Hydration Reservoirs

Featured review by Doggymcnuggets

Camelbak quality is great, and this is a super-versatile hydration solution for just about any application.

The Camelbak Unbottle, available in 2 or 3 liter capacities/sizes, is a cleverly designed piece of gear which allows you to add hydration in just about any situation. It consists of an outer insulating sleeve with four clip-on strap holders, a top clip-on loop, and a bottom strap.  The insulating sleeve holds the hydration bladder, which has a detachable tube with a mouthpiece on the other end.  The four strap clips allow you to clip this onto a backpack or any other implement which has straps, or you can supply your own straps and attach this just about anywhere you might want to.  Of course you can also drop it inside an existing pack, put it in a gym bag, attach it to your fishing tackle bag, strap it to your bike frame, strap it onto...

Read more: CamelBak UnBottle reviews (6)

Featured review by Sparkaj

Indestructible, indispensable, 11th essential.

I bought the MSR 10 liter dromedary bag about 5 years ago because I wanted a versatile form of water storage that did more than just quench my thirst. I love backpacking around rivers a lot and was sick of walking to the river every time I needed to fill a bottle, wash a dish, wash my hands or fill my Jetboil for cooking. I also needed a reliable form of large capacity water storage for missions where water sources were far and few between. I came across this gem and couldn't find any negative reviews.

Read more: MSR Dromedary Bags reviews (17)

Featured review by StoicFabian

A great, durable and practical water bladder for outdoor activities. It’s available in various capacities and has clever features: dual opening with large collecting easy, and the ubiquitous 28mm thread and optional 42mm beefed-up version.

  The 2L CNOC Vecto: compact and lightweight but robust and practical Outdoorspeople takes hydration seriously. Every part of the water system—collecting, treating, purifying, storing, drinking—must be easy, reliable and durable to withstand some level of abuse in the wilderness. It must also be practical.  Some prefer bottles and canteens, others use bladders. After using both types, I‘ve settled for bottles (and occasionally a straw) for mountain/road biking, and a mix of both for my backpacking, camping and trekking trips.  This makes collecting, filtering and storing much easier.

Read more: Cnoc Outdoors Vecto reviews (4)

Featured review by Gary Leatham

Well designed, highly functional system that works in more than just Osprey backpacks! Multiple use options. Be sure to consider this AWESOME system as you compare options. And, for some, there's a learning curve.

3 Liter System that I use has added an accessory insulated hose (photo left) for winter use, which provides an extra backup bite valve (photo bottom -- note my winter hose bite value does not have a magnet).  The system pictured has been used weekly for about 3 years on 3-6 hr most typically mountain hikes and snowshoeing). Insulated winter hose has zip cover and alternate clip system, not using a magnet, but rather hanging from the clip (photo center, a backpack chest clip is also provided with the winter hose).

Read more: Osprey Hydraulics 3L Reservoir reviews (3)

Featured review by PNW_John

A tough utilitarian bladder that is lightweight and folds up small when not in use. This bag works great for transporting and storing water for use in camp or along the trail.

The bag itself is made of 200 denier Cordura that is coated with food grade polyurethane. The Cordura provides a durable outer surface that so far has been puncture resistant and shows little signs of wear. From the manufacturer the polyurethane coating is BPA free and does not taint the taste of water and from my experience, doesn’t. The bladder I have is the four liter model which weighs 5.1 ounces, which is less weight than a one liter Nalgene bottle (6.5 ozs.) and four times the capacity.

Read more: MSR DromLite Bags reviews (4)

Featured review by Christina Chu

I have both the 2 and 3 liter versions and I love them! 2L holds just right amount of water for me on a strenuous 8 hour hike. Playtpus bladders don't impart a taste to the water inside — even when water is left in for 3 days. For a through drying after use, need to be conscious of how you position it. Is difficult to wash the inside.

I have both the 2 and 3 liter versions and I love them! 2L holds just right amount of water for me on a strenuous 8 hour hike. I got the 3L version when I went on an overnight trip where no potable water was available at camp. I've accidentally frozen the 2 liter during extreme winter activities (temperatures of -25°F), but it thaws easily enough without damage to the plastic. The bite valves are still pretty tight after 1 year of use (used at least once a month, every month). I tend to put stuff down on top of the bite values of my hydration bladders though—causing them to leak via being open—so I bought 1 Bite Valve Cover from Playtpus which works great (recommended accessory).

Read more: Platypus Hoser reviews (11)

Featured review by Twig

This is a review of the 2 Liter Evernew Water Carry reservoir (EBY208) but also of my gravity filtering system, incorporating a Sawyer Squeeze filter, a Sawyer Blue Coupling, plastic water bottles, and some lightweight line. A key feature of the Evernew Water Reservoir is that the threads are compatible with Sawyer filters. I have also found it to be far more durable than the stock Sawyer reservoirs. This setup is a simple, effective, reliable, inexpensive, lightweight, and hands-free way of filtering water that has worked very well for me.

Gravity filter setup: First off, let me describe my gravity filter system, from top to bottom. It begins with the hanging loop that I attached to the bottom of my 2L Evernew reservoir. I use a small piece of Lash-it cord, which is extremely strong, lightweight, durable, and doesn’t stretch or absorb water. Then comes the reservoir itself, which contains the “dirty” water. In between the reservoir and filter, I have incorporated a standard faucet washer with screen. These can be found as a pair for sale at most hardware stores and on Amazon for under $2.

Read more: Evernew Water Carry reviews (3)

Reviewed by Mike Mineart

The Platypus Big Zip EVO is a nicely designed bladder that has some unique features, including a quick disconnect on the drinking tube so the bladder can be removed from your hydration sleeve without the hassle of removing your drinking tube. The Platypus Big Zip EVO also features a large diameter drinking tube and HyFLO self-sealing bite valve that together provide a high flow leak free experience. When paired with an MSR Thru-Link filter the Platypus Big Zip EVO allows for a fast scoop-and-go approach to filtering your water and the anti-microbial properties of the bladder material help keep the water clean. The Platypus Big Zip EVO also is available in four different sizes, so overall this is a nice solid choice as a water bladder for your backcountry adventures.

Overview The Platypus Big Zip EVO is a hydration bladder recently introduced by Platypus that has a number of key features that includes taste-free materials, higher flow rates, a quick disconnect and a unique SlideLock closure system.   The majority of the time that I have been evaluating the Platypus Big Zip EVO, I been using the bladder with the MSR Thru-Link water filter which I also reviewed. This review will primarily focus on the 2.0L version of the Platypus Big Zip EVO, but a 3.0L version was also made available to me and when I provide specific details with respect to size and capacities, I will also include information on both models.

Read more: Platypus Big Zip EVO review (1)

Reviewed by BigRed

Well-thought out details make this the easiest to use of the several reservoir types I have tried over the years.

As of 2016 Osprey and Hydrapak combined forces and features to offer up a new line of hydration reservoirs, to be included in Osprey hydration packs but also sold separately. I got mine with an Osprey Skarab 32 purchased in 2017, but I think the reservoir is worth reviewing separately. Here are the mug shot and profile views: The 2.5 L size is big for a lot of the trips that I do in cooler and wetter environments (can you say Norway?), but very much needed in heat and on long stretches without good water (how about Tucson at 100+˚F?).

Read more: Osprey Hydraulics LT 2.5L Reservoir review (1)

Featured review by Steve Mullen

A unique folding opening makes filling easy and is leak proof. Shape-Shifts baffle gives the reservoir a slim shape. Plug-n-Play hose disconnects without removing from your pack.

As someone who has been using water reservoirs for over 25 years, it was exciting when I got a chance to test Hydrapak's Shape-Shift 2 liter reservoir. My pet peeves through the years have always included leaky threaded closures, a bulbous profile, cleaning issues, and bite valves that to often leaked onto my shirt. The Shape Shift 2-liter reservoir has cured these problems in some interesting ways. The first thing you notice about this BPA/PVC-free reservoir is the unique closure/hanging system.

Read more: Hydrapak Shape-Shift 2L reviews (2)