Did you realise that you need to drink 0.5L of water per hour when hiking? This is the reason why choosing the hydration system for you is so important. Here is the problem we face: hydration bladder vs water bottle, which one is the best?
Let’s dive into these two hydration solutions in details. Remember there are no right or wrong answers. It boils down to personal preferences dependant on your needs, level of fitness and length of the walk you are doing.
Hydration Bladder Vs Water Bottle: which one is best for hiking
Hydration Bladder
Pros
The main reason why the hydration bladder is so popular is that it gives you instant and easy access to water so that you can sip as you walk. This means you drink more water without realising it and stay hydrated. When using a hydration pack, you are taking sips of water rather than gulping down mouthfuls. Therefore, you avoid the sensation of a splash in the stomach which can be very uncomfortable when you are walking
The second reason is that the system is hand free, which implies that you can drink and take pictures simultaneously. You won’t miss a single shot of a scenic view ever again. The reservoir can be placed in the designated sleeve in your backpack. Thusly, you carry the weight close to your back, which is more comfortable and will also help prevent back pain in the future.
The third reason is that the reservoir reduces in size as you are drinking. This means that you are carrying less and less weight as you get more and more tired. Once completely emptied, the reservoir is unbelievably light and you have more space available in your rucksack. That’s two big wins!
Finally, since the introduction of the hydration bladder in the ’90s and its rapid success, manufacturers have developed backpacks that are hydration system compatible. You can of course buy the hydration of the same brand as your backpack. But you can buy any other brand as the reservoir can undoubtedly shape into any rucksack. Some bags come with an internal or an external sleeve for the hydration bladder. The advantage of an external sleeve is that you can easily remove the bladder to refill it, without emptying your bag. Additionally, there is less risk of the tube being squashed by your belongings. Ensure you check there is a sleeve for the hydration system when purchasing a backpack, to avoid disappointments.
>>> Get your hydration bladder here
Cons
The first inconvenience of the hydration bladder is that you do not know how much water you have left. The only way is for you to stop and take the bladder out of your backpack. It is also a hassle to refill. You not only need to take it out from your backpack, but you also need to place the opening under the water source. This means it is almost impossible to refill it from a stream. You would in this way need a tab and they do not come easily on a hike.
The second inconvenience of the hydration bladder is its maintenance. From little pieces to the tube where mold can grow, cleaning your hydration system can easily turn into a chore. The main thing you need to check when buying your hydration system is that you can fit your whole hand through the reservoir opening. This will allow you to give it a proper clean. The trouble is with the tube and the mouthpiece. This is why I use the TAGVO hydration bladder cleaning kit. It comes with a flexible long horse brush to clean the tube and a bite valve brush for the mouthpiece. These accessories will allow you to give it a thorough clean.
Another tip is to place your hydration bladder in the freezer as the cold prevents the mold from growing. My final advice is to remember that the hydration bladder is intended to carry water and not any other sorts of beverages. Avoid filling it with fizzy and sugary drinks as it will expand the odds of getting mold in it.
The third one is the durability of the bladder system. You need to check your system regularly for punctures, tears and leaks. If you buy a model with a biting valve, inspect the mouthpiece now and again for damages as it is the first cause of leakage. The tube can likewise need to be checked as it can get torn and crushed in the backpack. While taking good care of your hydration system will allow you to keep it longer, you need to understand that it WILL get damage at some point and you would need to replace it.
Another issue with the hydration bladder is temperature control. On the off chance that you are hiking on a sunny day, the temperature of the water will increase. There is no worse sensation when you want to cool down than having warm water in your mouth. One tip is to blow in the tube to send the water back to the reservoir so that you can keep it cool. Obviously, you need to make sure to place the reservoir behind a panel, such as a sleeve and not at the front of your backpack. That way you will prevent the water from heating up. On the other hand, when hiking on a cold day, the water in the tube can get incredibly cold and even freeze. Manufacturers have developed insulated tubes, but it only delays and not prevent the water from freezing.
The last one is the cost. One, backpack and hydration bladder are sold separately, even if they are from the same brand. The fact it does not form part of a package represents an additional cost. Two, as discussed above, you would need to purchase a cleaning kit if you want to increase its durability. And finally, the system won’t last a lifetime and you would need to buy a replacement sooner or later.
Water bottle
Pros
The first benefit of carrying a water bottle is you can see how much water you have left at a glance. Therefore, you can adapt your consumption based on what is remaining in the reservoir.
The water bottle is also simple to fill and does not require to go through the same trouble as with the hydration bladder. Just take it out of your backpack and you can fill it up from a stream or a river.
The best benefit I found to the water bottle is that if you go for an insulated model, it keeps your liquid warm or cold for up to 12 hours. There is no better feeling than a warm cup of tea during a chilly day hike. I used to carry my red bottle everywhere to get a warm drink during the breaks.
If you are doing a long-distance hike, a water bottle is unquestionably not for you as you would be carrying less water than you need to consume. Notwithstanding, if you are someone who does short walks, I would highly suggest that you carry a bottle with you. It will contain a sufficient amount of water for you not to feel thirsty.
Regardless of whether you go for the insulated or the plastic model, the two of them are resistant and durable. As their cost is lower, this implies that you would be saving money long term.
>>> Get your insulated water bottle here
Cons
The main problem with water bottles is that they do not deflate as you are drinking from them unless you are carrying a foldable bottle. This means that you are carrying the same volume in your backpack from start to finish. In addition, unlike the hydration bladder, you cannot drink on the go. This means you would have to stop each time you want to take a sip. On the plus-size, this is a good excuse to take a break and catch your breath.
There is also a risk in carrying water bottles. If you store them in your side pockets, you would sacrifice in balance and therefore safety, particularly on difficult terrain. To keep away from the issue, you would need to carry one bottle in each pocket and drink the same amount from both simultaneously to distribute the weight evenly. Let’s face it, this is impossible to achieve when on a hike. This is the exact reason why I eventually had to stop carrying my tea jug with me.
Bottles ought to be stored in the main backpack, which implies that you would have to stop each time you need to take a sip. The danger is that you end up drinking less than you should, to avoid stopping too often. Additionally, note that the side pocket cannot hold more than 1L which is not sufficient. Furthermore, if stored in the side pocket, the water can get truly warm or even freeze, depending on the weather conditions.
Similar to the hydration system, a water bottle can be hard to clean as they have a small mouth. You would require a bottle brush and cleaning tablets to give it a proper clean. This means you would have to make an investment towards cleaning tools except if you purchased disposable bottles.
Verdict
Even if 63% of day hikers carry a water bottle, choosing between hydration bladder vs water bottle depends on you. If you are new to hiking, or perhaps you are a casual hiker doing short distance walks, then I would recommend you go for the water bottle. It is less expensive and you would still have enough water to drink.
Nonetheless, if you are more experienced and doing medium to long-distance walks, investing in a hydration bladder might be more suitable. This will allow you to carry up to 3L and as you can sip on the go, you would remain hydrated during the whole duration of the hike.
In conclusion, always keep in mind how long the walk is and how much water you would be needed to drink to remain hydrated, as your wellbeing is the thing that matters the most.
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Hi Lily
This is a pretty impressive review. I was very interested to read as my partner have a hydration bladder. He has been used this in his walk before covid. You are perfectly right, a water bottle is not so expensive as a hydration or a foldable one. But now it is how everyone perceived this. Nice explanation and we’ll describe for everyone understanding.
Hi Ariana,
Thank you for your comment and I am pleased to hear that you found the explanation interesting and got value from it.