So great you can't even feel it - The Camelbak Flashflo

It’s amazing how quickly you realize you need new equipment when you start a new sport. I recently started running and first thought purchasing new shoes would be sufficient. Well I was wrong, I have since spent more money that I should have on running equipment. The best purchase to date would definitely be the Camelbak Flashflo.

It comes as no surprise that while running you will need water, especially if you are running for an extended period of time or in the heat of summer. The first time I went for an approximately 1 hour in the heat I knew I needed something to transport water. When you are running however you don’t want something that is going to hinder your running. I started looking at water bottle fanny packs that hold 1 or 2 water bottles; I quickly found however that they didn’t have the stability I was looking for. Then I saw it, the Camelbak FlashFlo

The Product
So what exactly is this Camelbak? Camelbak is a company that has been around for awhile; at least 5 years back that I can remember that designs portable hydration systems for sports enthusiasts. Camelbak was the first company to offer a water reservoir system with delivery via hose for water. Of course many companies have since followed suit. Camelbak offers many different sizes of products ranging from full day packs to smaller units. The FlashFlo would be considered one of the smaller units and is designed for activities ranging in time from 1-3 hours.

The FlashFlo has a fanny pack design, meaning it is not a full back pack. It sits around the waist allowing for a better range of movement and better temperature control. Because this is such a small pack it is better used for running and walking trips of short(er) duration.

The FlashFlo, like all Camelbaks has a removable reservoir; the reservoir holds 1.4 liters of water and is insulated so it keeps your water colder for longer periods of time. It is filled via the Omega reservoir. The new omega reservoir has a large opening that is easy to open and hold with one hand for filling, and it is large enough to put ice cubes into your water. The reservoir also has a tube coming off the bottom, again like all Camelbaks, that delivers the water. The hose allows for easy drinking without interrupting your activity. The end of the hose has what they call the Big Bite valve, which is basically a piece of rubber attached to the end of the hose that prevents water from escaping when it is not in use, to drink you simply bite down slightly on the valve and suck. As an added bonus there is a valve lock, with the simple flip of a switch you can lock the water supply to that even squeezing the Big Bite valve will not allow water to escape.

The pack itself is large enough to hold the full reservoir (you don’t even have to take the reservoir out of the pack for filling and it can be filled externally) and a small snack. The main pouch holds the reservoir and the small outside pouch is usually home to my keys and cell phone during my runs although I have been known to throw a power bar in there as well. The pack will not hold much more than that. The pack has reflective material on the outside for better safety and has material on the back that is designed to carry moisture away from your body. This is especially nice on hot days.

The FlashFlo comes in two colours, blue and yellow, and retails for approximately $40 US. I bought mine at my local sports and outdoors store.

Here is what Camelbak says about the FlashFlo: "Stable, lightweight, and comfortable. The redesigned FlashFlo™ offers enhanced convenience: as much water as a double water bottle fanny pack, external access to our OMEGA™ Reservoir, and enough room for a snack. Run or walk, on trail or off – this system is as versatile as you are."

Here are some specs for those interested:
Capacity: 45 oz (1.4 L)
Dimensions: 8 in x 9 in x 4 in (203 mm x 229 mm x 102 mm)
Volume: Cargo – 60 cu in (1.00 L) • Total Volume – 141 cu in (2.31 L)
Weight: Empty Reservoir – 1.05 lbs (0.48 kg) • Filled Reservoir – 3.86 lbs (1.75 kg)

How to use
As stated before, filling is easy via the Omega reservoir, simply screw off the lid, fill with cold water and close it back up. The hose is then threaded through the top of the pack. The pack is secured via a waste belt. There are also stability straps on the side that prevent unnecessary movement. Simply pull the stability straps tight and as you drink more water pull them tighter to keep the pack flush against your back. The hose is secured to the waist belt via two tube traps. These clips are located at each hip, the tube comes out of the op of the pack (which is situated on your back) and is clipped to the clip on one of your hips, carried around the front and secured on the other side. When you want to drink simply unclip it from the far clip and replace when finished. It couldn’t be easier.

Cleaning is easy, simply rinse out the hose and reservoir with warm soapy water. Drying is easy because the reservoir opening is so large. If you require something additional to help you clean out your reservoir Camelbak offers a drying rack and cleaning tablets for the reservoir.

How it performs
Like I said before this has been my greatest running investment, not only does it make it easy to have water where you need it when you need it, it is also exceptionally comfortable. This allows me to run without thinking about the extra weight and bulk that the pack provides. Because it is so stable I hardly notice it is there. It is the perfect size for running and carries just enough water for a longer run without the extra weight that would be associated with a larger pack.

Final Recommendation
I would suggest the FlashFlo to anyone looking for a hydration system for short duration activity. While this pack certainly won’t provide enough water or storage space for anything longer that 3 or 4 hours it will be perfect for short hikes and long distance runs. The comfort and convenience this product provides is unparalleled and you will be glad you purchased it above a water bottle pack which can often feel unsecured and move around a lot. The FlashFlo will be an investment that can serve you for many years and activity types. I am even planning on buying a larger pack for day biking tips in the fall.