Bleach – Bleach is great for cleaning more items, but it should be avoided for all Osprey products.

The carry handle is robust; you can feel its quality, and you will be confident it won't brake. The large opening makes the bag very simple to fill, whether you are filling it from a tap or a stream. We’ve also found slider-top reservoirs to be easier to empty, especially HydraPak models with pour shields (as Osprey calls them). This design allows you to remove the contents with precision, which helps when transferring water to a pot or other bottle. Conversely, twist-tops are imprecise and often have places where water can hide, which isn’t helpful when you’re trying to dry the reservoir out completely. An all-new comfortable handle allows for true one-handed filling. This easier-to-fill design is also easier to carry and pour.

Our Best Buy winner, the Platypus Hoser, has been hit by the recent inflation trend. While this bladder used to be a solid deal offered at a low price, recent price increases have narrowed the price range between this model and many other top options. During our next product update, we will reassess our award winners to discern whether a better value option is available. The Platypus Hoser is an affordable and simple bladder with a lightweight and durable profile that will fit into nearly any type of hydration sleeve. The flow rate is ample, delivering water with minimal effort. The price is also right. If you're seeking a straightforward bladder that'll keep you hydrated on the go, this is a great option.

The CamelBak Crux 2L Reservoir is a great and inexpensive hydration bladder. It comes in three sizes, 1.5 liters, 2 liters, and 3 liters, allowing you to find the perfect size. The hydration bladder has a wide opening that makes it easy to fill up and clean. The bite valve has an on/off lever that is easy to use and helps prevent leaks. One of the best things about the CamelBak Crux 2L Reservoir is the Hydroguard antimicrobial technology that helps prevent bacteria from growing in the hydration bladder and hose. The CamelBak Crux 2L Reservoir is one of the best hydration bladders on the market! Hydration Bladders Features Size and Shape My favorite hydration bladder is the Platypus Big Zip EVO Reservoir because it is durable, reliable, easy to use, easy to clean, and has a fast flow rate. It comes in three sizes, 1.5 liters, 2 liters, and 3 liters, allowing you to choose which will work best for you.

Our Verdict

However, I usually give mine a thorough cleaning each month because we take long trips that last several days, and I don’t want to deal with mold near the end of our trip! Final Thoughts From the handle to the hose and baffles to the bite valve, we thought through every interaction and aspect of our Hydraulics design to identify opportunities for a better user experience—redesigning, reshaping and updating to create our best reservoir series yet. The most important part is not to let your bladder grow mold in the first place. To do that, be sure to store it full of warm water after cleaning and clean it out at least once a week (even if you’re using chlorine bleach – this is just good hygiene). Follow this step by step guide to always have a clean and new looking hydration bladder! 1. Remove the Hose and Empty any Remaining Water A well-designed hydration bladder with a few features that set it apart from other competitors in this field. Osprey says:

The last factor to consider here is a bite valve’s flow rate, or how much water comes out with each sip. Generally speaking, we’ve found that Platypus and CamelBak’s designs dispense a lot of water, while HydraPak’s bite valves (including those on the Osprey Hydraulics reservoir) are slightly more conservative. Brands like to tout a fast flow rate as a selling point, but in the end it’s completely a matter of personal preference. All of the bladders on our list are easy to drink from and dispense water just about as fast as we can drink. Each bite valve has it's own personality, but in general they're all thoughtful, convenient designs

Value

Many of the Osprey bladders are designed with parts that can be taken apart and cleaned. You should remove the bite valve so that you can clean the inside material. Additionally, while hiking with the HydraPak HydraSleeve in the desert, we loaded it up with ice-cold water. Throughout the day (our hike was six hours), the water stayed icy cold, and ice cubes were still inside after the hike. Temperatures were between 80 - 90F that day. Overall, the HydraPak HydraSleeve offers excellent insulation that'll keep your drinks cool in the summer. Some people strongly prefer drinking cold water, and if that's you, this model does it best. Ease of Care If you leave it upside down for around 10-15 minutes that should be enough to get most of the leftover moisture out. 2. Rinse out with Hot Water It had a little aftertaste at first, but after a few uses it went away. If this problem persists, squeeze a lemon into the bag, fill the bag with water and freeze, this should eliminate the problem. There are two main styles of hydration reservoirs—those that feature a top opening that seals with a slider (or in the case of the CamelBak Fusion, a zip), and those with a twist-cap closure (generally on the front, although the Platypus Hoser’s is at the base). Both are time-tested designs, but differ slightly in terms of functionality, especially when it comes to filling, emptying, and cleaning. Most hydration bladders user either slider or twist-cap closures

In our freezer tests, the HydraPak HydraSleeve kept the main body of the bladder from freezing, even after leaving it in there for 24 hours. While there was a lot of ice inside, it wasn't completely frozen. Hydration bladders are made from durable, BPA-free plastic that is meant to have a long lifespan if cared for properly. This plastic comes in various forms: For example, Platypus products are clear and rigid, while most HydraPak offerings are opaque with a slight bit of stretch. Both styles get the job done; we have both an old Platypus Big Zip and Osprey Hydraulics that are still going strong after six years of use. In fact, the vast majority of durability issues seem to be the result of user error—it’s important to keep your reservoir away from sharp objects like microspikes and trekking poles, and store it in a safe place between uses.

About Osprey

Instead of using a mix with bleach, take some hot water and mild soap and fill up the water bladder. Rinse it out multiple times and make sure to get in between all folds in the bladder for those with multiple compartments. You don’t always need to fully clean your Osprey after every use, especially if you follow these tips below! But while it feels like slider-top reservoirs win out in most metrics, twist-cap bladders are distinctly easier to fill, thanks to the integrated handle that holds the opening ajar. On the other hand, reservoirs with sliders rest in a shut position, so you’ll have to pry them open underneath the water source. Each manufacturer has come up with a solution for this, including CamelBak’s one-handed pinch-grip on their Fusion, or the handle on Platypus’ Big Zip EVO. You’re likely to learn the ways of whatever model you choose, but for those looking for the height of filling convenience, a twist-cap bladder might be your best bet. Osprey's Hydraulics (and Hydraulics LT pictured here) features a convenient pour spout Hydration Bladder Durability