Stay Hydrated While Camping – Effective Ways to Carry Your Drinking Water
Water is essential for life and you should consume plenty of it when participating in activities such as camping. But staying hydrated on the trail can be a bit tricky – carrying water along with the rest of the things you will need for camping can be quite heavy. One litre (the capacity of traditional camping water bottles) weighs one kilo – and that’s a lot if you consider that you will need a couple of those per day.
Fortunately, innovations and new technologies have brought many benefits to campers. New products are launched every day to make carrying water while camping much more convenient. From all those options available, there are two of them that I consider the most convenient for everyone – camping water bottles and a hydration bladder.
Camping Water Bottles
Practically indestructible in the wild, camping water bottles are the most convenient way to carry water. Two camping bottles with 1-litre capacity each provide enough water for about 16 kilometers of walking. Place one bottle on each side of the backpack for balance. Plus, they are easy to fill and maintain clean.
Camping bottles made from plastics have been a favourite choice among reusable bottle fans for a long time. But with the rising concerns about the effects that plastic bottles have on our health, stainless steel water bottles have also become a popular choice. Aside from being BPA-free, most stainless steel water bottles feature vacuum insulation which keeps your water cold for much longer than plastic bottles.
Hydration Bladder
This is a hydration system where the blader stays inside your backpack and you drink water through a connecting tube that comes out to your shoulder strap for an easy access. However, while this method has quite a few benefits, it also has its drawbacks.
A hydration bladder is stable, allows you to conveniently carry your water, and makes drinking while walking extremely easy, which may help you to stay better hydrated. However, filling the bladder is much more difficult than filling a water bottle, plus, it is also difficult to determine how much water you have left in it. Some people claim that bladders can leave a plastic-y taste in the water, but in my case, it went away after washing it a couple of times.
Besides carrying water with you, it is also a good idea to find other water sources near the area you are planning to explore. Google Maps can help you locate streams or lakes nearby and you can also ask local rangers where you can fill up your water bottles. Being fed and well-hydrated is crucial for staying energized and having a pleasant camping experience, so make sure to be well-equipped before heading into nature. Happy camping!
