Drinking Hose Portal

“My pack (Gregory Z) has a sleeve for a hydration bladder. BowlderSon's pack (Kelty Illusion) does also. However, his pack also has a portal for the hose, while the hose from my hydration bladder just has to come out the top of my pack - sometimes it kind of gets crimped when I tighten stuff up on the pack. It never seems to be quite the right length.

Do you (yes, YOU!) think it would be very difficult to cut a hole in my pack at a convenient location and fix it up like B-Son's so the whole hydration bladder/hose system would be more efficient?”

“That would be like cutting a hole in your pack, IMHO, not a good idea.”

“If you could get that part of the pack into a sewing machine you could sew a large button hole in it and pass the hose through the hole.
last edited: 8/27/07 1:28:23 PM”

“heat the tip of a table knife with a lighter until it's hot but not RED hot, and push it gently through the material until the hole is large enough...the hot knife will melt the material so it will not run.”

“don't forget to hold the knife with a pot holder or something...”

“and don't lick the knife”

“ouch!

LOL...”

“Does that Z-pack have a top bag?  I put my platypi (two 1.8s, partially filled) in my top bag for a couple of reasons: it's gravity-fed, and if (or more likely when) they leak, the other pack contents won't get wet.... or as wet.

The hose goes out the zipper.           (aHem).

”

“If you do slice a small hole in the pack, melt the edges so it doesn't spread. That's what I would do since I'm not shy about making modifications to gear. Almost everything I own is modified to make it better.”

“"...pass the hose through the hole." -- HPM.


Ummmm. Nothing. Nothing.”

“I'm not touching that one either, Rosey.”

“Thanks - glad no one wants to touch my hose.

Tilt, when I knew I would be refilling along the trail, I did put it in the top of the main part of the pack. I could have put it in the top, but the black color REALLY draws the heat. Actually, I could have then used the water for a hot shower (memo to self....).

So it sounds possible. It sounds like melting, rather than sewing, the edges is recommended. I will think about this and let you all know what I decide, since I know you are all waiting on the edge of your seats....”

“Bowlderman, O have the Gregory Zpack amd my MSR hydration bag goes in the top pocket perfectly. I think it is alot easier to access than in the main bag. Also gravity helps feed water down the hose.

If I was going to cut a hole in my pack I would probably do it in the extension collar instead of the main pack bag. That way it would be protected from rain.”

“Bowlderman, I'd go to the fabric store and buy a big grommet, along with melting the nylon. They're easy to install and will keep the hole the same size forever.”

“For making gear, I bought a "hot knife" a few years ago. It's basically a soldering iron with different tips. Much like a wood burner tool. It "cuts" the material and sears the fabric/thread to eliminate fraying.



Or if you're into ranching, a branding iron might work. Depends on the brand.”

“Ooo, I like the grommet idea. Plus, it's kind of fun to hang around with people saying words like "grommet" - it makes you sound so techie...”

“There's Grommets Galore if you get into sailing ---

I wonder.... the water in the top bag would probably stay cooler if you gave your pack a Tinfoil Hat.”

“Yeah, but then I wouldn't be able to receive those transmissions. Wait - another one's coming in right now. Gotta go!”

“Having problems with your hose? I used to have similar problems, mine was to short. I had an operation to fix that. I picked up some plastic tubing and a plastic coupler at the hardware store. The coupler is one that slides into the ends of the tube and has those barbs to keep it in place. I filed the barbs smooth on one half of the coupler and used it to extend the hose. Now I can place the bladder just about any place in my pack and have enough hose to moisten my hot lips. Now to fill the bladder on the trail I pull the hose extension off the coupler and attach the hose on my filter pump. I then pump water directly into the bladder through the hose. No need to dig the bladder out of the pack. I do need to reach in to feel how full it is.”