CamelBaks last for a surprisingly long time. I have a couple that are well over five years old that still work perfectly. The bite valve, however, is a different story.
On average, you’ll probably need to replace them every year or two as they wear out and begin to leak. You should also be regularly taking your bite valve off to clean your CamelBak and make sure it doesn't grow any mold.
But if it’s your first time replacing your bite valve, removing it can be a little confusing.
Removing a CamelBak hydration pack’s bite valve is pretty easy. Just grab the valve around its base and pull to slide it from the mouthpiece. Grabbing near the drinking end may damage the bite valve’s seal.
If it’s being stubborn and won’t slide off easily, you can twist as you pull, soak the entire mouthpiece in hot water for 15 minutes to soften it, or (if you’re replacing it anyway) cut a small slit along the length of the bite valve.
Removing the bite valve from a CamelBak hydration pack is pretty easy once you realize that it just slides on and off.
Which is great news if you need to replace it or just want it off for easier cleaning or more thorough drying.
How To Remove The Bite Valve From A CamelBak Hydration Pack
In the early 2000s, CamelBak switched to The Big Bite Valve for all of their hydration packs. It was a big improvement from their original bite valve because it allows increased water flow and self-seals much more reliably.
Removing the Big Bite Valve from a CamelBak hydration pack is pretty straightforward as well.
It’s only connected to the mouthpiece by compression and can simply be pulled off (much like removing the bite valve from a CamelBak Eddy Bottle).
If you’re planning to keep the bite valve, be sure to place your fingers around the base of the valve as you pull. Pulling from the drinking end may damage the seal and cause your CamelBak to leak.
If it’s being stubborn and won’t come off easily:
- Twist it as you pull. Oftentimes this will reduce the compression force of the bite valve around the mouthpiece enough for it to slide off.
- Soak the mouthpiece in hot water for 15 minutes to soften the bite valve and loosen any residue that may have found its way between the valve and mouthpiece.
- If it remains stubborn use a butter knife to pry away the drinking tube whilst being careful not to cut or damage anything.
- If you’re replacing the bite valve anyway, use a razor or sharp knife to cut a small slit vertically along the length of the valve. Be careful not to cut too deeply or to otherwise damage the mouthpiece (or yourself).
How To Replace The Bite Valve On A CamelBak Hydration Pack
Replacing a CamelBak bite valve is also pretty easy to do. It’s as simple as sliding the old valve off and sliding the new one into position.
Patented Big Bite Valve mouthpiece offers hands-free hydration and is ideal for any high-performance situation. Self-seal after each drink.
- Remove the old bite valve by pulling it off of the mouthpiece, grabbing the valve at its base rather than the drinking end.
- If you’re having a hard time removing it, the methods listed above may help.
- Slide the new bite valve over the stem on the mouthpiece.
- Push and gently twist until the base of the bite valve is flush against the beveled edge on the mouthpiece.
- Use the base of the bite valve to twist it to your preferred angle.
If you still have an older CamelBak with the original bite valve, it’s probably time to upgrade — replacement parts are pretty much impossible to find now that they’ve been out of production for over 20 years.
