The new Camelbak Podium bottle (left) is a tad shorter and more sleekly shaped than the original (right) - James Huang/Future Publishing
Camelbak will offer the new Podium bottle in uninsulated (left) and insulated 'Chill' (right) versions in both 650mL/21oz and 750mL/24oz sizes - James Huang/Future Publishing
The finger grips on the new Camelbak bottle are a little less pronounced than before - James Huang/Future Publishing
The updated Jet Valve top has more flow, is easier to clean, and is easier to lock and unlock - James Huang/Future Publishing
The top pops off easily and the Jet Valve is relocated to the bite piece to make it easier to clean - James Huang/Future Publishing
Camelbak says the antimicrobially treated plastic won't add any funky taste to water and is BPA-free. These sample bottles were so new that the graphics weren't even finished yet - James Huang/Future Publishing
The women's Camelbak Spark 10 features a low-mounted 'LR'-style reservoir that wraps around your hips to keep loads more stable while riding - James Huang/Future Publishing
Built-in corrugated foam panels on the back of the Camelbak Spark 10 women's hydration pack cushion the wearer from heavy or sharp loads while also creating a bit of airspace for ventilation - James Huang/Future Publishing
The Camelbak Volt 13 is one of our favorite hydration packs thanks to its ultra-stable fit, surprisingly generous capacity, and impressively low weight - James Huang/Future Publishing
The women's Camelbak LUXE NV is now available in two different colors - James Huang/Future Publishing
Camelbak introduced its revamped NVIS segmented back panel last year. It looks heavy and bulky but it's anything but while riding - James Huang/Future Publishing
Camelbak has redesigned its popular Podium water bottle range for 2014. They're more compactly shaped, easier to squeeze and easier to clean, too.
The most significant change to the Podium bottles is the new cap, which retains the one-way valve and twist-lock features. The valve has been resized for greater flow, however, and the twist-lock is easier to operate. Best of all, the valve has been repositioned into the rubber bite piece and it's more readily removable for cleaning.
The top pops off easily and the jet valve is relocated to the bite piece to make it easier to clean: the top pops off easily and the jet valve is relocated to the bite piece to make it easier to clean - James Huang/Future Publishing
The new Podium top pops off easily for cleaning
Camelbak has also updated the shape of the bottle itself. Volumes remain the same as before at 610mL/21oz for the smaller size and 710mL/24oz for the bigger option but the finger grips are less intrusive so the bottles are now a tad shorter.
Pricing is mostly unchanged at US$9 for the standard Podium, US$10 for the larger size, US$13 for the standard insulated Podium Chill, and US$15 for the larger Podium Chill. UK pricing was not immediately available. Don't expect to find any of them in stores until January, however.
Hydration packs are unchanged for this year with the exception of brighter color options throughout to reflect similar trends in other segments of the industry. Most of the packs will still be available in more subdued hues, too.
The women's camelbak spark 10 features a low-mounted 'lr'-style reservoir that wraps around your hips to keep loads more stable while riding: the women's camelbak spark 10 features a low-mounted 'lr'-style reservoir that wraps around your hips to keep loads more stable while riding - James Huang/Future Publishing
James Huang is BikeRadar's former technical editor. After leaving BikeRadar in 2016, he worked at CyclingTips and Escape Collective. He now runs the Substack cycling publication N-1 Bikes.
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