More new stuff from the show in Friedrichshafen and this one's for
all those people who leave the insides of their hydration systems to
grow weird furry cultures which they then never quite really get rid
of.
Well, seems like the answer is at hand, or at least will be early
in 2004. The nice people at Camelbak, who invented the hydration
system in the first place, have invented something called HydroGuard,
which should kill microbes well dead.
The system uses an embedded silver-ion compound in the bladder
material which inhibits the growth of common micro-organisms - it
kills 99.9 per-cent of nasties say Camelbak - but is harmless to
people. Used with occasional help from Camelbak's handy reservoir
cleaning brushes and a good sterilising solution, it should mean
fur-free drinking, even with energy drinks which are a bugger for
micro-growths...
The company also has a cluster of new hydration packs including
the Day Star and the Isis, which are both women specific models for
day outings at 20 and 26 litres respectively. Straps are adapted to
fit narrower female shoulders and the waist belt has been adapted to
sit comfortably on women's hips. There's also a sternum strap that
sits higher on the chest for greater comfort.
There are plenty of other new models too, but the big news, we
reckon, is the silver-impregnated bladder. More Camelbak info at
their web
site.
John Spencer
