Hydration Packs

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July 25, 2010 by Jonsky

A study at Granada University of Spain seem to suggest than beer is better than water at rehydrating the body after exercise.

Here’s what the researchers did:

1. Asked 25 students to run on a treadmill at 104 degrees Fahrenheit to the point of exhaustion
2. Measured their levels of hydration, motor skills and their ability to concentrate
3. Half the students were given water to drink and the other half were given Spanish lager

Result:

Those who were given beer had slightly better hydration levels than those who were given plain water.

Conclusion:

Professor Manuel Garzon, a member of Granada’s medical faculty, believes that “carbon dioxide in beer helps quench thirst more quickly, and that beer’s carbohydrates replace calories lost during physical exertion” and recommends athletes to consume moderate (500mL for men, 250mL for women) amounts of beer daily.

Should we now put beer inside our hydration packs instead of water?

Thanks to The Cleveland Leader.

May 5, 2009 by Jonsky

A hydration pack is a type of backpack or waistpack that functions as  a hydration system i.e. it has  a reservoir made of rubber or some kind of plastic connected to a hose that allows the user to drink hands-free.

Most hoses in a hydration pack have a bite valve that opens when you bite on it. The reservoir is usually insulated so that cold water stays cold a bit longer in warm weather and prevents it from freezing in cold weather.

Now when you do physical exercises like running, hiking and cycling it is important that you keep yourself hydrated to replace the water you lost through sweat.When you’re dehydrated, your body will slowly start to fail you and you won’t be able to perform at your best.

Most people only drink when they are thirsty. Experts say that when you’re thirsty, your body is already severely dehydrated and to be rehydrated won’t be as easy as simply drinking water.

That’s why sometimes you still feel thirsty even after drinking loads of water.

The right way to keep hydrated is not by drinking loads of water at one time but by frequently taking small sips of water. Studies have shown that people are more likely to do anything when it’s convenient for them and it has been shown that people who use hydration packs are more likely to stay hydrated.

You’re also likely to drink more often when you have a water bottle in your hand but you won’t be able to use your hands for holding trekking poles or for keeping your balance.

The problem with hydration packs is that they tend to bounce when you run or jump rocks. Even though the bounce is minor because the backpack is so small it can still make you aware of it and can be a discomfort.

One hydration pack that can reduce this “bounciness” is the Gregory Diablo Backpack which mimics your body movement through its high tech suspension system that involves elasticized attachment points and dual dynamic straps that connects to where the waist belt and harness interface to the backpack.

Check out the review by Outside Magazine:

• The Gear Junkie Scoop: Gregory Diablo Backpack – Gregory-Diablo – small photo The Diablo costs $59, and there are several nice touches, including internal mesh separator pockets and zippered pouches on the waist belt for quick-grab food or small gear. There’s a “tube management system …

March 23, 2009 by Jonsky

Jack Pomeroy is a 79 year old hiking leader who has taken at least 4,5000 people with him on hikes since 1989. Despite his age, he showed great energy and enthusiasm clambering over slippery boulders or scrambling on all fours up a steep granite boulder.

Many men half his age wouldn’t able to do what he did on that hike he did with a group of North County hikers on the way to the Bottle Peak Summit near Lake Wohlford. What’s special about this hike is that he only does it once a year and you need to have special permission because it’s on private land. Mr Pomeroy led 84 hikes to Bottle Peak and Bernardo Mountain. He also led 80 hikes with the Caballeros de Aventuras.

Pomeroy is a legend because he knows the place where he hikes really well. It’s like having a walking encyclopedia with you when he’s around. He is a U.S. Geological Survey retiree and spent most of his career mapping and spent 15 years making maps of potential landslide areas in the Appalachian Mountains.

While a lot of people in his age group would struggle going to the bathroom, Pomeroy is leading young men up mountains through the woods. He doesn’t believe in going the gym. Hiking is probably one of the best workouts you can do. When you get into the rhythm, you’d go further than you ever thought you could. The use of hydration packs like the Camelbak Mule can help you keep the rhythm while keeping you hydrated.

The old legend  is also a big promoter of protecting the environment.