This definitive buying guide to hydration bladders covers everything you need to know, with picks for different budgets and activities.
Top Picks / Full Reviews / Buying Guide
A hydration system can make a massive difference to your hiking experience.
Staying hydrated while hiking and camping is a must, but stopping to get your water bottle out on the trail can be a pain.
Thankfully, a quality hydration bladder can help quench your thirst without the need to stop and take your pack off.
To help you find the right hydration bladder, we’ve reviewed the best hydration bladders on the market and created a comprehensive buyer’s guide to know what to look for.
Best Overall Hydration Bladder
Platypus Big Zip Evo 2L
The Platypus Big Zip Evo 2L is an absolute classic hydration pack with a new twist. It wins our best overall pick due to it's easy and reliable opening, simple self-sealing bit valve, and fast flow tube.
Best Budget Hydration Bladder
Platypus Hoser 3L
The Platypus Hoser 3L is a minimalist version of Platypus’ water reservoirs. It’s a great, affordable option for hikers on a budget because it includes everything you need and no extraneous bells and whistles.
Best Lightweight Hydration Bladder
Osprey Hydraulics LT 2.5L
The Osprey Hydraulics LT 2.5L is a lightweight option for minimalist hikers that want a fully-functional hydration system. It is built using a 2.5 Hydrapak bladder and is specifically designed to offer maximum versatility for avid outdoor recreationalists.
Best Lumbar Hydration Bladder
Platypus Big Zip Evo 2L Lumbar
The Platypus Big Zip Evo 2L Lumbar is the lumbar pack version of Platypus’ award-winning Big Zip Evo. It features Platypus’ reliable zip-top opening system, which is easy to both open and to seal to prevent leaks.
Best Hydration Bladder for Winter Sports
CamelBak Mil Spec Antidote 3L
Made specifically with the harshest environments in mind, the CamelBak Mil Spec Antidote 3L is an excellent choice for use during the winter months. It was designed for the US Marine Corps and is highly adaptable for extreme conditions.
Hydration Bladder Full Reviews
While a hydration system can make a massive difference to your hiking experience, finding the right one can be tricky because there are so many great options available. To get you started, we’ve reviewed some of the best hydration bladders on the market today.
Best Overall Hydration Bladder
Specs:
- Capacity: 2 liters
- Opening Type: Zip-Top
The Good:
- Easy and reliable opening
- Simple bite valve with self-sealing on/off system
- Fast flow tube and bite valve for faster hydration
The Bad:
- More full frame doesn’t fit in some very narrow packs
The Platypus Big Zip Evo 2L is an absolute classic hydration pack with a new twist. This model builds off of Platypus’ proprietary Big Zip system and upgrades it with new features to improve performance.
The Big Zip Evo includes a HyFLO bite valve that provides an increased flow rate and self-seals, so you don’t have to worry about turning it off after you finish drinking. Its tube also has a leak-proof system that allows you to quickly disconnect the bladder from the hose for filling without leaking water everywhere.
As far as the bladder goes, the Big Zip Evo is made from BPA, BPS, phthalate, and taste-free materials. It has a semi-rigid center baffle that makes it easier to clean and dry. As well as a pincher grip system that allows for one-handed refilling at trailside lakes and streams.
Also Great: CamelBak Crux 2L
CamelBak revolutionized the world of hiking when they first introduced their hydration bladders, and the Crux 2L is no exception. It’s a great runner-up to the Platypus Big Zip Evo because it’s slightly less expensive.
However, it’s a bit more difficult to fill up the Crux due to its screw-cap system, and it doesn’t have a self-sealing bite valve, which is why it narrowly missed out on the top spot in our review.
Best Budget-Friendly Hydration Bladder
Specs:
- Capacity: 3 liters
- Opening Type: Screw-Cap
The Good:
- Minimalist design helps to cut weight
- Fast flow rate for quick hydration
- Slender design fits in most packs
The Bad:
- Can be tricky to refill in a stream or lake
- Difficult to clean
The Platypus Hoser 3L is a minimalist version of Platypus’ water reservoirs. It’s a great, affordable option for hikers on a budget because it includes everything you need and no extraneous bells and whistles.
This hydration system is made with Platypus’ standard BPA, BPS, phthalate, and taste-free bladder that’s embedded with silver ion technology to keep mold, bacteria, and gunk out of your water. It’s also highly durable and puncture-resistant for regular use in the mountains.
While the narrow screw-cap opening of the Hoser makes it difficult to clean and refill, this threaded port also makes the bladder compatible with various accessory caps and filters. The Hoser is also equipped with a HyFLO self-sealing bite valve that allows for faster hydration while you’re on the trail.
Also check out Platypus Hoser 1L Standard
The Platypus Hoser 1L Standard is an even more affordable version of the 3L Hoser. In reality, the only difference between the two models is their size, and the Hoser 1L is an excellent choice for shorter day hikes from your home.
It’s also a nice option for hikers that routinely travel through very wet environments where water is easy to come by, so you don’t need a lot of carrying capacity for your adventures.
Best Lightweight Hydration Bladder
Specs:
- Capacity: 2.5 liters
- Opening Type: Zip-Top
The Good:
- One of the lightest models available over 2L water capacity
- Magnetic bite valve makes it easier to drink on the go
- Integrated pour shield for easier pouring of water into pots and bottles
The Bad:
- Durability concerns with the plastic slider
The Osprey Hydraulics LT 2.5L is a lightweight option for minimalist hikers that want a fully-functional hydration system. It is built using a 2.5 Hydrapak bladder and is specifically designed to offer maximum versatility for avid outdoor recreationalists.
This bladder has a flat profile, thanks to its two interior baffles, which makes it easier to fit in a slender pack. Its zip-top closure is easy to use when it comes to both filling the bladder up with water and cleaning it at the end of a trip.
Plus, the Osprey Hydraulics LT comes with a magnetic bite valve that can connect to the sternum strap on an Osprey pack for more convenient hydration. Finally, the bite valve has an easy to use on/off switch and offers a fast, smooth flow of water as you drink.
Also Great: Deuter Streamer 2L
The Deuter Streamer 2L is another excellent lightweight option for hikers in remote environments. It has a fold top closure system and a streamlined design to help cut weight. Additionally, the Streamer 2L is slightly less expensive, which is suitable for budget-conscious hikers. But, it doesn’t have as many features as the Osprey Hydraulics LT, so it’s best for hikers that want a no-frills bladder for their trips.
Best Lumbar Hydration Bladder
Specs:
- Capacity: 2 liters
- Opening Type: Zip-Top
The Good:
- Easy to use leak-proof zip-top opening
- Self-sealing bite valve
- Fast-flow tube with jacket clip for easier access
The Bad:
- Bulky shape isn’t great for slender packs
The Platypus Big Zip Evo 2L Lumbar is the lumbar pack version of Platypus’ award-winning Big Zip Evo. It features the same great BPA, BPS, phthalate, and taste-free bladder that’s silver-ion embedded to reduce mold and bacteria.
Like all of the Big Zip hydration bladder, this lumbar hydration system features Platypus’ reliable zip-top opening system, which is easy to both open and to seal to prevent leaks. It also comes with a pincher grip system that allows you to easily fill up the bladder with one hand.
This newly redesigned lumbar version also has Platypus’ HyFLO bite valve that allows for more efficient hydration on the go. The bite valve is even self-sealing to prevent water from dribbling down your shirt as you hike.
Also check out: Osprey Hydraulics Lumbar 1.5L
The Osprey Hydraulics Lumbar 1.5L is a slightly more affordable alternative to the Platypus Big Zip Evo 2L Lumbar. It has a slightly narrower profile, which makes it an ideal choice for slender lumbar packs.
That being said, this hydration system can carry only 1.5 liters of water, so it’s best for shorter day hikes where weight savings is important, rather than longer backpacking trips.
Best Hydration Bladder for Winter Sports
Specs:
- Capacity: 3 liters
- Opening Type: Screw-Cap
The Good:
- Bite valve with one-handed on/off valve and cap for protection
- Insulated drink tube can be easily attached to filter
- Large opening for refilling with water
The Bad:
- Fairly expensive
Made specifically with the harshest environments in mind, the CamelBak Mil Spec Antidote 3L is an excellent choice for use during the winter months. It was designed for the US Marine Corps and is highly adaptable for extreme conditions.
In particular, it features an insulated drink tube cover that helps to prevent freezing. This cover also protects the tube from damaging UV rays and abrasions in rugged locations. The tube can also be attached to an in-line filter so you can fill up the bladder from a stream and start drinking right away without having to pre-treat your water.
Additionally, the Mil-Spec Antidote has a large screw-cap opening to make it easier for you to fill up the bladder in the backcountry. The bite valve on this bladder also has a simple on/off valve that can be operated with one hand and closed shut with a protective cap to prevent freezing.
Recommended Alternative: HydraPak Force 2L
The HydraPak Force 2L is a winter-friendly hydration system that’s slightly more affordable than the CamelBak Mil Spec Antidote 3L.
It is made from heavyweight TPU and has an insulated drink tube to prevent freezing in the winter months. However, the fold-top design of this bladder is a bit trickier to fill up, especially with gloves on during the winter months.
Hydration Bladder Buying Guide
Hydration bladders are jam-packed full of various features and technologies that are designed to make them more efficient at delivering your much-needed water on the trail.
All that technology is enough to make anyone’s head spin, though, so we’ve put together this guide to help you find the right bladder for your needs.
Up next, we’ll walk you through some of the most important things that you need to know when shopping for your next hydration system:
Benefits of Hydration Bladders
If you’re new to the world of hydration bladders, you might be wondering why you need a fancy system for drinking water when you could just use a water bottle instead.
These are some of the many benefits of hydration bladders:
Improved Hydration
Simply put, you’re more likely to drink water when you’re hiking if it’s easily accessible. Hydration systems allow you to quickly access your water through a hose without having to stop for a break to get your water bottle out. That means you can better hydrate while on the trail.
Smarter Packing
When you hike with water bottles, you almost always have to place them in exterior pockets. Hydration bladders, on the other hand, go inside your pack, which means it’s pretty much impossible for them to fall off on the trail. Plus, having your gear all on the inside of your pack means it’s less likely to get damaged in rough terrain.
Better Weight Distribution
If you hike with water bottles, you might typically place one bottle on each side of your pack. However, as you drink your water, your pack’s weight distribution will get skewed, which can cause back discomfort. Hydration systems are stored in compartments along the back panel of your pack, which means they won’t skew your pack weight to one side as you drink your water.
Hydration Bladder Accessories
Hydration bladders are usually compatible with a whole host of different accessories. Here are some of the most important to consider when selecting your new hydration system:
Bite Valve
The bite valve is perhaps the most essential part of your hydration system, besides the bladder itself, because it’s what you use to drink water on the trail.
Most bite valves have an on-off switch, though many new models now feature valves that automatically seal after you stop drinking.
Cleaning Kit
A hydration bladder needs to be cleaned just like a water bottle does to prevent harmful mold and bacteria from building up inside. But, all the components of a hydration bladder make them a bit trickier to clean, so it’s often a good idea to get a cleaning kit to speed up the process.
Companies like Platypus and Osprey make their own cleaning kits, but most kits are compatible with bladders from other brands.
Insulated Tube
An insulated tube is an excellent addition to your hydration system if you plan to do a lot of hiking in cold conditions.
Platypus, sell insulated tube accessories for their bladders. In contrast, others such as Osprey offer full hydration bladder insulation kits for the coldest conditions.
Magnet Clip
While Osprey sells most of their hydration systems with a magnetic clip that allows you to attach the hose to your pack’s sternum strap easily. This is not usually a standard feature of hydration bladders.
If this is something you’d like for your pack, Osprey has magnetic kits that fit any 1/4” hydration hose and most pack sternum straps.
Considerations When Buying A Hydration Bladder
When you buy a hydration system, you want to be sure that you’re getting the right one for your needs.
These are the most important things to consider when shopping around:
Weight
Weight is important for any piece of gear, and hydration bladders are no exception. Most bladders are relatively lightweight, though it’s best to look for a model that weighs in at less than 10oz (280g) whenever possible.
Materials
The very last thing you want is to be hiking and to realize that your hydration bladder punctured and has leaked water all over your pack. Thus, you must have a model that’s durable enough to survive any adventure.
Thankfully, most hydration systems are made with a durable plastic material that’s puncture-resistant and designed to be squashed into the bottom of your pack.
The other thing to keep in mind when shopping for a hydration system is that you want a bladder that’s food-safe. For the most part, hydration bladders are BPA-free. However, it’s important to check that they are free from other potentially harmful chemicals, such as BPS and phthalates, before you buy.
Size/Capacity
As you can imagine, the size of the hydration bladder you need depends on how much water you plan to drink during your trip. For the most part, 1-2 liters is sufficient for shorter day trips, while 2L is considered a minimum for a full day of hiking.
Backpackers can usually get by with anything between 2-3 liters, but it depends on the availability of water in the areas that you’re hiking in. For drier locales, 3 liters of water carrying capacity is a good choice.
In general, it’s better to overestimate the amount of water you need rather than underestimate. Plus, you can always fill up a larger bladder to the halfway point if you’re just going out for a short jaunt in the woods.
Mouthpiece
The mouthpiece or “bite valve” of a hydration bladder will affect how comfortable it is to drink out of. Additionally, many bite valves come with an on/off switch, so you don’t end up with water dribbling down your chest as you hike.
It’s important to keep in mind that a mouthpiece is easily replaceable on a hydration bladder. So, if you like everything about a hydration system except the mouthpiece, you can generally replace this with a model from a different company to best customize your system to your needs.
Opening/Closing System
There are three main types of opening/closing systems on hydration bladders. Here’s how they perform in the real world:
Zip-Top systems perform much like an oversized Ziploc bag. They are easy to use and provide a wide opening for filling and cleaning your hydrations system. The downside to this type of closure system is that it takes practice to ensure that you’re closing it correctly to ensure that it doesn’t leak.
Screw-Cap hydration bladders are intuitive and easy to use. However, they come in various sizes, and the smallest screw-caps are hard to fill and clean.
Fold-Top hydration systems are similar to Zip-Top models, but they have excess material at the top that gets rolled up and then sealed shut using a plastic slider. They offer many of the same benefits as Zip-Top models but tend to be slightly more affordable. The drawback to this style is that it tends to be a bit heavier and bulkier than its Zip-Top counterparts.
Final Words
A hydration system can make a massive difference to your hiking experience. A quality hydration bladder can help quench your thirst without the need to stop and take your pack off.
We think the best hydration bladder is the Platypus Big Zip Evo 2L but you can't really go wrong with any of the options on our list.
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