Do Camelback style hydration systems decrease individual water consumption vs. canteens or water bottles?

2015-09-03T13:53:34-04:00

During a JRTC rotation my brigade completed this past August I noticed that I drank considerably more water when I primarily drank from my canteens instead of my camelback. I also tracked my refills and total consumption better. Has anyone else noticed a similar trend in their units or been in a unit that limited the use of camelback style hydration systems? For reference we are a Guard unit from MN and the temps in Louisiana were triple digits almost every day. My water consumption averaged around 2.5 gal/day. On both of my deployments I was mounted instead of light and had the giant water bottles accessible at all times.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 1:55 PM

2015-09-03T13:55:23-04:00

I think it depends on the activity you are doing. The easier is it to find and carry, the more I drink.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Sep 3 at 2015 1:55 PM

2015-09-03T13:55:32-04:00

I'm not sure that it would decrease water intake but it does allow for more water to be carried on person.

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 3 at 2015 1:59 PM

2015-09-03T13:59:25-04:00

I always seemed to drink more out of my Camelback than I did out of my canteens. I think it was the accessibility for me.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Sep 3 at 2015 1:59 PM

2015-09-03T13:59:48-04:00

Well most people (me) hate these crappy things that the army is issuing. The Army Hydration system sucks. I have seen bladders burst easily. they don't seal correctly, the carrier is a crappy design and the nozzle comes off and get lost easily from the tube. Now if they are the actual camelbacks I will use on of those and use it quite often over a canteen or a water bottle.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 2:03 PM

2015-09-03T14:03:24-04:00

I would think the camelback would increase hydration but you do probably avoid gulping (which could be a good thing, but also account for lower consumption). Interesting thought on this, I'll be paying attention to other responses.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Sep 3 at 2015 2:05 PM

2015-09-03T14:05:11-04:00

For me it really depended on what I was doing. There were times that I found my hydration system to work better and than other times I found water bottles to be better. I hardly ever drank out of canteen, that was mainly my personal hygiene water.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 2:19 PM

2015-09-03T14:19:44-04:00

I have found the "Camelback" systems to be inferior. The earlier one's leaked...a lot.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 3 at 2015 6:54 PM

2015-09-03T18:54:25-04:00

Hmm.. Interesting discussion.

Couple points to bring up first, then I'll expand my thought process.

Generally speaking, in the US, if you drink when thirsty, you're in no big risk of dehydration. The human body is pretty good at self regulation. The US government actually did a study on this during the late 90s (iirc), when bottled water was all the craze and found that because of the ready availability of clean drinking water, human's natural abilities, etc, dehydration was not a huge concern.

Second, I do endurance racing, on a pretty rigid schedule. My water consumption is probably about 2oz per 1-2 miles, in 70deg weather. Goes up when it's hotter, goes down when it's colder. I usually end up drinking another 16-32oz post race however (13.1-26.2 miles), so add another 1oz/mile. That's me, and not indicative of anyone else, and just to keep my bladder from taking over.

If I were wearing more clothing, I would of course sweat more (higher body temp), which would necessitate more liquids. All that said, I have run with a 32oz camelbak. I have never emptied it on a run. Not even the 50k I did.

Now, as for the Camelbak v. Canteen issue. This may be an issue of "throttling consumption." I know that when I carry a "Fred Bottle" (20oz water bottle, looks like a flask) on training runs, my wife and I will drink the entire thing. Even if we don't need it. Last weekend on our long run (9 miles), we drained it. It wasn't overly hot (for me), and I drank about the same amount I normally do post run, and my post race hydration ended up the same (pee test).

Basically, ready access makes you drink more because it's easier.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 7:41 PM

2015-09-03T19:41:36-04:00

It might be that I burned out on the camel back after wearing the stupid thing every waking moment through OSUT, but I rarely ever use mine. When I'm in kit, I carry a canteen on my flick or IBA, and I usually stash my camel back in my ruck, and use it to fill the canteen, if I drain it without a water buffalo nearby. I find that I dehydrate if I use the camel back alone, as I'll take a sip of water instead of a chug. So, yes, I agree. I encourage the joes in my squad to use their canteen. The only time I used my camel back is when I'm rucking, I'll throw the camel back on top my ruck, and keep the hose over my shoulder and sip it while I walk.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2015 9:40 PM

2015-09-03T21:40:22-04:00

Ive personally noted that I drink more with a camel back, but have never like that we went to them over canteens. Just look at some of the camel backs or hydration systems that your Soldiers have and ask them when they cleaned them last. It was hard enough to get the Soldiers (and myself at times...) to clean the canteens. Are the cleaning kits even issued or are the Soldiers still expected to purchase them on their own dime?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2015 1:06 AM

2015-09-04T01:06:52-04:00

I would say the same thing. I always chug water out of a canteen. Drinking through a camelback tube is such a pain, and it's very slow. Not to mention the water seems to get hot a lot faster.

Response by PFC Robert Falk made Sep 4 at 2015 1:49 PM

2015-09-04T13:49:10-04:00

I have used both but I how ever don't drink alot when "working"