Camelbak Go•be

CAMELBAK GO•BE

CW EVALUATION

Hands-free hydration

WATER ACCOUNTS FOR APPROXIMATELY 65 percent of human body weight. Failure to compensate for significant, perspiration-related water losses can lead to cramping, hallucinations, and in severe cases, even death.

A recent addition to the successful CamelBak line of hands-free, hydration products, the Go*Be from FasTrak Systems, Inc. (P.O. Box 1029, Weatherford, TX 76086; 817/5941000) is a fanny pack-style drinking system developed for bicyclists, climbers, hikers, runners and other outdoor enthusiasts.

It works exceptionally well for motorcyclists, too. Manufactured from nonseamed, 500-denier cordura nylon, the Go«Be incorporates an FDA-approved, polyurethane reservoir that holds up to 50 ounces of fluid or liquid food in a foam-insulated sleeve. Washable, the reservoir collapses as its contents are consumed, reducing the possibility of air pockets and eliminating slosh.

Weighing 14 ounces empty, the pack is ergonomically designed with a 5-degree upward thrust from center, so weight and pressure are uniformly distributed across the lower back and around the hips. As a result, the Go*Be doesn’t flop around, even when full.

Mesh-lined to wick away moisture and prevent chafing, the velcrotabbed, dual-pull belt, which secures with a quick-release nylon buckle, adjusts easily and accommodates a broad range of waist sizes. Two zippered wing pockets and a concealed inner pocket hold extras, while nylon loops anchor keys, a pocket knife or a small flashlight, for example. A mesh net captures larger items.

Testing encompassed a handful of street rides, including a sweltering, late-summer blast through Death Valley. Amidst 103-degree heat, the insulated sleeve kept the reservoir’s contents nicely chilled, although any fluid remaining in the access tube quickly skyrocketed in temperature. More importantly, the tube, which measures 36 inches in length, proved a bit short for taller testers, regardless of whether they ran it around their waists or over their shoulders. (An extender kit is available for $5.95.) Inverting the leak-free reservoir gained a few more inches, but necessitated a harder pull on the bite-actuated valve; better to work with gravity than against it.

Minor criticisms, really. The bottom line is that the tri-color Go*Be, priced at $64 from better bicycle and outdoor retailers, is a simple-to-use and highly effective, on-body drinking system.