Winter runners (or x-country skiiers, snowshoe-ers, etc.): what do you use for hydration when outside in freezing temperatures?

December 8, 2009 12:28 PM

Winter runners (or x-country skiiers, snowshoe-ers, etc.): what do you use for hydration when outside in freezing temperatures?

I am planning on trying out winter running again. Last year, I wasn't properly dressed and I think I have that part figured out. What I don't have figure out, however, is water. My water bottle often froze shut during winter runs. (For temperature reference: the forecast for my city.) I'm hoping that a different bottle (or a hydration pack) will allow me take frequent sips of water without freezing up.

posted by Kurichina to health & fitness (16 answers total)

Get a Camelbak (or similar) with insulated carrier, and wear it under your outermost layer. Remember to put the hose inside after each drink so that it doesn't freeze.
posted by randomstriker at 12:32 PM on December 8, 2009

It's also helpful to blow air back into the hose of a camelbak so you don't have that small bit of water freezing on you.
posted by craven_morhead at 12:34 PM on December 8, 2009 [1 favorite]

Typically, any pack that holds a bladder holds it against your back, where you generate a lot of heat.

While winter backpacking, one is supposed to keep water and food close to your back so they don't freeze solid.
posted by phrakture at 12:35 PM on December 8, 2009

Cycling: I warm my water bottle in the microwave and zip it into an outside pannier pocket. If it's really cold out, I the bottle in a heavy sock as well. If you want to carry one in your hand, you might get by with just the sock. Or make a neoprene bottle cozy (like a beer cozy). The bottle won't slide out so easily.
posted by TruncatedTiller at 12:49 PM on December 8, 2009

When running less than an hour in cool or cold weather, I just wait until I'm indoors to get water. But I also dress to minimize any overheating and sweating.
posted by zippy at 12:52 PM on December 8, 2009

You might like the RaceBak.
posted by a halcyon day at 1:09 PM on December 8, 2009

Seconding craven_morhead, use a camelback, take a drink and blow the water back up the tube and into the container. Your back is warm and there's enough water there that it is unlikely to freeze. I was just out last weekend and forgot the blow-back and sure-enough, all the water in the tube froze. I just put the whole thing under my jacket for awhile until it warmed up.

Also, for my bike, I have an insulated water bottle that I got at some bike shop. I've only really used in the summer to keep my water cold but it says on the side, for hot or cold water.
posted by amanda at 2:16 PM on December 8, 2009

I'm curious as to how long you run. I find I don't need water if I'm running, say, 40 minutes or less, outside, in the winter--as long as I'm already well hydrated. I usually gulp some water down 15-20 minutes or so before I run.

The thing is, if you are cold, water you carry will steal your warmth to stay warm unless it's really well insulated.
posted by bluedaisy at 2:28 PM on December 8, 2009

1. If you're working out for <1>
2. Store the water bottle upside down. Water freezes from the top down, this will keep the valve unfrozen. Personally tested by 7yrs of XC skiing in AK for 2-3hrs every day in the winter.

3. Slip a handwarmer pack into the water bottle holder. Put it at the bottom, put the bottle in upside down, ta-da! Guaranteed not to freeze for 6-8hrs.

4. Skip the camelback. If you do you use it, buy the neoprene cold-weather sleeve & bite-valve cover. Also be sure to drink a sip every 5-10min to keep the cold water in the tube from freezing by continually drawing in warmer water from the bladder.
posted by jpeacock at 3:01 PM on December 8, 2009

(trying again, forgot to escape my less-than)

1. If you're working out for <1hr, you don't need to hydrate during the workout. So leave the water bottle at home.

2. Store the water bottle upside down. Water freezes from the top down, this will keep the valve unfrozen. Personally tested by 7yrs of XC skiing in AK for 2-3hrs every day in the winter.

3. Slip a handwarmer pack into the water bottle holder. Put it at the bottom, put the bottle in upside down, ta-da! Guaranteed not to freeze for 6-8hrs.

4. Skip the camelback. If you do you use it, buy the neoprene cold-weather sleeve & bite-valve cover. Also be sure to drink a sip every 5-10min to keep the cold water in the tube from freezing by continually drawing in warmer water from the bladder.
posted by jpeacock at 3:02 PM on December 8, 2009

You have to warm your water before you leave, carry it in insulation and preferably hold it close to your body. Be very careful if it starts to ice over and you are already chilly. This is probably more important on a bike where your energy output is generally less than cross country skiing or running, yet your generated wind chill is much higher. More than once I took a huge swig of nearly frozen water and had my body react by essentially cutting off most circulation to my extremities. When you are fifteen miles from home in fifteen degree F weather this is a problem. If the water does start to freeze take very small sips so as not to chill your core and induce that protective response and better yet skip it until you get home.
posted by caddis at 5:04 PM on December 8, 2009

You might also plan your running routes around public water fountains that have been winterized. They were a godsend for when I did marathon training in the dead of winter.
posted by mmascolino at 7:11 PM on December 8, 2009

Just standard water bottle in a water bottle carrier made for x-c skiing (where the bottle sits inside a somewhat insulated sleeve) has worked fine for me. If it gets really cold, you can do as jpeacock suggests and flip the bottle upside down and/or slip the back of your jacket over the bottle carrier. Even if your water bottle valve does freeze, it only takes a few seconds in your mouth to get it flowing again.
posted by ssg at 9:52 PM on December 8, 2009

Thanks guys! I marked a few best answers - one for the cheap solution (upside down bottle) and another what might be a surer shot.

To answer the questions in the thread, I'll be training for a 10K race in March, so generally under 1 hour, but I'm uncomfortable if I'm not sipping water (or tea, or whatever) at least every 5 minutes in general, and feel like I need it even more frequently when working out.
posted by Kurichina at 9:54 AM on December 9, 2009

I realize you may be uncomfortable if you are not sipping but I am quite certain this is a habit not a hydration issue (especially in cool or cold weather). While body chemistry can vary substantially I think it is reasonable to suggest that one can almost always run for 40-6o minutes without hydrating unless you are planning on immediately subsequent activity/exercise/running. Good Luck
posted by rmhsinc at 10:41 AM on December 10, 2009

You've probably figured out a good solution by now, but if you haven't, you could consider a drink belt for cross country skiing, which is basically an insulated bottle with straps. Swix and Toko (both ski wax companies) make versions and I'm sure any store that sells x-c gear could get one for you.
posted by ssg at 3:51 PM on January 7, 2010