Hydration System Rubbery Taste

[miriam]

Does anyone have any ideas on how to reduce or eliminate the rubbery taste of water kept in a hydration pack ? Having just bought a hydration pack I find it easier to use and carry than a bottle but the taste leaves something to be disired.

[Covey]

My best suggestion is to leave the hydration kit behind and use the plastic bottles you buy water in!

The hydration systems are easier to drink from, but it can mean that you drink more than necessary and it is more difficult to keep an eye on how much water you have left. In July/Sept you need to clean the hydration kit every day otherwise the taste gets worse.

I buy bottled water in 1.5l size and carry one bottle normally and on the Meseta I carry 2 bottles with each about two thirds full. The plastic bottles are remarkably tough and I have never had a bottle leak or split.

Some carry the aluminum bottles, but they are not necessary really, so stick with the plastic.

To drink I have to stop and take off my pack to get at the water bottle on the back. This is good discipline and you can always see how much water you have left.

[Leslie]

I use a hydration system in my backpack for hill walking here in Ireland - but did not use it on the Camino either time.

I find it takes a bit of getting used to as I drink a lot of water while walking and was running out too quickly and then not drinking enough, I am used to it now for here.

On the Camino I would use the same 1.5l bottle over and over again until the bottle was dead from use - bust. Unlike covey though I walked with it in my hand all day - I got got used to walking that way with it.

As for keeping the hydration systems clean and free of taste. This is a problem is they are not used often. I have bought one once that just went in the bin, due to taste and the seals not being good enough. I wash mine with lots of clean water and then hot soapy water and again with cold clean water - making sure I run all this through the tube also. Then I make sure it drys open, then I store it. I do the same each time before using it as they are prone to smell.

[spanishlancer]

Does anyone have any ideas on how to reduce or eliminate the rubbery taste of water kept in a hydration pack ? Having just bought a hydration pack I find it easier to use and carry than a bottle but the taste leaves something to be disired.

I would recommend using bottled water,plenty available on the Camino.You could try washing the water pouch out with salt water. Should get rid of the rubber taste.

Ron

[miriam]

Thank you all for your replies. I will try the saltwater cure first but failing that I will junk the hydration system and go with what seems to be the general consensus, bottled water.

[Roseallee]

Hi Miriam,
I have been using my 2L system almost daily since May and have never had a hint of an off taste. Mine is plastic not rubber though. I care for it as follows:

1. After use, I blow all the water out of the tube and bag.
2. Clean the mouthpiece.
3. Draw all the air out of the system by sucking on the tube, then sealing it in this vacuum state.
4. Every 3-4 uses I leave it overnight in the deep freeze to kill any potential "bugs".

The benefits far outweigh the care required & the extra weight has been good for training. That being said, I won't bring it on Camino. I will join the 1.5L plastic bottle brigade as being more practical. Roseallee

[miriam]

Thanks Roseallee,
I tried washing with salt water as suggested by Spanishlancer and that worked reasonably well but having read all the advice about hygene issues with hydration packs I think I will be sticking with bottled water on my Camino trip.