ULA Fastpack

[S. Steele]

Matthew,
Thanks for another vertical bottle option.
About two years ago I purchased the Platypus hydration kit with the intention of using it with a “standard” water bottle. I drilled out the cap as you had. The Platypus comes with a 90 degree adapter. About a year ago, I purchased a Smart Water bottle and more currently I bought two other one liter bottles. The Platypus cap fitted the Smart Water bottle, so no drilling required. I haven’t as yet tested the two other bottles. However, The Platypus 90 degree adapter has no provision for an internal to bottle tube, and therefore my interest in what you and Ken T. have provided.
Your suggestion provides little detail on the claim of use of a “standard” water bottle, so I have to question its’ viability. However, I’ll contact the company and hopefully learn if it will fit a Smart Water bottle.

[matthew k]

I’m not really sure what you are asking. Can you clarify please?

lts a really simple setup. Drill the hole, leave it a little tight. Jam the hose through the hole until it hits the bottom of the bottle. You’ll need a little breather hole too so you are fighting to collapse the bottle when you suck the water out. There is no 90° fitting, inversion of the bottle or teflon tape.

I can photograph the setup later today if you’d like but it’s basically the same thing as a fast food cup except you subsititute the bottle for the cup, the drilled cap for the cup’s lid and a hydration hose for the straw. Does that make sense?

[matthew k]

As to questioning the viability of the solution in the link I provided all I can say is that it works. I’ve hiked with people who use them. You don’t invert the bottle. Also look at all three photos in the Amazon link. The first one doesn’t show the hose going to the bottom whereas the third photo shows it set up properly with the hose going all the way down in the bottle.

[matthew k]

 

Here’s the photo from Amazon  see how the hose goes through the cap? It’s like a big straw. Easy!

[S. Steele]

Matthew,
Thanks for clarifying that you have to drill a hole in the cap.
As a result, I don’t consider the product reliable as over-drilling the hole in error for example. Consider maintaining ones pack vertically. That’s not practical.
I intend to purchase the product Mike T., proposed with the integrated through passage fitting for internal and external tubing. A year or more ago I searched a number of bottle manufacturers/retailers and medical suppliers for such a cap that integrates a through passage fitting. No luck there.
I appreciate your offering, but I prefer a potentially leak free solution.

[matthew k]

It’s really easy to get a nice pressure fit with a step drill but as I said earlier the air vent hole dribbles if you lean over. It’s not a crisis for me (I get wet sometimes when I  backpack… Rain/creeks/waterfalls happen)  but do whatever makes you happy.

The manufactured solutions integrate a small one way breather valve to prevent dribble when tying your shoes. I haven’t figured out a way to diy that.

In the end I have decided to just drink from my bottles sans hydration tube. It doesn’t get any simpler than that. I can reach my bottles in the side pockets of my pack and don’t have a problem with the mass out there. YMMV.

[Steven Maxfield]

I have been using the Blue Desert system for years. You have to drill 2 holes 1 for the drinking tube and 1 for the 1 way valve. The 1 way valve lets air in so the bottle does not collapse. The water will not leak out if you lay the bottle horizontal. The advantage of the Blue Desert system is any bottle with a plastic cap can be used. I think the Blue Desert system is much cheaper.

I do not work or have any affiliation with Blue Desert.

Fred

[S. Steele]

To Frederick Maxfield and Matthew King,
Fellas, if the one way valve leaks, get another cap and do without the valve as its’ not needed and relinquish yourselves of leakage or failure.
I simply blow air back through the bite valve to restructure the bottle when needed.
You in-fact don’t need a kit if you buy PVC tubing or other food grade tubing and a bite valve. The cost and personal endeavor may satisfy you as you still have to drill a secure, hopefully leak free hole to receive the tubing.

[matthew k]

lol mine doesn’t have a one way valve. Too complicated and it tries to solve a problem I don’t have. :)

HYOH/YMMV/etc.

[wim b]

Found this site, in Japanese but the pictures are in English.

http://yosemite-store.com/?pid=108206511

[matthew k]

Wow! Finally some decent photos of the pack!

[Adam Holbrook]

Has anything changed or updated on this pack? Anyone have an update or other feedback?  It caught my eye. For whatever reason the mountain Smith zerk doesn’t appeal to me all that much. I really like the water bottle storage on this one, but wonder if they get in the way at all?  I’m not going to be running in it just fast and light hiking.

 

 

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