Phew... ok, now that I got my first 50K out of the way, back to more reviews and giveaways! You may or may not have heard of Orange Mud, but they make a really slick hydration pack. No, not like a bulky vest with a bladder, but one that replaces your handheld, called the HydraQuiver. Check out the review, and be sure to enter to win one!
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| HydraQuiver Single Barrel $84.95 |
Now, up until the time I tried the HydraQuiver, I would run with either my Nathan Quickdraw handheld, or for longer runs I would use a Nathan Endurance vest. I do have a couple of waist belts from REI and Nathan, but I just don't find those as comfortable. The HydraQuiver is designed to be a handheld replacement. At first I was a little leery of it because I just loved my handheld. But, keeping an open mind, I gave this a go.
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| Greenland Trail 50K 5/3/14 |
So.. I ran with it for 3-4 weeks leading up to my 50K this last Saturday. As you can tell, I have since let go of my handheld! I was worried about how comfortable the pack would be, and honestly it was barely noticeable the entire race. What I love about it is that it doesn't bounce, the bottle stays in and is handy, and there are terrific shoulder pouches for gels, keys, phone etc... same as a handheld, only with more storage room. Also, the footprint is relatively small, so I didn't experience nearly as much heat build up as I would with a full hydration pack. Granted, this only carries one bottle, so you are limited, but for a race it worked out well between aid stations.
Check out the video below to give you a better idea of what the HydraQuiver is all about, and more importantly.. how to properly put it on!
Now, I certainly would have been better off if I had watched this BEFORE trying the HydraQuiver, or reading the stuff that came with it... BUT... you know how it is... I just wanted to give it a go... and nearly dislocated my shoulder trying to put it on like a jacket or a back pack! I learned the hard way to point one arm straight up to start putting it on, and then later I saw this video, which of course shows how incredibly simple (and pain free) it is to put on!
Another concern I had was about the sloshing of the bottle in the holster. A handheld will slosh as well, and it was the same sounds, just moved behind your head! An in actuality, after a few runs I didn't even notice it anymore. If you had a real problem with it, you could also just switch out the bottle with a Flexr bottle that I reviewed last month :-).
My only complaint about this pack? It sometimes covers up the cool graphics on my INKnBURN shirts! Ha.. I know. So seriously, I am sold on the HydraQuiver as a superior alternative to a handheld. But, as always, find what works for you... and this works for me!
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| HydraQuiver Double Barrel $109.95 |
I'll run this contest until Thursday May 15th, 2014 10PM MST. Contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada... Good luck! And as always, if you have questions/comments/feedback, just let me know in a comment below, or feel free to post on my Facebook page or email me :-)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Happy trails!
Jeff
http://barefootinclined.com
barefootinclined@gmail.com
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the Hydraquiver for free from Orange Mud as coordinated by Deep Creek PR an Outdoor Retailer Public Relations Company in consideration for review publication.
Happy trails!
Jeff
http://barefootinclined.com
barefootinclined@gmail.com
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the Hydraquiver for free from Orange Mud as coordinated by Deep Creek PR an Outdoor Retailer Public Relations Company in consideration for review publication.
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| http://www.thewildernessgirl.com/ |
Been curious about this thing as a fan of handhelds and the color orange! I usually carry a Nathan QuickShot for shorter runs (the cap is genius) and well-supported races, but sometimes I really wish I had my hands free. For longer runs and trails I wear an UltrAspire Spry with a bladder.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the review. I've been using a belt for years, but now that I'm getting into Ultras, I'm looking into some sort of pack or vest.
ReplyDeleteCreative idea...I'd never seen something like that before. Nice!
ReplyDeleteHuh. That's interesting. I'm sort of in the market for something like this, being that I'm not sold on my current backpack-y thing and one of my handhelds is leaking. Cool idea!
ReplyDeleteVery cool! I like the small footprint. I tend to overheat quite a bit, and the handheld does limit carrying other items. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteI need this... its orange and has Mud in the company Name
ReplyDeleteI currently use a hydration vest but have seen these and they look awesome!
ReplyDeleteIt varies depending on what I'm doing. If I run on the treadmill (most know I do this often) then I just have a basic water bottle. I will often just do a handheld water bottle if I'm doing a run of 5 miles or less. Anything further and I typically use a hydration pack now that I have one. I have been eyeing the OrangeMud Quivers for a little while now. Thanks for the opportunity to possibly win one.
ReplyDeleteI use a fanny pack water bottle holder.
ReplyDeleteShould have quizzed you about this while recording the podcast today, I've seen the ads and have been curious. I use an Amphipod handheld or two on shorter runs and a Nathan VaporWrap on longer trail runs.
ReplyDeleteI drink a lot of water and I need a hydration pack!
ReplyDeleteA backpack filled with water bottles lol!
ReplyDeleteI use a fuel belt with water
ReplyDeleteI'm ready to step away from the belt...really want to give this a shot.
ReplyDeleteI'm terrible, I don't take drinking into consideration. Probably because my runs don't exceed 5 miles. I would however like to step up my distance, and then I'd need something for hydration. I have a really large CamelBak we use when we go to Disneyland with the kids, for snacks, and water.
ReplyDeleteRight now I use Nathan pack and hand held bottles. Would love to try OrangeMud
ReplyDeleteI used my Nathan 4 bottle belt in my 50K+ race last Saturday and I used my Nathan handheld in my 25K race two weeks before that.
ReplyDeleteI use an Ultraspire Spry Vest.
ReplyDeleteThis looks really handy! I carry mine in an old Nortth Face waist carrier.
ReplyDeleteI use a Nathan Handheld right now, but don't like my hands being occupied.
ReplyDeletelaughed when i read about the 'shoulder displacement'...same thing happens to me when I put on my 'sport bra hydration system'...seriously, great review, Jeff! I think this is exactly what I need! Lorraine.
ReplyDeletebackpack filled with water
ReplyDeletei quiver just thinking about the bottle not being sealed and spilling down my back.
ReplyDeleteHey, that's my photo! I took the photo of the birch trees in Colorado a few years back. I added the wording last year. I think I had added it to Pinterest. :-) Glad to see you like it to!!
ReplyDeletewww.thewildernessgirl.com
too cool! I think I came across it on FB somewhere, but couldn't tell where it came from. If you want me to add a link/credit, I surely will... I love it :-)
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