The North Face heated hydration system

The North Face introduces the new HTR heated hydration system

24 April 2006 13:41 GMT / By Chris Hall

The North Face, the world’s premier supplier of technical outdoor apparel, equipment, footwear and gear, introduces the new HTR heated hydration system. Simple and easy to use, the system is optimized to keep water from freezing for at least 20 hours at 15ºF (10ºC) and will provide the outdoor athlete with a powerful new tool for taking on the harsh realities of winter conditions.

Built on the foundation of demonstrated winter technology, The North Face HTR system relies on the proven power of both insulation and thermal technology to ensure readily available hydration. “The bane of the outdoor athlete in winter has long been the problem of hydration”, said Joe Flannery, Vice President of Marketing, The North Face. “Inaccessible or frozen liquid severely impedes athletic performance.”

AA batteries power an active heating system encased in an insulated drinking tube cover that maintains vital fluids in a drinkable state. A sensor monitors the temperature of the hose and signals the system to heat when it approaches freezing to ensure that liquids never freeze. To protect the vulnerable bite-valve, The North Face packs also have a zippered garage on the shoulder strap to keep the bite-valve protected and out of the elements. An easy-to-read LED on the drinking tube cover provides ongoing information about the system’s status: heating, on or off, as well as a low-battery indicator.

The North Face HTR heated hydration systems will be available in stores 1 September, 2006 in both a regular-sized daypack called the “Snowday”, and a smaller fast-moving sleeve called the “Flask”.