The size of your hiking backpack will also determine how much weight it can hold. This weight is essential to consider because you will be carrying that extra water weight in your backpack. 2 liters of water is about 4.5 pounds, and 3 liters of water is about 6.6 pounds. Most hydration bladders are under a half of a pound, so you don’t need to worry about the base weight. When looking for the best hydration bladder, you will want to consider how much it weighs with and without water. It is essential to make sure hydration bladders are cleaned after every use to ensure nothing builds up. Most brands also have cleaning kits and tablets you can buy to make the cleaning process easy. Most hydration bladders allow you to take the hose and bite valve apart, making it easy to clean each piece. You will also want to make sure you can clean the tube and valves easily. Some hydration bladders flip inside-out, making them very easy to clean. Most screw-top hydration bladders are not big enough to fit a hand, but large ones can fit a scrub brush. Slide lock hydration bladders are very easy to clean because you can fit your hand into them. It is crucial to ensure a hydration bladder is easy to clean to prevent bacteria and mold build-up. The larger the opening, the easier it will be to fill up and clean. A slide lock will have the entire top of the hydration bladder open and closes with a ziplock type feature. The screw-top will have a wide opening on the front of the hydration bladder with a cap that screws on. There are two typical openings: a screw-top and a slide lock. How large the hydration bladder opening is will determine how easy it is to use it. I recommend speaking with a brand or store representative to find the best hydration bladder size and shape is for your hiking backpack. Other hiking backpacks are more compatible with hydration bladders from the same brand (for example, an Osprey hydration bladder fits best in Osprey backpacks). Some hiking backpacks have narrow sleeves, which cannot fit wide-profile hydration bladders. The shape of the hydration bladder is also essential to consider.

Most hiking backpacks come with a hydration bladder sleeve but can only fit a few sizes comfortably. If you are unsure what size hydration bladder to buy, I recommend keeping track of how much water you usually drink while on a hike.Īnother essential thing to consider is what your backpack can hold for a hydration bladder. A 3-liter hydration bladder is perfect for those who tend to be very thirsty while hiking, don’t want to refill, or hike where water is scarce. A 2-liter hydration bladder is the most common size for day hikes because it allows you to bring a substantial amount of water while not adding too much weight or bulk to your backpack. Most hydration bladders come in a range of sizes, so you can choose what works best for you and the type of hiking you do. One of the most important things to consider when looking for the best hydration bladder is the size. The CamelBak Crux 2L Reservoir is one of the best hydration bladders on the market! What to Consider When Looking for the Best Hydration Bladders Size and Shape 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 bite valve has an on/off lever that is easy to use and helps prevent leaks. The hydration bladder has a wide opening that makes it easy to fill up and clean. It comes in three sizes, 1.5 liters, 2 liters, and 3 liters, allowing you to find the perfect size. The CamelBak Crux 2L Reservoir is a great and inexpensive hydration bladder.

Platypus 2l bladder