Last Updated on June 18, 2014 by Heather Hart, ACSM EP, CSCS
Every small blogger dreams of having a post go viral. OK, perhaps “dreams of” is a bit of a stretch, but it’s a really cool thing to have happen: you have something you feel is important to say, and not only do people listen, but if feels like the entire internet takes notice. It’s awesome, and slightly overwhelming. As a result of last weeks posts, I now have a significantly larger audience…at least temporarily. So I’ll be upfront with you guys: I’m feeling a little bit of stage fright. I don’t know what to follow up those last posts with. Don’t get me wrong, I have a lot to say (ask anyone who has met me.) But between the poignant posts comes a lot of rambling about things such as running shoes and how much I love to play in the mud.
Thankfully, my friends over at CamelBak have temporarily taken the pressure off of me with a product review and a giveaway.
In the endurance world, CamelBak is synonymous with hydration packs, bladders, and water bottles to keep you hydrated on the run (or ride, or hike…you get the idea). But now, CamelBak is infiltrating (and filtering) your home kitchen as well. The CamelBak Relay is a new filtration pitcher that was launched onto the market in March of 2014. When I received the press release, my first thought was that CamelBak in the kitchen was akin to that time I got an Eddie Bauer branded pack-n-play (fold up baby crib for you non parents). In other words: it didn’t initially make sense.
Or did it? After all, CamelBak deals in hydration, which indeed carries over to the kitchen and everyday life outside of the adventure world. Whereas, Eddie Bauer deals in khakis and boat shoes, and I have no idea how that relates to my infants sleeping needs, but I digress.
What CamelBak says :
“CamelBak®, the global hydration innovation leader, introduces Relay™, the first water filtration pitcher to filter water at the speed of your faucet.
Created to keep pace with active lives, CamelBak Relay relies on a unique, pleated Double Filter Technology system that filters water twice – once as the pitcher is filled and again as water is poured. The result is great tasting filtered water more than 10X faster than the leading competitor. The Relay Fresh™ Filter lasts four months with regular usage, twice as long as the leading competitor. When tested to NSF/ANSI Standard 42, independent test results have shown Relay removes 97% of chlorine, taste and odor
CamelBak’s innovative approach continues with a streamlined, space-saving pitcher design that holds 10-cups of water and easily fits in most refrigerator doors. A pair of side-locking latches keeps the lid in place and ensures spill-proof pouring.
“CamelBak Relay is the latest example of our commitment to promote hydration while eliminating disposable bottled water,” said Sally McCoy, CamelBak CEO. “We listened to our consumers’ frustration with existing water filtration pitchers and solved each complaint by creating an all-around better product that filters water fast, prevents spills and fits well into refrigerators.”
Other Specs:
-BPA free
-Dishwasher safe
-Filter reminder dial
-Spill proof locking lid
-Covered by CamelBak’s Got Your Bak™ Lifetime Guarantee
– MSRP: $36.99*
– Replacement filter: $12.00 (3-Pack Filter available on Amazon for $28.50*)
REVIEW:
The construction of the Relay is interesting to say the least. The filter is super easy to use, in that it is one large piece that sits right at the top of the pitcher. While reading the instructions is always recommended, I appreciate a product that immediately makes sense without a 12 step assembly.
I also appreciate the spill proof locking lid, however have found that the “locking” mechanism is finicky and hard to use. I really have to fight with it to make sure it locks tightly.
The pitcher does indeed filter fast, and becomes increasingly faster as the filter is “broken in” for lack of better terms. It also filters fast when pouring (as mentioned above, this pitcher filters the water both when you fill it, and when it pours into your glass/bottle/etc.) There really is no delay like I have experienced with other filtration pitchers.
As far as taste goes, I’ll be the first to admit that my opinion may not hold a lot of clout: I live in Vermont and we have a freshwater well. Therefore there is no chlorine to filter out. That said, I found it interesting that CamelBak doesn’t list any hard minerals that it potentially filters out (our well water is sometimes laden with sulfur. Ick.)
The sustainability and economic impact of the filter is pretty great: one filter = 600 plastic bottles of filtered water. I’ll do the math for you: that’s $0.02 per bottle per filter. Or, for the initial investment of the pitcher, $0.62 per bottle.
Want to see it all in action? Watch this video
In the end, I believe this is a quality product and a superior alternative for those who already use a home pitcher filtration system. Plus, it’s made by CamelBak, so you can feel like you have brought a little bit of your outdoor adventures into your home.
CamelBak has been kind enough to offer a Relay pitcher to one of my readers. To enter, please use the rafflecopter below. Winner must be able to provide a non- PO box address in the U.S. Contest runs until June 25th, winner will be notified via email. Good luck!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclaimer: CamelBak provided me with a Relay pitcher at no charge, however, all opinions stated are my own.
*Denotes affiliate link
Heather Hart is an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), UESCA certified Ultrarunning Coach, RRCA certified Running Coach, co-founder of Hart Strength and Endurance Coaching, and creator of this site, Relentless Forward Commotion. She is a mom of two teen boys, and has been running and racing distances of 5K to 100+ miles for over a decade. Heather has been writing and encouraging others to find a love for fitness and movement since 2009.
Joanna {Baby Gators Den}
This looks like a cool water pitcher!! We could definitely use it in our house 😀
outrunningthefork
People always used to comment on the amount of water I drink — and I’m always encouraging others to drink a lot. 🙂 The big argument back is that they can’t because they can’t go to the bathroom all the time (this is usually teacher-types who can’t leave their room) but no one believes that once you get used to drinking more water you don’t have to go as much!!
Heather
That is ALWAYS the hardest part! I go through ups and downs with my hydration, and when I get back on track, it’s hard to be away from a bathroom for too long, haha!
Apples and Arteries
My zodiac sign is Aquarius so I love to swim and love to drink water 🙂
Heather
Love it!!
Kate Lewis
I drink a ton of water! I usually drink on average 175oz a day. I work at home and that pitcher would be awesome. I hate ones that spill every time you take it out of the fridge. Right now I only drink out of the tap for that reason!
kristin
keep hydrated all day everyday
onecrazypenguin
This looks great. While the locking mechanism may be annoying, it would be really helpful for my clumsy butt!
Erika Whitney
I hate the “delay” with a Brita pitcher’s filtering, and how they always seem to fall apart when I try to pour with them. I’d love to try a different style of pitcher!
Carolyn Pleasance
I’m pretty dehydrated after all my screaming ‘hell yes’ in agreement with your ‘back of the pack’ post. I could sure use a drink
Heather
Hahaha! Awesome 🙂 🙂 🙂
Kristen Grimes
Okay, a story about water…Once Upon a Time in a land far, far away there lived a girl and this girl really liked water. So she drank a minimum of 64 ounces each and every day and she lived happily ever after. The End. 🙂
Erin
This looks great! I am trying my hardest to quit diet soda, this will be a great tool to beat the battle.
Ali @ Hit the Ground Running
A story about water…Okay, I love to standup paddleboard…the only time I’ve ever fallen in was when I was distracted by a small pod of dolphins that was following us…because I’m terrified of sea life and was worried they’d knock me off! lol
Carrie H
I have a love hate relationship with water. I love drinking it I hate going to the bathroom. I think if the side effects of water were less, I’d drink more!! 🙂
Stacy D.
Hello! I am one of your newer readers, due to your “viral post”. I love your blog and I drink half my weight in water (in ounces) a day so I would love one of these pitchers!
Tessa
By the time you feel thirst, you’re beyond thirsty. Drink before you feel thirsty
Amy
This water filter looks great! I hope I win it! I could use it with our hard water here in Arizona!
~Amy 🙂
Jenn Taddeo
I would love to win this!
Jenn Taddeo
Not exactly a story, so adding to it – I drink a ton of water, but don’t currently have my fridge hooked up to plumbing like I did in my last house, so it would be great to have this instead.
Jill
I drink a lot of water all day long at work. This pitcher would be great to keep in the fridge.
Lala
I’m one of your new readers, due to your viral post (which I loved. Also, I ran that race, so I found your recap to be eye-opening and particularly insightful in just how different the experience of a race is towards the back.) Back on topic: I drink water all day, every day, but especially more so now that we’re hitting the hot, humid weather here in D.C.!
Lisa Jones
I love Camelbak, from my glass Eddy bottle to my Charm hydration pack. Love that H20!
Amy K
Would love a new water pitcher from Camlebak!
grabyourkicks
My water story…I’m pretty sure most of my pain after long runs is from being dehydrated. I thought I was drinking enough water, but not so. When I’m actually hydrated it makes a world of difference after running! I try to drink at least 3-4 water bottles a day now.
Strength and Sunshine
During the winter…a few months ago…our kitchen faucet “rusted” off. We have well water and really hard water, so I think all the minerals in it, were too much for the faucet! Needless to say we lived with half a faucet for a few weeks. (We do not drink or cook with our water!)
Tegan
Sounds neat
Rebecca
I just saw this in the store yesterday and was so tempted. We drink a lot of water, and with moving every 2-3 years I never know what could be in the water. I like the spill-proof top for my kids and I like that it is fast. I’d love to try one before buying it.
Nate
Living in a home that is under a major remodel, this pitcher would be awesome to filter any of the “not seen” stuff floating around the house (and pipes) at all times! lol
runtobefree10
I was in the military (briefly)… which was my first encounter with CamelBak… I’ve never gone back. All of my water bottles are CamelBak and I still have my military issues CamelBak that I take with my on long (ruck like) runs/walks. CamelBak is the real deal. 🙂
Melanie
Mmmmm, water…
Tammy McConnell George
I was told to divide my weight in half and drink that number of ozs.
beckyginther
I started drinking a lot more water recently as part of my goal to become healthier. Some people at work make fun of me for how much water I drink but they’re just silly!
Rebecca Parsons
I drink a lot of water now that I am working in a factory that is so hot. I started bringing tap water and drinking out of the fountain but I would much rather drink filtered water.
LeeAnn
I’ve recently started wearing my biking Camelbak on long runs and I love what a differdnce it makes!
cklein32
I use a Pur filter system right now and it is way too slow. The wife has been bugging me to get one of these!
Julia Rohs
I normally buy bottled water to avoid what may be in my tap water, but this looks like a much better solution to other filter pitchers out there that filter WAY too slow or don’t hold much water!
Andrea @ With a Side of Magic
I don’t drink nearly enough water, so this would be great!
rtzelaya
A story about water? My 10 year old just begged me to let her get in the shower with her clothes on. i told her that it would be better if she didn’t. She just thought it sounded so fun 🙂
Laurel C
I work at a running retail store, and my boss likes to tell us the story of the time he almost died of dehydration…….apparently when he was finally abele to urinate it was brown/black! yikes!!
Deborah Gardner
My cat only drink from the sink because she prefers running water. How silly is that?