Homemade Hydration Carrier for Trail Running

The way I do it is I get a mailbox (not the plastic ones but a basic old fashioned aluminum one) and use a double layer of duct tape to strap it to my back with a couple shoulder straps, and then an extension cord wrapped around the waist to keep it from bobbing around too much. The inside I fill with an inflatable arm floatey that I got from Big Lots for $4. I had some old hose from the washer laying around that I used as the tube to drink from but any type of hose would do I imagine. Works great, and I don't look like a hobby jogger!

Me too! I have an old fashioned wash-barrel with shoulder straps. I wear in front like the drummers in a marching band. Then I rigged an old radiator hose to it for my straw, and filled it with water. The water tasted like old radiator fluid at first, but now it's nice and clean. The best part is that I don't look like a hobby jogger!

Thanks guys! I think I am going to go a bit more lightweight than a "wash-barrel" - whatever that is - or an old mail box. Obviously, I'm not going to use the latest micro-wicking-bi-component-fiber-magnesium-clasp type materials.

I do believe there are everyday items that with a tiny bit of common-sense could be used to make a suitable piece of gear that someone without first world problems would be happy to use infrequently.

More suggestions are always welcome!

Why not just carry a water bottle in your hand?

Or one in each hand

I can't imagine carrying anything in my hands for 1 mile, let alone 15+. That's really not an option for me.

Three times the charm! wrote:

Me too! I have an old fashioned wash-barrel with shoulder straps. I wear in front like the drummers in a marching band. Then I rigged an old radiator hose to it for my straw, and filled it with water. The water tasted like old radiator fluid at first, but now it's nice and clean. The best part is that I don't look like a hobby jogger!

I hope you used all natural glacier water. If not, you just wasted your entire workout.

Two Like Minds! wrote:

The way I do it is I get a mailbox (not the plastic ones but a basic old fashioned aluminum one) and use a double layer of duct tape to strap it to my back with a couple shoulder straps, and then an extension cord wrapped around the waist to keep it from bobbing around too much. The inside I fill with an inflatable arm floatey that I got from Big Lots for $4. I had some old hose from the washer laying around that I used as the tube to drink from but any type of hose would do I imagine. Works great, and I don't look like a hobby jogger!

I do the exact same thing. Except instead of a mailbox, I use an old filing cabinet.

All these ideas are weak.

Use an 8yd dumpster like me. Couple of long haul ratchet straps. Pocket hose. Fill 'er up, strap that sucker on your back and you are good to go. I damn sure don't look like a hobby jogger.

You must be a millennial.

I just take an old coffee cup and dip it in the rivers, streams, lakes and drink as I please.

Not Nathan wrote:

I can't imagine carrying anything in my hands for 1 mile, let alone 15+. That's really not an option for me.

My aren't you a sensitive soul.

Why don't you just hire some Mexican on the corner and have them run beside you carrying the water your delicate hands should never touch.

I stole a railroad tanker car filled with methylamine that had been diluted with water. It's too heavy for me to carry on my back so I just drag it behind me on a harness that I rigged up. It made me really high at first but now it's so dilute that it pretty much just hydrates and maybe takes some of the edge off. The best part is that no way do I look like a hobby jogger.

Run an out and back route. Stash bottles on the outbound leg and pick them up on the return leg.

Alternatively you can buck up and go without water on your run. As long as you are well hydrated before and after your run you should be fine. 2 hrs without a water bottle won't kill you.

the people on this website are such IDIOTS

just absorb the water from the air. works best with maximum surface area, so you'll need to be naked for sure. shorts are overrated anyway, just extra weight. i ain't no hobbyjogger!

Try making a novelty soda can hat, but replace the soda with water or other beverage of your choice. All you need is you're favorite baseball cap, some duck tape, and two empty water bottles and some crazy straws. This idea also provides the added benefit of keeping your head from getting sunburned, which is really nice because then you don't have to waste money on sunscreen and you don't end up peeling for the next two weeks.

Top Heavy wrote:

Try making a novelty soda can hat, but replace the soda with water or other beverage of your choice. All you need is you're favorite baseball cap, some duck tape, and two empty water bottles and some crazy straws. This idea also provides the added benefit of keeping your head from getting sunburned, which is really nice because then you don't have to waste money on sunscreen and you don't end up peeling for the next two weeks.

But will it make him look like a hobby jogger??!?

Top Heavy wrote:

Try making a novelty soda can hat, but replace the soda with water or other beverage of your choice. All you need is you're favorite baseball cap, some duck tape, and two empty water bottles and some crazy straws. This idea also provides the added benefit of keeping your head from getting sunburned, which is really nice because then you don't have to waste money on sunscreen and you don't end up peeling for the next two weeks.

Asker of many ask things wrote:

But will it make him look like a hobby jogger??!?

If you use duck tape, yes. If you use duct tape, no.

This thread has great potential. Let's keep it going.

MeHereYouWhere?! wrote:

If you use duck tape, yes. If you use duct tape, no.

What if he uses Duck Tape bran duct tape?

jammiinn wrote:

You must be a millennial.

I just take an old coffee cup and dip it in the rivers, streams, lakes and drink as I please.

Mmmmmm, the sweet taste of giardia in the morning. Just what I need!