It looks like a thin IV tube. The valve is smaller than a lemon drop. This fall, Geigerrig will ship a hydration hose 1/3 the size of the industry standard.
The flexible hose can be routed through clothing and clipped to a collar. Like other Geigerrig products, the system requires no sucking — the reservoir has a pump and is pressurized; water flows from the reservoir into the hose, and out the end, with no sucking needed.
The tiny hoses, called Nano Technology, will cost just $19. They come with a valve on the end to stick in your mouth. A “control gate” on the hose lets you cut off water flow from the pressurized reservoir, or turn it on for a drink.
Why have other brands not made their hoses smaller? You cannot suck water easily through a small hose. The pressurized flow is needed to move the H2O through the small drink hose.
We have not yet tested the Nano system but like the idea. Though we rarely feel the current hose offerings are too big, anything lighter and more low-profile that performs is good in our book. Looking forward to trying out the no-suck, tiny hose option on runs, rides, and hikes this fall.
—Stephen Regenold
