Camelbak is one of the biggest names in hydration, we checked out their three-litre reservoir complete with handy handle and screw-cap opening.
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Camelbak Omega Hydration System
tested
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Price:
£22.00
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Weight: 225 grammes (including tube
and bite valve)
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Features:Ergonomic
handle with screw-on lid, three-litre capacity, HydroGuard
Anti Microbial technology, latest version uses Hydrotanium
material and is guaranteed for life, Big Bite valve. Also
used Ergo Hydrolock extra at £6.00.
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Great, high-flowing bite valve.
Taints badly and hard to open reservoir cap.
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The Concept It's a hydration bladder from the original
hydration people, that's it really.
Features The three-litre Omega comes with a plastic handle to
hold it open, one-handed under taps, a chunky screw-top cap and, in
this case, Camelbak's accessory Ergo Hydrolock valve extension which
puts the valve at a more logical angle and allows you to lock it off
for safe transport, if you can remember to.
In Action Previous Camelbaks we've used have been okay, but
the latest Omega really started to frustrate us. First, it's fine
used with plain water, but dare to use an energy or electrolyte
replacement drink and the bladder material taints nastily with no way
of removing the taste. That's not inevitable, our usual Source
bladder stays virtually taint free in the same circumstances.
As if that's not bad enough, we found the screw-on reservoir cap
massively stiff and almost impossible to open on occasion. Even
lubing the threads with vaseline made only a marginal difference and
anyone with weak grip strength is going to be in trouble.
On the plus side, the handle device works well for holding the
bladder open when filling and the Camelbak Big Bite Valve is far and
away the best we've used. It's a simple design but flows freely and
never seems to leak, we love it and the Ergo Hydrolock add-on makes
it even better. We had no leakage issues either.
If this was a bite valve review the Omega would score top
marks, but the stiffness of the cap and the tainting problem really
let it down to the point where we can't recommend it. That said, the
Big Bite valve makes a great upgrade for sluggish flowing systems
from other brands and is available separately.
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Performance
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Value
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Pushed for time
Great bite valve, but use energy drink and the bladder
material taints plus the screw-on reservoir cap became so
stiff we could barely open it even after lubricating the
threads. Looks elsewhere.
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