Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

TECH NEWS

Camelbak launches Quick Stow Flask soft-sided collapsible water bottle

Camelbak's new soft flask could be useful for commuting or bikepacking

​Camelbak launched the Quick Stow Flask at Eurobike, a soft-sided collapsible water flask that can be used for those times when you want or can't use a traditional water bottle.

The Quick Stow Flask isn’t aimed specifically at cyclists. It has actually been designed for trail and ultra-runners, but the company was keen to point out to use that it has some uses for cyclists as well. We can see it being useful in some situations where you either haven’t got space to use a regular water bottle, such as for some bikepacking applications, or for commuting with a backpack and you want a bottle that can be folded flat when empty so it takes up less space. Or you could stick it in a jersey pocket if you’re riding a bike without bottle cage mounts, like a cyclocross race bike. 

- Review: Camelbak Podium 610/710ml water bottle

The Quick Stow Flash is made from the same polyurethane material CamelBak uses for its reservoirs, and it has managed to prevent the product from being too soft or limp to be carried easily when full. I had a quick play if that’s the right word, with it at Eurobike and it’s impressive how well it holds its shape. Looking at it, you might expect it to flop about but there’s enough structural rigidity so that it holds its form.

CAMELBAK QUICK STOW INSULATED SS 2017.jpg

The 500ml capacity makes it ideal for shorter rides, or as a companion to bigger regular water bottles on very long rides when riding unsupported with no feed stops.  It uses the familiar Big Bite Valve for easy water dispensing and preventing leaks, and can be closed completely for when you’re travelling. The large mouth opening makes it easy to fill with water or ice. There are volume indicators on the side and an easy dry hanger loop at the top.

You can choose from the regular Quick Stow Flask or the insulated Quick Stow Flask Chill, which uses a layer of Chill foam sandwiched between two layers of polyurethane material. This, it claims, keeps water cold twice as long as non-insulated products. The standard Flask weighs 37g and the Chill Flask is 54g.

“Resounding feedback from testers was that current products were too soft or limp to be carried easily even when full, but athletes still needed to store them away or pack them flat when they were empty,” says the company.

No information on pricing or availability yet, we’ll update you when we find out. We’ve got a sample on its way for testing as we’re keen to see how it performs. 

More at www.camelbak.com

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

Add new comment

3 comments

Avatar
MoutonDeMontagne | 4 years ago
0 likes

Hmm, good timing as I was thinking about something like this last night. I don't have a cage on my MTB as usually use a camel back. But can never be bothered with one when heading out for a 90min thrash around the woods nearby. something that securely fits in a jersey pocket would be just the job. 

Avatar
BikeBud | 7 years ago
0 likes

I use a Salomon one for Cyclocross - agreed, they are particularly floppy once you've taken a slurp.  500ml seems on the large side for what I'd use it for.    

Avatar
tritecommentbot | 7 years ago
0 likes

Thinking about it.. it probably is better than the original Salomon design which I use. They do get really floppy, especially when less than full. Full isn't bad, but it gets progressively sloppier to handle the more you drink from it.

 

Better not be a rip-off like the Salomon ones which retail around £15 (lol). 

Latest Comments