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What's the trick to get the 'rubber' taint out of water in new hydration packs??
Anyone?? I've got 9 months to go before my 1st trek…
IT TASTES TERRIBLE!!Tonkdogger you will be so thirsty you wont care, but the more you use the pack the better or flush the pack the though with salt water.
make up a solution of bi carb of soda and warm water, put this in the bladder and turn it upside down so that it runs into the hose, leave it for about an hour and then rinse well with warm water, pushing it through the hose, that's what worked with mine. good luck
Nettie
Tonkdogger, have to agree with KT, the number of times you need to have drink far outweighs the 'rubber' taste. I didn't clean mine, but the taste did lesson as the days wore on, I also trained with mine for 4 months or so, before I trekked. But the two suggested ideas will no doubt work well for you as well. Good luck and keep drinking and the Boys will tell you what water is good and what isn't.
Regards
warren (waza- Trek 83)
All good advice in replies above. I use the bi-carb solution to clean mildew and scum from my "Unbottle". But if I could offer one other point for your consideration….
If you are experiencing any funny taste (especially plastic or rubber) then it's a given that these contaminants are detaching from the container itself and are being consumed by you. As uncomfortable as the bad taste is, I'd be more concerned about putting such chemicals through my body. Who knows what effect this will have long-term?! Low quality plastics will do exactly this regardless of bi-carb cleans etc – so if it persists beyond a good clean, I'd suggest (for your health's sake) tossing it in the bin and get a quality one.
Whilst I'm vendor agnostic (have no aliance to vendors but prepared to say what products work well for me), I and many of my Kokoda buddies have had great results from the CamelBak Unbottle 3Ltr model. [See noted in my "For the Average Joe" preperations notes pinned by Gail in the forum.] They never leek and should not have any residual tastes – unless you fail to dry/clean them properly. …but especially no chemical tastes = clean water through you! Any chemical taste from an Unbottle is a faulty product and CamelBak would replace it. I've had excellent service from their support crew who have corrected a few problems for me over the years – all free of charge. I think good product and good service deserves due recognition.
They are currently on special at Anaconda for $50 – normally ~ $100. Of course, fill the 3ltr container with only what you need. Often 1.5 or 2ltrs is enough for short legs between refills. Having the extra capacity is ideal for the longer legs between refills.Hope this helps.
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