How to convert your Classic Connector to a Plug-N-Play

July 29th, 2010

Most of our hydration packs come with the Plug-N-Play Connector.  Some come with a Classic Connector which is fixed.  If you’d like to see why the Plug-N-Play is a cool feature or upgrade from your Classic Connector, check out the video:

Price: $5.99

Protoype & Brett take Podium at the Tahoe Rim 100

July 26th, 2010

Our E-Lite Running Vest tester and ultra running phenom Brett Rivers used a prototype at the Tahoe Rim 100 Mile Endurance Run and finished 2nd overall.  In the photo below,  Brett is seen with an early model and seems to have put the Vest and Gel-bot to good use during the hot mountainous race.

image courtesy of Scott Dunlap @ runtrails.blogspot.com

Congratulations Brett and thanks for all of your feedback over the last few months.

The final version of the E-Lite Vest will be unveiled  at the Outdoor Retailer Trade Show in Salt Lake City next week and available to consumers this September.  It will come with a sweet One Liter Reservoir with Plug-N-Play and Quantum Clip.  We like it a lot.

Why call it the E-Lite?  It only weighs 9.9 ounces including the reservoir.

More details coming soon………

Tostado Wins 6th Breck 100!

July 19th, 2010

With a 100 Mile course that goes over three 12,000′ passes, the Breckenridge 100 is arguably one of the more difficult races in mountain biking. Being part of the National Ultra Endurance Series also makes it highly competitive.

Having won the race for 5 of the previous years,  Hydrapak Rider and local, Josh Tostado,  may have felt a little pressure. But he was able to put the hammer down again and win for a sixth time this past weekend. Congratulations Josh!

Please check out Josh’s report and some local news versions for race details.

Summit Daily News

Cycling News

Mike Curiak Riding Whistler Bike Park

July 19th, 2010

Just checking out Mike Curiak’s  Blog and his recent post on a trip to B.C. and the Whistler Bike Park.  It sounds like fun and the videos are pretty cool as Mike follows his buddy, Skippy, down some great groomers and table tops.  Check out more at: Curiak’s Blog

whizzler day two from lacemine29 on Vimeo.

Sneak Peak at the 2011 Del Mar

July 13th, 2010

Bike commuting gets a well deserved upgrade with Hydrapak’s new Del Mar Hydration Pack.  The vaulted TRAMP Hydrapak Del MarSuspension arches the pack and allows for arguably the most air flow of any pack on the market.  Accompanying the pack is a perfect urban sized one liter Reversible Reservoir, a dedicated laptop pocket accommodating a 15” notebook, and a shoe sleeve that is designed to take as little or as much interior space as needed whether you fancy flip flops or Blundstones at work. A rain cover, organizer pockets, and audio port are among the numerous special features rounding out this pack.

Urban Style meets Serious Function

Being unveiled at the Outdoor Europe show in a few hours, then Outdoor Retailer , Eurobike, and Interbike

Available this September.

Tour de France in Google Earth Flyovers

July 6th, 2010

We made some cool flyovers of this year’s Tour de France but the application did not get along very well with our website. Now we just transferred the course flyovers to The Run Scout. Check them out HERE.

Why our Reservoir Clean and Simple

June 29th, 2010

A hydration pack reservoir like Hydrapak’s which is reversible is simply the easiest to maintain on the market today.  The design is intended to be simple to clean.  Why is this important?  Let Sam Explain it to you:

Hydration Reservoir Welding

June 29th, 2010

Hydration Reservoirs are all made differently.  Our Reservoirs  happen to use Radio Frequency Welding to bond pieces of polyurethane together at a molecular level instead of standard heat weld which simply melts the surface.  Want to get into some detail?  See what Sam has to say about the process:

Is Our Reservoir Safe?

June 28th, 2010

Hydrapak’s Director of Design, Sam Lopez, describes our attention to material safety within the Reversible Reservoir placed in all of our hydration packs.

How Easy is it to Fill, Load, and Clean a Reversible Reservoir?

June 22nd, 2010

If you are considering upgrading your hydration pack to a Hydrapak, but wanted to understand how simple the reservoir is to fill, load in a pack, then clean, then check out the following video.  It really is a “piece of cake” and you won’t miss the ‘ol bladder a bit.

A Quantum Clip Lesson

June 15th, 2010

In 2010 we introduced a cool accessory called the Quantum Clip which is used to attach your drink tube to your hydration pack while riding, running, hiking, etc.

The Quantum Clip uses a strong but compact magnet to set the tube in place.  Just pick up your drink tube, take a sip, then tap back into place….it is that easy.

We wanted to get away from velcro since people were concerned with it tearing at their clothing.  The magnet solves that problem and is quite slick too.

Price: $5.99

The Most Comprehensive Gel-bot Review Ever

May 25th, 2010

gelbot lidSome reviews are admittedly basic catalog copy that are good but don’t give the feel that the reviewer really delved into our hydration gear.  Peter Larson, the blogger of Runblogger, provides probably the most comprehensive reviews of the Gel-bot I’ve ever seen.  Not only does he present the design, he checks the compatibility with other bottles, cleaning, and functionality with other products.

If you are looking for a quintessential review, Check out RUNBLOGGER.

How to Use the Gelbot

Josh Tostado Cranks at Dirt, Sweat, and Gears

May 21st, 2010

Tostado Races Dirt Sweat and GearsMy trip to the east coast has so far been a wonderful experience when you are on your own like I have been for the last month it really makes things better when you meet really nice people along the way. After the Cohutta 100 I went to Brevard NC where I camped and rode in the Pisca national forest. The weather was fantastic and the riding both mountain and road are some of the best in the country. While I spent my time here I had the opportunity to get to know some of the local riders from Sycamore Cycles in Brevard. Everyone at the shop was very helpful and really cool, they had a very laid back and welcoming atmosphere. I even got a local tour of the trail system from shop owner Wes who put the hammer down on me during his lunch break one day.

Before my next race in Tennessee, the DSG race promoter Clay Higgins called me saying he had a place for me to stay at his parents house, I took him up on the offer and had a great time getting to know Clay’s parents and uncle. It’s no surprise that Clay turned out to be such a great guy after meeting and living with his family for a week, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

The actual race was looking to be a good one after last years mud event everyone was really praying for some good weather. The week leading up to the race had been dry and beautiful leaving the course in perfect condition. As race day approached thundershowers were but every day went by with no rain, it looked like the bike gods were smiling on us. The day of the race started with perfect weather but looked to be really hot and humid. For me, the running start went well and I made it to my bike and took off,  jumping out with the group of five or so in the front.  Read More

Danielle Musto Wins Big at Stony Creek

May 19th, 2010

musto at stony creekThis past weekend I travelled over to the east side of the state to compete in the 6 hours of Stony Creek. The course was 11.5 miles long, with a mixture of tight singletrack and rolling doubletrack.

We took off with a mass start, and my goal was to enter the singletrack ahead of my competition. I was racing on Kenda Karmas set up with Stans sealant, which allowed me to run a really low psi. This gave me a ton of traction on the loose gravel climbs throughout the course.
I did the race self-supported, but only had to stop once to switch out hydrapaks. After 6 laps I rolled through 10 minutes ahead of the cut-off time, allowing me to go out for one more lap. The singletrack was getting really dark towards the end, and I was very happy to be wearing my Optic Nerve photomatic Halogyn’s. It was nice being able to see!
I finished as the first place female with 82 miles in 6:17, and 3rd overall!!!!
Thanks again for all of your support! I couldn’t do it without you.  Read More

A Note from Zach Landman

May 12th, 2010

Hydrapak Athlete Zach LandmanThis Note is from Zach Landman, a 3rd year med student at UCSF and Ultra Runner.  Recently he won the Quicksilver 50 Mile  in 6: 50:00  and reached out to us to comment on our Gel-Bot hydration/nutrition vessel.   Here is what he had to say.

“I Started using the gelbots on Nathan’s advice before pacing him at Miwok (I love the new pics of the race on the site), and used the same system at Quicksilver 50 miler this past weekend.  I can say without a doubt that using the gelbots allowed me to hold off ultra-stars Rob Evans, Troy Howard, and Josh Brimhall for the win.  Hydrating and gelling in the early morning hours paid huge dividends in the heat of the final climb at mile 40.  I’m pretty positive that the 5 minute advantage I ended up with over Rob Evans was earned at the aid stations as I never needed to stop.  … Anyway – you got a great thing going on. I recommended it to another WS100 competitor just yesterday (a bad idea on my part – ha ha), but I’ll probably use the same system at western states in a few weeks.”  Zach Landman

Thanks Zach and Good Luck at Western!

Laguna Hydration Pack Review

May 11th, 2010

Laguna Brown BackpackWe were very impressed with the performance of the Laguna hydration pack. It offers a lot of innovative features that work well, making rides with it very enjoyable. The  pack is made out of durable nylon material with nice stitching. The pack can hold a lot cargo thanks to the numerous pockets and expandable main compartment. It’s nice to have the versatility of being able to carry as much or as little gear as you need with the same pack and not feel bulky…..FULL REVIEW

Price: $94.99

Rebecca Rusch Reports from Down Under

May 10th, 2010

I’m sitting in my hotel room in the middle of Australia. Literally the middle of nowhere, Alice Springs.  I’m as far away from home as I can get.  They say it’s the Death Valley of Australia, but it doesn’t feel that hot to me yet.   I’m sorting my bike, nutrition and gear for tomorrow’s first stage of the Ingkerreke Commercial MTB Enduro/Red Centre.  It’s a five day stage race that is run by my adventure racing teammate, John Jacoby.  John and I raced side by side for nearly 8 years traveling around the globe through Kyrgysztan, Vietnam, the ALPS, covering what seems like a million miles together.  He’s like a brother to me, so when he invited me to come experience his race, I could not pass up the opportunity.  Read MORE

Tony Krupicka and Michael Wardian Competing at Miwok

May 4th, 2010

This video was shot while I was trying to crew for Nathan.  I would have had more shots of Nathan but was too worried about getting the bottles and nutrition ready that I had no time to shoot many photos….most were blurry. However, I was able to capture Krupicka and Wardian exchanging the lead at a crux point in their race to become Miwok Champion.  Enjoy.

Josh Tostado’s Cohutta 100 Report

May 3rd, 2010

The 2010 race season started with a bang literally. I woke at the usual 5am wake up call and got myself ready for the Cohutta 100, the first race in the NUE race series. It had been raining off and on all night long and was raining in the morning. By the time of the start of the race at 7am it had stopped and was trying to clear up and actually made for a beautiful morning. For the first 30 miles of the race I found myself in the lead pack of five riders I was felling great….READ MORE

Interviews and Live Action @ Miwok 100K with Nathan Yanko

May 2nd, 2010

This is about how much I saw of Nathan at an aid station on his way to a smoking fast finish of 8 hours 32 minutes at the Miwok 100.  It was a pretty exciting race this year with perhaps one of the most competitive Men’s and Women’s fields ever. Each station we would exchange Gel-bots, some Vespa, and then he’d give instructions for the next aid station 6 – 7 miles away. It was a super fun day.

Also Check out the iRunfar Interview: @ iRunFar.com

Note from Cohutta Champion Danielle Musto

April 30th, 2010

Daniel MustoThe race season is officially underway and I wanted to send out a quick update. In the last 2 weeks I raced the Paris-Ancaster 60K in Canada, and then 5 days later travelled down to Tennessee for the Cohutta Big Frog, a 65 Mile mountain bike race.

Paris-Ancaster took place in Canada on 4/18. There were over 1,900 racers total and the course was mostly flat paved and gravel roads.

The women’s field was incredibly strong, and included the UK National Cyclocross champ, and members of the Canadian Olympic road team.  Because I had never done the race before, my starting position was less then ideal. I think I was staged about 250 deep.  I actually watched the race unfold down the road before I started moving.  Even so I found a great group to work with and finished with a time of 2:18. That was good for 14th place out of 100 women.

After racing Paris-Ancaster,  I was very excited to race on singletrack the next weekend.  The Cohutta Big Frog course was a mixture of fun singletrack, and long dirt road climbs.  There were over 35 women racing and once again the field was very competitive.

The start of the race had a 2 mile paved climb before turning into tight, twisty singletrack.  My goal was to go out really hard so that I could get into the singletrack ahead of everyone else.  Mission accomplished! I raced up the road right behind the lead guy, and headed into the singletrack in the top 5 overall.  A bad case of chain suck sidelined me early on, but I was able to fix it and still hold my position of first female.

The rest of the race flew by in a blur.  My legs weren’t completely recovered from Paris-Ancaster, but I was able to push through the fatigue and extend my lead.  Because I was able to fit my Hydrapak 50 oz. Chute in my drop bag, my aid station stop was less then a minute long.

Bad weather started rolling in towards the end of the race, and I spent the last hour racing in a downpour. It was thundering, lightning, and I felt like there was a river running through the singletrack. It was here that I was really able to test out my equipment. My brakes never failed, and I was able to control my bike at all times. My Kenda Karma’s were perfect for the mud, and my Salsa Mamasita took all the wet roots and rocks with no problem. It was actually kind of fun….minus the lightning!

I crossed the finish line with a time of 5:43 as the 1st female finisher, and 10th overall.

Next up for me is a trip to Wisconsin for the Crystal Lake Classic, #2 in the WORS series. After that I have a series of hundred milers coming up. The Mohican 100 in Ohio, Lumberjack 100 in MI, and then the Cascade Creampuff in OR.

Thanks again for all of your support. I am incredibly lucky to have such great sponsors, and can’t wait for my next race!

Danielle Musto

Bike Rumor Reviews Morro

April 26th, 2010

MorroiBike Rumor wandered over to our booth at the Sea Otter Classic and took an extra look of our Morro Pro Series Hydration Pack.

The Morro has been one of the most reviewed packs this season.  It is the smaller of our two Pro Series hydration packs which exemplify our desire to produce the most highly advanced, technically and structurally, models in their category.

The Morro is an 800 cubic inch pack that is all about the details.  For more info, Click Here

Price: $109.99

See some great images from Tyler at Bike Rumor……Full Review

Hydrapak Supports IMBA Public Lands Initiative

April 20th, 2010

imbaHydrapak has just partnered with the International Mountain Biking Association’s Public Lands Initiative which aims to protect bicycle trail access throughout the United States.  Great efforts have been made to protect pristine environments by designating them as Wilderness Areas, yet by nature, this designation threaten closure popular trails to mountain biking since the federal government does not allow bikes on this land.

Mountain Biking biking is a healthy, low impact, environmentally friendly activity, and non-motorized activity. We would like to support IMBA’s efforts to work with stakeholders and legislator to create compromise that allows bikes to remain an activity of choice within protected areas.

For more information, please visit the International Mountain Biking Association website.

Bike Magazine includes the Morro for their MTB Kit

April 9th, 2010

Bike Magazine Cover We are psyched that Bike has included the Morro as one of their key pieces of equipment for a great mountain bike ride. Bike Magazine Kit Collection

Check out the April Issue for more details……………..

Reservoir Testing…Masters Style

April 9th, 2010

Mountain Bike Buyer’s Guide Featured Pack

March 23rd, 2010

The Morro is the featured Hydration Pack April’s Mountain Bike’s Buyers guide.  The reviewers love the fit, comfort, size, and special features.  They praise the organizational elements as “plentiful enough to make Martha Stewart coo” and proclaim our reservoir as their “favorite.”

This review along with glowing reviews from  MTB UK, Bike Radar, MTBR,  Dirt Rag, and Fresh Air Junkie enforce that we nailed it!Hydrapak Morro Hydration Pack

We’re psyched on consistent strong marks that our Pro Series packs have made within the market and to the critics.  More good things will continue to come from our team in the future.  Stay tuned…

Price: $109.99

Denver Post Review the Morro and Reservoir

March 23rd, 2010

reshand_3Here is another great review or our Reversible Reservoir hydration system and Pro Series Pack, the Morro, from the Denver Post:

“The problem with most reservoir-style hydration systems is that they almost always find a way to let you down. Bite valves break, hoses freeze, and closures leak or simply won’t open. Evidently, the folks at Hydrapak have encountered these frustrations and decided to do something about them…”

Morro
Price: $109.99
or Reservoir Only
Price: $27.99

Adventure World Reviews The Big Sur

March 22nd, 2010

When they call our Big Sur hydration pack  a ” favorite over here at Adventure World Magazine,”  we  know we are doing some good work.

For a full review check out: Adventure World

Price: $79.99

GelBot Review from Hydrapak Team’s Nathan Yanko

March 16th, 2010

Our man on the trail Nathan Yanko provides a great testimonial on the Gel-bot for those wanting to know from a top athlete how it performs.

I have been using The Gel-Bot from Hydrapak for about six months now on many of my longer trail runs. The Gel-Bot is great because it allows me to be able to consume gels without having to mess around with trying to get packaging open, or out of pockets while on the move or when my hands are too cold and I am lacking dexterity.

I used two of Hydrapak’s products for Headlands Hundred in August this year. I was using the Gel-Bot for hydration and gels, and a soft flask for additional gels. The great thing about both of these products for going longer distances is, I was more inclined to take in my calories at a steady rate. This allowed my body to have a constant intake of fuel, instead of slamming down a gel every 45min. This has really helped me to minimize spiking of my energy levels. I am also able to water down my gels in the soft flask making them more palatable and more gentle on my stomach.

I also find I begin taking in my calories much earlier than I would if I am taking a packaged gel. This helps me to stay ahead on calories while running. When we get behind in calories it is so difficult to get back to where we should be.

I think the Gel-Bot is really a solid product that eliminates the fussing of wrappers and stomach issues due to too many calories too quickly. I receive a steady and easily accessible intake of nutrition with the Hydrapak products. This allows me to put my focus less on my calories and more on the rocks on the trail. 

Price: $13.99

- Keep up to date with more of Nathan’s Race Reports and Reviews at:  Food and Trail Running

Nathan’s Bio

Carpe Diem Race Report

March 16th, 2010

The American Classic/Kenda/Tomac Professional Mountain Bike Team (Carpe Diem) competed in the first round of the South Eastern Regional Championship Series in Gainesville, Florida this weekend. With a big prize purse on the line, the top pros from the southeast were out in full force.

Sixteen year old  Chase Dickens started the day off well, with a 3rd place in the 19-29 Cat 1 Men’s field.  Philicia Marion pulled in a solid top 10 finish, with a 7th in Pro Women.   Robert had some bad luck with a mechanical in the opening stretch of the Pro Men’srace.  After getting his bike functioning again, he played catch-up with the field and came back up to 13th place.

The Team will travel next week to Fontana, CA for the first round of the US Pro Tour.

Surge Bite Valve Tester

March 15th, 2010

Here is one of our “official” bite valve testers checking our our new Surge Valve. At this stage in his life, he’s a good judge of quality.

Price: $5.99

Curiak is past the halfway point in the 1,150 Mile Alaskan Adventure

March 15th, 2010

On Saturday afternoon, Mike moved through the first real town he has seen in several days — if you can call it a town. Ruby, Alaska, population 188, is a native community on the Yukon River. In town, you can probably buy all the canned salmon you can eat, along with canned goods, a few packaged supplies, and, on a day well-timed with the mail plane, a non-wilted head of lettuce or a $9 gallon of milk. But Mike managed to ignore these temptations and kept pedaling right through town without stopping.

Read More

Runner’s World says you “Thnead” a Gel-Bot

March 12th, 2010

Lisa Jhung, of Runner’s World feels the Gel-bot fits nicely into the “Thnead” category of runner accessories.

Check out the full article HERE

Price: $13.99

Russell Bobbit: Current Leader of The National Enduro Point Series

March 12th, 2010

We just got some nice pics and a note from Russell Bobbitt we though we’d share.  Nice Going Russell!

Bobbitt at Alligator“I am happy to tell you that I am back into the series points lead after the third round in Florida where I claimed a second place finish! I was only 8 seconds away from the win down there, but was happy with my finish because the Alligator is notoriously rugged. I then went on to race the Georgia GNCC and placed 7th in the Pro Class. I had a good time racing something different and felt really good to pull a mean holeshot on all of the 450’s!! Now I am focusing on getting ready for the Texas National Enduro and will go hit the local moto tracks for some practice. Talk to you soon. Here are some cool pics too! by Kenny King”

Russell’s Bio

Product in this Photo: Flume

Price: $47.99

Big Sur gets some Love from the UK’s MBR Magazine

March 8th, 2010

MBR Magazine, April 2010

Devon Crosby-Helms Signs on to Endorse Gel-bot & Soft Flask

March 4th, 2010

Continuing the surge of athletes joining the team this year, Hydrapak announces the latest addition to their ultra running family: 2009 TransRockies Women’s Champion Devon Crosby-Helms

“Joining the Hydrapak team was an easy decision,” says Devon Crosby-Helms. “I believe in the products. For me, the Gel-bots and Soft Flasks are an absolute part of my essentials now. I am able to stay on top of my nutrition and hydration needs easily, without having to fuss with wrappers or packages. Using Gel-bots and Soft Flasks saves me minutes and seconds in getting my nutrition in while racing. That may not seem like a lot, but during 50 and 100 mile races it can make a huge difference. To me, the details matter and Hydrapak covers two of the most important, hydration and nutrition.”

“Hydrapak provides ultrarunners an edge by providing the newest and most innovative products for a sport where efficiency matters” said Jim Vernon, Team Manager at Hydrapak. “With Devon supporting our mission, we have another highly regarded athlete, with extensive nutritional expertise backing up strong performances, spreading the good word.”

After bursting on the Ultra scene in ’07 with many impressive finishes, including several course records, Devon has continued to excel and is now recognized among the world’s top ultra distance runners. In 2009, she held the ultra running world on the edge of their seats as she and her running partner, Caitlin Smith, battled seasoned veterans to win the Gore-Tex Challenge Stage Race through Colorado. She then went on to crush course records in several races including The JFK 50, the oldest and largest Ultra race in the country.

Devon’s upcoming schedule includes: the Napa Valley Marathon, March 7th, Lake Sonoma 50 M, March 27th, American River 50 M, April 10th, Big Sur Marathon, April 25th, Ice Age Trail 50 M, May 8th and the Western States 100 M, June 26th.

Keep up to date with Devon Crosby-Helms on her blog at www.devoncrosbyhelms.com.

Hydrapak is a leading global supplier of active lifestyle hydration equipment.  With deep roots in cycling culture, Hydrapak produces a lineup of custom built hydration backpacks, reservoirs, and bottles for a variety of sports, including biking, hiking and running.  Hydrapak components are also found on top manufacturers specializing in consumer, commercial and military purposes.  Brought to life in 1996 and located in Oakland, CA, Hydrapak products can be found in major retailers and sport specialty stores throughout the world.  More information can be found at www.hydrapak.com or by calling 510.632.8318.

Curiak attempts to ride the Iditarod Trail: Watch his progress

March 2nd, 2010

Mountain Biking legend Mike Curiak is once again riding the 1,150 mile Iditarod Trail this winter. This year however, he’ll be attempting to ride unsupported, carrying all his gear and avoiding any warm cabins that may draw him in for comfort.

He’ll be leaving a few days before the mushers who will be quickly gaining on him as he tries to beat them to Nome.

Follow his progress at Trackleaders.com and look for updates on: lacemine20.blogspot.com

AK09 slideshow from lacemine29 on Vimeo.

Mike Curiak: On Board with Hydrapak

March 1st, 2010

Curiak CanyonAdding to the deep pool of current team members, Hydrapak is proud to announce the signing of Mountain Bike Hall of Fame nominee Mike Curiak, who is currently attempting an unsupported, 1150-mile ride, along the Iditarod Trail of Alaska.

“There are very few pack makers out there producing a pack that makes me want to plunk down my hard earned green,” says Mike Curiak. “Of these, only Hydrapak has consistently shown that they’re interested in meeting the needs of epic riders and ‘bikepackers’ alike. The attention to detail, organization, and durability of Hydrapak’s Morro and Jolla I’ve been using has been nothing short of super, super impressive. I contacted Hydrapak about a year ago in hopes of joining their team. My goal? Simple, to get hands-on involved in producing the best and ‘baddest’ packs on the planet.”

Industry veteran, Mike Curiak began successfully racing mountain bikes in 1989. With initial success in the XC and DH disciplines, he transitioned into long distance racing that offered more challenge and matched his adventurous edge. 100 mile and 24-hour events only spurred his interest to go even further. Events of unbelievable magnitude were just over the horizon. Once there, he secured his spot as a pioneer within the sport of mountain biking.

Mike has set course records at the most difficult and challenging races known including the Iditasport Impossible (1,150 miles), Iditarod Trail Invitational (350 and 1,100 miles), Grand Loop Race (340 miles) Great Divide Race (2500 miles), and Kokopelli Trail Race (142 miles). These events push the boundaries to the cusp of what is humanly possible on a bike.

Curiak continues his passion for mountain biking operating LaceMine29, a successful 29” custom wheel building service from his Grand Junction workshop and documenting his extraordinary adventures through images and words on his blog at lacemine29.blogspot.com.

Hydrapak is a leading global supplier of active lifestyle hydration equipment. With deep roots in cycling culture, Hydrapak produces a lineup of custom built hydration backpacks, reservoirs, and bottles for a variety of sports, including biking, hiking and running. Hydrapak components are also found on top manufacturers specializing in consumer, commercial and military purposes. Brought to life in 1996 and located in Oakland, CA, Hydrapak products can be found in major retailers and sport specialty stores throughout the world

World 24 Hour Endurance Cycling Champion Rebecca Rusch Inks With Hydrapak

February 22nd, 2010

Rebecca Rusch

Hydrapak has once again raised the bar on its cycling athlete team roster, by signing one of the sport’s most prolific mountain bike and adventure race competitors, World 24 Hour Endurance Champion Rebecca Rusch.

“I chose Hydrapak because they make the absolute best reservoir in the world…strong, light, easy to clean, simple to use,” says Rebecca Rusch. “On top of that Hydrapak has worked hard to be innovative with their overall technology, bringing the packs and new Surge bite valve up to the standard they have set with the Reversible Reservoir II. I love the simplicity of the whole system and that Hydrapak listens to what their athlete’s want.”

“Top endurance athletes like Rebecca require all their systems dialed for success, says Hydrapak Team Manager Jim Vernon. “Rebecca dedicated time to review our gear before she could honestly endorse Hydrapak. Having her on board signals to us that we are on the right path.”

Since turning to pro in 2001, Rebecca Rusch has proven to the world she has what it takes to execute above and beyond during the sport’s most brutal adventure and mountain bike races. Drawing from her background in adventure racing, Rebecca has a deep well of skills: paddling, rock climbing, biking, navigating, skiing, and more.

Rusch moved to California from the stark plains of Illinois after college to pursue rock climbing. She soon racked up ascents of big walls from Yosemite to Zion. Paddling was next as she rose through local competitive ranks to race with the world-famous Offshore Canoe Club’s women’s outrigger team in the brutal Molokai crossing. Adventure Racing was the next challenge. The first race she entered was a qualifier for the Australian Eco-challenge. “We ended up winning the race. The rest is history,” says Rusch.

In the nine years since that first adventure race, Rusch has become one of the strongest female captains in the sport and garnered an incredibly deep résumé.

In 2006, Rebecca successfully turned her talents toward endurance solo mountain bike races while continuing to compete in the toughest adventure races. In 2006, she won the Solo Mountain Biking Nationals, and took second in Worlds. 2007 was a banner season for Rebecca and she started her climb to the top of the sport. Winning the 2007, 2008, and 2009 World Solo 24hr Championships cemented her into the history books, as well as putting her on top of the podium next to cycling great Lance Armstrong at the grueling Leadville 100. With no end in sight, Rebecca will continue to push herself and others in endurance racing to be the best.

Rebecca was featured in “Race Across the Sky,” a documentary about the 2009 Leadville 100 event. Beginning February 25th, she will be touring with the film and will host pre-parties at select retailers. For more information on dates and times check out her website at www.rebeccarusch.com.

Hydrapak is a leading global supplier of active lifestyle hydration equipment. With deep roots in cycling culture, Hydrapak produces a lineup of custom built hydration backpacks, reservoirs, and bottles for a variety of sports, including biking, hiking and running. Hydrapak components are also found on top manufacturers specializing in consumer, commercial and military purposes. Brought to life in 1996 and located in Oakland, CA, Hydrapak products can be found in major retailers and sport specialty stores throughout the world. More information can be found at www.hydrapak.com or by calling 510.632.8318.

Photo Credit: (c)Dan Campbell/Red Bull Photofiles

Musto Starts the Season off with a Win at the White Tank Whirlwind

February 3rd, 2010

Daniel MustoDanielle started her season off nicely with a win at the White Tank Whirlwind race in Arizona last weekend.

Here is her race report:

In Arizona, racing is already in full swing. Jason, Juli and I arrived at the race venue about an hour early to find a pretty big crowd of people. The marathon race started at 8 a.m., and the rest of the regular XC races were going off a half hour later.

The lines were moving pretty quickly, and when I picked up my race number and timing chip one of the volunteers asked me to step on a scale. I was like, “wow, they are really serious about their races here.” She led me over to it, and it was right in front of the registration line. Talk about intimidating. I asked her why she was weighing me and she was like, “aren’t you racing in the rock crusher division?” In Michigan we refer to that division as Clydesdale. I immediately decided to put a ban on Nutella for at least a week.

Read more……

MTBR Reviews: Morro

January 18th, 2010

Hydrapak Morro Hydration PackThis is becoming regular and we like it… another review raving about our new Pro Series model, the Morro.

This time it is MTBR.

We appreciate getting noticed by mountain biking fanatics and for a rating of 5 out of 5 red hot chili peppers.

The Morro is on Fuego!

For the full Review: CLICK HERE

Price: $109.99

Reservoir Animation

December 21st, 2009

The Hydrapak Reversible Reservoir II that is integrated into our Hydration packs.

Hydrapak Athlete Rebecca Rusch Interviewed on Ketchum 7

December 8th, 2009

We’d like to congratulate Rebecca Rusch for dedicating herself to the pursuit of endurance challenges, across many disciplines, and inspiring so many people along the way.  As one of the main characters of Race Across the Sky, the Leadville 100 Bike documentary, she continues to be a strong spokesperson for endurance sports.

Here is a recent interview from Ketchum’s Channel 7 that will get bikers fired up to start training for 2010 today.

For more info check out: Rebecca’s Blog

Bike Rumor Gel-bot Review

November 30th, 2009

Bike Rumor GBIt is always nice when some peers like what you already think is cool. This happened over the weekend with Bike Rumor….they seem to dig the gel-bot for fast group rides when you don’t have the time to reach in your jersey pocket to rip open a gel-packet.

Check out their entire review HERE.

Price: $13.99

Jolla Review from the UK

November 23rd, 2009

bikeradarNice review of the Jolla in this month’s Mountain Biking UK……. Here is what they say: “The Jolla’s not cheap, but the performance, comfort, and tech can’t be denied.” Want to read more…click HERE

Note however, the price is only $129.99

Price: $129.99

Technology in a Surge Bite Valve

October 26th, 2009

Surge Promo news

Morro Review from Backbone Racing

October 5th, 2009

OK, so I must say that the new MORRO from Hydrapak is evolution at it’s finest.  Coming off the old (four years now?) Hydrapak I have, the new MORRO’s design upgrades and materials were startling. From the design of the interior spaces that held all the metal bits and tools tight and quiet, to the shape of the shoulder straps and narrow pack layout..the MORRO was the most non-hydration-pack-hydration pack I have ever used. Oh, and the magnet-thingy that keeps the hose in check and easily accessible? Money.

Thanks for making the best packs on the market, and for continuing to let the delinquents here at Backbone Adventure Cycling be your test-monkeys.

Chris Sharp

Team Owner/Director; Backbone Adventure Cycling

Price: $109.99

www.backboneracing.com

www.backboneracing.blogspot.com

BikeFix Attracted to Quantum Clip

October 5th, 2009

Hydrapak Quantum Clip

Well, this is almost getting routine now, but another blogger is noticing the changes happening at Hydrapak.

“The guys over at Hydrapak had a number of cool bags and very cool water/gel bottles, which we’ll have on test soon. What also caught our eyes was the Quantum Clip now shipping with the company’s very nice bladders……”

Check out the rest of the review at Bikefix.net

Price: $5.99

Singletracks & Bikeradar like our Stuff!

September 29th, 2009
Laguna at Interbike

Laguna at Interbike

Posted on Singletracks 9/29/09 - “For those who are looking for an affordable hydration pack that doesn’t suck, take a peek at what Hydrapak has to offer. I spoke with Dax Kelm at Interbike and he showed me some of the new and improved hydration packs.”

READ MORE

From Bikeradar – “Hydrapak is the Man City to CamelBak’s Man United – less lauded, less glamorous but growing rapidly in effectiveness. The new Morro model is perfect for rides up to and including the epic winter all-dayer, with enough space to cram in just about all the essentials.

The Hydrapak Morro has a main compartment with a long zip that means you can lay the bag down and lift the front of it right out to expose the contents from top to bottom. No longer can errant 2mm Allen keys hide in those dark corners. Add 13l of load capacity, a 3l bladder and a reasonably light 620g dry weight and you’ve got a highly useful pack. The plug and play hose is a great idea, as is the reversible bladder – especially for cleaning.  Read More

Swimming the English Channel with a Gel-Bot

September 29th, 2009

Bay Area swimmer Laurin Weisenthal swam the English Channel a few days ago in 8 hours and 33 minutes. Congratulations and thanks for using the Gel-bot as part of your strategy for success.

Check out Laurin’s blog for more info and the news clip below.

KTVU 10PM News 9/20/2009 from Laurin Weisenthal on Vimeo.

Bike Magazine Likes Our New Stuff

September 28th, 2009
Bike Magazine image of the Morro at '09 Interbike

Bike Magazine image of the Morro at '09 Interbike

Out of hundreds of Manufacturers presenting their gear at Interbike last weekend in Vegas, Hydrapak made a great impression on Day One with Bike Magazine.

Highlighted were our new “Surge” bite valve and Pro Series Morro.

Check out Chris Lesser’s Post

Lyra Mag Shows Enthusiasm for HP

September 14th, 2009
Soft Flasks at OR

Hydrapak Soft Flasks

Lyra Mag had some nice things to say about our new products during a tour of the our booth at The Outdoor Retailer, a large tradeshow that showcases upcoming products to dealers. Here is what they had to say

“HYDRAPAK has a very impressive collection of back friendly backpacks and water reservoirs that have made this personal hydration system brand a fav of pro athletes in the triathlon/bicycling worlds.” read more of Lyra Mag’s Review

Great Performance Video by MC Spandex

September 8th, 2009

This is good humor……

Dart Adventure interview during ‘09 Primal Quest

August 24th, 2009

Day Two of this year’s Primal Quest. Cyril and the Team keeping a great attitude in spite of some challenges.

Note from Daniel Musto – Summer Race Update

August 11th, 2009

Danielle Musto I wanted to send out a mid-season thank you for all of your support. So far I’ve raced close to 800 miles (not including training) and everything has been working flawlessly. It’s definite proof of how great the product I’m racing with is!

The month of July has been busy…but a good busy. After Lumberjack I had a week to recover before I raced at the Stony Creek Marathon, which is part of the USAC-Michigan race series. My endurance paid off in this race, and I finished in 1st place with a 7 minute lead.

After that I headed out to Colorado. It was my first time training at altitude and I was able to get some good mileage in. I capped off my visit with a hundred mile race, the Breckenridge 100. I can honestly say that this was the hardest race I’ve ever done and I think others will agree with me as 48% of the field dropped out. I had to deal with altitude sickness during the race, but managed to pedal to 5th place. Even sick, I loved bombing down all of the sweet Colorado single-track.Danielle Musto 3rd place

On August 8th I competed in the 10th annual Ore to Shore Challenge in Marquette, Michigan. Ore to Shore is race #1 in the Triple Crown series and consists of 48 miles of road, double-track, single-track and a whole lot of sand pits!

The 800 person mass start was chaotic with so many people gunning for the whole shot. I knew that there were about 80 women in my field, but it was impossible to know what position I was in.

I opted to ride my Tomac Type X for the race equipped with a 2.1 Karma on the front and a 1.9 on the back. Having a wider tire in the front allowed me to float over the sand easily, and my Type X handled the road and double-track sections with ease. That is one fast bike!

I ended up crossing the finish line in 3rd place and just under 3 hours. Jenna Zander-Rinehart (Specialized) and Kyia Anderson (Cannondale) finished first and second respectively. This race was a lot of fun and it was cool to race in such a large and very competitive field! I definitely plan on going back next year.

More pictures and race info can be found here: www.mtbracenews.com/2009/08/ore-to-shore-marquette-michigan-round-1.html

Next up for me is a lot of training. From this moment forward every pedal stroke I take will be in preparation for the 24 hour National Championships in October.

Until the next race!

Danielle Musto

Reservoir Testing Short Video

August 3rd, 2009

This is a shorter version of our non-scientific, goofball testing, that shows how tough our reservoir is in simple terms.

Pack Talk w/Hydrapak Designer Sam Lopez @ Outdoor Retailer

August 3rd, 2009

This video is from the Summer Outdoor Retailer Tradeshow in July and shows our Designer Sam Lopez reviewing the new Pro Series packs called the Jolla (pronounced “hoiya” for gringos) and the Morro for Gearactive.com

Reservoir Testing Video

August 2nd, 2009

Not scientific, we pick on our big competition, but even they will have to admit we make the toughest reservoir.

Kenda Hayes Team Takes Podium

July 27th, 2009
Kenda Team

Kenda Team

The Hydrapak sponsored Kenda/KMC/Hayes Professional Mountain Bike team continues to roll through the season with success. The Team raced the 9th round of the South Eastern Regional Championship Series in Anniston, Alabama the weekend of July 12. Chase Dickens took home his first victory in the Cat 1 19-29 mens field, possibly the youngest racer to win the class in the series. Robert Marion placed 2nd in the large Pro Mens class……Read More

Runner’s World likes our Soft Flask

July 27th, 2009

Soft Flask

Lisa Jhung, Runner’s World Trail Running Editor, recently checked out our Soft Flask at The Outdoor Retailer Trade Show and thought it was worthy of a special mention of a great new product.

“Ultrarunners may be happy to find the Softflask, which holds either 5 or 8 ounces of gel in an easy-to-squeeze flask (think toothpaste tube)…..something welcome during long runs where you need your energy to keep one foot moving in front of the other.”

Check out her entire Runner’s World post from July 24th.

Thanks Lisa!

Dart Adventure's So Cal Training for the Primal Quest

July 21st, 2009

Primal Quest Training Last weekend, I did my second marathon in the mountains after doing my first a week earlier. The first which consisted of the first 26 miles of the Angeles Crest 100 ultra proved to be quite challenging to say the least. Although we only ran between 6,600′ – 9.400′, I could definitely feel the rarified air and I had a pounding headache. It seems like I don’t do well at altitude as I age! Oh, well, maybe the lack of long distrance running also played a role. In the end, we climbed over 9,000′. A good all around day and stunningly beautiful with ideal weather (it’s hard not to in Los Angeles).

Read More

Cyril Jay-Rayon writes about cracked ribs at 24 Hours of Adrenalin MTB Race

June 30th, 2009

Cyril Jay Rayon at Laguna SecaThis past weekend, I competed in my second 24 hours solo mountain bike race in Laguna Seca. My teammate,

Seegs, also raced and won the women’s 24 solo division in style. The race was part of the world renowned 24 hours of Adrenalin series. After my first race at Hurkey Creek 6 weeks prior, I was determined to have a crash free race, pace myself better, and ride strong throughout. I managed to succeed in doing 2 out of 3 but I just couldn’t keep the tires down for the entire 24 hours and crashed on lap 14 (some 12+ hours into the race) and cracked some ribs as I overshot a corner, barrelled straight down the side of the hill and flipped and landed on my handlebars. I learned the hard way that it’s difficult to keep fatigue from affecting your handling skills. Another lesson learnt. I just need to slow down in the later part of the race on the more technical sections when fatigued. For all I know, maybe i was going slow and was so fatigued that I thought I was going fast around the corner. This is one of the interesting aspects of 24 hour racing as your mind plays tricks on you and sometimes blurs your perception of reality. Push hard enough and you might just get drug free hallucinations!

All this ultra endurance racing into the night begs the question. Why do some ride 24 hours solo when 12 hours is more than enough to completely trash you and leave you feeling that going any longer is senseless? Read More

Steve Leivan's Race Report: The Battlegrounds MO Hare Scramble

June 30th, 2009

Frank Levian at the MO Hare Scramble #6

It’s been super hot here for the last several days but the forecast called for a cold front to roll in on Saturday night. Having spent time in the heat preparing, I was kind of hoping for it to stay hot, but I’d say that would put me in the minority. Another concern going into the race was the fact that a Forward Motion race was going to be held on Saturday and many of us decided that if the conditions were anything other than perfect, that the MHSC crowd would basically be getting “left-overs”.

We rolled in just before 5:00 on Saturday and it was still 95’ish. By the time we got the camper and van jockeyed around and settled in, I was drenched in sweat. I got my mountain bike out and took off on the course and found an almost entirely new trail from past years. The conditions were unbelievable and I could only imagine how bitchin’ the race was going to be. The best part on the mountain bike ride was getting to the creek section and cooling off.

So after my ride we sat down for supper and Dad informs me that he thinks it needs to rain a little bit. I responded with “are you high?” and a quick “it does NOT need to rain”. So I ribbed him a bit and said, “if we get your rain, you’re gonna be a one lap wonder – you ain’t gonna like it”. There were probably as many log crossings as I’ve seen in a trail, at all different angles and of all different sizes. A bit of moisture on them would make them truly haggard.

So of course, it rained.

I sat my mashed potato pot from supper outside so I could see how much and by morning we had ¾”. Oh, thanks so much Frank! I put my MX31 Dunlop’s on and headed out for practice. I hated the conditions. It was really slippery and the roots and logs were no fun. I came back and tried a trick that Peter from Yamaha NZ emailed me about this week to help find traction and then I tried to find some way to convince myself this would be “enjoyable”.

“GO TIME”: There were 13 guys on the front row and I entered the trail in about seventh position. I was nowhere near comfortable and was just kind of riding along and trying to not crash. Pretty early on I got by Mark Gay and then I came up on “Little Mickie” Kirkness who had wadded up over a big log. He got going just in front of me and then I got to watch him do a big triple dab washout over a slick root. In his defense, I don’t think he saw it on his “sight lap” and didn’t know it was there (I gotta be careful what I say since he may read this and will probably refuse to speak to me – or offer me pizza again).

So that put me in fifth and before the end of the lap I was in second with Caleb Wohletz leading the way. I actually thought I was further back than that so when I got the pit board I was a bit surprised. On lap two, some of the trail was better and some wasn’t so I was just trying to ride within my limits and not take any chances.

Aaron Shaw caught up to me on lap three and I figured he was going quicker so I gave him the preferred line and he went by. It turns out he was fighting clutch issues and our pace didn’t change much. Near the end of the lap he stalled and I passed him then he passed me when I stopped for clean goggles and a splash of fuel. By then, I was feeling a bit better and choosing good lines so I closed back up to him and went by and I tried to pick up the pace.

Then I lost the front end and went down giving him second position back. I reeled him back in and when we got to the corn field section I gave a glance back and saw that Ken Yount had caught up to us. Then I heard another bike back there and I saw Brandon Forrester. So it was pretty much like the last round now. There were four of us together all battling; the only difference was that Wohletz was out front, all alone.

When Shaw was trying to pass a lapped rider in a fast field I went to the other side of them and got them both to take over second. I had pressure the whole rest of the way. Sometimes it was Shaw, sometimes Yount, and sometimes Forrester, but there was always someone right there, providing the heat. For the last lap and a half I kept trying to hit my lines and get through traffic as quick as possible.

We got to the final creek crossing and I stuck with the safest line while I heard a four stroke pinned to the stop behind me. I came up the muddy bank on the other side and I could still hear it but I managed to get to the field blast first and ride error-free the last half-mile of trail to finish second. Forrester was three seconds behind me and Yount was one second behind him. It was pretty intense that last 40 minutes or so.

OTHER STUFF: It turned out to be a good day for me; especially considering how crappy practice went. It’s not that the course was that bad, it’s just that on Saturday I saw how good it could be, and then after the rain it wasn’t nearly as good. But it got better and I got to battle with some guys again, so it did turn out to be “enjoyable”.

Steve Akers and Chad Vaught went with me to the Michigan OMA last weekend and this week they battled it out to go 1-2 in the “A” Intermediate class (8th & 9th overall – best ever results for each of them, I think). Todd Corwin got third and after the race told me he got beat by my “little buddies”. I asked if he wanted to go to the next OMA in Wisconsin and he said “no” so I told him they would probably beat him at the next MHSC round, too. There, Todd – you have been called out!

Mickie raced the National Flat Track event in Lima, OH and then drove all night so he could come play in the trees with us on Sunday. A couple of weeks ago he rattled his cage at Peoria and this was the first time since then he had ridden in the woods. He said he couldn’t see very well and fell off about 15 times. I think by the end of the race he had retired (again) but I reckon he’ll be ready to ride again by Wednesday or so.

The guys at www.offroadchampions.com and www.theorc.com have been posting my reports lately so a big thanks to them for getting the word out about my world.

TODAYS “5 FASTEST”: 1. Wohletz (Kaw); 2. LEIVAN (YAMAHA); 3. Forrester (Kaw); 4. Yount (KTM); 5. Henslee (KTM)

WHAT’S NEXT: July 12; Round 5 OMA Nationals; Hixton, WI

Lumberjack 100 Mile MTB Race

June 22nd, 2009

Here is a great race review from Hydrapak supported rider, Danielle Musto, on her Lumberjack 100 Mile Mountain Bike Race last weekend in Michigan.

Danielle at the start of the Lumberjack 100

Race #3 of the National Ultra Endurance Series, The Lumberjack 100, happened this past weekend in Manistee, Michigan. It was really nice being able to race a National race right in my home state!

Two things separate the Lumberjack 100 from the rest of the races in the NUE series. First, the Lumberjack is 99% single-track, comprised of short, steep climbs, a few switch-back sections, and lots and lots of Michigan sand. Secondly, the race has a lap format, meaning that we had to do 4 loops of the 25-mile course. As a result, the Lumberjack is known for being the most mentally challenging of all the races.

After the first 25 miles I came through the pit area in 3rd place, minutes behind Betsy Shogren (Cannondale) and Karen Potter. I grabbed a fresh hydrapak and tried to make up time on the 2nd lap. Things went “downhill” for me quickly when I hit some wet roots at the bottom of one of the fast downhills. My bike stem slammed into my knee-cap, taking me out of the race for a good 5 minutes.

Gnarly Knee

Eventually I was able to get back on my bike and start pedaling again. The women’s field was pretty stacked with about 25 racers, and I wasn’t sure how far back everyone else was. I knew that I was going to have to hurry if I wanted to hold on to my position. It was pretty obvious that I needed stitches, but I figured that I could finish the remaining 65 miles of the race first!

After 8 hours and 46 minutes of riding I crossed the finish line as the 3rd place female, and placed 31st overall out of 280 racers! More coverage and pictures can be found at www.mtbracenews.com

Thanks again to all of my sponsors. My bike and gear worked flawlessly, and I couldn’t do it without you! Next weekend I’ll be racing in a local Norba Marathon, and then it’s off to Colorado for the 4th race in the NUE series, the Breckenridge 100. This will be my first time racing at a higher elevation. I’m definitely nervous about it, but also very excited to see what I can do!

Check out Danielle’s Blog for more in depth reviews of this race. HERE

Thanks for the Flask

June 22nd, 2009

We recently recieved a nice note from an online customer about his service and reason he needed a Gel-bot ASAP.

Gel-bot

We felt a little guilty that the Express Shipping was more than the bottle so we gave him a bonus.

Please Read:

Hi,

I ordered a Gel-Bot bike bottle from you guys two days ago and just received it today. I ordered it 2-day air, but still I was really surprised that it came in so quickly. There was a note on the order slip that “If anyone needs a Gel-Bot this quickly, they should also try our Softflask,” and there was a free Softflask thrown in, which was neat.

So here’s my testimonial: my friend and riding buddy got a Gel-Bot a while ago and is constantly raving about it. I thought it was just another unnecessary upgrade. But last weekend, I was in a race where the pack was pretty tight and the course was winding, so it was tough to find a free moment to eat. Sure enough, by my third hour of not eating, I bonked, got dropped, and my friend continued on in the group. So my motive for the expensive shipping was to avoid the same fate in my next race tomorrow!

Anyhow, thanks for the free flask and the speedy service. I’m counting on it to keep me well-gelled.

Sean

Dart Adventure Wins MIX Expedition Race

June 3rd, 2009

Dart Adventure Team's Night NavigationTeam nuun-FeedTheMachine crossed the finish line in Traverse City MI after approximately 77 hours of continuous racing covering 100 miles by canoe, 80miles on foot, and 165 miles on bike across beautiful northern Michigan. Teams from around the US were treated to beautiful countryside, hardwood forests, and flowing rivers connecting pristine lakes. They also endured almost continuous rain, which had little effect on this Pacific NW team but had the added benefit of firming up the notorious Michigan sand. Read More

MTBR Video from Hydrapak’s Sea Otter Booth

May 1st, 2009

The MTBR crew came by to do an “on the spot video” of our Reservoir and Soft Flask.

Check it out……

Buy One Today:

Soft Flask
Reservoirs

Rocky Mountain Sports likes the Cruz

April 19th, 2009

See What Rocky Mountain Sports had to say about the Cruz as well as the Nathan Pack (who purchases their reservoirs from us).

Buy a Cruz Today

Recent Product Movie: Out of Control

April 1st, 2009

Laguna Review

March 31st, 2009

LagunaHere is a comprehensive review of one of our more technical packs, the Laguna.

See what Mtn Bike Riders had to say.

Buy a Hydrapak Laguna Today

Hydrapak at 2009 Sea Otter Classic

March 4th, 2009

Hydrapak is pleased to be participating in the 19TH Annual Sea Otter Classic taking place on April 16-19, 2009 at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area in Monterey, California. This four day weekend, also known as “The Celebration of Sport,” is filled with races, demonstrations, and the worlds largest consumer expo areas. With over 50,000 attendees watching 9,000 racers speed through various courses, this is the cycling industry’s grand season kick-off party.

Sea Otter offers cycling enthusiasts, of all persuasions, something to get excited about. “Roadies” can take part in various races from Circuts or Criteriums around the Laguna Seca Race Track and long distance races for all categories of racers. Mountain Bikers can participate in Cross Country, Short Track, Downhill, Dual Slalom, Super D, and, new this year, a Dual Stunt course with water and bridge hazards.

Not Racing? Take advantage of the area and sign up for a road or mountain bike tour that are ongoing throughout the festival.

The expo and demo areas attract top vendors displaying cycling merchandise for attendees to check out. The area is centrally located near all the action happening on the track and downhill courses and adjacent to the food and beer gardens.

Additional activities include kids bike rodeo and other races, Trials Show, GT Airshow Team performances, and live performances by Jeff Jones and The Ressesions.

Come on down and visit the Hydrapak booth (826). We’ll have all our new gear and offer some awesome show specials. We’ll also have some Nuun samples if you need to fill your new hydration pack or gel-bot with premium electrolytes.

More information can be found at www.seaotterclassic.com.

Hydrapak supports ZTeam Mission

March 4th, 2009

When Lance Armstrong and Team Astana recently passed through northern California on a training session, Hunter Ziesing decided to try to ride along.  Having some inside information on the route he thought he’d slip into the group and see what it was like to hang with the best.

As he reached the meeting point for the start of the ride,  just before he got out of his car, he saw the Astana riders take off.  As quick as he could he got his gear together and began the chase.After each town and speaking to different onlookers,  he realized he was getting further and further behind.  It was during this ride when the hyper connected Ziesing reached out to us to tell us how how psyched he was on the Gel-bot.  He also let us in on his mission for ZTeam.
ZTeam is building a national cycling club network one community at a time.  Hunter works on a national level to establish corporate relationships with benefits that are passed down to each local club.  Local clubs work with area retailers to help drive business and promote the sport of cycling.
ZTeam creates a turn-key process for individuals to start a club anywhere with instant support with training clinics, uniform production, and other benefits.  Exsisting clubs can also take advantage of what ZTeam offers including providing a national reach.
For more information on ZTeam, check out their website at: ZTeamcycling.com

New Product: The Pure-bot

February 2nd, 2009

purebotsHundreds of potentially harmful chemicals known to produce Estrogenic Activity (EA) are combined to create plastic bottles. Recent awareness of the nature of these chemicals has prompted manufactureres to remove some of them. The most common chemical removed is BPA. But BPA is only one of many potentially dangerous elements and does not entirely remove the risk of EA exposure for the consumer.

However, with the introduction of the Pure-bot, Hydrapak is the first and only manufacturer with a certified EA Free bottle. Now there is no better choice for people concerned about their health. The Pure-bot is the one.

For more information click: http://www.pure-bot.com/

Hydrapak Videos by Invodo

January 26th, 2009

Chute

Flume

Gel-Bot

Gel-Bot Belt

Reversible Reservoir II

Softflask

Hydrapak Supports Mohican 50K

January 13th, 2009

Hydrapak becomes a supporting sponsor for the Mohican 50K trail race on April 19th.

 Hydrapak will provide prizes to the winners and all racers will receive a discount for any Hydrapak or Gel-bot merchandise.

For more info: http://mohican50k.blogspot.com/

Good Luck Racers!

Kenda Team Announced

December 17th, 2008

Kenda Presents Team and Sponsors for 2009

Ann Arbor, MI December 16th, 2008 Kenda USA has announced that it is renewing their sponsorship of the US based mountain bike team for the third year after
assuming titles sponsorship from Ford Motor Company in 2007. Jim
Wannamaker, Kenda USA North American Marketing Director – Bicycle
Division says that continued sponsorship for the team is not only
important for Kenda, but also for the continued success of the sport in
North America. “Despite the economic downturn, we made a conscious
decision to support our flagship team of athletes who are as committed
to the sport as we are.” Wannamaker said.
Indeed, in addition to the team sponsorship, Kenda will play an important role
in all of the major US races next season with sponsorship of the US Cup
series of races being held across the country with a finale in Las
Vegas coinciding with Interbike.
Sponsors:
Joining Kenda this season will be Tomac Bikes. Athletes will have the option of riding the Type-X carbon hard tail or the Carbide full-suspension bike. “This partnership brings full circle the relationship between Kenda and Tomac as a new generation of athletes ride the bikes of a mountain bike pioneer and legend.” said Joel Smith, Tomac Bikes COO. Hayes Bicycle Group, back for a second season with the team. They will showcase products from all their divisions including Hayes Brakes, Manitou suspension, Sun Ringle wheels and Answer bars and stems. Other sponsors include: Voler team clothing, WickWerks cranksets, KMC Chains, Specialized helmets and shoes, Crank Brothers pedals, Ergon grip and packs, HydraPak and GelBot hydration products, Finish Line lubricants and cleaning products, Genuine Innovations inflation products, Kinesys sunscreen products, Joan C. Banfield Foundation, and Mighty Good Coffee.
Athletes:
The team has several returning athletes along with two new recruits and
will focus on a mix of endurance and ultra-endurance racing. “This
diverse group gives us the flexibility to compete in a broad range of
events from the US Cup and the NUE Series to single day epics like
Leadville and stage races like the American Mountain Bike Classic.”
says team director David Myers. Several members of the team also plan
on competing at the two World Cup races in Canada. The team will also
be present at the Kenda Fest in Hancock, MA

2009 Team

Zephanie Blasi, Frenchtown, MT

Colin Cares, U23, Colorado Springs, CO

Amanda Carey, Victor, ID

Heather Holmes, Salt Lake City, UT

Danielle Musto, Grand Rapids, MI

Andy Schultz, Tucson, AZ

Kathy Sherwin, Heber City, UT

David Myers, Director

Ted Bentley, Mechanic and Event Manager

Wendy Caldwell, Community Programs

Team Dart Nuun on FUEGO!

November 26th, 2008

November has been the best month in the team’s 7 year history. First off, the team took 6th at the World Championships in the 120F temperatures of Northeastern Brazil and a week later won the US National Championships in significantly colder Georgia. Both races had beautiful and extremely tough courses (as most championships do) against the best in the world and the nation. We’re extremely proud of our accomplishments but know we couldn’t have achieved such amazing results without the continued support over the years of our amazing sponsors. Thank you! (Team Captain and Navigator – Cyril Jay Rayon)

Russell Bobbitt Wins National Enduro Championship

October 20th, 2008

Wickenburge, AZ – Red Bull KTM Factory rider Russell Bobbitt secured his second National Enduro Championship at the tenth round of the AMA National Enduro Series while his teammate Mike Lafferty finished in the runner-up position.

The course conditions were dry and rocky. “The course was very challenging today, but oddly enough, I think it was the first time I’ve ever had fun riding in Arizona,” commented Lafferty after the race.

Lafferty and Bobbitt both rode well throughout the day. Lafferty worked hard and won the majority of the tests which earned him the overall win. Bobbitt stayed strong and consistent and finished second which secured the championship. “I was happy with my ride today but knew that Russell would have to make some pretty big mistakes to lose the championship. I got the race win, but not the championship. Now I will go home and continue my training to come back and try to win the championship next year,” stated Lafferty.

“I am very excited about this championship. I worked hard all season long and am glad that I was able to have everything come together at the final round. It was a close title chase all year. I am happy for the entire team to earn first and second in the series,” reported Bobbitt.

Overall Point Standings –
1) Russell Bobbitt – 245
2) Mike Lafferty – 239
3) Cole Kirkpatrick – 190
4) Jeff Melik – 120
5) Chris Gallt – 84

Team Dart Nuun takes Desert Winds Race

May 21st, 2008

On May 10th, DART-nuun won the beautiful and navigationally challenging Arizona 24 hour race called Desert Winds – part of the National 24 hour series (http://www.checkpointtracker.com). The course was stunning with incredible slot canyons, secluded inlets, and breathtaking views. What made the victory even sweeter is that our 2 teams crossed the finish line together – once again – after battling each other most of the race. You can read all about the race and see photos on the team’s news blog at: http://www.checkpointzero.com/dartnuun/2008/05/desert-winds-ii.cfm Next, DART-nuun is preparing to compete in North America’s premier expedition race – Big Bad Primal Quest at the end of June in majestic Montana – www.ecoprimalquest.com Keep Exploring, Cyril

Kenda Titus Hayes 1st at 12 hours of Tsali

May 17th, 2008

Bryson City, NC, May 17th, 2008 - Danielle Musto traveled south this past weekend and recorded her first ultra-endurance win for 2008 at the 12 Hours of Tsali. Her words tell the story best:

TsaliThis past weekend I traveled down to Bryson City, North Carolina to compete in the 12 hours of Tsali. The race promoter does a super job of organizing the event and the 10 mile course is a nice mix of hills and winding single track.Bryson City saw rain showers in the days leading up to the race, resulting in sloppy conditions in the first few laps. Following a short Le Mans start I worked for the first half of my race to ride a consistent pace. As the race progressed I switched between my Titus Racer X and Titus Exogrid Hardtail, both equipped with Kenda Karma UST tires, which handled the mud very well. My new Hayes Stroker brakes and Manitou fork were also a huge help on Tsali’s slippery and rough cut singletrack.

As the race progressed the sun began to shine and the trail dried out. I kept my laps times right at 60 minutes with rolling pit stops to grab fresh hydration packs filled with Power Bar Endurance formula. I had lapped the entire women’s field by the halfway point in the race, and continued to move up in the solo men’s field.

Just before dark I pitted to mount my lights. My pit crew informed me that I had moved into 6 place overall against the solo men. For the next few laps I kept my focus on maintaining a steady pace. I was able to pick off a couple more of the solo men. I finished with 11 total laps in first place in the Solo Womens’ division and fourth place overall. Only 3 solo men bettered my performance.

Until the next race-
Danielle Musto
Team Kenda Titus Hayes

Team Dart Nuun Wins Baja Travesia

March 31st, 2008
At the end of March, DART-nuun won the mighty Baja Travesia expedition race (www.bajatravesia.com) – North America’s World Championship qualifier. The course was stunning, wild, and difficult. What made it even more incredible is that our 2 teams crossed the finish line together. You can read all about the race and see photos on the team’s news blog at: HERE
The race was also covered by sleepmonsters.com (one of the the most widely read international adventure racing news site). Here is what Sleepmonsters had to say about DART-nuun’s wins: “These guys have just put out the most superb performance here. Both teams have made navigational mistakes which have cost them hours on the course – but they don’t stop and fight about it, they just deal with where they are now, how to move forward, and then go – truly cool, truly professional. It’s just been amazing to watch them in action.” Next, DART-nuun will send two teams to Nevada’s toughest – Desert Winds – a 24 hour race near Lake Mead on May 10th. Keep Exploring, Cyril

Hydrapak Expands North American Distribution with Canadian Wholesaler

June 22nd, 2007

June 22, 2007 (Berkeley, Calif.)—Hydrapak, creators of innovative and advanced hands-free fluid delivery, has partnered with cycling distributor Norco Products to take over Hydrapak’s distribution across Canada. Both parties are excited about the opportunity to offer high-performance hydration systems coast to coast.“We feel fortunate about this new partnership and Norco’s reputation as the most highly regarded Canadian cycling and accessory distribution company,” remarks Matt Patterson, Sales Director of Hydrapak. “Hydrapak continues to present innovations and solutions that Norco has recognized as stand-outs in the hydration system market.”A 44-year-old company, Norco continues to expand and provide national distribution to over 1,100 independent bicycle dealers across Canada. Norco offers distribution through two warehouses and customer service centers in Eastern (Toronto) and Western (Vancouver) Canada. The dual coast locations offer next day service to most shops.

“At Norco, we are selective about the products and brands we distribute. We focus on long-term relationships with brands that we deem market leaders and that are focused on Canadian independent bicycle dealers, “ states Norco product manager Andrew Belson. “Distribution launch is set for the ExpoCycle show in early September.”

Launched in 2001, Hydrapak was introduced to satisfy the growing demand from athletes for personal hydration systems. Hydrapak creates the best hydration systems available for any activity and encourages athletes to get off the bottle! For an overview of Hydrapak’s technology, visit www.hydrationist.com. To view all packs and accessories visit www.hydrapak.com or call 510.595.8318.

Hydrapak Awards Madison Exclusive Distributorship for the UK and Republic of Ireland

March 31st, 2007

Emeryville, CA, March 31, 2006 — Madison is pleased to announce that they are now the exclusive distributor of Hydrapak hydration systems for the UK and Republic of Ireland, in both the Cycle and MX markets.

“We are delighted and excited to be the exclusive distributor for Hydrapak,” said Dominic Langan, Managing Director of Madison. “The Hydrapak brand fills an important gap in our portfolio, and with the arrival of the 2007 model year products later this year we will have one of the most comprehensive and technically competent ranges available.”

“We are very pleased to award Madison the exclusive distributorship of Hydrapak,” said Matt Lyon, President of Hydrapak. “By teaming up with one of the best and most dynamic distributors in the world we are well positioned to maximize our potential in this important market.”

About Hydrapak:

Launched in 1996, Hydrapak was introduced to satisfy the growing demand from cyclists for personal hydration systems. Relying on input from professional athletes and feedback from a large staff of avid cyclists and product testers, the Hydrapak line has been continuously refined to ensure the products meet performance hydration needs. In 2001, Hydrapak spun-off into an independent company focused on creating the best personal hydration systems available for any activity where hands-free fluid delivery is needed. Hydrapak is committed to pushing the limits of design and materials to create the easiest-to-use, most functional hydration systems available. Hydrapak’s complete line of products are carried by specialty retailers in over 33 countries and its drink systems can be found in some of the top consumer brands in the world.

Hydrapak Offers Motorsport Specific Packs to Thirsty Bikers

March 14th, 2007

Emeryville, CA, March 14, 2005 — Hydrapak, Inc., the exclusive manufacturer of the easy-to-clean, Reversible Reservoir TM, and a full line of athlete influenced hydration backpacks, announces the addition of motorsport specific packs to compliment its line of all-around use hydration packs. The new hydration systems combine the best of both worlds for competitive and recreational biker sports, in weight, function and performance.

Hydrapak has long been recognized in the Motorcycle industry as being receptive to the needs of motorized sports by providing dedicated products, professional sponsorship and support of major events throughout the United States. The sleek ergonomic styling of the new packs does not interfere with the necessary actions of motorsports. The soft, open-end reservoir with a non-leak velcro closure has been touted as the best hydration alternative because it eliminates the potential hazard of having a large, hard plastic screw-top in the middle of the rider’s back, making landings less adventurous. Hydrapak has done rigorous testing in the field, and the reservoirs, which offer a lifetime warranty, have withstood every hardened test including driving a car over the reservoir!

According to the National Accounts Manager Matt Patterson, the Motorized Sports market has long been a focus of the company “ With the Scramble and the Roost added to the backpack line, we have renewed our dedication to all Offroad, ATV, competitive and recreational motocross enthusiasts and we take great pride in honing in on all the features people want for their specific interests.”

In introducing the motorsport specific Roost and Scramble packs, Hydrapak provides two alternatives to the frequent powersports adventurer. The Scramble is for the minimalist, a rugged and comfortable pack well constructed with a 70oz reservoir, a large main compartment and a stash pocket behind the lower flap. Padded shoulder straps with sternum strap and removable waist strap coupled with a side release buckle which allows system to be mounted to the outside of a chest protector. The Roost is the big Brother of the Scramble and has the same styling, with the same rugged materials, and the addition of more capacity, a large front pocket and a 100 ounce reservoir. Both packs offer Hydrapak’s full-featured drink system which includes Plug-and-Play connector with Shut-Off insert valve.

DEALER NEWS: Hydrapak, Inc. has shifted its focus to supporting its distributors and now that the Company is working with distributors in the US and European market, all sourcing and marketing resources are being allocated to supporting distributors worldwide. Currently, Hydrapak is being distributed by White Brothers in the US, Cassons in Australia, PRV in New Zealand and more than 30 additional distributors in other markets around the globe. In addition to our updated product, we believe, Hydrapak, Inc., will provide strong levels of support in all phases of business including sales cycles, marketing support, logistic organization and communication.

About Hydrapak: Based in Emeryville, California, Hydrapak is focused on creating the best personal hydration systems available for any activity where hands-free fluid delivery is needed. Hydrapak is committed to pushing the limits of design and materials to create the easiest-to-use, most functional hydration systems available. More information on the company and its products can be found at www.hydrapak.com or by Matt Patterson at (866) 549-0559.

Hydrapak Finds Success as Component Supplier

January 20th, 2007

January 20, 2006 (Berkeley, CA)—After years of selling performance-oriented hydration backpacks, Hydrapak expanded its business by selling its proprietary drink systems for use in other branded packs. Twelve months later, component sales are the fastest growing segment of the company’s business and have introduced its products into markets that the company could not have reached on its own.

While Hydrapak traditionally markets and sells into the Bicycling and Motorsports markets, it has added partners that market to the outdoor, military, ski, industrial and other specialty markets. “We have always considered ourselves a hydration technology company, but in many ways we have been limited by our distribution focus on the bicycle industry. The exposure to new markets has provided lots of new opportunities, and our rate of innovation has increased exponentially. This benefits both our company and our partners.”

The company is primarily selling its Reversible Reservoir product, whose technology and benefits can be viewed at www.hydrationist.com. The product is assembled in China of US and Chinese components, which has made it both cost-effective and convenient for its customers producing in Asia. The product also lends itself to customization both in terms of branding and of shape and feature options.

Launched in 1996, Hydrapak was introduced to satisfy the growing demand from athletes for personal hydration systems. Hydrapak creates the best hydration systems available for any activity where hands-free fluid delivery is needed. Roll-top reversible reservoirs and connector valves make Hydrapak the most unique hydration system on the market today. To view all features and packs, visit www.hydrapak.com or call 510.595.8318.

Hydrapak Technology Renowned For Innovation

January 20th, 2007

January 20, 2006 (Berkeley, Calif)—Hydrapak, a true performance hydration-system company, specializes in quality packs and drink systems. Committed to high performance technology, Hydrapak hydration systems are recognized for excellence and superior engineering.

Hydrapak’s reversible reservoir makes cleaning and drying easy and efficient. The wide-mouth, roll-top closure aids in both filling and turning the reservoir inside out. Additionally, the “no-slosh” reservoir includes strategically placed baffles to limit the movement of liquid. Specialized “plug-and-play” tube connectors allow the hydration tube to be attached or removed with an easy push of a button.

Hydrapak launched its technology in the outdoor industry in late 2005. State-of-the-art designs have enabled Hydrapak to partner and develop drinking systems for several highly respected core companies in the outdoor, military, bicycle, ski and motocross industries. Hydrapak continues to forge new territory due to its extremely sound, leak-proof system, attention to detail, and ease of use. Matt Lyon, president of Hydrapak, enthused, “Promoting our technology to more widespread markets has enabled us to grow in ways we never dreamed of. We feel that the sky is the limit in terms of the industries we can reach with our progressive designs.”

Hydrapak is committed to pushing the limits of construction and materials to create the highest performance, most functional hydration systems available—all with enough fluid capacity to keep people hydrated and therefore, working and playing longer.

Launched in 1996, Hydrapak was introduced to satisfy the growing demand from athletes for personal hydration systems. Hydrapak creates the best hydration systems available for any activity where hands-free fluid delivery is needed. Roll-top reversible reservoirs and connector valves make Hydrapak the most unique hydration system on the market today. To view all features and packs, visit www.hydrapak.com or call 510.595.8318.

Hydrapak AS Cargo Combines Top Performance with Sporty Function

January 15th, 2007

January 15, 2007 (Berkeley, Calif.)— Hydrapak, creator of innovative and advanced hands-free fluid delivery, introduces the AS Cargo, a performance hydration pack with a fresh take on lightweight expandable design. Comfortable and easy to use, the AS Cargo is an efficient pack to carry on all outdoor pursuits.

Thoughtfully designed, the AS Cargo’s main compartment contains an expanding zipper for added gear storage space, and its Air Scoop back features large air channeling pods to increase airflow between your back and the pack. The performance sternum strap has a tri-point strap mount for a customized fit, while the removable waist belt keeps the pack in place during active sports such as running or cycling.

The AS Cargo features ample internal and external pockets, a key clip and a fleece-lined sunglasses pocket. A Hydratunes™ cord port allows an IPOD or mp3 player to be easily accessed, and a zipper accesses the insulated reservoir pocket and expansion gussets. The AS Cargo offers a 70 oz reservoir, which provides enough water for up to 2-3 hours of exercise.

The core of the AS Cargo’s hydration technology is Hydrapak’s reversible reservoir, making cleaning and drying a cinch. The Plug-N-Play connector system allows the drink tube to be removed from the reservoir while it is being filled with liquid, and the Easy-Flo bite valve features a one-hand shut off and is angled for ease of use.

SRP: $69.99
Reservoir: 70 oz.
Weight: 1 lb, 3 oz
Gear Storage: 230-350 cubic inches

Hydrapak Introduces the Drank

January 15th, 2007

Hydrapak Introduces the Drank to it’s 2007 Pack Line

January 15, 2007(Berkeley, Cali.)—Hydrapak, creators of innovative and advanced hands-free fluid delivery, unveils a new pack, the Drank. Featuring both hydration and backpack as well as great styling for apres-sport, the Drank offers ample space for tools, extra layers and gear.

The Drank offers a fresh panel-loading design, combining traditional compact pack styling with a street look. With plenty of space for gear, the Drank’s multitude of pockets includes a front zippered internal organizer, external cell phone pocket, MP3 player pocket, a fleece-lined sunglass holder and a port for earphones or headlamp cords. The Drank has a separate insulated reservoir pocket with easy access on the rear of the pack. The padded shoulder straps, sternum strap and removable waist strap ensure a customized, comfortable fit.

The Drank boasts Hydrapak’s unique drink system, the Reversible Reservoir, which is a cinch to turn inside out, clean and dry; Plug-n-Play connector valves allowing the drink tube to be disconnected when filling the reservoir without leaks; and the patented Easy Flo Bite Valve, with a moveable Quickdraw fastener which lets you attach the valve in a convenient position. Replenishment is as easy as adventure with Hydrapak’s versatile Drank.

SRP: $64.99
Reservoir: 70 oz
Weight: 1 lb, 3 oz
Gear Storage: 290 cubic inches

Launched in 1996, Hydrapak was introduced to satisfy the growing demand from athletes for personal hydration systems. Hydrapak creates the best hydration systems available for any activity where hands-free fluid delivery is needed. Roll-top reversible reservoirs and connector valves make Hydrapak the most unique hydration system on the market today. To view all features and packs, visit www.hydrapak.com or call 510.595.8318.


Hydrapak Appoints Backbone Media To Manage Public Relations Efforts

January 3rd, 2007

January 3, 2006 (Berkeley, Calf.)—Hydrapak, a true performance hydration system company specializing in quality packs, has retained Backbone Media of Carbondale, Colorado to handle its public relations efforts. Hydrapak will partner will Backbone to oversee media communications and promotions of its current and future products.

Former pro cyclist and founder of Hydrapak, Matt Lyon, used his cycling background to create innovative, performance-based packs. Relying on input from professional athletes and feedback from a large staff of avid cyclists and product testers, the Hydrapak line was continuously refined to ensure the products met buyers’ hydration needs. Hydrapak is now one of the leading providers of personal hydration systems. Not strictly for cyclists, trail runners, motorcyclists, skiers, hikers and triathletes also use Hydrapaks to refuel on the go.

Backbone Media will promote Hydrapak’s new and future designs, and Lyons is enthusiastic about the partnership “Bringing Backbone on board to spearhead our PR efforts will allow us to achieve our goals of further educating consumers about Hydrapak. We are excited to utilize Backbone’s fresh perspective and creative ideas in managing our media relations.” Backbone Media’s Penn Newhard is equally excited about the new relationship and stated, “Hydrapak’s designs and constructions are revolutionary, and the easy-to-use technology is unbeatable. Backbone is thrilled to be promoting the packs.”

Hydrapak is committed to pushing the limits of design and materials to create the easiest-to-use, most functional hydration systems available. Hydrapak’s unique features include innovative reversible reservoirs, numerous storage pockets, padded shoulder straps, Hydratunes™ cord ports, external bungee cords and valved connectors—all with enough fluid capacity to keep athletes playing longer.

Launched in 1996, Hydrapak was introduced to satisfy the growing demand from cyclists for personal hydration systems. Hydrapak creates the best hydration systems available for any activity where hands-free fluid delivery is needed. Roll-top reversible reservoirs and connector valves make Hydrapak the most unique hydration system on the market today. To view all features and packs, visit www.hydrapak.com or call 510.595.8318.

Hydrapak’s Tortuga & Borracho Hydration Packs are the Answers to Your 2007 Ski & Board Season

August 29th, 2006

August 29, 2006 (Berkeley, Calif.)— Hydrapak , creators of innovative and advanced hands-free fluid delivery, unveils two new packs, the Tortuga and the Borracho. Ideal for all winter activities, both packs feature ample space for tools, extra layers and gear. Both offer a unique integrated shoulder strap design, that covers and insulates the drink tube and allows for easy access to the bite valve.

The Tortuga is the perfect lift-access pack due to its compact design which includes a stylized EVA shell that is tough enough to withstand crashes in the park, tumbles down a couloir and leaning back on the chairlift. This pack features a large zipper access pocket with several internal gear pockets, removable cell phone pocket, as well as a 70 oz. reservoir and 430 cubic inches of storage. The Tortuga comes in black or urban camo and the msrp is $84.99.

The Borracho is the Tortuga’s big brother, offering a 100 oz reservoir and a whopping 1200 cubic inches of cargo space. Perfect for a ride, big air day or daypack, the Borracho features a front bungee for helmets, a durable molded EVA front shell, numerous gear organizer pockets, a traditional backpack harness and a removable waist belt with stash pockets. The Borracho comes in urban camo with an msrp of $99.99.

Both the Tortuga and the Borracho boast Hydrapak’s unique user-friendly drink system, the patented Reversible Reservoir —which is a cinch to turn inside out, clean and dry—Plug-n-Play connector valves allowing the drink tube to be disconnected when filling the reservoir, without leaks—and the patented Easy Flo Bite Valve.

Launched in 1996, Hydrapak was introduced to satisfy the growing demand from athletes for personal hydration systems. Hydrapak creates the best hydration systems available for any activity where hands-free fluid delivery is needed. Roll-top reversible reservoirs and connector valves make Hydrapak the most unique hydration system on the market today. To view all features and packs, visit www.hydrapak.com or call 510.595.8318.

Hydrapak Introduces Women’s Specific Pack (Ergonomic Design of Streamline Ensures Comfort)

July 5th, 2006

July 5, 2006 (Berkeley, Calif.)— Hydrapak, creators of hydration packs and drink systems, introduces the Streamline, a lightweight, feminine hydration pack designed for active women. Both comfortable and easy to use, the Streamline is an efficient pack to carry on nearly every outdoor pursuit. While most women recognize the value of remaining hydrated during exercise, it’s often difficult to find the proper, most comfortable hydration pack to wear. Until now, that is.

The Streamline’s thoughtful design is evidenced by many of its features. The female-friendly sternum strap can be adjusted to fit any body size, and the waist belt keeps the pack in place during active sports such as running or cycling (the waist belt can also be removed, if desired). A reflective light loop on the bottom of the pack ensures visibility on night-time cruiser rides. A handy key clip keeps keys accessible and not buried amongst other gear.

The Streamline features ample space for cycling tools, energy bars and extra clothing, as well as a bungee on the front for helmet storage. Since many women like to crank the tunes while exercising, a Hydratunes cord port allows an IPOD or mp3 player to be easily accessed. The Streamline offers a 70 oz reservoir, which provides enough water for up to 2-3 hours of exercise.

The most impressive technology of the Hydrapak Streamline is the reversible reservoir, making cleaning and drying a cinch. The Plug-N-Play connector system allows the drink tube to be removed from the reservoir while it is being filled with liquid. The Easy-Flo bite valve has a one hand shut off and is angled for ease of use. MSRP is $52.99. Comes in sky blue, red and royal blue.

Hydrapak To Sponsor Prestigious Cougar Mountain Classic

June 28th, 2006

Emeryville, CA, June 28, 2006 – Hydrapak, creators of performance packs and hands-free drink systems for cyclists, will sponsor the 2006 Cougar Mountain Classic, the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships held in Sonoma, CA, July 13-16.

Hydrapak invites Bay Area mountain bikers and fans to the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma for the Cougar Mountain Classic. The weekend offers the opportunity to watch many of the world’s top cyclists in a variety of disciplines.

The National Championships include: Downhill racing, Mountain Bike endurance, Mountain bike gravity, Cross Country, Mountain Cross, and Road Cycling races. Cougar Mountain, which sits 500 feet above the raceway, allows spectators a view of approximately 90 percent of the course, and the additional sights of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, San Francisco, and Oakland. The festivities will include a huge sports expo, kids’ activities, and a vintage bicycle concourse. More information is available http://www.cmclassic2.com/

Hydrapak is a constant presence in the cycling community. They celebrate their roots in the cycling world, and athlete-driven products by sponsoring professional cyclists such as Tinker Juarez and Freddie Rodriguez. Hydrapak is thus thrilled to support the “most prestigious mountain bike race weekend in the country.”

Hydrapak’s Bambino Pack Keeps Kids Hydrated

May 31st, 2006

May 31, 2006 (Berkeley, Calif)— Keeping children properly hydrated during the summer months, or in warm climates, is very important to overall health. A hydration pack is a sure-fire way to remind kids to drink water as they hike, bike and explore. Hydrapak, producer of hands-free drink systems and packs produces the BAMBINO pack, perfect for pint-size athletes in the making. Both light and durable, the pack can withstand the toughest beating.

With a fully insulated reservoir pouch to keep liquid cool, padded straps that gently cushion small shoulders, a large zippered gear pocket for extra snacks and jackets, the pack is ideal for kids on the go. With a fluid capacity of 50 oz, the pack features a reflective light loop, perfect for nighttime excursions. The thoughtfully designed key clip is an efficient tool for kids too.

Additionally, the reversible reservoir is a cinch for turning inside out to clean and dry. The reservoir also features a wide-mouth opening, which is ideal for kids to fill themselves.

With the Bambino pack, kids are reminded to drink water before, during and after playtime. Replenishment is made easy with the Bambino, an easy pack to tote on bike rides, to the beach or the park.

Bambino pack comes in blue and red. MSRP $29.99