The 5 Best Hydration Bladders
Hydration bladders are great pieces of hiking gear, so you can easily access your water supply without stopping. For those who don’t enjoy having water bottles while hiking, hydration bladders are the perfect alternative! Most hiking backpacks are compatible with hydration bladders, so it is easy to add them to your day hikes! This guide reviews everything you need to know about hydration bladders, including what to consider when buying one and the best hydration bladders!
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Why You Should Invest in a Hydration Bladder
Hydration bladders are the perfect piece of hiking gear for day hikes because they allow you to access your water easily without stopping. Hydration bladders come in a few different sizes, ranging from 1.5 liters-3 liters. Most hiking backpacks are compatible with hydration bladders, making them easy to use while out on the trail. Hydration bladders will sit in a sleeve in the hiking backpack, and the hose will come out and attach to your straps. Hydration bladders are the perfect additions to your day hikes!
The Best Hydration Bladders
Platypus Big Zip EVO hydration Reservoir
Pros:
Easy to fill
Easy to clean
Fast flow rate
Taste-free
BPA-free, BPS-free, and phthalate-free
Cons:
The wide-profile hydration bladder may not fit in narrow backpack sleeves
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My favorite hydration bladder is the Platypus Big Zip EVO Reservoir because it is durable, reliable, easy to use, easy to clean, and has a fast flow rate. It comes in three sizes, 1.5 liters, 2 liters, and 3 liters, allowing you to choose which will work best for you.
The Platypus Big Zip EVO Reservoir has a few great features that I love. The hydration bladder has a wide opening on the top with a SlideLock closure, making it easy to fill up, secure, and clean. It also has embedded silver-ion, which prevents bacteria and mold from building up. The Platypus Big Zip EVO Reservoir has a self-sealing bite valve to prevent water from leaking and improve the water flow rate. The entire hydration bladder is also BPA-free, BPS-free, phthalate-free, and taste-free. Some hydration bladders can give the water a weird taste, but the Platypus Big Zip EVO Reservoir does not! The Platypus Big Zip EVO Reservoir is one of the best hydration bladders for hiking!
Gregory 3D Hydro Trek hydration Reservoir
Pros:
Easy to fill
Easy to clean
Fast flow rate
BPA-free and PVC-free
Cons:
The wide-profile hydration bladder may not fit in narrow backpack sleeves
The on/off button can be hard to get used to
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The Gregory 3D Hydro Trek Reservoir is another one of the best hydration bladders. It comes in two sizes, 2 liters and 3 liters, which are perfect for day hiking. The design allows it to lay flat on your back to provide comfort and stability. The Gregory 3D Hydro Trek Reservoir also has a wide opening that makes it easy to fill up and clean. The bite valve is magnetic and connects with an accessory that clips to your chest strap. If you use a Gregory hiking backpack, the Gregory 3D Hydro Trek Reservoir will easily attach to the SleepClip attachment system, allowing it to stay in place while you hike. The Gregory 3D Hydro Reservoir is one of the best hydration bladders!
Osprey Hydraulics hydration Reservoir
Pros:
Easy to fill
Easy to clean
Fast flow rate
BPA-free, phthalate-free, and lead-free
Cons:
Fit is specific to Osprey backpacks
Some people say it can give water a bad taste over time
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The Osprey Hydraulics Reservoir is one of the best hydration bladders, especially if you will be using an Osprey backpack. It comes in two sizes, 2 and 3 liters, allowing you to find the perfect size for your day hikes. The hydration bladder has a HydroStatic Backerplate that provides structure to lay flat against your back. The HydroStatic Backerplate also helps you load and remove the hydration bladder from your backpack. The Osprey Hydraulics Reservoir has a Slide-Seal opening, similar to the Platypus Big Zip EVO Reservoir, so it is easy to fill up and clean. It also has a magnetic bite valve to stow away the hose when you are not using it. If you use an Osprey hiking backpack, this hydration bladder will easily clip into the QuickConnect system, so it will stay in place while you hike. The Osprey Hydraulics Reservoir is one of the best hiking bladders!
Hydrapak velocity hydration Reservoir
Pros:
Easy to fill
Easy to clean
BPA-free and PVC-free
Cons:
No center divider to make it thinner when filled
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The Hydrapak Velocity Hydration Reservoir is one of the best hydration bladders. The Hydrapak Velocity Hydration Reservoir’s hydration bladder has a Slide-Seal top, allowing easy access to fill it up and clean it. It also has an on/off switch on the self-sealing bite valve, so you don’t have to worry about your water leaking. One of the best things about the hydration bladder is it is easy to clean with a large opening! If you are looking for a hydration bladder that is of quality and easy to clean, the Hydrapak Velocity Hydration Reservoir is the best hydration bladder!
CamelBak Crux 2L hydration reservoir
Pros:
Easy to fill
Easy to clean
Fast flow rate
Inexpensive
BPA-free, BPS-free, and BPF-free
Cons:
Some people say it can give water a bad taste over time
Find at:
The CamelBak Crux 2L Reservoir is a great and inexpensive hydration bladder. It comes in three sizes, 1.5 liters, 2 liters, and 3 liters, allowing you to find the perfect size. The hydration bladder has a wide opening that makes it easy to fill up and clean. The bite valve has an on/off lever that is easy to use and helps prevent leaks. One of the best things about the CamelBak Crux 2L Reservoir is the Hydroguard antimicrobial technology that helps prevent bacteria from growing in the hydration bladder and hose. The CamelBak Crux 2L Reservoir is one of the best hydration bladders on the market!
Hydration Bladders Features
Size and Shape
One of the most important things to consider when looking for the best hydration bladder is the size. Most hydration bladders come in a range of sizes, so you can choose what works best for you and the type of hiking you do. A 2-liter hydration bladder is the most common size for day hikes because it allows you to bring a substantial amount of water while not adding too much weight or bulk to your backpack. A 3-liter hydration bladder is perfect for those who tend to be very thirsty while hiking, don’t want to refill, or hike where water is scarce. If you are unsure what size hydration bladder to buy, I recommend keeping track of how much water you usually drink while on a hike.
Another essential thing to consider is what your backpack can hold for a hydration bladder. Most hiking backpacks come with a hydration bladder sleeve but can only fit a few sizes comfortably. The shape of the hydration bladder is also essential to consider. Some hiking backpacks have narrow sleeves, which cannot fit wide-profile hydration bladders. Other hiking backpacks are more compatible with hydration bladders from the same brand (for example, an Osprey hydration bladder fits best in Osprey backpacks). I recommend speaking with a brand or store representative to find the best hydration bladder size and shape is for your hiking backpack.
Hydration Bladder Opening
How large the hydration bladder opening is will determine how easy it is to use it. There are two typical openings: a screw-top and a slide lock. The screw-top will have a wide opening on the front of the hydration bladder with a cap that screws on. A slide lock will have the entire top of the hydration bladder open and closes with a ziplock type feature. The larger the opening, the easier it will be to fill up and clean.
Ease of Cleaning
It is crucial to ensure a hydration bladder is easy to clean to prevent bacteria and mold build-up. Slide lock hydration bladders are very easy to clean because you can fit your hand into them. Most screw-top hydration bladders are not big enough to fit a hand, but large ones can fit a scrub brush. Some hydration bladders flip inside-out, making them very easy to clean. You will also want to make sure you can clean the tube and valves easily. Most hydration bladders allow you to take the hose and bite valve apart, making it easy to clean each piece. Most brands also have cleaning kits and tablets you can buy to make the cleaning process easy. It is essential to make sure hydration bladders are cleaned after every use to ensure nothing builds up.
Weight
When looking for the best hydration bladder, you will want to consider how much it weighs with and without water. Most hydration bladders are under a half of a pound, so you don’t need to worry about the base weight. 2 liters of water is about 4.5 pounds, and 3 liters of water is about 6.6 pounds. This weight is essential to consider because you will be carrying that extra water weight in your backpack. The size of your hiking backpack will also determine how much weight it can hold. Most day hiking backpacks can handle a 2-liter hydration bladder’s weight and size.
If you are looking for the best hydration bladders for hiking, this guide is a great starting point to finding the perfect one for you. It provides everything you need to know, including the best hydration bladders and what to consider when buying one.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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