Carrying More Water Along

In hot weather it is important to make sure you have enough fluids for your longer walks. One way to do this is with a hydration pack, which has a water bladder and a sipper tube. These come in capacities from 35 oz (1 liter) to 100 oz. (almost 3 liters). Or, you can choose a pack that will carry more than one water bottle. This gives you an easy option for carrying one bottle of water and one of sports drink. In hot weather, it is a good idea to switch to sports drink after the first hour.

If you are using a hydration pack, you can carry along some sports drink powder to mix in, or Nuun tablets which magically dissolve into a sports drink. Whenever you use a sports drink in your water bottle or hydration pack, you need to rinse and clean it well immediately after your walk to stop bacterial growth.

• Top Picks for Higher Capacity Water-Carrying Packs
• Ways to Clean and Deodorize Your Hydration Bladder

Photo © Wendy Bumgardner