Hydration bladder recommendations?

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re_guderian

re_guderian

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So I am WAY behind the times on this, but recently have picked up hiking and backpacking again after a few decades off... For water I've always used wide-mouth Nalgene bottles (I carry 4-5 on a day hike). A few years ago I got a new Kelty day pack that has a pouch for a hydration bladder and a hole for the tube to come out. I don't own a bladder or hydration pack. I can't ever really see myself using just a hydration pack, 'cause I drag too much crap around with me when I hike, so I'm looking for recommendations on what type/brand/size of bladder I should get (if you can buy them seperately) and what everyone's experience is using a bladder inside a regular backpack (do they ever leak?). If it helps, the sleeve for the bladder is right against my back (pretty typical, I guess...). I'm thinking medium sized, and refill every so often when I stop and take off the pack?
 
i like the platypus
 
I like the Nalgene bladder that is in my North Face Hammerhead (wife has a Thresher) pack. The bite valve works good, has an off position, the hose will disconnect from the bladder and there is a magnet to hold the bite valve on your chest strap. I know people rave about the Camelback stuff too, but I have not owned one.

The North Face Hydration Packs from Backcountry.com

They don't leak, but they condense if you use cold water. And there is also a little spillage from filling them up.

I like my 3 liter, never emptied it in a day of riding, but I have emptied a 2 liter.
 
Your local hiking/whatever store should have replacement bladders. CamelBak and probably several other brands in sizes from 60 to 120oz or so. I've never had a bad one from any of the different companies, but I've learned there are some features I like better.

A bite valve is very handy if you're on a bike or if you use trekking poles. If you tend to have your hands free, a valve that twists closed might be more practical.

A larger opening into the bladder itself is handy if you want to clean it out and let it air dry afterwards. When I was riding my bike a lot, I never bothered to air it out, but a little splash of mint mouthwash helped keep the ickies at bay and make the water taste fresh.
 
Rob, you're a big dude in AZ, carry as much water as you can. 2x on the large mouth, much easier to clean. I use a 3 liter Camelbak Unbottle. It comes in a sleeve so they stay cold and condensation is not an issue. As an added bonus, they can be easily attached to the back of the driver's seat for trail runs.


unbottle-100oz - CamelBak.com
 
BrotherRob said:
Rob, you're a big dude in AZ, carry as much water as you can. 2x on the large mouth, much easier to clean. I use a 3 liter Camelbak Unbottle. It comes in a sleeve so they stay cold and condensation is not an issue. As an added bonus, they can be easily attached to the back of the driver's seat for trail runs.


unbottle-100oz - CamelBak.com
Click to expand...

you're right, there are days when 5 qts isn't enough. I guess I can still bring 5 Nalgene bottles + 100 oz bladder. I'd be set, though 16 lbs heavier...
 
re_guderian said:
you're right, there are days when 5 qts isn't enough. I guess I can still bring 5 Nalgene bottles + 100 oz bladder. I'd be set, though 16 lbs heavier...
Click to expand...

On long hikes, I've carried both the 3 liter and a 2 liter bladder. The pack weights a ton but it encourages you to drain the small one quickly.
 
re_guderian said:
you're right, there are days when 5 qts isn't enough. I guess I can still bring 5 Nalgene bottles + 100 oz bladder. I'd be set, though 16 lbs heavier...
Click to expand...

BrotherRob said:
On long hikes, I've carried both the 3 liter and a 2 liter bladder. The pack weights a ton but it encourages you to drain the small one quickly.
Click to expand...

I'm setup for up to 4 2 liter bladders in my photography backpack. I added a couple extra holding loops to keep the extra bladders up high and against the back. It is a regular internal framed backpack in which I use padded pouches for the photography gear.
 
X3 on platypus. Its the lightest, but stays very strong. Doesn't cost any more than Camelback or the MSR ones. If you aren't counting ounces, the zip open top Platypus bag is awesome.
 
I've used a 3l Camelbak thermobak for years. I do a lot of hiking and a lot of remote area work and I have never had a leak from the Camelbak. The thermobak is a standalone unit - i.e. no extra storage space - but I like it because I can wear it by itself or pack it into my backpack. I've recently bought a US mil surplus carrier for it which allows me to clip it to the outside of my RAID 3 day pack using the PALS webbing.

Here's one the same as mine - A Coyote Brown 3 Litre Thermobak

60136.jpg


A hint when you get one of these... you'll see Camelbak cleaning tablets advertised for ridiculous money. Go to your local supermarket and look for baby bottle cleaning tablets - exact same thing. For any of our Aussie brethren, the brand we have here is "Milton" - available from coles, woolies, IGA, etc for a couple of bucks for a 10 tab pack. Always clean your water bladder at least every couple of months regardless of whether is says it's anti-bacterial or not. When you clean it, no need to scrub, just fill with clean water, pop in a tablet and let it sit for 15 min or so then squeeze the water out through the bite valve. The inside will get slimy if you don't clean it. Also, store it empty with the lid open and upside down.

Good luck with your search - there's a million and one brands out there. Camelbak works for me but others probably will too.

Cheers
 
The new Camelbaks finally utilize a tasteless material. Previous CB's added too much 'flavor' for me.

I've used and liked the Platypus for along time. I really like their odor/taste free material! But the aggravating thing about the Platypus isn't "if" they leak from one of the many crack/crinkles they get apart of normal use, but "when"; and its always when the damn thing is on your back in the middle of a backpack/hunting/hiking trip! Yeah...they'll replace it free under their warranty but that doesn't do me much good when it's 30-degrees outside and my back, along with the contents of my back pack are wet due to their leaky design :mad:.

I tried the Nalgene but had serious leakage issues with the bottom quick-release hose/bag connection. After a real, or what I thought was a "real", discussion with one of their "engineers" about the problem they sent me three...yes 3!!!...replacements at no charge. Unfortunately they were the same design with the same leaking issue I complained about :mad:. They've since changed the design and I suspect they have finally addressed the leaking issue...but I've found the new Camelbak to be taste and leak free ;).
 
One which has a really good rep is Gerber Liquifusion Hydration brand. These are a semi-rigid bladder, really tough. I just don't like the fact that they make a sloshing sound, but that's just the green machine influence in me.

They should be perfect for civilian applications. Price looks really good too.

g11016.jpg
 
found the Camelbak Sixbak... 6L of goodness. Can't decide if that's be overkill or not. I guess you don't always have to carry it full... I'm putting this in a Kelty Redwing 3100. I'll probably go the Unbottle route since 3L should be sufficient, I guess. Thanks for the input guys. :cheers:
 
you should check out the Deuter Race series. | Deuter USA | Products | Hydration |
They have a 3 liter bladder and space to carry other things.

What differentiates this pack from ALL others is the mesh back that lifts the body of the pack off the back (called Advanced Aircomfort in specs)

essentially keeping your body from heating the bladder----and keeping your back cool vs sweaty like ALL others.

-no more sweaty back-
-no more warmed up bladder-

Hands down the nicest pack out there. Not all of their packs use the advanced aircomfort......but the Race series does. Its hard to tell in the pic---but theres a good 1 1/2 inch of space between the mesh layer---and the pack. Also check out the mesh shoulder straps. breathable. 08 models on closeout at REI.outlet.
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Hydration packs are very difficult to keep clean if you are just using water and even harder is you use some type of electrolyte replacement. I would just stick with the Nalgene bottles.
 
clearly platypus...
bpa free, taste free, you can unzip the bladder for easy cleaning, super solid, no leaks.
i'd stay away from nalgene/bpa stuff.

i have an older platypus hydration bladder. back then they where advertising you can stand on it without the bladder/zip leaking. i tried it, they were not lying. i use it in my old camelbak, but you can put/stuff/attach it anywhere.
 
john difool said:
clearly platypus...
bpa free, taste free, you can unzip the bladder for easy cleaning, super solid, no leaks.
i'd stay away from nalgene/bpa stuff.

i have an older platypus hydration bladder. back then they where advertising you can stand on it without the bladder/zip leaking. i tried it, they were not lying. i use it in my old camelbak, but you can put/stuff/attach it anywhere.
Click to expand...


The problem with the 8-or so Platypus' I've owned is they are susceptible to cracking at a fold, etc. Sure they warranty them but I had one leak on a backpack trip and that was a pisser to have a partially wet sleeping back, etc.

If they could somehow make them so they wouldn't eventually leak at any # of creases they eventually develop I'd still be using one. Or make it so they finally leak when at home instead of in use ;).
 
spressomon said:
The problem with the 8-or so Platypus' I've owned is they are susceptible to cracking at a fold, etc. Sure they warranty them but I had one leak on a backpack trip and that was a pisser to have a partially wet sleeping back, etc.
Click to expand...

I now always pack the stuff in my backpack in dry sacks. I fell crossing a stream once to often.

I second the MSR Dromedary bags being tough. I use them exclusively and never had a problem with any of them. This includes falling on them.
 
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