Minimalist bladders like the HydraPak Contour, MSR DromLite Bag, or Platypus Hoser can be especially handy for activities like climbing, running, or when you want to bring extra water carrying capacity but don’t anticipate using it all the time. Keep in mind that they do come with sacrifices: The Hoser in particular lacks convenient features like a large opening, quick disconnect, and bite-valve shutoff. It’s lightweight and slimline, sliding happily into most packs and keeping you topped up with all-important water. MSR’s entry is a bit of an outlier on this list, but it’s nevertheless one of our favorite water storage tools for multi-day endeavors. One of our favorite features on today’s hydration bladders is the quick-disconnect fitting, which allows you to detach the reservoir from the hose.

But while these features are great for day hikers and casual backpackers, keep in mind that they do add a considerable amount of bulk.Screw-top options, like favorites, the Gregory 3D Hydro and CamelBak Crux Reservoir, can easily be filled in a sink or natural water source because the opening is oriented upwards. we often opt for a 3-liter bladder for backpacking trips, as the extra capacity can be helpful when camping away from water sources.

But the Hydraulics puts it all together better than most, and—like most bladders here—is built to endure season after season of hard use. Even though the flip tops prevail over screw-top options for cleaning, each performs a little differently.Most of the flip-top bladders can easily be opened up with a pair of tongs to ensure they dry after a rinse. In general, reservoirs with sliders are the easier of the two to clean and dry—the openings are wide enough to fit your whole arm in, and some offerings from HydraPak can even be turned inside out and placed in a dishwasher. Just be sure to rinse out after every use and use washing-up liquid and warm water to wash through regularly. Platypus is a leader in water storage and filtration, and certainly a brand to consider when looking for a hydration bladder.

During our next product update, we will reassess our award winners to discern whether a better value option is available. In terms of cleaning solution, Platypus’ recommended DIY treatment includes mixing baking soda, water, and lemon juice together in your bladder, shaking, soaking, and rinsing thoroughly.litres of capacity and an ergonomic fit make the backpack an absolutely reliable partner on a bike tour. It’s likely that you’ll adapt to whatever style you end up with, but if you’re consistently reaching for your empty bladder in a full backpacking pack or like the convenience of an inline filter, the placement of the quick disconnect is certainly worth considering. By design, hydration bladders are not very heavy pieces of gear—the models on our list range from 3. In most cases, you can reach your hand all the way inside, and many of these reservoirs are reversible and can be cleaned in the dishwasher.