Gear Review: GeigerRig RIG 500 Ballistic Hydration Pack and Giveaway
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This review has certainly been a long-time coming since we originally posted about GeigerRig’s new passport system back in April. Over the last few months we have hydrated, washed, beat-up and demanded a lot out of our Geigerrig. Quite honestly, we wanted to be sure we could recommend a hydration system that is so radically different than anything on the market right now.
This review will focus primarily on the hydration system itself instead of on the pack (the RIG 500). It is rare these days for us to carry a backpack other than a kid carrier when we are out hiking. Therefore, our GeigerRig just went straight into the carriers 95% of the time. However, do not discount the packs by GeigerRig at all. The RIG 500 breathes well, is comfortable, and is absolutely durable. It has enough space for a day hike (a few snacks, an extra jacket, etc.) and will keep you hydrated for a few hours of heavy sweating and hot temperatures.
Since we talk so much about framed kid carriers around here, we thought it was pretty crucial to point out the fact that the GeigerRig works MUCH better in a Deuter or a Poco than a Kelty. The Kelty’s hydration pocket is under the child’s feet and means that it requires a longer hose to work effectively. You can see in the photo below that the pressurization bulb is high on my shoulder and the hose is short to spray. The Deuter and the Poco both have a vertical hydration pocket that sits right behind the wearer’s back, allowing for more hose to work with.
Geigerrig in Kelty Pathfinder 3.0 (hose is short)
In case you missed our previous post and/or are new to GeigerRig:
The GeigerRig uses a unique system of an additional inner wall in their bladder allowing for pressurization of the water. In their words, “you’ll never suck again.” The pressurized (through a hand-bulb) system allows for spraying (and therefore no sharing of germs, etc. from the sucking action that is required by all other hydration systems.) If you have kids, this means NO FLOATERS in your water! Whoop! This also means the ability to use the water to cool down or clean up on the trail.
What we loved:
- Ability to wash and safely store an hydration bladder not in use without having to resort to gimmicks and tricks (like keeping the bladder completely full.) *Dishwasher (top rack) safe!*
- The ability to share water with the entire family (including the dog) out on the trail. Granted this also means we go through our water VERY quickly, but everyone is staying hydrated.
- The in-line filter (sold separately and possible to use with ANY hydration system) cuts out an extra item to carry on the trail and provides confidence in the fact that we are getting clean water.
- Bladder can be used with any pack (though certainly works best with a vertical hydration pocket.)
Hydrating during a break on the trail.
Hydrating the dog.
What we weren’t so crazy about:
- The hoses and ports are not labeled SUPER clearly so it IS possible to get the pressurization hose mixed up with the hydration hose. Some sort of color coding would be great for when you are in a pinch and trying to get systems loaded quickly (along with antsy kids!) This just means wasted water while you try to get things switched back around….
- A little longer hose would be nice to accommodate for packs WITHOUT a vertical hydration pocket. However, you are then dealing with the possibility of a hose that is too long. The length of this hose obviously works great with the RIG 500 pack.
- Until you run the bladder through the dishwasher a few times, it tastes horrible (which is common for new packs AND can be resolved through the use of the GeigerRig filter - retailing for $28.)
GeigerRig is working hard to continue putting out additional products using the pressurized system and staying ahead of the game. Runners, watch for a pressurized vest and bikers, watch for a Bike Rig! 
They are great about posting sneak peaks on their Facebook page (see link below) so watch that!
Find GeigerRig:
On their Website
On Facebook
On Twitter
On YouTube (they have TONS of informative videos!)
WIN a RIG 500 Ballistic Hydration Pack!
Geigerrig has very generously offered to giveaway one of these packs to a lucky reader. Please use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter. Feel free to email me at mountainmamatales(at)gmail(dot)com if you have any questions! Not showing up? Just refresh your page!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Geigerrig very generously provided us the RIG 500 Ballistic Hydration Pack for review. However, as always, the opinions expressed here are completely and honestly our own.
The Bottom Line
Geigerrig is taking the hydration market by storm. They have a quality, well-thought-out answer to the issues hydration systems have been posing for years. Finally, a system that can be (easily) washed AND shared. We give it two thumbs up!
I hvae used my camelbak and say nothing bad about it except staying cold. How about a jacket or better way to keep the 3L water cold for a 3 hours hike.
I have a heard a couple of other people mention taste issues with their new reservoirs. I didn’t have any issues with mine. I agree with you on wanting a longer hose, even just a few inches more would be good. And I like your idea of color coding the tube connectors, that seems like an easy adjustment to make in the manufacturing side that would make things a little easier in the field. Could also be done DIY with tape…
I’m so glad you reviewed this system! We have been wanting to purchase a hydration pack since our kids are nearly done with kid carriers now. I’ve been researching online, but this really helps!
Hey Amelia! What do you think of having to pump air into the bladder? Is it kind of annoying and is the bulb cumbersome, or not a big deal?
This looks interesting. Especially the filter. If possible, would like to see what the filter looks like too at some point!
We’ve typically used Camelbak, and my only complaint is when either mysteriously, or not-so-mysteriously (dog chewing) the hoses or mouthpieces form leaks or get air holes, rendering them useless.
Not sure if Geigerrig can help with the naughty dog issue!? But it definitely sounds worth looking into – love the sound of easier cleaning.
Well, I currently just use a nalgene, which is obviously a little inconvenient when you’re on the go. I usually bike our walk with a jogger so getting a drink requires pulling off the road and at least a 5 min stop. I would love to be able to take a few quick sips on the go. I have wanted a hydration pack for some time, but have other places money seems to keep going!
They had these at Costco a few weeks ago and the boys were checking them out! No kids on my back anymore, so it would be great for me! No more water bottles on my hips!
I got GeigerRig RIG 1500 during the Hydration Summit (and with the recommendation from Dave) and love it. I’ve already put a second system on our wish list for my husband to use! It takes a bit of getting used but I didn’t have any issues with the taste.
The super bonus that I found is that it makes cleaning little hands that love playing in the dirt and picking up everything on the trail super easy!
I have to agree with colour coding the hoses.
Having a hydration system that has a long enough hose to use with kid carrier would be great. I end up carrying a bottle so I don’t have to take off the carrier all the time. I also love the idea that it will squirt because it will make it more fun for kids to drink and that will help keep them hydrated!
I don’t have much of a complaint about my current system, but having to ‘suck’ the water out after a long, hot hike can be brutal. The pressurized system would be an awesome fix.
This would be awesome even at the park/beach with the family during a hot FL summer! It’s hard to chase kids while carrying a water supply around
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Great review. I have used water bladders in the past but the last 2 times I have got real sick due to bad taste or some weird issues with the inside not drying completely before filling. Its not so bad when first filled but let it set in a hot pack for a few hours and I can hardly get the water down due to the taste. I have since gone to a 1500ml Nalgene bottle for the pack and strap two 1-liter bottles with paracord when on longer distances, each a different flavor water for the kids…..so we don’t mix them up. I would love to go back to a bladder/tube system and the GigerRig 500 looks to be a winner. Good luck to everyone who enters.
DIP
Currently I have a camel back and the fill cap is hard to untwist. I’m not a fan of that design
The only down side is that the pump makes the whole thing a little bit heavier than the average hydration system.
We’ve used camelbacks in the past and Source hydration packs. I find them all so hard to clean. Number one complaint. And when they start leaking.
My complaint with my old hydration systems was having to share with the kids, backwash stinks!
I really enjoyed reading about the hydration system. My boys have looked into several different kinds at the Scout Shop as with all the adventures they go on it would be nice to have something durable, reliable and fun for them to count on. I will say that my DD is already quite the water drinker. I guess since the beginning she has always seen me carrying around my refillable – reusable water bottle (around the house/car). I would love to here about those sometime. I know a few months back you gave away a metal canteen and have to say I don’t like the tin. Please share on this… Thanks as always!
I hate having to suck to get water out when I’m already out of breath!
I like the idea of a cleanable system. I’d love to stop using bottles when I’m in above-freezing conditions. (Even an insulated bladder winds up freezing in cold weather.
I do not know if it’s just me or if everybody else encountering issues with your site. It seems like some of the text in your content are running off the screen. Can someone else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them as well? This might be a problem with my browser because I’ve had this happen previously. Cheers
So sorry! Thanks for pointing it out to me! I was out playing this weekend and didn’t catch it. It’s fixed now (and no, it wasn’t just you!)
right now we just use water bottles
My complaint about my current hydration system is that the caps are choking hazards to my kids. LOL. Other than that, bottles are refillable, portable and cheap!
New to hydration!
I haven’t had the chance to use a hydration pack but it would definitely be useful as we’ve been going on longer hikes the last couple of years and of course water is always an issue.
Just found your website today, amazing! Love it! Also, I would love to win this. I have a tiny mob of three and this would be so much easier than lugging a bunch of water bottles out with us!
The liquid in my camelbak doesnt keep cold for very long. I use it alot on fishing trips and always have hot or lukewarm water.
My #1 complaint about my current Hydration System is that it we are still doing it the “old fashioned way” …carrying Water Bottles. I would LOVE it if Geigerrig could change all that and help to make us a modern day outdoors family! Life is Good … but life could be AMAZING with a new GeigerRig RIG 500 Ballistic Hydration Pack!
<3 Your outdoors family and friend: @ciesla504 (https://www.facebook.com/kimberlyricciardiciesla)
I have an old school platypus bladder and hose. When I am hoofing it up a trail, I hate having to take a breath to bite and suck. I also can’t squirt water into my dog’s bowl or into a bowl for mixing with other things. I have to take the lid off – what a hassle! The GeigerRig would solve all of those in one whack!