My lifestyle demands that I buy a camelback like device. Cost is a factor, but more so reliability.

(And yes a simple gas mask is also on my list of of things to buy so that I will be prepared for the WTO meeting/ Democratic Presidental rally that is in my neck of the woods)

Thanks in advance.

When you say "CamelBak- like" does that mean you can't afford an camelbak?  What size?  I've got one system, I don't know which one it is.
BRB.  It's a BlackHawk Hydrastorm Tidal Wave. It cost me @ $40.  It goes for $39.95 according to BlackHawk's newest catalog. That's probably the lowest priced "name-brand" you could get.  I don't mean BlackHawk's price, I mean the money/size/quality of it.  There probably some generics out there that you might could get for less.

TS

The MOLLE-issue Camelbak generally goes for about $30 or so if you hunt around. It is the 100-ounce kind, which is better than the 70-ounce ones, and usually comes with the rather essential on-off valve. I have used lots of Camelbaks, and have one of the MULE carriers as well, but I think I like the simpler MOLLE version better. Don't buy a cheap knock-off. If you hunt around, you may even be able to fine a used one at a surplus store. Clean the bladder with a bleach/water solution. Just let it soak for a few hours, and make sure you dry it out thoroughly when not in use, or it will mildew.

I have a Camelbak that I'm mostly satisfied with.  I recently replaced the bladder with that of another brand--I don't recall the name--that I purchased at Target for $10.  This cheap knock-off bladder is more durable than the Camelbak.

In a lessons learned article on equipment used in Gulf War II the GIs complained about the durability of the Camelbak bladders.

Don't limit yourself to just Camelbak.

What would you guys think of [url=http://www.uscav.com/shop/uscitemdetail.asp?stk_code=WA20357]this one?[/url]

That is just the resi, not the entire Camelback/Hydrastorm.

100oz is a good size for me....carries well. You need the entire system and not just the bladder though.

Still love my Camelbak.