PowderBak is alternative to winter hydration pack
CamelBak PowderBak
- Pros: Keeps water tight against body; Short bladder hose is a good length; Helps prevent water from freezing
- Cons: Makes shirt ride up in back; Bladder sits high on back making it uncomfortable on chairlift; Left-handed zipper is awkward
- Bottom Line: CamelBak’s PowderBak is a great alternative to wearing a pack, but it doesn’t have any storage, so you’ll have to weigh the options.
- MSRP: $100
Doing away with its ShredBak from last year, CamelBak revamped the product for this fall and made the PowderBak.
Integrating a 72-ounce bladder with a tight-fitting vest, the PowderBak is a skier’s or snowboarder’s alternative to wearing a pack.
CamelBak PowderBak
The full-zip vest is made from a very thin and breathable polyester/spandex mix.
But beware: the vest fits like a compression shirt and, assuming you wear a base layer with it, causes that layer to ride up.
Minor issues, though, if you hate wearing a pack but like having instant access to water.
The PowderBak, new this fall, incorporates a 72-ounce low-profile bladder with a shorter hose. The bladder presses between your shoulder blades – which uncomfortably hits near the same place as the chairlift when you ride back up the hill.
By incorporating the bladder into a mid layer and using an insulated hose, the PowderBak helps prevent the water from freezing.
CamelBak PowderBak back
On my numerous ski trips, and a snowshoe trek, last winter, the PowderBak worked well. Despite the tight fitting mid layer, with small arm holes, I would have forgotten about the CamelBak layer if it weren’t for my overheating back. It breathed throughout, but with the bladder pressed against my back, that area got hot quickly.
However, it hugged tightly and didn’t flop around like packs (even small ones) do while active. Unlike a pack, though, there’s no storage in the PowderBak. If you want to stash some energy bars or other gear, you’ll be putting your supplies in jacket and pants pockets.
Not a bad trade off for someone who doesn’t like wearing a pack.
