But I’ll take a free hydration backpack all the same. Who needs money, cocaine, and hookers? (We were
talking about hookers too right?
Assumed. The former two always go
with the latter one.)
I’m sure Aerolife would appreciate a less R-rated review in
exchange for the hydration pack so let’s bring the lights down for a moment.Here is the backpack.
 |
| Aerolife Running and Cycling Hydration Backpack |
It’s got the assorted bells and whistles: a 1.5 liter bladder
pouch for storing your water or whatever fuels your long run (my fuel of choice
being fudge stripe cookies which were incredibly tricky to get into the
bladder), zip pockets, mesh pockets, pockets on the front side of the shoulder
straps for easy on-the-go access.
I have used a CamelBak for years when I have needed a
hydration backpack which, admittedly, hasn’t been often. My running routes tend to be circular. I can make a series of concentric circles for
any distance to arrive back at my doorstep and the cool, refreshing taste of
city tap water (safely 60 miles west of Flint!
What could go wrong?). However,
on the occasion that I have used my CamelBak, I have not been overly happy: the
shoulder straps were too skinny, the waist belt rides up, the fudge stripe
cookies could never be sucked through the tube, and the pack just bounced
around all willy nilly on my back like the back tits of a large overly-excited 40-something
single woman at a One Direction concert.
It was never comfortable. I was
always disappointed. *
So I gave the Aerolife hydration backpack a try with a
cocked eyebrow and a suspicious tilt to my pursued lips. It’s winter around these parts, my runs are
shorter, and I wouldn’t really be in need of water but filled the bladder half
full and headed out for a 5 miler just to try it out.
I was actually surprised and quite pleased. The shoulder straps are wider and did a much
better job of holding the half-filled pack in place. Not much back tit bounce at all. It was comfortable, light, and not an
annoyance in any way. That, along with
the several handy pocket placements, make this a far superior product to the
CamelBak. Consider my eyebrow uncocked
and lips unpursed.
I’d suggest making the sip straw a good inch and a half
wider to support the consumption of fudge stripe cookies but we can’t all have
our cookies and eat them too.
Upgrade from your CamelBak!
The price is right and this is a family run company after all.
I hope you enjoyed your Ovaltine interlude. Promise kept.** Now, back to exile.
Happy trails.
*You may apply that disappointment to the CamelBak, the One
Direction concert, or the back tits. All
are deserving.
**I feel slightly bad about this R-rated, tongue-in-cheek
review but then again this is FMS and you all know - or should all know - how I roll.
