Does anyone use the bladder type systems while turkey hunting? I see the Alps vest has a pocket to put a bladder in. How does it impact you when setting up against a tree? Does it get in the way?
Thanks
Drew
I have a Camelback water that is a separate unit from my vest. I only use it when I know I am walking a long distance so it has not gotten a lot use use but it does work great for hydration, especially later in the season when it get warm. I can not recall a problem when seated but for full disclosure I can not recall a time I used the pack and did much sitting.
This will be my first spring to use one but I would think it would help cushion your back from my past water bladder experience when i used to mountain bike
I also puchased a collapsible platypus water bottle to try this spring as well. I hate the crinkle and popping noise of store bought water bottles
20 oz bottle of water in my vest works for me. No need to over complicate things.
Quote from: Gooserbat on December 22, 2018, 11:02:00 AM
20 oz bottle of water in my vest works for me. No need to over complicate things.
X2 you can buy one of the bottled water brands that don't crinkle a make noise, and your done. Besides I wonder how you clean those water bladders?
Quote from: Phillipshunt on December 22, 2018, 11:15:51 AM
Quote from: Gooserbat on December 22, 2018, 11:02:00 AM
20 oz bottle of water in my vest works for me. No need to over complicate things.
X2 you can buy one of the bottled water brands that don't crinkle a make noise, and your done. Besides I wonder how you clean those water bladders?
They are very easy to clean as a matter of fact, dish soap and water, you can either just use a washcloth depending on the size of your hand or buy the cleaning kit which is what I did and that also comes with a brush to clean the tube. Most of the time I just do soap and water and swish it about in the bladder and then turn the bite valve on and pinch it so soapy water can run through the tube and then I rinse to bladder and the tube the same way. I do like to use the brushes every third washing though. Oh and don't bother buying the fancy Camelbak tablets for cleaning, just use the tablets you use for cleaning dentures, they are basically the same thing and will save you a ton of money over the Camelbak tablets. You should not even need to use those that often unless you are not cleaning your bladder right or live in an area where things tend to get kinda funky real fast.
By the way I have used them in my bow hunting backpack but never for turkey hunting. I also bought a Camelbak last year for when I walk the trail and loved it, did not bother me at all sitting down and I had worried that the fact that I refrigerated the bladder overnight would make my back bother me as cold really tends to be something that gives me a problem but because of the design of the pack I had no problems at all and it was nice to sip on some cold water when I was walking. I do have to get new water bladder for the bow pack though as the Redhead one leaks. I will be getting one for my RNG-300 as well.
I like those smartwater bottles. Do not like the cost of a bottle of water of it, but they last and you can refill them many times
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Don't care for the bladder , just more weight on your back and something else to make you hot ... I have tried them and i will keep using the water bottles , lot easier to keep water bottles ice down in a cooler in my truck...
Tried a bladder, did not care for it. A hard water bottle is my choice.
Good topic. I'm considering switching to a bladder this year myself. There's been days where one water bottle isn't enough. I also think I'd like the weight in the back of my vest vs the side. After watching one of Dave's videos I realized what the pocket in the back of the Alps was for. Just need to figure out what size to get. I'd think 40oz would be plenty for the long hot days.
Quote from: Gobble! on December 22, 2018, 05:17:40 PM
Good topic. I'm considering switching to a bladder this year myself. There's been days where one water bottle isn't enough. I also think I'd like the weight in the back of my vest vs the side. After watching one of Dave's videos I realized what the pocket in the back of the Alps was for. Just need to figure out what size to get. I'd think 40oz would be plenty for the long hot days.
That 40 0z .. would be just under 3 pounds ... 16 oz. is 1.4 pounds
I ran a bladder in the Alps vest all of last year, and was very pleased with it. It allowed me to carry 2-3x the amount of water (when needed) with better weight distribution versus a full bottle on the side of a vest. I wasn't a fan of the looks of the Alps bladder so I went with the 2 L Osprey hydraulics reservoir, and it fit as though it was made for the Alps. Dimensions were perfect and the handle worked well with the velcro strap in the Alps.
https://www.amazon.com/Osprey-Hydraulics-Reservoir-2-Liter/dp/B017JFWYAC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1545530254&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=osprey%2B2l&dpPl=1&dpID=41ASA0BazrL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1
I have a 70 and 100 oz camelback bladder. I shove it in the side pocket of the vest. It weighs a ton but I am walking a long way in the Florida heat. I tried it oN my back and was comfortable on the tree. I was always afraid I was going to pop it though.
Water bottle works fine for me. Having a bladder and that hose dohicky would just make me drink more than I need to and pack more than I need to.
I bought a platypus system for last spring. I liked it a lot but I bought the 3 litre and it's too big. I also bought a camo hose cover of Etsy that was a pia to put on.
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I run a 50oz Camel in my Limbhanger. Fill it with ice and water in the morning and afternoon. Works great. No problems with setting up with it in the vest. Hardly know its there except for the tube.
I use a bladder all the time and I love it. I have a medical condition that I was born with that requires me to drink abnormal amounts of water on a daily basis. I drink 2-3 gallons of water a day. Before I started using a bladder my vest was used for toting water bottles in every available pocket. I couldn't carry enough bottles to ensure I would have enough water to hunt all day. Now with the 2 liter bladder and just 1 power aid bottle filled with water I can ration myself and hunt all day without going back to the truck to get more water. The bladder also is a nice cushion against a tree and if you fill it and keep it in the fridge overnight it helps keep your back cool for a good portion of the day.
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Bladders are the way to go. I have a 3L I believe- I don't always top if off but have it if I need it. It rides comfortably on my back and avoids that heavy lump rolling around in the bottom of the game bag on my vest a water bottle causes. You carry more water more comfortably and as already mentioned they're silent. I hate a crinkling water bottle. I like having the tube readily accessible for drinking also, I'm bad about forgetting to drink until it's too late. It works for me.
What vests work best for a bladder?
I've used a bladder but really don't like it. Hunting in Florida makes my back sweat.
Today I just freeze a couple water bottles and put them in my game pack. Drink them as they melt.
Quote from: kennedyh1990 on December 29, 2018, 04:54:46 PM
What vests work best for a bladder?
I have the Cabelas vest that has the insert for the bladder in it and I just bought the knight and hale rng 300 that has the insert for a bladder in it as well. I think I'm going to like the rng best. If you can sew or know someone who can you can modify almost any vest to accommodate a bladder.
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I like the platypus no slouching around as it collapses as you drink and adds no weight. They are tough too, mines been from SC to Canada and out the Nebraska and Idaho always with me.
I don't feel the need to drink as I walk so the tube system isnt necessary of a camelbak system
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I have been using a camelback for three years, it came worh a pouch. I used paracord and attached it the to the shoulder straps, the wife whipped put a camo sheath and sewed a loop on the frond of the vest to keep the tube in place. I will never go back to bottles
Quote from: Gawhitaker on January 02, 2019, 03:51:36 PM
I have been using a camelback for three years, it came worh a pouch. I used paracord and attached it the to the shoulder straps, the wife whipped put a camo sheath and sewed a loop on the frond of the vest to keep the tube in place. I will never go back to bottles
That kind of surprises me, all the Camelbak's I have seen have a magnetic piece that connects to the hose and then to the shoulder strap. Not calling you a liar, just wondering if you picked up an earlier model?
I used a bladder for a couple years, and now I just use a Nalgene. The benefits of the bladder are obvious. Namely, you drink a lot more water, which is good.
However, I've seen them leak all over stuff, the hose/bite valve freeze up, they can get nasty if you mix anything into the water, and I really don't care for the taste of water that's been sitting in the bladder.
The sloshing of water in the Nalgene is annoying at times, but other than that it works great for me.
I like the small Gatorade bottles, probably 12 ounces. They are tough and make no noise. Put a few ice cubes in it and fill with water.
They are small enough to fit below the elastic of the water bottle holder on most vests.
I always keep a bottle or two of water in the truck for a refill if needed.
I use a bladder in my deer hunting set up, just like to stay light when after birds.
The bladder rides really well with the Alps vest, I think mine is a 3L. Last year was the first year running it and I really enjoyed it. If you're really going on a hike you can tote an additional 2 liters of water, one on each side if your running the ALPS vest. With the 3L I never ran out of water last year. Now I used to run out all the time with just toting a 1L in my old cabelas vest. IF your just hunting the back forty it's probably not necessary. if you're covering 10 plus miles it sure makes it nice,
I drink more water throughout the day and stay hydrated better. Instead of trying to "save" what water I have. I also would sometimes add some type of electrolyte additive to my water like powder gatorade of some other brand.
Works for me anyway.
I am getting one for my Apls Vest. Look at getting one of them Osprey Hydration Bladders.