Runners don’t need much in the way of gear. Shoes, shorts, shirt. That’s about it. But if you’re trail running long distances, then water comes in to play. But how to carry it? Nobody likes water sloshing in a heavy reservoir on their back. However, Salomon has an ingenious solution – the Park Hydro Handset. I’ve been clutching the Park Hydro on mountain runs all summer. So does it replace a pack full of agua? First the details.
The Salomon Park Hydro Handset features:
- 3 pockets for keys, mobile devices and trash
- Pvc, Phthalate, Bisphenol-A Free
- Blaster Valve
- 18 oz Soft Flask
- Reflective
I initially had reservations about carrying my water in my hand when trail running. My fear was that it would feel heavy, or the water sloshing around would be annoying. But I soon discovered that the soft flask conforms around the hand and is kept in place so securely by the over-the-hand straps, that it was actually hardly noticeable. After a test run around the park, it was time to take the Park Hydro to the mountains.
My first real trail run happened in Mineral Fork. This run is a bruiser, and is more like a hike/run. Loose rocks, very steep trails, and lots of elevation gain make this one of my go-to runs when I’m training for something. It’s also a long run, so I brought some extra water in my pack, just in case. I’m glad I did because halfway through, I drank all of the 18oz that the Park Hydro holds. OK, so either I need two of these (one for each hand) or this hydration system is only appropriate for short runs (or if you can refill in a mountain creek with a filter.)
After this first run, I was impressed, and have been using the product ever since, but on shorter excursions. Nothing beats the convenience of having your water in hand when you need it (no more stopping to dig around in your pack) and it’s actually comfortable. The material is a moisture-wicking stretch, and the soft flask is squishy and light. Plus, it’s compressible, so when you’re empty, it takes up very little room in a pocket. My only real gripe is that your hand is useless when wearing it, so it must be taken off whenever you need to grasp something else.
The Good: Easy to use, makes drinking convenient on runs, comfortable fabric, compressible.
The Bad: Only good for shorter runs, loss of hand dexterity.
Final Word: if you go on short trail runs and hate wearing a backpack for hydration, the Salomon Park Hydro Handset is a unique, innovative way to carry your water.