Outdoor Gear

CamelBak pioneered hands-free hydration and introduced the first BPA-free bottles to the world. Founder and bicycle enthusiast Michael Eidson had a realization as he was competing in a 100-mile road race over four days in the grueling summer heat of Wichita Falls, Texas. Water is vital to surviving the race, but there are few places to refill, let alone time to stop. Eidson came up with a solution on the fly: He filled an IV bag with water, slipped it into a white tube sock, and stuffed the whole contraption into the back of his bike jersey. He then threw the hose over his shoulder and clamped it shut with a clothespin. Hands-free hydration was born. And CamelBak was created to pursue it.