BORELLI CONSULTING: Recreational Equipment Reviews

CamelBak Pakteen
2 January 2006

CamelBak is well known for their military and law enforcement hydration systems. Further, while there are more than a few runners, roller-skaters, hikers and backpackers familiar with the CamelBak products, there might not be so many who are familiar with those products specifically designed to support those activities. One of the best hydration systems we're familiar with is the compact Pakteen - perfect for walking, hiking, backpacking, running and other activities where you may not need three liters of water, but you definitely need to take some hydration along. In fact, we even figured out how to use it scuba diving...

OK: the basics... It holds 1.5 liters (50 ounces) of fluid. The Omega Wide-Mouth opening makes it real easy to fill (and dump and clean). It can be attached to load bearing gear, any MOLLE equipped pack, or other system for carrying, OR you can simply attach it to your belt - which is what I most often do. The carrier pouch and tube wrap are closed-cell foam insulated to keep your fluid cold (or warm) longer. I like that because I just hate drinking warm water. Admittedly it's better than being dehydrated, but I'd rather ice-cold fresh water... if I'm just getting my way.

That's the basic stuff. Now let's take a more subjective look at it...

While I'm not big on carrying things in the center of my back, that's where I most often prefer my Pakteen. When I go for longer walks - or the occassional jog - I don't mind the weight at the small of my back. I CANNOT put it there if I'm going to drive anywhere. With it hanging on my belt there, it hangs neither too high - rubbing into the small of my back - or too low - banging annoyingly off my butt. I feed the tube around my waist and hook it in a belt loop, which makes it handy to grab and pull up for a drink.

Thanks to the on/off valve, and the bite valve cover, I don't have to worry about sand, dirt or other debris getting on it - nor do I have to worry about having water leaking out to run down the front of my pants (that can look embarassing).

Now let me ask you this: is 50 ounces of fluid enough for a long day in the woods? No. Think of it this way: it's a little more than two bottles of water - or two bottles of soda. The Pakteen is enough for a morning, afternoon or evening out, but if you're going to go more than four hours, I highly recommend that you team it up with another system, OR simply upgrade to a system that has greater capacity.

The CamelBak Pakteen is a good basic hydration system for walking, running, biking, hiking, etc. Now, about scuba diving...

My dive buddy likes to dive double-steel-80s. That's two steel tanks, 80 cubic feet capacity each, mounted together but breathed seperately (if he wants). While we were playing around with them last fall at SWAT Roundup, we figured out how to mount the Pakteen in between the tanks. It allowed the drink tube to be run over the diver's shoulder on the Bouyancy Compensating Vest, and by removing the regulator (at depth), the diver could uncover the bite valve, switch it on, taking a drink, swallow, and the put the regulator back in his mouth to continue breathing. It sounds easy... but to date, to the best of my knowledge, it has only been tried out in shallow depths in pools. No one I know has used this set up at anything more then three feet. If I ever can confirm that it has been done, I'll pass that along.

Be safe!

I have a comment on this article.

Also, don't forget to read the Service / Tactical Equipment Evaluations:

Improvised Weapons In Controlled Environments-----2 January 2006
Plus others!!!

Check out this week's Highlighted Training Article about the necessity of taking time off for recreation and relaxation to maintain your operational efficiency.

For a listing of reviews in chronological order, GO HERE.

New American Truth eMagazine
Dedicated to ALL citizens who oppose terrorism and injustice.
Subscribe Today!

Subscribe To New American Truth