Hydration Bladder--Which one to get?

I've owned multiple versions from several different makers.

My advice?

CamelBak, CamelBak and CamelBak.

I've blown out, split, ruptured, broken, ripped, snapped or crushed multiple other makers...yet I still have the CamelBaks.
 
It does seem to be true. I've only handled other bladders here and there, but my old camelbak is still going strong after solid use throughout the years. I prefer bottles these days, for a number of reasons, but I still keep my camelbak around for hot hikes when I want to keep a big chunk of ice cold in an insulated pocket or for biking.

That durability does come at a little bit of weight penalty. I normally have back up water containers (bags) when out, so a catastrophic bladder failure wouldn't be life or death for me. It would be only inconvenient or annoying (edited to add: yeah, I guess unless I was already dehydrated and not near water). That's why these days I lean towards the lighter platypus bladders, if I were to get another. But Camelbaks are indeed tough. If I were hiking/backpacking, I'd opt for the lighter platypus. Biking or something potentially more abusive where falls are a possibility, probably opt for the Camelbak.

The one thing that really annoys me about the Camelbak is the design of the stopcock supplying the bite valve. I once spent a good bit of time searching for a stopcock that had been knocked off accidentally and fallen to the ground, all the while having to keep my tube pinched so the water wouldn't empty out of my bladder. I don't know if they changed the design of the stopcock (design it such that it can't be popped off by accident), but it is something to be aware of.
 
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HikingMano said:
Easy trick without adding weight and bulk of the insulated tube: blow your water back into your bladder. Works in the heat and cold :thumbup:

Other bladder tricks I learned along the way:

Fill your bladder with 1L of water, lay flat with lid open and propped up out of reach of water (and no water in hose), freeze overnight. Fill before your trip. If you're using an insulated bladder pocket, you have cold water all day.

After you've filled the bladder, invert and put pressure on the bladder to push air out through hose. Sloshing eliminated.
Click to expand...
Great tips! Thanks!
 
I have lots of hydration bladders... Camelbak (civ. and milspec), Blackhawk, Platypus, and Source. I really like the military Camelbaks, but wish they offered a better bite-valve cover. I always end up dragging my bite-valve through the dirt or mud and, so far, it seems Source (an Israeli brand) has the most effective cover. The Camelbak cover won't stay closed reliably. I prefer to have quick release fittings on at least the bag end of the hose. Camelbak and Blackhawk have excellent fittings. The Source's fitting is very hard for me to unlock to disconnect. The only failures I've ever had were with well-worn Platypus bags and one bad leak with a seal on their drinking tube system. I love the Platypus bottles for carrying water, but not so much for use as part of a drinking system.

I haven't found my perfect hydration system yet, but I can certainly live with the military Camelbak, the Blackhawk, or the Source brand products.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
I've had a few CamelBaks, but lately I've really been enjoying the Osprey pack/bladder. I like that it has a rigid frame that makes it stay flat and easy to carry/fill. Both are good though.
 
I own a Camelbak MULE NV and an Osprey Raptor 14, both are great packs. There are stores out there that will give you an unlimited time period to return your items if you're unsatisfied for whatever reason. If prices are competitive, I get my things from that one store that is known by three letters or the online place that shares its name with a rainforest. Each company has so many different models that a good return policy is almost a necessity.
 
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