Freeze proof water hose prevention ideas - (camelback/platypus,etc.)

Any ideas? This is a huge bummer on the super cold days.

My first attempt will be to take half inch foam pipe insulator and cut it into little pieces that will allow the hose to bend easily. Might work. Maybe? Hmmm...

Anyone have any less silly solutions to this tragic winter problem?

Cheers - Lee

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Ten parts water. Two parts vodka.
Hmmmmmmm. I see the advantages and disadvantages of this solution.

Kevin Conway said:
Ten parts water. Two parts vodka.
How about using lukewarm water to fill the camelback? It's doesn't make the hose freezeproof, but whenever you take a sip new warm water will enter the hose. By the time it exits the hose, it should have cooled down far enough to become drinkable?
I bought this Camelbak Racebak hydration vest for running this winter, but I still have yet to try it out. It fits under your clothing, and the water sits right next to your body. The tube is also insulated.

Amber K said:
The tube is also insulated.

I was gifted that insulating sleeve for the Camelbak system, and it works fairly well. Granted, I've not been out riding with a camelback in below freezing weather for hours and hours, but it seemed to prevent freezing in the hose on rides of an hour or so in freezing conditions.

The sleeve is really nothing more than a sleeve of neoprene. You could probably make it easily out of old neoprene booties or something.

Of course, Camelbak does make the "Camelbak Thermal Control Kit," available online and elsewhere.
Sadly, I even have tried hottish water. It only takes a few moments of the super cold days with windchill plus bike speed to freeze it solid. Frequent sipping is tough if my mouth is covered, which it definitely was today for example. I need like an elongated but thin legwarmer for my hose.


Duppie said:
How about using lukewarm water to fill the camelback? It's doesn't make the hose freezeproof, but whenever you take a sip new warm water will enter the hose. By the time it exits the hose, it should have cooled down far enough to become drinkable?
That insulated hose part looks awesome. That's what I need! Please let me know how you like it and how that part works in particular once you try it on a pretty chilly day if you don't mind.
Cheers! - Lee

Amber K said:
I bought this Camelbak Racebak hydration vest for running this winter, but I still have yet to try it out. It fits under your clothing, and the water sits right next to your body. The tube is also insulated.

This also looks promissing, but I have a Platypus. Perhaps it is time for another winter investment. Now I need to look up forum stuff on wearable hydration or something.

Feel free to offer suggestions other than "get a water bottle".
Lee Diamond said:
That's what I need! Please let me know how you like it and how that part works in particular once you try it on a pretty chilly day if you don't mind.
Cheers! - Lee


I definitely will. Maybe this will give me a reason to get off my lazy butt and out the door!
just blow the water back from the hose into the bladder. sometimes you have to chew on the mouthpiece a bit.

works for me ice climbing in the up.
Tim's method has always worked for me. Blow back on the tube to make sure there's no agua in the tube. Anxious to see the impressions of the Racebak hydration vest. Looks a little like a Still Suit from "Dune."

Tim M Hovey said:
just blow the water back from the hose into the bladder. sometimes you have to chew on the mouthpiece a bit.

works for me ice climbing in the up.
Ok, ok. No "Get a bottle!" from me.

Get a Camelbak! hehe

No, seriously. I was looking at the Platypus site, and do you just have a bladder of theirs? Did it not come in a bag like Camelbaks?

If so, it sounds like it's an insulation problem (as well as not blowing back into the hose to clear it). I've filled my HAWG NV with warm water and have never had a problem aside from the water still in the hose getting a little chilly.

I'd look into insulating the bladder if it's a bladder-only system, ie. no backpack.

Lee Diamond said:
This also looks promissing, but I have a Platypus. Perhaps it is time for another winter investment. Now I need to look up forum stuff on wearable hydration or something.
Feel free to offer suggestions other than "get a water bottle".

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