Best 10 Hiking Hydration Bladders Of 2024

Being able to drink water while walking is ideal when you are hiking or backpacking. Most people do not want to stop or take a break when they are hiking so if you are going to stop and take a minute or two in order to drink water, you may get left behind. This is one of the reasons why I recommend getting a hiking hydration bladder. They allow you to store and drink water easily while hiking. I recommend taking a look at the bladders below since I know that they are very good.

Best Hiking Hydration Bladders – Quick Chart

How To Choose A Hydration Bladder

Types Of Hydration Bladders And Other Related Items

Hydration Bladders

Hydration bladders are often used for hiking, backpacking, cycling and running. These are water containers with a hose attached to the bottom. The person using the hydration bladder can drink water by sipping it through the hose. These are great for a lot of outdoor activities that require water and hydration.

Water Containers / Water Reservoirs

These are often made out of plastic that folds flat when empty. These containers are often used to hold water and be able to drink the water while in the outdoors. The only difference is that these do not have a hose attached to them on the bottom.

Water Bottles

Water bottles are very popular especially the disposable ones. These a great for a lot of activities and they are very easy to use. These are very cheap also and people can get them in bulk. The problem with these bottles is that they are made out of plastic and contribute to a lot of garbage and pollution on the planet.

Hydration Backpacks

These are backpacks with hydration bladder compartments. These backpacks’ designs and capacities will depend on the sport and activity that the user is doing. However, they will all have a compartment for the hydration bladder.

Capacity Of Hydration Bladders

1 Liter to 1.5 Liters

There are a lot of people that get hydration bladders that are around 1 Litter in size or water capacity. These bladders are great for day hikes that are 8 miles or less. There are a lot of people who run, jog and do trail running that get these types of hydration bladders.

2 Liters to 2.5 Liters

There are a lot of people who use hydration bladders with 2 Liters or 2.5 Liters. Most people just need 1 liter of water for most outdoor activities but they will get 2-liter capacity hydration bladders just in case they need more. These hydration bladders provide users with a buffer in case they need more water while doing an activity.

3 Liters or More

These bladders are not very popular choice as these bladders are often bulky and have a wide width. Since people do not need to fill up the 3-liter hydration bladder, these bladders are still useful for a lot of activities. However, 3 liters’ worth of water is way too much for a lot of activities. The weight of the water will just impede and burden the user.

Hydration Bladder Shapes And Profiles

Wide (Empty) – The hydration bladder is pretty wide when empty.

Narrow (Empty) – The hydration bladder is very slim and tall.

Fat (Filled) – The weight of the water is evenly distributed.

Flat (Filled) – The weight of the water is in a narrow or small area.

Hydration Bladder Openings

Fold Top

You basically fold the top to make sure that the water does not leak out then use the closure mechanism to fully close the hydration bladder. The closure mechanism will prevent the bladder from unfolding itself.

Zip Top

You basically zip the top to close it. It resembles a Zip loc bag.

Screw Top

The hydration bladder will have a big round hole near the top part. You will often have a somewhat large cap. You screw the cap in order to close the water bladder.

Things To Consider

Capacity

The capacity of the hydration bladder is one of the most important things that we have to consider. Hydration bladders come in different sizes. They can come from sizes around 1L, 2L, 2.5L, 3L and so on. Most people will only use around 1L of water for an easy day hike. You can get bigger sizes but you will most likely not need it.

Backpack Capacity

There are lots of hydration bladder backpacks. You need to make sure that they can handle the bladder that you are going to get. Some backpacks are only meant for 2 liters or less. They cannot handle 3 liter hydration bladders or more. You need to make sure that the backpack you are going to use can actually use the bladder that you are thinking of getting.

Safe Material

You need to make sure that the material is very safe. There are some hydration bladders that smell terrible or smell like chemicals the moment I received them. This is not really a good sign. Most of the time, you cannot get rid of that smell. You need to return it. There are some hydration bladders that are not made out of BPA free plastic. You need to make sure that the item is safe and does not contain and toxins that are not good for you.

Works Well

Another factor that we need to consider is if the item works well. Make sure that all parts are working well. That water is flowing easily out of the hydration bladder. There are times when I bought a bladder and the hose is not working or I barely get any water from the item. Make sure that it works well and if it does not then return it.

Durable

You always have to make sure that the item that you are getting is durable. There are lots of items that are not durable and puncture easily. Keep in mind that you may be putting other items inside the backpack. They may hit the bladder unintentionally even if they are separated into different compartments. One hole from your bladder and water will leak out of it. The water can even destroy your devices, from your phones, batteries, headlamps, power banks and so on.

Hydration Bladders VS Water Bottles

Advantages of Hydration Bladders

Stay Hydrated While Hiking / Running

People can drink water while running, hiking, walking, cycling or doing an activity without stopping. For most of the time, people have to stop in order to open the water bottle. With hydration bladders, people can drink from the hose which means there is no need to stop.

Makes Carrying Water Easier

It is a lot to easier to carry water with a hydration bladder. You can put all the water you need in one container and put it inside your backpack. Water bottles can fall while being carried on the side pockets of a backpack. With hydration bladders, the water is safely inside the backpack and it is also very protected.

No Need To Buy Water

Most of the time, people need to stop by stores in order to get water for the sport or activity that they are doing. This will often take a lot of time which is not good. People can fill up the hydration bladder at home with enough water and they do not have to go to a store.

Environmentally Friendly

Hydration bladders are reusable which makes them environmentally friendly compared to disposable water bottles. Disposable water bottles are plastic items that are not good for the environment. We make a lot of these every day.

Disadvantages of Hydration Bladders

No Water Container While Backpacking

You don’t have a portable water container when backpacking. With disposable water bottles, you will end up with a water container when the water is gone. You can put backup water and dirty water on these water bottles. Cannot do that with hydration bladders because this is the container that you use for drinking.

Cleaning

Disposable water bottles do not need to be cleaned. We can just throw them away. With hydration bladders, they need to be cleaned so that dirt will not accumulate inside the container and in the hose. Hydration bladders require effort to maintain.

Water Can Leak And Destroy Gadgets

If a hydration bladder leaks out water, the backpack or parts of the backpack will get wet. It is important to make sure the bladder is secure, safe and will not leak water.

Hot Drinks

Hydration bladder cannot handle hot drinks. There are many insulated water bottles that can handle hot drinks and hot beverages. These water bottles can handle cold drinks too and keep them cold.

Best Hiking Hydration Bladders

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1. CamelBak 90352 Omega Water Reservoir

Technical Specs
Weight: 0.50 lbs
Capacity: 100 oz
Dimensions: 18.0 x 7.37 inches
BPA Free: Yes
Feature Summary: Quick-snap cap tightens in just a quarter turn; low-profile fit for excellent stability; Air-light fillport cuts weight, integrated dryer arms fold out for easy, faster drying; Quick Link system for easier loading and unloading

Short Review: I really like this hiking hydration bladder. Camelbak is an amazing company and they create amazing hydration bladders. If you want something safe, non-toxic, and very durable hydration bladders then this is the company to look for. Unfortunately, the bladders that they have are a little bit higher in price. They put more effort in inspecting the quality of their items though since they already have a good reputation. This bladder is pretty and amazing. It is very easy to clean and holds about 100 ounces of liquid. It is very stable and can be used in a lot of outdoor activities.

2. Platypus Big Zip Water Reservoir

Technical Specs
Weight: 5 oz
Capacity: 3L
Dimensions: 13.8 x 1.6 x 4.6in.
BPA Free: Yes
Feature Summary: Premium taste-free, leak-proof reservoir with fast flow rate offers hydration on the go for hikers, secure SlideLock slides both ways to open reservoir easily and close it securely, high mount quick-disconnect offers fast, easy access

Short Review: By simply examining the positive user reviews, I know that this hiking water reservoir is amazing. Platypus is another amazing company that creates a lot of outdoor items. They specialize in hydration containers as well. This is a great bladder from them. It is very durable, puncture resistant, and it fits securely or snugly inside a backpack. If you love the outdoors, then this is a great item to have because this provides hydration or water without having to use your hands. This can be used for hiking, cycling, or any outdoor activity. It seems like a lot of time is used in making this item extremely good. The outdoors is a lot more fun if you have a good item like this and this is very useful as well.

3. Osprey Hydraulics Reservoir

Technical Specs
Weight: 5.9 oz
Capacity: 2.5L
Dimensions: 15.4 x 7.5 x 2.4in.
BPA Free: Yes
Feature Summary: Easy Slide-Seal top opening, seals watertight and provides wide access for easy filling and cleaning, Hydrapak Blaster bite valve offers fast, smooth water flow, pour shield extends the collar to ease filling

Short Review: There are plenty of people who obtained this hiking water reservoir since this is amazing. Osprey is an amazing company and this bladder from them is very high quality. If I want something high quality, I would go with this brand. I love their backpacks and I love this bladder as well. This is very durable. The plastic is thick so this is more puncture resistant and tear resistant than most bladders. This is one actually works extremely well. Easy to sip and drink water from this bladder. Pretty good bladder that can provide water while doing an outdoor activity.

4. CHERAINTI Hydration Bladder 2 Liter Leak Proof Water Reservoir

Technical Specs
Weight: 3.2 Ounces
Capacity: 2L
Dimensions: 14.2 x 6.8 x 0.05 inches
BPA Free: Yes
Feature Summary: Hydration bladder makes it easy to carry on your back without having additional containers, portable and ergonomic hydration reservoir can fit in most backpacks, made from food grade PEVA material and certified by FDA and SGS, this water bladder is BPA free, with no chemical taste or weird flavors

Short Review: Among the finest items which I have ever tried is this backpacking water reservoir container. This is very affordable. It even comes with a cleaning kit so that you can easily clean the water reservoir. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a reservoir then this is a good choice. The only drawback is that I don’t know this company. They may just be mass producing this item without ensuring that each item is very high quality. You may end up with a fragile reservoir. The price is very good though so it is very enticing. The bladder is very good quality and comes with a cleaning set so it is hard to complain about it.

5. WACOOL 3L 3Liter 100oz BPA Free EVA Hydration Pack Bladder

Technical Specs
Weight: 13.6 oz
Capacity: 3L
Dimensions: 110 x 1cm / 43” x 0.4”
BPA Free: Yes
Feature Summary: Extra thick liner is pressure-tolerant and wearproof; double soldering sealing side technique has greatly improved durability, most popular design for high end hydration systems in recent years, this allows you to refill in any condition

Short Review: This hydration bladder is amazing and I like it a lot. There are numerous things I love regarding this but the price is definitely one of the significant ones. If you would like an exceedingly good item that is well-crafted and it comes with price tag that is budget friendly, then this is a very good choice. The good thing is that this item has plenty of positive customer reviews which mean you will be in an excellent place to know whether you want this item or not. I really like this item. This comes with a cleaning kit also so that we can clean our bladders easily.

6. Unigear Combo Tactical Hydration Pack And Bladder

Technical Specs
Weight: 22 oz
Capacity: 2.5L Bladder
Dimensions: 19″ x 10″ x 1.5″ pack
BPA Free: Yes
Feature Summary: Rugged 900 Denier Polyester heavy-duty construction with PVC lining, resistant to tears and abrasion; Hands-free hydration hose with bite valve, BPA free bladder which keeps you hydrated, keeps the water fairly cool

Short Review: In reality that this backpacking hydration bladder is amazing. This comes with a backpack for the bladder also. So if you still don’t have a hydration bladder backpack then this might be a good choice for you. The backpack comes in a variety of colors but they are all very tactical themed colors like camouflage, black and other similar designs. The bladder itself is very good, it is very durable, and works well. A great hands-free way of drinking water while doing an outdoor activity. The price is rather reasonable also.

7. FREEMOVE 2L Hydration Pack Water Bladder

Technical Specs
Weight: 7.4 oz
Capacity: 2L
Dimensions: 15 x 6.7 x 1in.
BPA Free: Yes
Feature Summary: Perfect for everyone who spends a lot of time in the heat, large fill hole makes it very easy to clean, the insulated tube will prevent the water from overheating or freezing

Short Review: I have been testing numerous hiking hydration bladders, and this is incredible. The low price of this item is generally a good thing. I’m not sure why I never used this before, and spent all my time attempting to provide hydration or water while in the outdoors. I could have just used this to save some effort. I am amazed. This is among the most low-priced items I came across. This has a great deal of characteristics that makes this high quality and I know that you will really like it. This is one of the highest quality items and a good amount of men and women are purchasing this. I like this company and this item of theirs really works well.

8. Aquatic Way Hydration Bladder Water Reservoir

Technical Specs
Weight: 12.3 oz
Capacity: 2L
Dimensions: 15in. (height) x 9in. (width) x 1in. (thick) for 3L
BPA Free: Yes
Feature Summary: Material that’s pressure & wear resistant. TPU is a superior material than EVA, greater softness & flexibility, higher resistance to stretching & tearing, and is more pressure tolerant

Short Review: The one thing I understand for sure is that this backpacking water bladder is really good. I think this is outstanding. This does everything as advertised. This is incredibly durable and this can provide hydration or water while in the outdoors. One of the things I really like in regards to this item is that the price tag is awesome. You get a bladder, a set of cleaning equipment, and two bite valves. This is a fantastic way to provide hydration or water while doing an activity and this is extremely low-priced. This amazing item will provide a good amount of usefulness to a considerable amount of men and women.

9. Baen Sendi Hydration Bladder

Technical Specs
Weight:
Capacity: 2L
Dimensions:
BPA Free: Yes
Feature Summary: Hydration bladder is made of thick premium quality flexible material, completely pressure-tolerant and leak proof for carefree biking, running, hiking and other outdoor adventures, bladder system has quick release auto-lock system that prevents leaking when tube is detached

Short Review: This hiking water bladder is amongst the very best that you can get. This item is just very budget friendly. This looks nice and very easy to use. This is very durable as well. You get two bladders for a very affordable price. It is a pretty good deal. So if you need two bladders, one for yourself and one for another then this is a good choice. The material feels very durable and this should lasts for a very long time.

10. HydraPak Shape-Shift Low-Profile Water Bladder

Technical Specs
Weight:
Capacity: 2-3L
Dimensions:
BPA Free: Yes
Feature Summary: Easily disconnect the drink tube (an auto shutoff valve prevents leaking) and remove the reservoir from your pack for convenient refilling or in-line filtering, engineered with high performance features including the Blaster Bite Valve with a twist on/off valve

Short Review: This hiking water bladder may be one of the best things that you have ever bought. You will find this extremely satisfactory and this is precisely as advertised. The price is just right and it can provide hydration or water while in the outdoors. This is very easy to clean also. This certain item has a lot of positive consumer reviews. Having a great item like this is great for cycling, hiking, backpacking and more and this is very easy to use also.