Hydration bladder and frame question on Divide 4500?

[stmcdonald]

Hello,

Seriously considering the Divide. Curious how/if folks are running water bladders on the Divide 4500. Is there any way to attach it between the frame and the pack so that you wouldn't have to unpack the bag to access it? Also curious how well the frame moves laterally? Doe it do a pretty good job of flexing as one walks, while still caring the load? The other packs I'm considering are the Katabactic Gear Helios, ULA Circut and Osprey Exos.

[kevin_t]

The frame moves well and is pretty unobtrusive . However I would consider the listed packs as all being in very different classes. There isn't much similarity between them.

Bladder, I can give a couple answers but feedback from bladder users would be better. The short answer is yes you can by connecting it to the harness adjustment but I don't think you should and it certainly isn't optimal. I don't use a bladder although I bought one this year with the idea of trying it again ( lasted a couple days ).

The closest I use to bladders are platy bags in the side pockets or sawyer bags sometimes in the mesh .

I hope other bladder users chime in. I think some folks use the over the top straps as well

Thanks


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[RPJR]

I have a Divide but don't use a bladder. I use this instead:

https://www.amazon.com/Desert-SmarTube- ... B0161N5JNM

Basically, it's a hydration tube for a water bottle. You can use a Nalgene or a variety of disposable water bottles. I would imagine you could use a Platypus or Evernew soft bottle as well, although I've never tried it.

Just put the bottle in the side pocket of the pack and run the hydration tube over your shoulder. To me this has been much better than using a bladder, since bottles are easier to clean, but also gives the quick access of a hydration tube.

Also, I removed the stock bite valve and replaced it with an Osprey bite valve since I like them. You don't have to do this though...it works fine in it's stock form.

[RPJR]

Oh forgot to mention about the packs. This video shows how the evolution frame articulates and flexes. The unaweep frame moves the same way (go to about the 5:30 mark of the video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrHANXcJ5rs

[wallygatoresq]

Hi - I am going to buy a Divide and wanted to see how to attach a bladder as described in the video. Can you do that with a Divide? If I need to switch to bottles or maybe add a Talon(?) I can I guess. What is the best approach? Travis


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[Nathan C]

You can't use the Divide without the packbag, so there is no way to attach a bladder between the frame and the pack.

Your options for running a bladder on a Divide:
1. Put the bladder in the main bag. There are hang loops in the top. You'll have to run the hose out of the rolltop. If the bladder leaks, your stuff gets wet.
2. Put the bladder in the mesh pocket on the front of the pack. Run the hose over the top. Can likely hang it from the V strap. Best option IMO.
3. Put it in a side pocket. It'll sag, and it'll weigh down one side.

Honestly if I were a dedicated hydro user I might go Unaweep over Divide just because the mesh pocket on a Base, Day, or Mesh Talon is so well suited to storing a bladder.

You can run a Talon on a Divide, but that's not the common use.

[wallygatoresq]

Thanks for explaining the options. I think I will try option 2 and see how it works for me and then switch to bottles if I am not happy with the results.


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