CAMELBAK ALPINE EXPLORER 3L
HYDRATION PA TEST SERIES BY
BRIAN HARTMAN LONG-TERM
REPORT October 21, 2014
CLICK
HERE TO SKIP TO THE FIELD REPORT CLICK
HERE TO SKIP TO THE LONG-TERM REPORT
TESTER INFORMATION
NAME:
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Brian Hartman
|
EMAIL:
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bhart1426ATyahooDOT com |
AGE:
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46
|
LOCATION:
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Westfield,
Indiana |
GENDER:
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M
|
HEIGHT:
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5' 9" (1.75
m) |
WEIGHT:
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145 lb (65.80
kg) |
I have been backpacking for over
20 years throughout Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and most recently in Western USA.
In addition to backpacking I enjoy family camping with my wife and kids and
being outdoors in general. I would describe myself as a mid-weight backpacker.
I use fairly light weight equipment and gear but still like to bring more than
the bare essentials with me while on the trail.
INITIAL REPORT
PRODUCT INFORMATION &
SPECIFICATIONS
|
Photo courtesy of
Camelbak | Manufacturer: Camelbak Year of Manufacture:
2014 Manufacturer's Website: http://www.camelbak.com/ MSRP: US
$115.00 Listed Weight: 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg) with hydration reservoir Measured
Weight: 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg) Hydration Capacity: 100 oz (3 L) Total Capacity:
1,648 cu in (27 L) + 3 L Hydration Reservoir Dimensions: 21.5 x 10.5 x 10.5
in (54 x 26 x 26 cm)
Other details: Torso Length: 19.5 in (49
cm) Back Panel: Air Director - Foam Pods with Mesh Covering Harness:
Dynamic Suspension with Slider Sternum Strap Belt: Removable 1.5 in (38 mm)
wide Fabric: 70D Diamond Clarus and 420 Nylon with DWR + 1000 mm
PU Available Colors: Bamboo/Sprout, Soil/Brick, Dark Navy/Orion
Blue
Camelbak describes the Alpine Explorer as "a versatile pack with
enough cargo space and hydration for full-day ascents".
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
My initial impression of the Alpine
Explorer was very positive. I really liked the two tone red color scheme and
the pack felt light weight yet rugged enough to handle trail conditions. Upon
closer inspection, I found the pack to be well-crafted with tight, precise
stitchings and no frayed fabric or uneven seams. The zippers and buckles
functioned as expected and it was obvious from all of the features I saw that a
lot of thought and attention went into the design and manufacture of this pack.
The Alpine Explorer is made from 70D Diamond Clarus and 420D nylon with
a DWR and polyurethane coating. Camelbak designed a number of features into the
Alpine Explorer including their Dynamic Suspension System. According to the
manufacturer this system allows the shoulder harness to pivot, adjusting
automatically for improved comfort while carrying a heavy load. The waist belt
provides added stability but can also be removed when it's not needed. In
addition, the back panel is designed with ventilation channels to increase air
circulation during hot weather hikes. The pack appears to have plenty of
storage space with a main compartment and five exterior pockets. The pockets
include an organizer pocket, quick-stash pocket, sunglasses/media pocket, and
two mesh side pockets. Between these five I'm most interested in the organizer
and media pockets as I'm not comfortable carrying important items like my car
keys, phone, wallet etc. in my pant pockets while hiking. Compression straps
are provided to help secure items in the main compartment so they don't shift
around while hiking on uneven terrain. Finally tool attachment points are
provided to store trekking poles and an ice axe.
Now on to the hydration
reservoir. Admittedly this is my first hydration pack. Till now I've carried
my water in Nalgene bottles because I felt they were less prone to developing a
leak and easier to clean. Camelbak's hydration reservoir, which they refer to
as Antidote, seems to have addressed these issues. It has welded seams and
center baffle for added strength and stability, and a wide 3 in (7.6mm) opening
that should allow for easy cleaning. Furthermore it is made of BPA-free
polyethylene with Camelbak's Hydroguard antimicrobial compound which is an added
bonus. The Antidote hydration bladder that comes with the Alpine Explorer can
carry up to 100 fluid oz (3 L) of liquid. This is three times what I can carry
in one Nalgene bottle and the Antidote weighs only 6.5 oz (184 g) which is the
same weight as one 32 oz (0.95 L) Nalgene bottle. Two other features that I
really like are the ¼ turn easy open/close cap and the folding arms that hold
the reservoir open so it can dry out after cleaning. The reservoir, which
measures 18 x 8 x 3.5 in (46 x 20 x 9 cm), is held in place by a hydration
sleeve that keeps it flat against the back panel of the pack so it doesn't
interfere with equipment storage. From my research on Camelbak's web page they
designed the Antidote so that it can accept accessory items as part of their
Quick Link system. The list of accessories includes water filters, insulated
tubes for hot and cold weather hiking, as well as flow meters.
READING THE INSTRUCTIONS
The Camelbak Alpine Explorer
came with a small hang tag that described the overall capacity, weight and key
features of the pack. I found instructions for cleaning the pack on Camelbak's
website and they are pretty simple. Simply wipe it with a damp cloth to remove
dirt. If the pack is extremely dirty it can be soaked in warm water with a mild
soap but afterwards it needs to be rinsed thoroughly with cool water. Camelbak
warns not to wash it in a washing machine.
According to the manufacturer,
cleaning the hydration reservoir is pretty simple. The instructions for
cleaning the reservoir are simply to mix hot water and a Camelbak cleaning
tablet or 2 tablespoons of baking soda or bleach inside the reservoir, allow it
to flow through the drink tube and bite valve, and let it sit for 30 minutes.
Next wash the reservoir with hot water and mild soap and then completely rinse
the reservoir and drink tube before using, allowing it to air dry overnight if
necessary. I will spend the next two months field testing the cleaning
procedure before deciding how easy, straightforward and effective it
is.
TRYING IT OUT
After filling the hydration
reservoir with water and loading a light jacket, gloves, and some other items
into the backpack I tensioned the compression straps to compress everything
together and headed outside for a short walk. Since there's no torso adjustment
on the Alpine Explorer I simply slipped it on and adjusted the sternum strap and
waist belt to fit my needs. The sternum strap and waist belt were easy to
adjust and I was on my way within a matter of minutes. Although not padded, the
waist belt was comfortable and supportive, and fit well around my torso. The
shoulder straps and back panel had plenty of cushion and the mesh side pockets
were positioned far enough behind me that when I swung my arms I didn't bump the
two empty Nalgene bottles I had packed out of force of habit. The water tube
was easy to reach while walking and I had no problems using the bite valve
on-the-go. In fact it was a welcome change of pace for me after years of
stopping on the trail to retrieve my water bottle for a few sips.
Based
on what I read about the waterproof coating on the Alpine Explorer, I'm anxious
to test its weather resistance. I'm also looking forward to loading this pack
up with more gear over the next few months to see how it handles the additional
weight. Finally, I plan to use the hydration reservoir extensively and access
how easy it is to clean and maintain. From what I've seen so far, Camelbak has
done a good job of designing a lightweight backpack with all the necessary
essentials.
SUMMARY
The Camelbak Alpine Explorer is a
well-designed and feature-rich backpack. In my initial testing, it was
comfortable to wear and it seems to have plenty of room for essentials. With
1,648 cu in (27 L) of storage space this pack is sized for day hikes but it has
many of the features found on larger multi-day packs. I am looking forward to
putting it through its paces on the trail.
I will post a Field Report in
approximately two months. Please check back then for further information. I
would like to thank Camelbak and BackpackGearTest.org for providing me with the
opportunity to test this backpack.
FIELD
REPORT
FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
During the past two months I have
taken the Alpine Explorer on two family camping trips as well as a solo weekend
trip and four day hikes. I have also used it extensively while biking around
town.
1. On my first camping trip I used the Alpine Explorer while hiking
through the forests and farmlands near Hamburg, IN. The terrain was hilly with
lots of open and forested areas to explore.
Location: Franklin County, Indiana (IN)
Type of Trip: Camping Distance: 5 mi (8 km) Length of Trip: 2
nights CamelBak Pack Weight, Loaded: 16 lb (7.3 kg) Sky and Air
Conditions: Mostly sunny Precipitation: None Temperature Range: 66 F to
75 F (18 C to 23 C)
2. My second camping trip was with my mom, dad and
brother. During this two-day outing we spent most of our time lounging around
our campsite. My pack was fairly light on this trip as my parents brought the
food and tent.
Location: Oldenburg, IN Type of Trip: Family
camping Distance: 1.5 mi (2.4 km) Length of Trip: 1 night CamelBak
pack weight when loaded: 12 lb (5.4 kg) Sky and Air Conditions: Partly sunny
with brief but heavy rain storm in evening Precipitation: 0.4 in (1.0
cm) Temperature Range: 70 F to 78 F (21 C to 25 C)
3. On this solo
trip I used CamelBak's Antidote reservoir in my 55L backpack.
Location: Oldenburg, IN Type of
Trip: Backpacking Distance: 18 mi (29 km) Length of Trip: 2
nights Reservoir weight with water: 9 lb (4 kg) Sky and Air Conditions:
Partly sunny with brief but heavy rain storm in evening Precipitation: 0.4 in
(1.0 cm) Temperature Range: 70 F to 78 F (21 C to 25 C)
4. Day
hikes in Central Indiana.
Location: Various Type of Trip: Day
hikes Distance: 9 - 12 mi (14.5 - 19.3 km) ea. Camelbak weight when
loaded: 12 lb (5.4 kg) Weather conditions: Partly sunny to
sunny Precipitation: 0 in (0 cm) Temperature Range: 62 F to 74 F (16.6 C
to 23.3 C)
PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
So far I've been very pleased
with the CamelBak Alpine Explorer. It's comfortable to wear, has great storage
capacity for a day pack and the 3L (100 fl oz) Antidote reservoir has performed
wonderfully.
Fit and Comfort: During all of my day hikes and overnight
trips, the Alpine Explorer fit great and was comfortable to wear even while
carrying heavy loads. The shoulder straps provided enough padding so that I
could wear the pack for many hours with no discomfort or pain, while the waist
and sternum straps kept the pack snuggly against my back. The foam back panel
cushioned the load and also helped provide some ventilation with its channel
design. The only issue I noticed when stuffing the pack full was it shifted my
center of gravity backwards, making steep climbs or descents a little more
perilous.
Storage Space: With approximately 1600 cu in of storage
capacity, the Alpine Explorer provided plenty of room for everything I needed on
day hikes. I was easily able to carry my car keys, wallet, sunglasses, phone,
map, first aid kit, pocket knife and extra clothing/rain gear as well as food
and water. The organizer pocket, quick stash pocket and sunglasses/media pocket
worked really well to keep my electronics and smaller items organized so I could
find them quickly when needed.
Although the Alpine Explorer isn't designed
for overnight use, it's such a great piece of gear that I decided to push its
limits by taking it on two multi-night camping trips. I put my food, clothing,
gear and inflatable sleeping mat in the main compartment of the pack, and
stuffed my down sleeping bag in the outside stash compartment. That left the
tent body and rain fly, which I lashed to the outside of the pack, and my tent
poles, which I stood vertically in the outside mesh pockets. Understandably,
with all of these bulky items, the pack was awkward and unbalanced to carry. It
was also difficult to access the main compartment without first removing my
sleeping bag and other items; however, it was nice to know that I could use this
pack for an overnight trip if required. My recommendation though, is to use
the Alpine Explorer as a day-pack, which is the way the manufacturer intended it
to be used.
The Alpine Explorer seems to work best for scrambling when
it's 50 - 75% full and cinched down so everything is held tight. Otherwise,
when packed to the brim it becomes too rigid and difficult to maneuver, kind of
like lugging bags of softener salt down my stairs at home, which I'm all too
familiar with. Also, when the pack is stuffed so full, it's nearly impossible
to remove or fill the hydration reservoir without removing a bunch of
stuff.
In addition to camping, backpacking and day hiking with the Alpine
Explorer, I also wore it on several long distance bike rides and it provided
plenty of storage room for everything I needed. Since it was usually cool
early in the morning when I left, I wore a lightweight jacket and then just
stuffed it the main compartment once the temperature warmed up.
Hydration
Reservoir: I found the hydration reservoir to be a welcome addition to my list
of essential backpacking gear. During the past two months of testing it
performed flawlessly and was super easy to maintain. The 3L (100 fl oz)
capacity provided plenty of water for day long hikes and bike rides and I didn't
experience any sloshing of water thanks to the built-in baffle.
The
Antidote reservoir was very easy to fill given its large opening and it was also
easy to put in and take out of the pack when necessary thanks to the quick
connect hose feature. Having the quick release hose also meant that I didn't
have to lug my entire pack around just to fill it up with water. I simply
disconnected the hose and then took the reservoir wherever I was going to fill
it and then reconnected everything once I returned. The bite valve worked quite
well and I was able to drink as fast as I wanted and had no problems with water
leakage. Cleaning the reservoir was really easy. I simply scrubbed it with
baking soda and water and then rinsed it off and set it out to dry. In a pinch
I was even able to get my entire hand in the reservoir so that I could towel dry
it.
During this test period I also used the hydration reservoir with
another larger backpack and had similarly great results.
Durability: The
Alpine Explorer has held up very well during Field Testing. The ripstop nylon
fabric not only feels rugged but has proven itself on the trail. The pack
easily survived occasional drops as well as scrapes against rocks and thorn
bushes while bushwhacking through overgrown fields and thick forests. In
addition, the hydration reservoir, which I was initially concerned might be
prone to developing holes or leaks, gave me no problems whatsoever. After two
months of hard testing the reservoir has proven to be rock solid, a tribute to
its heavy duty polyurethane construction and welded seams.
While
camping in Southern Indiana I wore the pack in brief but heavy rain and the DWR
coating did a good job of not wetting through, although I did end up with a
small amount of water that came in through the zippers since they aren't
waterproof.
SUMMARY
I have really enjoying using this
pack during the past two months. It's lightweight, has plenty of storage space
and holds plenty of water for day hikes and summit attempts, in fact three times
more water than my Nalgene bottle. These bonuses, in addition to the fact that
the Antidote reservoir is so durable and easy to clean have made me a new
convert to hydration packs.
LONG-TERM
REPORT
LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND
CONDITIONS
During the Long Term Test Period
I used the Camelbak Alpine Explorer six more times. My trips were to various
local and state parks in Central and Southern Indiana (IN) where I hiked several
loop trails and also did some off-trail bushwacking. The areas I hiked were
well forested and fairly hilly with elevations ranging from 660 ft (201 m) to
820 ft (250 m). Daytime temperatures during my hikes ranged from 65 F (18 C) to
77 F (25 C) with sunny to partly sunny skies.
PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
Well, it's hard to believe that two more
months have gone by since my Field Report. The Alpine Explorer has performed
wonderfully during this time, as expected, and I have no complaints whatsoever
regarding its durability. The zippers remain easy to open and close, the straps
continue to adjust easily and stay in place once secured, and the fabric has
held up well to snags from oak branches and thorns from locust trees. In
addition the Antidote reservoir, bite valve, and quick connect fitting have
proven rock solid with not even a drop of water leakage.
The pack,
shoulder straps and waist belt have been plenty comfortable for extended day
hikes. While on the trail I haven't noticed any pain or rubbing on my shoulders
or waist even when wearing a light weight shirt and shorts. I also tested the
pack with the waist belt removed while bike riding and the pack performed great
and didn't slip or slide around at all. Also in regards to comfort, I've had no
issues during the past two months with sweat or dampness on my back where the
pack sits. Even when hiking at a good pace for several hours I've found that
the foam pods and ventilation channels on the back of the Alpine Explorer allow
enough air movement to prevent sweating. Of course cool weather and low
humidity levels have helped tremendously but even on the occasional hot, humid
day I didn't feel uncomfortable.
During this test period I've gotten
much better at loading and unloading the pack and finding my gear, especially
when the pack is full. Over time I've learned which compartments work best for
stashing compulsory clothing and gear and which ones are best reserved for items
not needed till I arrive at camp. As with most things, being organized is
half the battle and a big key to improving efficiency while on the trail.
Recently I've experimented with storing my cell phone, watch, GPS, compass,
pocket knife, wallet, keys, flashlight etc. (the list seems endless) in the top
zippered pocket versus stashing them in various internal pockets throughout the
pack. It's nice having everything in one spot but I worry that I might lose one
essential item while digging around for another. If anyone's listening (hint,
hint) zippered pockets on the waist belt would come in really handy for easy
access of essential items like my pocket knife and compass etc. without having
to dig through the pack or remove it from my back. One other note is that
although the Alpine Explorer is designed for day hiking, a few sturdy attachment
points on the exterior of the pack would be great. I tried using the compression
straps as lash points, but they didn't work very well since they were serving
other purposes at the time.
With cooler weather the past two months and
none of my hikes lasting longer than six hours I found the 3L (100 oz) capacity
of the Antidote reservoir was plenty for all my needs. Actually, for several of
my hikes I had more water than needed, which was fine. I could have drained
some water from the pack if I wanted but carrying it around wasn't a big deal.
In reality I really like the fact that I can carry this much water in the Alpine
Explorer especially during hot summer months and extended trips even if I choose
to only fill the reservoir half way full on shorter trips or cool weather
outings. The only thing I haven't been able to test at this point is how well
the hydration reservoir works in freezing weather. Darn, I guess I'll just have
to continue using it this winter.
SUMMARY
This concludes my Long Term
Report and this test series for the Alpine Explorer. Thanks to CamelBak and
BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test this Hydration pack.
This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org
Report Writer Version 1. Copyright 2014. All rights reserved.
Read more reviews of CamelBak gear
Read more gear reviews by Brian Hartman
|