Here's a really nice article about the HydraPouch that appeared in Fleet Feet Boulder's May 20, 2009 newsletter:"Come to Fleet Feet and check out the latest in personal and eco-friendly race hydration -- the HydraPouch (pictured right with the lovely Laurie and Kathy of Fleet Feet). Its unique design has been specifically optimized to improve a racer's entire hydration experience during a road or trail race. The company that launched HydraPouch also offers HydraPour, a high-speed dispenser. Ideal for race directors and organizers, HydraPour is designed to fill runners' HydraPouches or other containers in just a few seconds.
Developed right here in Boulder, the HydraPouch is perfect if you don't like drinking out of paper cups during races. We talked to HydraPouch and HydraPour inventor Craig McSavaney to get the scoop. "With the HydraPouch, you can get your water or energy drink in your mouth, not all over your face and shirt. This is the biggest complaint people have about paper cups, particularly when drinking sticky energy drinks. The second biggest complaint we hear about paper cups is that you can't take your water or sports drink with you and drink it slowly. With HydraPouch, you can grab 6 ounces at an aid station and sip it slowly for as long as you like."
FF:How did you come up with the final design?
CM: Our goals were clear from the beginning: we wanted a lightweight flexible container that a runner could open and close with one hand, fill at an aid station without stopping, carry comfortably in their hand while running, and drink from without spilling the contents all over themselves. The design process took almost 18 months and involved industrial designers, ergonomic experts, CAD programmers, two injection molding manufacturers, prototype fabricators, and several product testers (all of whom were runners). We analyzed runner behavior at aid stations, evaluated typical aid station traffic flow patterns and volunteer workflow and staffing, studied the size and shape of male and female hands, and a host of other factors. We prototyped literally hundreds of different shapes, sizes, materials, and opening/closing mechanisms, before settling on the current design.
FF: Do you have any interesting stories to share about prototype testing?
CM: Certainly some embarrassing ones. For instance, we did all of our design and testing in complete, paranoid secrecy, sometimes taken well beyond the point of ridiculousness. We had testers run with prototype HydraPouches in local races, and we'd cover the HydraPouches with odd fabrics and disguise their shape so that if they were photographed no one could figure out what they were. We might have taken ourselves just a little too seriously!
FF: How has HydraPouch been embraced so far?
CM: Despite the fact that we're introducing some pretty radical new products, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. We've been surprised by how many runners want to use on-course hydration products but strongly dislike drinking from paper cups. About three-fourths of them don't like getting the liquids all over themselves, and about two-thirds want to be able to carry their hydration products well beyond the aid station and sip it slowly. The HydraPouch solves both these problems, which probably explains why it is selling so well. Race Organizers are less interested in the HydraPouch (which primarily benefits runners) than they are in the HydraPour (which benefits the race director). We've only shown the HydraPour dispenser to 5 race directors so far, and already they'll be included at every aid station in at least 17 races this summer. In fact, Creigh Kelley of BKB Ltd. has decided to convert his Liberty Run on July 4th in Denver into the first ever completely cup free race. He's providing a HydraPouch to every entrant and will use only HydraPour dispensers at every aid station -- no paper cups at all!
FF: While HydraPour sounds quick and easy, how realistic is it to expect racers to stop at aid stations to refill?
CM: The HydraPour high-speed dispenser is completely separate from the HydraPouch, and it can be used to fill any container (water bottles, hydration belt flasks, HydraPouches, etc.). It is designed for race directors who want to offer a high-speed self-serve hydration option to reduce paper cup usage at aid stations. The HydraPour dispenses water or sports drink at a rate of six ounces per second, which is really fast. Most importantly, it can be operated with only one hand by simply pushing against a little paddle that hangs down below the valve spout, similar to most self-serve soda fountains in restaurants. While a HydraPouch and most hydration belt flasks can be filled in just one second, larger plastic bottles may take 2 or 3 seconds. We recognize that for some runners even slowing down for one second is unacceptable, so we're likely to see at least some paper cups on course for a long time.
FF: What's the average life span of a single HydraPouch?
CM: The HydraPouch is made from FDA-approved, BPA-free silicone rubber -- the same material that is used to make baby bottle nipples, kitchen utensils (like soft spatulas), and lots of medical products. It's expected life is similar to that of a well-made silicone rubber kitchen utensil -- many years if kept clean and stored out of direct sunlight.
We also asked Craig for answers to the most common questions about HydraPouch:
Q: Will fluid splash out of the top?
A: If it's filled all the way to the top, or if you swing it really hard, then yes, some might splash out. Once you drink a little -- maybe an ounce -- the rest stays in really well.
Q: Can I hook it to my shorts when it's full?
A: You can, but you really shouldn't. It's designed to be carried in your hand while it's full, and on your shorts when it's empty.
Q: Can I use it on training runs?
A: It's great during long supported training runs where your coach sets up aid stations with paper cups, but if you're going solo you're better off with something else.
To read more about HydraPouch and HydraPour, visit http://www.hydrapouch.com/. Thanks, Craig!
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