. When it first came out, I thought it was quite OK, but due to its structure, the mouthpiece is basically small and soft, so it is difficult to hold, making it a little difficult to drink, and the bag is difficult to spread, making it difficult to refill in places with little water momentum, and most importantly, it is difficult to wash and dry, making it difficult to recommend it to let go. Main brands include Platypus and Evernew .

PET bottle

These are what are called plastic bottles sold at convenience stores. Since it is not originally made for mountains, there is no other advantage other than "light, easy, and disposable." However, I think it's quite a bit of a stretch when you've just started mountains, so in a sense, this is enough. It's very fragile, so even if you make a mistake, you can't take it to a hard environment like winter mountains.

Hydration System

A tube attached to a plastic film bottle so that water can be drunk from beyond. What was most groundbreaking was that it was possible to drink frequently while walking, which overturned the conventional wisdom that water should be taken to rest. It seems scientifically reasonable to take small amounts frequently, but in the sense that you can climb mountains more safely, it is a very innovative gear, even leaving aside the way you drink it. However, there is still room for improvement. It is harder to drink than a bottle, as water will not come out unless you pick the tip of the drink or inhale it yourself. It's especially difficult to drink while wheezing. And some items are always film-like bottles, so they are difficult to wash. Main brands include CAMELBAK and Platypus .

Heat bottle

A multi-layer water bottle with insulation like a thermos. Unlike other bottles, this type of water bottle is not beneficial to use for purposes other than "keeping in warmth" (health)", but if you are a hiker with winter mountains (or climbing the mountains at a nearby period), it would be a good idea to have one for that particular purpose. Main brands include THERMOS .

What is the best choice?

To put it simply, each one has its own characteristics and no matter which one you choose, there is some kind of weakness, so if you bring it all this with you, it can be said that there is no perfection. So I finally arrived at the method of bringing the amount you need into several bottles, and so far the best combination is exactly what I'm using.

　　"Hydration & Stainless Steel Bottle"

is. There are several reasons for this, so I will explain each of the purposes.

(1) Hydration

Hydration, which is the best in that you can hydrate the amount you need frequently while walking, is mixed with a small amount of powdered sports drink and used during your activities. Generally, if you want to take the full amount of time per day, you should bring in about 2L, and if you want a short distance of 3-4 hours, you should bring in about 1L. Even if you drink too much and run out of water halfway through, there is a separate bottle so you can cover the disadvantage of not being able to see the contents.

(2) Stainless steel bottle

This bottle is always filled with tap water at home. This is used as drinking water if the hydration runs out, or as an emergency in case something happens, such as if it gets injured and rinsing off the wound or cooling it, so that it always lasts to be used for emergency purposes. For this reason, the capacity varies from person to person, but at least 500ml is required. I personally don't really have any particular preferences except because I like cool bottles and shapes I love, and whether it's a Nalgene bottle or an aluminum bottle, I think each one will suit their taste.

By the way, there is also the side benefit of making packing easier by dividing it into smaller pieces. If you don't like hydration, you can either make two bottles or make a spare bottle into a plastic bottle, and you can arrange it individually, but this "combination" concept is recommended for anyone.

summary

I hope that the characteristics of each bottle, as well as the two-wielding style of "Hydration & Bottles," will be useful in choosing a bottle in the future. Of course, there is no rule that "it has to be like this" when climbing mountains. Everything is your own responsibility, which is why it is fun to think of each person to think about their own methods and find their own methods, so this best hydration problem is unlikely to end in the future.