Hydration Systems
24MX Hydration Systems: Just Add Water
Motocross and dirt bike riding gives the body an incredible workout. It gets the muscles, ligaments, and tendons pumping away, and you will sweat regardless of the temperature. Sweat is the body's way of trying to cool itself, and the average person loses around 0.75-L of perspiration during one hour of exercise. So what happens to the body if you don't replace the fluid? If you focus too much on the ride rather than staying hydrated, you may experience a reduction of strength, fast diminishing levels of stamina, and loss of concentration. This situation is not ideal for a sport that relies heavily on these attributes. Thanks to 24MX, staying hydrated on the move is easy. The personal hydration system has come a long way since a Texas paramedic sewed an IV bag and tube into his vest during a bicycle race. Today, backpack hydration systems are sophisticated and designed to withstand the rigours of life in the dirt.
What is a hydration pack?
A hydration pack is a small reservoir of drinking water carried in a specially designed bag. You can carry the system in a conventional style backpack or, for smaller amounts of fluid, in a waist bag. Regardless of how you transport the water, it's hands-free hydration. This feature is essential to avoid taking a hand off the bars when riding over rough terrain. The hydration pack carries out this function via a sip tube from the bladder placed close to the mouth. The rider exhorts pressure on the valve or sucks on the tube via a cut-off or bite valve to receive a mouthful of water. Best of all, they perform this function without missing a beat.
What to consider when choosing a hydration system
Water Capacity: Water bladders are often available in 0.5-L increments, with the most popular sizes being 2 or 3-L capacity. The length of a ride will govern the amount of fluid needed. You may wonder why enduro or desert race riders don't strap on enough water for the day's event. The simple answer is weight. 1-L of water weighs 1-kg which adds up if you have 5-L strapped to your back and hours of standing on the foot pegs.
Strap System: The amount of water you take is important, and the method of strapping it on is vital. Dirt biking requires a great deal of physical movement, so ensuring the pack stays in place and is comfortable to wear is essential. Some hydrations systems feature conventional backpack-style shoulder straps, while others back this up with a waist belt. Waist belts help spread the load and centralise the mass. Many top-shelf hydration packs feature an X-mounted harness system with chest straps and quick-release fasteners for added comfort and stability. Whichever style you choose, ensure the straps are padded and adjustable.
Insulation/Padding: Water bladders that directly rest against the back will increase body heat, resulting in more sweat. In addition, body heat raises the temperature of the water. To prevent this, opt for a water backpack with either a thermal insulation layer or aerated back padding.
Additional Pockets: Small extra pockets are ideal for carrying energy bars or documents. Don't forget, though, that you're adding to the amount of weight attached to your back.
Reflective Stripes: Whether or not dirt riding involves some roadwork, reflective stripes are an added safety feature, especially if you have anyone following behind.
Ambidextrous Sip Tube Location: A hydration bag that allows you to locate the sip tube on either side of the bladder provides flexibility and a custom fit. Finally, sip tubes and bladders should be odour and taste-free and made of food-quality tubing or plastic.
Whichever make or model you consider, 24MX provides an incredible range of hydration systems making hands-free hydration one click away.