Best Hydration Bladders
 

Hydration bladders all serve the same basic purpose: convenient hydration on the go. But there are some key differences to look for that'll help you determine which one will fit with your lifestyle.

We've used them all - from basic bladders to reservoirs with all the fancy bells and whistles. So if you're on the hunt for a new drinking system, you can trust us to point you to the best hydration bladder for your needs.

 
Closeup of the bite valve and magnetic sternum strap on the Osprey Hydraulics hydration bladder

The Osprey Hydraulics has a locking bite valve & a magnet to hold the mouth peice conveniently at your shoulder

Quick Recommendations

Check out this quick list of our favorite hydration bladders if you’re in a hurry, or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews.

A hiker checking the level in her Osprey Hydraulics LT hydration bladder

The Osprey Hydraulics LT has baffles that help maintain its low-profile shape & reduces sloshing in your backpack

What’s Most Important to You in a Hydration Bladder?

PRICE - A great hydration bladder doesn’t have to be expensive, but it can be well worth spending a little more to get a high quality bladder that’s reliable and convenient if you’ll be using it a lot. On this list, we recommend a range of reservoirs from budget to high-end.

Closeup of a hiker holding the Osprey Hydraulics and Kureida hydration bladders by her knees.

The high-end Osprey Hydraulics vs. the budget Kureida

FEATURES - A basic hydration bladder will quench your thirst on the move, but extra features like a bite valve shutoff, a quick-disconnect tube, and a magnet to stick your bite valve to your backpack’s sternum strap will make for a smoother experience. Our favorite systems are also designed with details that make filling, cleaning, and drying hassle-free.

Closeup of a quick disconnect tube on the Osprey Hydraulics

Many bladders come with a quick disconnect to make it easier to refill without having to route the tube through backpack ports

WEIGHT - We tend to prefer lightweight gear since weight adds up quickly in a backpack. Choosing a hydration bladder that’s as light as possible can ultimately lead to a more comfortable carry. That said, getting a bladder with extra convenience features can be well worth carrying a few ounces of additional weight.

A hiker loading the Gregory 3D Hydro into a backpack

The Gregory 3D Hydro is one of the most the most durable hydration reservoirs on the market & also one of the lightestweight

CAPACITY - Most bladders are available in a variety of capacities. 2L bladders are the most popular, since they’re a great size for shorter day hikes and backpacking trips when you plan to refill. Larger bladders (3L) give you the ability to carry more for longer stretches between refills. Small bladders (1-1.5L) are the lightest and most compact, so they fit well in small daypacks and will be less sloshy in running vests.

Best Hydration Bladders of 2023

BEST OVERALL HYDRATION BLADDER

MSRP: $43

WEIGHT: 10.2 oz. (2L)

CAPACITIES AVAILABLE: 2L, 3L & Trek (3L with push-button pour spout to use in basecamp)

PROS: Dries quickly & completely, durable, convenient features, easy to fill in shallow sinks

CONS: A bit expensive, cap can get cross-threaded (always double-check for leaks by turning upside-down)

BOTTOM LINE: The Gregory 3D Hydro is our favorite hydration bladder overall because it’s durable, and it has a ton of handy features. What really sets it apart is that it’s soft-molded with a water bottle-like material. That means it holds its shape and stays open to dry completely between uses - greatly reducing the chances of grime accumulation. It even has a hook to hang it upside down when you’re done. The easy care and durability of the Hydro make it our #1 recommendation for anyone who'll be using their reservoir often, and it's definitely the one we'll be using the most for our hikes.

BEST ULTRALIGHT HYDRATION BLADDER

MSRP: $43

WEIGHT: 5 oz. (2L)

CAPACITIES AVAILABLE: 1.5L Lumbar, 2L, 3L

PROS: Ultralight, durable & flexible material, baffles for minimal sloshing, reversible for easy drying

CONS: Expensive

BOTTOM LINE: Every ounce of weight savings counts when you’re on the trail, which is why we were stoked to find the HydraPak Contour Reservoir. The 2L bladder only weighs 5 oz., which makes it 50% lighter than some of the leading competition. The Contour may be light, but it doesn’t skimp on convenient features. The most noteworthy traits are the leak-free zip top, the tab to turn it inside out to dry, and the magnetic bite valve that sticks to your backpack’s sternum strap. We also appreciate the inner baffles that help keep sloshing to a minimum. The Contour is a little spendy, but it’s right on par with the best reservoirs on the market. This high-quality and outstandingly lightweight bladder is a great choice that will last for many years of adventures.

BEST HYDRATION BLADDER FOR LOADED BACKPACKS

MSRP: $35

WEIGHT: 7.4 oz. (2L)

CAPACITIES AVAILABLE: 2L & 3L, 1.5L LT & 2.5L LT (LT - lightweight with no backer plate)

PROS: Lots of convenient features, slim/stiff design makes it easier to get in & out of a loaded backpack, easy to clean, high-flow bite valve

CONS: Not as easy to dry as the Gregory 3D Hydro

BOTTOM LINE: The high quality and full-featured Osprey Hydraulics Reservoir is a great choice for anyone who needs reliable hydration on the go, but we like it especially when using large-volume backpacks. Most hydration bladders are a little um… floppy, but this one has a solid backer plate that gives it some rigidity. This holds the bladder in a slim, low-profile shape which is both comfortable to carry and easy to slide into a full backpack’s narrow hydration compartment. We also appreciate how easy it is to clean and ensure a leakproof seal with the Hydraulics’ wide slider top. The Hydraulics has everything a hiker could want for convenience on the trail, and it comes in a bunch of sizes for different trip lengths. The 1.5L and 2.5L LT models forgo the backer plate for those who prefer a bladder that’s a bit lighter.

AFFORDABLE & RELIABLE HYDRATION BLADDER

MSRP: $37

WEIGHT: 7 oz. (2L)

CAPACITIES AVAILABLE: 1.5L, 2L, 3L & 2L with Filtration Kit

PROS: Affordable, extra wide port makes it easy to clean, large handle

CONS: Quick disconnect port is less accessible than some, a bit tougher to fill completely in shallow sinks

BOTTOM LINE: The name CamelBak has been synonymous with hydration bladders since the first one hit the market in the 1980s. What started as an IV bag filled with water in a tube sock decades ago has evolved to their most modern offering, the CamelBak Crux. While it doesn’t have quite as many features as some bladders, we’re fans of the Crux for its durable material and extra-wide opening that makes it easy to clean. The large handle on the port makes it easy to hold, though the bag hangs more vertically than some, so it’s tougher to fill to the brim in shallow sinks. The Crux delivers the reliability people expect at an affordable price, and it comes in a ton of sizes to fit different packs.

BEST BUDGET HYDRATION BLADDER

MSRP: $13

WEIGHT: 7 oz. (2L)

CAPACITIES AVAILABLE: 2L

PROS: Affordable, a few convenient features

CONS: Not as durable as some, not as easy to clean & dry as others

BOTTOM LINE: If you’re on a tight budget, but you still want the convenience of hands-free hydration on your hikes, we recommend the Kureida bladder. It costs far less but has some of the same features as more expensive drinking reservoirs, like a locking bite valve with a dust cover and quick disconnect tube. The components aren’t as high quality as those you’ll find on some of our favorite high-end bladders, and we don’t expect it to last as long as some. That said, the Kureida bladder will get you out on the trail for a fraction of the price and should hold up well enough for the occasional user.

Top-down view of the Kureida hydration bladder

The Kureida hydration bladder is basic, but it’s a great option for occassional users or anyone on a budget

Honorable Mentions

The following hydration bladders didn’t make our final list, but they’ve still got a lot of good things going for them. You never know, one of them might be perfect for you:

  • HydraPak Cenote - an ultralight (2L: 4.8 oz.) and affordable ($25) reservoir with a refreshingly uncomplicated design

  • Kureida Dual Hydration Bladder - a unique bladder with a separate chamber and a second hose for electrolyte drink mix (would be great if sharing with young kids)

  • Platypus Big Zip EVO - another feature-rich bladder with a zip-top closure that’s similar to the Osprey Hydraulics, but not quite as durable

Top-down view of the Hydrapak Reservoir Cleaning Bundle

No setup is complete without a good cleaning kit like these from Gregory & Hydrapak

Accessories

Some hydration bladders come fully decked out with everything you could need or want, but you may choose to customize some of the more basic hydration bladders with a magnetic bite valve or quick disconnect tube. 

There may also come a time when you need to replace a dingy bite valve sheath, worn out drink tube, or tired connector. Here are some links to help you quickly find the right cleaning kit, accessories, and replacement parts for your reservoir.

Gregory 3D Hydro Accessories:

HydraPak Contour Accessories:

Osprey Hydraulics Accessories:

CamelBak Crux Accessories:

The Gregory 3D Hydro hanging upside-down in a garage

The Gregory 3D Hydro holds its shape and stays open to dry completely between uses & it even has a hook to hang it upside-down

CRITICAL HYDRATION BLADDER CONSIDERATIONS

HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD I CARRY? - The liquid capacity of a hydration bladder is usually measured in liters (L), and most hold between 1L-3L. Water is heavy (1L weighs approx. 2 lbs.), so it’s important to carefully consider how much you’ll actually drink and plan accordingly. It can be nice to have a larger maximum capacity for long days on the trail, but you don’t have to fill your reservoir to the brim if you want to keep your load light. To estimate how much water you’ll need to carry, a good rule of thumb is to have .5L per hour for moderate activity in mild temperatures. You may need to dial this up depending on conditions and personal preferences. Strenuous hiking in high heat may call for 1L of water or more per hour.

Closeup of the CamelBak Crux hydration pack in a sink

The CamelBak Crux has a huge port & a large handle to make filling easy

FILTERING WATER ON THE GO WITH A BLADDER - If you’ll be refilling your hydration bladder from natural sources on the trail, you’ll need to carry a filtration method to make water safe to drink. Chlorine Dioxide Drops / Pills are lightweight and affordable, but there’s a bit of a waiting period. There are reservoir filter kits you can pick up, or you can make your own inline system by ordering an extra quick connect kit, bite valve, and a Sawyer Squeeze. Another option is to bring a filter like the Katadyn BeFree to scoop and filter water into your hydration bladder. Check out our Best Water Filters list for a complete list of our favorite water filtering methods for hiking.

A hiker refilling their hydration bladder in a creek and using Chlorine Dioxide Drops for purification

Chlorine Dioxide Drops are one of the easiest filtration methods for hydration bladder users

HYDRATION BLADDER CARE - Most hydration bladders have polyethylene linings, which retain tastes and odors more easily than polycarbonate bottles. Because of this, we recommend not filling them with anything but water. The best way to maintain any plastic water bottle or bladder is to rinse it out after each use, and let it air dry completely. Periodically drop in a fizzy cleaning tablet, like these from Bottle Bright, or a tablespoon each of bleach and baking soda and let it sit overnight. This, along with a thorough scrub down with a bottle brush (see cleaning kit recommendations above), will keep grime, funky tastes, and odors at bay.

Related: If you need a daypack and a hydration bladder, check out our Best Hydration Packs list.

A hiker using the Gregory 3D Hydro hydration bladder on a waterfall day hike in the Gorge.

The Gregory 3D Hydro comes as a bundle with some of our favorite Hydration Packs

Need More Gear Advice?

If you liked this list, you’ll love the CleverHiker Gear Guide where we test and recommend tons of outdoor adventure gear from a variety of categories. here are some links to popular articles:

A day hiker using the Osprey Hydraulics hydration bladder

A high quality hydration bladder like the Osprey Hydraulics will last for many miles & hundreds of liters of water

Why Trust Us?

We fully understand how tough it is to find trustworthy gear advice, and that’s one of the main reasons we built CleverHiker. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously. Here are some of the reasons you can trust us:

  • Our choices are completely independent and based on personal experience.

  • We’ve logged over 10,000 trail miles and test outdoor gear for a living.

  • We own and field test every product we recommend, which is sadly not the norm.

  • We travel to industry trade shows to learn about upcoming product innovations.

  • We constantly update our guides when new products launch.

  • We treat our recommendations as if they were for our family and friends.

  • We’re lifelong learners and we’re always open to constructive criticism. If you think we’ve missed a product or got something wrong, we’d love to hear your feedback.

Closeup of the Gregory 3D Hydro

The Gregory 3D Hydro has a super quick & convenient hanger (Gregory SpeedClip attachment)

More Information

We hope this guide helps you find the perfect gear for your needs. If you have more questions or a suggestion, we’d love to hear from you! Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on our latest posts then visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation.

If you found this guide helpful, please give it a share on social media! Also, be sure to check out our CleverHiker Gear Guide to see all of our top gear picks.

Thanks for reading and happy trails!

Featured
About the Author
About the Author

Heather Eldridge is an accomplished backpacker and camping aficionado. She cut her teeth on winter camping and rock climbing trips as a youngster then went on to thru-hike over 6,000 miles of America’s longest trails. She now lives on a farm in Oregon where she works as a full-time gear tester, writer, and photographer.

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.