Proper hydration is an important part of running. As I'll be training over the summer for the Dopey Challenge in Walt Disney World 2017, I'll need to be able to have water with me on those long training runs. I've tried a number of different products, and have found a brand I love: Orange Mud. This week, I'm joining in with the Friday Five linkup with Courtney, Cynthia and Mar, and giving you 5 reasons to have hydration with you while you run. Then, stick around for my review of a product that will do just that for you: the Orange Mud HydraQuiver.
1. Hydration important, whether it's hot or it's cold
It is important to remember, that year round, hydration is important. It's easy to remember if it's a hot and humid run in 90° heat, but it's also important when you run in the frigid 20° winter or the mile 65° morning training session. Your body is still working hard, so it still needs to replenish water, whether you realize it or not.2. If you're thirsty, it's too late
Ok, maybe that's not exactly true, but it is your body telling you that you need water. If you don't have any with you (or just luckily enough close to a water fountain) then you are on the road to issues. Having water with you keeps you hydrated, right when you need it, not just once you get home.3. Carrying water provides quick cool down
Staying hydrated helps with keeping your body temperature in check. Keeping hydrated helps keep you cooler. It's science stuff. However, that's not even where I'm going with this one. No, if you're carrying water, and you get too hot, instant cool down with some water over the head. It's one of my favorite things to do with water from water stations at races.4. It can be more than just water
When you have your own hydration with you, it can be more than just water with you. When you're really working hard, you do need more than water. You can replace your electrolytes, like with my favorite active hydration Nuun, or get back some carbohydrates, with something like Plus for Nuun. Now, Nuun is my personal favortie, but what really matters is you can take what works best for you. If you carry your own hydration, you can have it, no matter what partner the race has for water stop.5. The haiku says so
Hydration is key
to run farther and harder.
Use HydraQuiver
to run farther and harder.
Use HydraQuiver
Orange Mud HydraQuiver Review
I'm a fan of Orange Mud ever since I bought myself the HydraQuiver Double Barrel last summer. I also got a chance to review the HydraQuiver Vest Pack 1, which was a great pack but didn't quick work for my body type. I was super excited to test the original HydraQuiver, since the Double Barrel that I love so dearly is based on this pack.
What's a hydra-ma-jiggy?
The HydraQuiver is a product born the way some of the best products are, out of frustration. I love their story:
Now, the center piece of it is the water bottle mounted in the center (which is much easier to clean than a bladder in other hydration packs). The pack itself is quite awesome. It has thick foam padding paired with big air channels, to give you support, comfort, and breathability. The sheath for the bottle has a highly reflective strip around the top, great for night time safety. The strap on the bottom is also adjustable, allowing for a taller bottle if you like, or to just wear the bottle a little lower in, as I prefer. The pack has a zipper pocket down the side, which is great for small storage. Inside, is a clip, perfect for a secure place to keep your key, always one of my worries out running. Attached to a clip inside of a zipped pocket is good enough for me. Lastly, there's also two spandex pockets on the front of the shoulders that will fit whatever you need, a plethora of gels, a small flashlight, your phone, whatever you need close at hand.
The pack stayed nice and snug for me: no movement. I love how easy it is to get the bottle out, take a drink, flip the bottle and put it right back on your pack. For the front pockets, I generally used one for my phone (a Nexus 5, with case) and the other kept a small flashlight I keep handy for night time runs for if any street lights are out. I've also used it to store a GoPro in case as well as a bunch of gel packs. All of the above were easy to get out when I needed without any problem. It was easy to do even without having to look or concentrate.
The concept came about one evening after a fun day of exercise and hydration frustration. After a couple glasses of wine that night I decided to take action and put some work into our concept. So I went into the garage and destroyed a gun holster, tie down, and a waist pack to build our first HydraQuiver prototype.The HydraQuiver is a pack that sits on the upper portion of your back and shoulders to minimize movement for a comfortable, snug fit. Instead of a bladder, it uses a running water bottle, providing plenty of hydration that easy to access, samurai style. I say "samurai style" because they way the bottle is stored on your back, with a wide funnel opening making it easy to get in and out. Sort of makes you a hydration ninja with a water bottle sword.
Now, the center piece of it is the water bottle mounted in the center (which is much easier to clean than a bladder in other hydration packs). The pack itself is quite awesome. It has thick foam padding paired with big air channels, to give you support, comfort, and breathability. The sheath for the bottle has a highly reflective strip around the top, great for night time safety. The strap on the bottom is also adjustable, allowing for a taller bottle if you like, or to just wear the bottle a little lower in, as I prefer. The pack has a zipper pocket down the side, which is great for small storage. Inside, is a clip, perfect for a secure place to keep your key, always one of my worries out running. Attached to a clip inside of a zipped pocket is good enough for me. Lastly, there's also two spandex pockets on the front of the shoulders that will fit whatever you need, a plethora of gels, a small flashlight, your phone, whatever you need close at hand.
How did it feel?
If you read my review of the HydraQuiver Vest Pack 1, you know I couldn't get the fit just right. While this is not exactly the same as the Double Barrel in cut that fits me so well, the original HydraQuiver fits me much better than the VP1. With the pull straps on the front, it's much easier for me to adjust properly and get that right fit. I found it comfortable on my runs, short sleeves or long, warm or cold, same comfy fit. The only area that had potential to be uncomfortable is underarm with the straps. While I didn't feel any discomfort and it's pretty light weight even with a full bottle, I could see the potential if you're a little more sensitive. The beautiful thing is they sell padded sleeves that you can get, which come on the double barrel and are perfect for a little extra padding.The pack stayed nice and snug for me: no movement. I love how easy it is to get the bottle out, take a drink, flip the bottle and put it right back on your pack. For the front pockets, I generally used one for my phone (a Nexus 5, with case) and the other kept a small flashlight I keep handy for night time runs for if any street lights are out. I've also used it to store a GoPro in case as well as a bunch of gel packs. All of the above were easy to get out when I needed without any problem. It was easy to do even without having to look or concentrate.
The Takeaway
Just like the HydraQuiver Vest Pack 1, the Orange Mud HydraQuiver is a fantastic piece of engineered running tech. It was born to solve hydration frustration, and accomplishes that goal. I love carrying water on the run with me, which you may have guessed by my Friday Five that we started with. I've loved my Double Barrel since the day I got it, but the original is great, offering me a solution for the shorter runs where I still want my hydration. It's the perfect solution to have my Nuun on my shorter runs, where two bottles is just overkill. You can count this on my regular gear list.
#bibchat
This week's #bibchat will feature Orange Mud and the HydraQuiver. Stop by on Tuesday, May 3rd at 9pm EST to join in the good times that is bibchat. Interact with the team, with other BibRavePros, and all the other like minded runners that participate each week. As with every #bibchat, you may walk away a winner of some great gear as an added bonus to the great conversation.
I think my sister has one of these. We share it during the wdw marathon. And when I say share I mean she was nice enough to carry it on her back and then let me drink out off it when I needed!!!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like sharing to me. I'll be putting mine to good use training for Dopey this year.
DeleteI run with water if I'm running more than 5 or 6 miles in the winter and almost always run with water in the summer because dehydration is no joke! Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteYeah, usually around 4 is where I'll take some in the winter, but I'm like you in the summer. If it's a short run I've hand carried in the past, but with this one bottle will be perfect for shorter sumer runs.
DeleteI love my hydraquiver! I've had it for about a year. I can't believe how roomy the strap pockets are too.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how much you can really get in there.
DeleteGreat tips on hydration! I have learned the hard way how important it is during cold weather when you don't feel the thirst sensation very readily. Also, electrolytes are SO key. I have felt nauseous and had insomnia when my electrolytes are off. My favorite hydration is plain old water, followed by fruit punch Gatorade and coconut water (too bad it is so expensive).
ReplyDeleteNever fun to learn the hard way, though, those lessons always stick with me. I've heard coconut water is tasty, though I've never actually tried it.
DeleteI always have to have water on my runs but I've never tried one of the backpack type carriers. Nice review!
ReplyDeleteIt's great to have water on the run. These work perfect for me.
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