Hydration bladders

[ScottE]

Hi all, missus and I both need a bladder each, she has a fancy ladies osprey pack and I have an issued...beat up Dutch army pack, my questions are; are all bladders a general standard shape/size?
Also is there any huge quality difference on the pricey ones compared to the £5 jobbies? Is there a need to spend a fortune?!
Sorry for daft questions.
And thanks for any replies....

 

[SCOMAN]

I have always relied upon Camelbak, great kit and great support. Osprey get good reviews too as do source. You don’t want one failing if it holds all your water.

 

[bearbait]

I know I'm not really answering your question here but I much prefer to use (Nalgene) water bottles, rather than a hydration bladder, when hiking as I know exactly how much I'm drinking and how much I've got left.

I do use Ortlieb water bags for camping though. They have been pretty bombproof in my experience.

 

[Alan De Enfield]

I know I'm not really answering your question here but I much prefer to use (Nalgene) water bottles, rather than a hydration bladder, when hiking as I know exactly how much I'm drinking and how much I've got left.

I do use Ortlieb water bags for camping though. They have been pretty bombproof in my experience.

100% agree.
You know how much you have drunk
You know how much you have left
You don't get all sorts of nasties growing in the pipe (in warm weather) if you don't clean and sterilise it regularly.

Cheap water bottles from the supermarket and then re-fill a few times. Throw away after (say) 10 refills.
(Sorry - but I'd rather be a 'disposer' than 'ill')

 

[MikeLA]

Have to agree with both of you tried one years ago when they first became popular and didn’t like having to look after it so much.

Use re usable bottles but they are less fiddly to clean and I can gauge my water use better.

 

[MikeLA]

Do hope someone can help though a lot of people do use them.

 

[Herman30]

I have a Source 3l but have no idea if there are some general size standard. I bought the expensive bladder instead of a cheap one just to be on the safe side. I like to believe what they say about Source -bladder quality.

 

[ScottE]

Thanks all....some sensible view points re water bottles instead, food for thought.

 

[tiger stacker]

I find i sip smaller amounts from my camel bak, whereas i tend to take half a bottle when its my sig or nalgene. The space three sig bottles take up is the same as a camel bak 3l just shaped out better, with nalgene taking up roughly the same sized space. Camelbak work well, everything comes down to comfortability.

 

[mousey]

I've used cheap water bladders. The connections can be a little leaky, but easily sorted. 1st one with a couple of cable ties to cinch the tube round the opening, 2nd one a bit of ptfe tape round the thread where the tube screwed into the bladder at the base. Sizes have been different, both 3L, but one thinner and taller. Not sure if there is a 'standard' size beyond litreage. But if your only spending 5 quid then I'm happy to mod a little [with stuff I already have] to make it more watertight. The bag themselves appear fairly hardy, just don't throw them around or drag them over gravel...

The camel back has a superior nozzle for drinking from, but cheap ones are serviceable.

I've not used one while trekking [I haven't done that for awhile] but for days out has been good, I can gauge how much is used / left by the volume and weight, it's just something you'll get used to if you pay attention.

 

[Hodge]

I have used a hydration pack from Decathlon that has lasted well. Price at the time was reasonable, not sure of todays priced though.

 

[sunndog]

Camelbak or source Are the best for my money.
It's a weak thing by design so I'd prefer to spend a few quid more on a decent one
They are generally a similar shape but some do buck the trend

As for cleaning and being fiddly. Strap yourselves in folks I'm about to lay down some real talk!

After use.......put em in the freezer!!!
Haven't cleaned one or had one go bad for years
Life hacks yo