Its construction is seamless, and we couldn't get the seams to pull apart, no matter how hard we tried.

Hydration bladders feature a flexible plastic design, making them easily maneuverable to fit inside your backpack, allowing for more much-needed storage space. CamelBak hasn’t made a ton of changes to the design over the years, so you don’t get innovative touches like a reversible reservoir (for top-shelf dishwasher cleaning), conveniently placed quick disconnect (theirs is at the base), or more secure slider closure (we highly recommend inverting the Crux after filling to make sure its twist cap won't leak). Accidental leaks happen more than you would expect, whether you sit on your valve, place it underneath a heavy object, or have a flaw in the seal. We've also noticed the lid leaking after about two years of testing and heavy use, which was also an issue in MSR's previous models. Not only are these reservoirs lightweight, but they also feature streamlined designs systems that roll up into a small package.If you are looking for a simple hydration bladder (without a hose setup), this is a wonderful option.

Another option is to add an inline filter to your hydration bladder, which greatly simplifies the water treatment process.Before storing your bladder, make sure it is completely dry by hanging it up open (the longer you can do this for, the better). The product itself was as described and worked fine but incredibly hard to dry out, therfore not good for using a second time as bacteria can live in the damp interior. Weighing just 159 grams and with a water capacity of 2 litres the bladder has 2 location restraints built into the seam to allow the Hydration Bladder to be held into place during rigorous movement such as cycling or hiking. And with a 3D base for easy filling, baffles that help to keep water from sloshing, and included magnet clip, it’s a high-performance design, too.

There are a variety of quality hydration bladders to choose from, but the recently redesigned Osprey Hydraulics is our top pick thanks to its ease of use, well-rounded feature set, and durable build. If a tumble dryer is not available, the garment can be shaken and gently beaten for the same effect. Some bladders (including the HydraPak Force and HydraSleeve) come with covers already installed on the bite valve, but they can also be purchased separately and added to your setup.It is worth noting that the Osprey’s rigid backer adds weight and bulk (unlike many others, you can’t roll it up when empty), and also makes the bladder difficult to invert for easy dishwasher cleaning. In fact, instead of trying to squeeze the DromLite into our backpack’s hydration sleeve, we end up just throwing it on top of the rest of our pack’s contents, which certainly lacks the integrated feel many folks look for in a hydration bladder.