Da Kine hydration packs...bite valve problems?

**NorCalSJK** · 07-09-2005, 05:08 PM

Ok...completely frustrated at this point. I purchased the Drafter MTB pack from Da Kine. The pack itself is nice, straps are a little long, but whatev. The BIG problem is the bite valve. I'm wondering if i'm just really doing something wrong, or if it's a defective design. It seems like the thing just leaks, no matter what. You can turn the valve off or on, but, if there's any pressure on the bladder, it leaks out. I called Da Kine at first, they were nice enough to send another very quickly, i got it yesterday, and the same problem.
Is anyone else having anything like this happen?
Help...

**bossass** · 07-09-2005, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by NorCalPWDR

Ok...completely frustrated at this point. I purchased the Drafter MTB pack from Da Kine. The pack itself is nice, straps are a little long, but whatev. The BIG problem is the bite valve. I'm wondering if i'm just really doing something wrong, or if it's a defective design. It seems like the thing just leaks, no matter what. You can turn the valve off or on, but, if there's any pressure on the bladder, it leaks out. I called Da Kine at first, they were nice enough to send another very quickly, i got it yesterday, and the same problem.
Is anyone else having anything like this happen?
Help...

I had the same problem right off the bat. I got the Drafter for free from DaKine, so I didn't complain. I just threw an old camelback bladder in there.

Incidentally, my first ride with the original bladder was with Keith Bontrager in Santa Cruz. It was the most physically draining, soul crushing physical endeavor I have ever undertaken (I was pretty out of shape, and he's, well, superhuman). I think I lost 25% of my water and I could've used it when the bladder went dry 3/4 of the way in to the ride. Keith, on the other hand, had a water bottle that was still 80% full when we were done and I was looking for an IV for my red bull.

**NorCalSJK** · 07-09-2005, 11:09 PM

Originally Posted by bossass

I had the same problem right off the bat.

WTF!?
Did they just blow it completely on making these things? How hard can it be? Anyone else?

**mntlion** · 07-10-2005, 08:24 AM

seen the same thing last winter, we just sent all ours back to dakine, nice packs, shitty bladders.

buy a camelback

**NorCalSJK** · 07-10-2005, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by mntlion

seen the same thing last winter, we just sent all ours back to dakine, nice packs, shitty bladders.

buy a camelback

Thats exactly how i feel right now, the pack is super nice...but the FKN bladder is a joke. I will have to call them again on Monday, this is ridiculous.

**mntlion** · 07-10-2005, 09:16 AM

did you get it from Dakine directly or from a retailer? Usually Dakine will just be able to replace, retailer can refund/replace with other item (like camelback perhaps??)

**NorCalSJK** · 07-10-2005, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by mntlion

did you get it from Dakine directly or from a retailer? Usually Dakine will just be able to replace, retailer can refund/replace with other item (like camelback perhaps??)

Pretty much i've been dealing with just Da Kine...i'm wondering if i could put a Camelback bite valve on there?

**BakerBoy** · 07-10-2005, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by bossass

Incidentally, my first ride with the original bladder was with Keith Bontrager in Santa Cruz. It was the most physically draining, soul crushing physical endeavor I have ever undertaken.

Sack of shit namedropper!

**Joey Bag O' Donuts** · 07-19-2005, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by NorCalPWDR

Pretty much i've been dealing with just Da Kine...i'm wondering if i could put a Camelback bite valve on there?

Nope, Already tried it. I had the same problem with the bite valve (always leaking), however in this situation my bite valve froze, and the winds at the top of mammoth ripped they grey rubber bite piece right off the valve portion, never to be seen again. I sent numerous e-mails to Dakine, and the fackers never got back to me.