View Full Version : Bottles vs. Bladders
beaudetious
04-18-2013, 15:12
I'm a section hiker and love my 3L water bladder. But, I'm starting to rethink this and wonder what you guys think the pros and cons are of bottles vs. bladders. I'm carrying a Granite Gear Vapor Trail so it's not easy to reach anything in my side pockets. I like to have water within reach but it's probably not a bad idea to stop and grab your water and take a breather at times.
Let's hear some good arguments on both sides.
MDSection12
04-18-2013, 15:26
I used to use a hydration bladder, in the hydration pouch in my bag, but it got to be such a pain to pull all my gear out each time I needed to refill that it wasn't worth it. Also the bag becomes pretty useless in camp, when I just want to drink out of a normal bottle that stands upright. So I've ditched the bladder and now use a small Nalgene (in Winter so I can put boiling water in it) or a soda bottle for water while hiking (I don't carry much water these days, just camel up at sources) and a large (64 oz) Gatorade bottle on a lanyard in camp. The Gatorade bottle just hangs on the back of my pack, empty, while I hike... Then the last source I hit before camp I fill it and throw it in the top of my pack.
So far this system works well, but on trips where I need to carry more water I'll have to rethink.
daddytwosticks
04-18-2013, 15:27
Bungee a 20 oz Gatoraide bottle to your packstrap and be done with it. I only use a zip-type platy for water in camp. Simple and easy. :)
patman25
04-18-2013, 15:36
I was doing the platy bottles in my side pockets, but I've decided to go with a 3L bladder in my pack. I figured out that if I take the mouth piece off, my katadyn pump filter tube fits perfectly into my bladder drinking tube and I can pump the water straight into my bladder and never have to remove it.
bladders appear, to me, to be infernal gadgetry. Bottles, even re-used gatorade bottles, are simple and elegant.
baldders allow you to sip small amounts as i walk, with bottles i seem to hike for a period of time and then stop and gulp ( usually too much ) and then feel bloated.
I perform better sipping. Midday I will check the amount left in the bladder, i will reflect, for a moment, on the simplicity and elegance of bottles, and then go back to hiking............
a philosopher once said "Its only drinking" ( if he didn't say it, he should have )
SCRUB HIKER
04-18-2013, 15:53
I think I stay hydrated better when I have a bladder with a hose, and the water also stays cooler inside your pack in hot weather than bottles on the outside do, but there are two big problems with them: bigger risk of mechanical failure, especially leaking all over the inside of the pack (which can range from a minor inconvenience to a serious problem depending on where you are); and being pretty time-consuming and awkward to take out and refill. I prefer just bottles now for the simplicity/durability factor. But it took a while to teach myself to reach back to sip from them more often.
flemdawg1
04-18-2013, 15:55
Why not both? I have a 2l camelbak bladder in 1 side pocket and a 1l gatorade bottle in the other side pocket. I typically drink form the bladder while walking and drink from the bottle during breaks or lunch (use it to mix sports drink).
HikerMom58
04-18-2013, 16:23
Why not both? I have a 2l camelbak bladder in 1 side pocket and a 1l gatorade bottle in the other side pocket. I typically drink form the bladder while walking and drink from the bottle during breaks or lunch (use it to mix sports drink).
This................
I have found that I like both bladders and bottles. I fill my bladder before i start and then again at night when I stop (while the pack is empty or almost). During the day if I need to refill I use 2 collapsible 1L bottles.
Another Kevin
04-18-2013, 16:40
I carry one Nalgene bottle, because once in a while I want to put a sock (or something else insulating) around it and put a hot drink in it. I don't carry a thermos. Also, a Nalgene bottle fits the flange on my water filter, so it's convenient to pump into. I typically don't carry more than one Nalgene bottle, because Nalgene bottles are heavy.
In mild weather, I carry a 2 litre Camelbak, because I like the convenience of drinking from a hose. I'm like the previous poster in that respect: I've never been able to practice "camel up", because I can't just slam down a litre of cold water without feeling queasy. Being able to take a sip or two without even breaking stride works much better for me. The Camelbak hose fits the nipple on my water filter, so I can pump directly into it, but I usually decant from the Nalgene, because I find that easier to organize. I don't like discovering that I've fumbled the bite valve into the mud beside the spring. If I were a Real Hiker rather than a clueless weekender, I'd probably have the routine rehearsed better.
If that convenience doesn't appeal to you, you probably want to dispense with the bladder and carry another lightweight (Gatorade or something) bottle or two. Which is what I do if it's cold enough that I worry about having my hose freeze up: I leave the bladder at home and carry another water container or two. Since I'm talking about winter now, I'll mention that in winter, every water container but one rides inside the pack somewhere near my back for warmth. The one I'm drinking from rides where I can reach it easily, upside down so that if it freezes partway, the ice won't block the opening of the bottle. Of course, I don't bring my water filter in freezing cold, and switch to Aqua Mira instead.
I usually carry more water weight than I should. I hate running out, and often arrive at a water source with a litre untouched. Which is 2 pounds of excess pack weight. I need to work on that, probably. I still find it a little difficult to predict how much I'll drink and how reliable the next water source is. This failing also identifies me a a clueless weekender. A Real Hiker would need a litre less water storage than I do, probably.
It's important to distinguish bottles easily by touch. For me:
1 litre Nalgene - water, coffee, tea, reconstituted sport drink, ... something potable, anyway.
Camelbak - water only, ever.
1 litre soft drink or sport drink bottles - water.
22 oz wide mouth sport drink bottle (carried in winter only) - so I don't have to get out of my tent on bitterly cold nights.
8 oz, 12 oz, or half litre Poland Spring bottle (label removed and replaced with a hazmat label, and the cap colored red with a Sharpie) - methanol for the stove. The larger sizes are for cooking for two on a 3- or 4-day clueless weekend; the 8 oz is fine if I'm solo.
Square discount-store squeeze bottle - olive oil.
Smaller round discount-store squeeze bottle - honey if I'm bringing it.
Even smaller drugstore dropping bottle - hot sauce if I'm bringing it. Which is usually. Sometimes you just need to make trail glop taste like something.
Dr Bronner's liquid soap bottle - Dr Bronner's soap. The Dr Bronner's has a flip-top, the honey has a pull-up top and the hot sauce has an eyedropper top, so they're not readily confused. (Sleepily squeezing Dr Bronner's onto breakfast oatmeal is an experience I do not care to repeat.)
rocketsocks
04-18-2013, 16:54
Why not both? I have a 2l camelbak bladder in 1 side pocket and a 1l gatorade bottle in the other side pocket. I typically drink form the bladder while walking and drink from the bottle during breaks or lunch (use it to mix sports drink).Yep, that's my Modus Operandus
but make sure you don't use soap to clean out the bladder, ;) and if you do, make sure it's cleaned out real well...real well :o:(:D
lest you use up all your Tums on the first day out, and burp bubbles...ugh!
Depends on how you think of bottles and bladders. I have a Cascade Designs 2L Platypus BOTTLE for in camp. http://cascadedesigns.com/platypus/bottles-and-storage/platy-bottle/product It folds up to about the size of two matchbooks, weighs 1.3 oz, has a screw top cap, and is 100 % BPA FREE. I store it folded up in the exterior rear shovel pocket of my backpack when not in use. When I have it filled with water it goes in the same rear shovel pocket. This works for me because I don't want ANY interior pack volume taken up with the volume of water. I also don't want any gear inside my pack getting wet from water. So this bladder has the advantage of being collapsible, light wt, and taking up VERY LITTLE VOLUME when not in use. This size cost about $10-12. I personally have had VERY VERY FEW leakage problems with Cascade Designs Collapsible Water Bladders and I hike extensively throughout the U.S. with it. I consider it a durable dependable UL water bladder.
On my go to 3 season Backpack, the ULA CDT, there are plastic D-rings and 4 bungees that come stock from ULA on the shoulder harness. Two bungees on each shoulder strap. http://www.ula-equipment.com/cdt.asp I have cut off the two top bungees one on each shoulder strap and attach a Nite-Ize S Mini Carabiner or cheapy spring loaded biner on each shoulder strap from the D-rings.
http://www.niteize.com/images/SB_Feature_00_t.jpg (http://www.niteize.com/product/S-Biner-Stainless-Steel.asp)
To each biner I attach a plastic or light wt aluminum 1L bottle with a screw cap with a ring hole.
Earth and Health Safe Water Bottles Biking, playing basketball, running on the treadmill, kicking a ball on the field, or shooting nine holes: you've probably got a bottle full of water nearby, right? Either you bought the water for around $2, or you're toting a reusable sports bottle around with you. The first option means you're not only spending hundreds of dollars a year, you're also supporting an industry that wastes almost one trillion gallons of water worldwide annually just producing the plastic! Likewise, the thick plastic bottles you pick up at sporting goods stores likely contain a leaching chemical known as Bisphenol A, or BPA. BPA has been evaluated as a hormone and endocrine disruptor that's especially dangerous for children and pregnant women. More than just BPA, the plastic industry contributes to some of the most toxic chemical releases into the air, including styrene, benzene, trichloroethane, sulfur oxides, nitrous oxides, methanol, ethylene oxide, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
If you're an athlete who's dedicated to sports and physical fitness, you know good health and hydration go hand-in-hand. But if you want to protect the earth and prevent further environmental damage caused by the plastic industry, you need to throw out your reusable plastic water bottles.
STAINLESS STEEL WATER BOTTLES Stainless steel is clean, stable, and durable, and does not interact with the fluids it comes into contact with. In addition, stainless steel is one of the most easily recycled materials available.
Kid Basix (http://www.kid-basix.com/thesafesporter.php): Winner of the Mom's Best Award, the Kid Basix Safe Sporter™ is made of food-grade 304 stainless steel and contains no BPA or phthalates. This super fancy, ultra sleek water bottle also features an easy-pull sports spout, a mud cap, a wide mouth, a TPR sleeve to provide insulation, and a plastic coaster that fits in cup holders. More to its credit, this easy-to-clean water bottle can be hand washed or placed in the dishwasher.
Klean Kanteen (http://www.kleankanteen.com/index.php): Made from 18/8, food-grade, unlined, nonleaching, high-grade stainless steel, Klean Kanteen water canisters come in a variety of sizes and designs, and even have a number of eco-friendly cap options to choose from. Klean Kanteens are also free of BPA, phthalates, lead, and other toxins, and they don't retain or impart any flavors. The water canisters easily fit in most cup holders, they are easy to wash, they are dishwasher safe, and because of the rounded corners, there are no hard angles where dirt, germs, or bacteria can hide.
ALUMINUM WATER BOTTLES Aluminum water bottles can be recycled and are relatively inexpensive. True, aluminum extraction is an energy-intensive process, so the bottles should be re-used as much as possible to extend their life.
SIGG (http://www.mysigg.com/): Swiss-based SIGG makes sleek aluminum canisters lined with a water-based, food-grade coating said to be free of bisphenol A. In addition, these cool-looking bottles keep their contents cooler so your water tastes crisp and clean, and quenches your thirst. An important aspect of SIGG bottles is that they come in all sizes, with screw-on or sport caps, and even feature little kid sizes with child-friendly designs on them. To keep these bottles reusable, SIGG also offers replacement lids, brushes, mud caps, and carabiners.
Gaiam (http://www.gaiam.com/category/eco-home-outdoor/household/water-bottles.do): These simple, yet sleek, lightweight aluminum water bottles are 100 percent recyclable in most areas, including the caps, and are free of unhealthy plastic residues. Gaiam is a trusted source and brand for Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) participants and eco-conscious consumers. These incredibly affordable, reusable aluminum bottles are available in several designs, with a few different cap options as well.
Comments: Watch documentary titled "Plastic Planet": This documentary examines the ways in which plastic saturates our modern lives, and how our dependency on this petroleum product harms ourselves and our planet. See how plastic's toxic chemicals enter the food chain and other disturbing secrets.
None of plastic products is safe ! They ALL release chemicals that harmful to humans and nature. You should not use any plastic for your products. Alternative is to make it all stainless steel or use silicone(hope silicone is safe).
Comment
http://www.chasinggreen.org/media/photologue/photos/cache/earth_safe_water_bottles_1_article.jpg
The bungee goes around the bottom of the 1L bottle to keep it from swaying back and forth out of control. Makes access to water while hiking the simplest and easiest I know how WHILE ALSO TAKING UP NO VOLUME IN MY PACK. Hauling water this way with it attached to the shoulder straps and in the exterior rear shovel pocket is one of the factors that has enabled me to go to a smaller volume and hence lighter wt Backpack like the ULA CDT.
Chaco Taco
04-18-2013, 18:23
I'm a section hiker and love my 3L water bladder. But, I'm starting to rethink this and wonder what you guys think the pros and cons are of bottles vs. bladders. I'm carrying a Granite Gear Vapor Trail so it's not easy to reach anything in my side pockets. I like to have water within reach but it's probably not a bad idea to stop and grab your water and take a breather at times.
Let's hear some good arguments on both sides.
My wife and I both carry the vapor trail. I pack all of my stuff loose, meaning no stuff sacks. The Platypus 2L with the hose that snaps off is ideal for the Vapor Trail set up. Also, I use smaller bottles in the side drink sleeves on the side and only really carry one, mainly a gatorade bottle so it slides in an out when I reach back. Putting some huge nalgene wont work well.
I have a camelback 3L and a sawyer inline gravity filter. Typically I just leave the camelback in the pack, pull out my "dirty water" bag, plug the filter into it, and pull off the camelback's bite valve, letting the water drain into it inside my pack. I love sipping and walking, I drink a lot that way, but it's hard to know how much is left in there, so I wind up lugging around too much water most of the time. My other choice is my 1L bottle and steripen. Much simpler... but then I have to do this awkward reach back, get the water, drink it, and do the awkward shove-back-in-the-side-pocket move while trying not to drop anything. I dont drink as much walking, I usually get thirsty and wait until I stop somewhere.
Im going hiking in a week, and I'm still trying to decide what to take. Im leaning towards the bottle and steripen, just because there's lots of water at acceptable intervals.
harleynemo
04-18-2013, 22:05
I too have pulled the bladder out of my pack for 3 reasons: can't see how much water is left, stopped carrying the brick of a katadyn pump filter, and I found something that is AMAZING!!!!!!!!! to replace the bladder. Jetflow.com
This thing is awesome. It allows me to use my Nalgene in my side pockets with a sipping tube. I can use Nalgenes in camp and then screw them on the Jetflow manifold and put it in the side pockets of my pack. I see how much water I have left and I can use the adapters that come with it and screw on a Gatorade bottle when I stop in town, drink the Gatorade through the sipping tube, then hook a Nalgene of water back up to it and it cleans out all the Gatorade residue.
beaudetious
04-18-2013, 22:50
I was doing the platy bottles in my side pockets, but I've decided to go with a 3L bladder in my pack. I figured out that if I take the mouth piece off, my katadyn pump filter tube fits perfectly into my bladder drinking tube and I can pump the water straight into my bladder and never have to remove it.
I never thought to try this. I'll check to see if my drinking tube fits my Katadyn Pro filter. Might make life a bit easier.
beaudetious
04-18-2013, 22:53
Why not both? I have a 2l camelbak bladder in 1 side pocket and a 1l gatorade bottle in the other side pocket. I typically drink form the bladder while walking and drink from the bottle during breaks or lunch (use it to mix sports drink).
That's what I do now except my bladder is inside the pack and I carry a 1/2 L nalgene for Gatorade and measuring my cooking water.
beaudetious
04-18-2013, 22:59
My wife and I both carry the vapor trail. I pack all of my stuff loose, meaning no stuff sacks. The Platypus 2L with the hose that snaps off is ideal for the Vapor Trail set up. Also, I use smaller bottles in the side drink sleeves on the side and only really carry one, mainly a gatorade bottle so it slides in an out when I reach back. Putting some huge nalgene wont work well.
What are "drink sleeves" and where and how do you attach them to the pack?
Why choose....carry both. I too have a 3L bladder in my pack and yes it's a huge pain to pull out to refill. Why take it out?? A few quick disconnects and my sawyer squeeze filter and gravity bag connect right to the drinking hose. I just hang the bag on a convenient limb above my pack and let it filter right back into the bladder. Works like a champ. I did the same thing before with my Hiker Pro. I figured out there's about 40 pumps/L so 120 pumps and the bladder is full.
I carry a smartwater bottle for mixing beverage powder or just something handy to keep near the hammock for a drink in the middle of the night. I just picked up a Z-packs multi-pack (front pack/pocket) so I plan on keeping a little extra water in there since the side pockets of my Osprey Exos don't really hold the bottles very well and are a pain for me to access while hiking. The other nice thing about the smartwater bottles is that if my water bag breaks I can always fill the bottle with dirty water, screw on the sawyer, and I'm back to drinking. This gives me a little backup capability in case the bladder breaks, water bag breaks, or other problems pop up.
BuckeyeBill
04-18-2013, 23:37
I plan to carry both as well. A 2L Platypus bladder and a wide mouth nalgene. I know some of you will say the Nalgene is too heavy, but I plan to use it for cooking and with the wide mouth I can presoak beans for Ham and beans for dinner, and share with my friends.
See I like that Buckeye Bill. If it works FOR YOU, and it sure sounds like you gave it a bit o thought, DO IT.
garlic08
04-19-2013, 00:24
I do more hiking in arid country and I cannot afford to loose water. Bladders are not rugged enough for my use. I have tried them. I've had too many leaks and failures, including setting the pack down on the bite valve, setting the pack down on some white thorn acacia and getting a puncture right through the pack, pulling a bite valve off on a bush, getting a small bit of debris in the bite valve--too many problems for the benefit.
Gatorade bottles and the like are better than free--you get to take something out of the waste stream. And you can usually get more bottles at any road crossing or trailhead.
smithcj06
04-19-2013, 09:20
Another vote for both!! Instead of gatorade bottles though I used two smartwater bottles and a 2L platy bag. I find the smartwater bottles easier and more streamline to fit into and take out of pockets. Also the caps to the smartwater bottle fit on the 2L platy so you can haul water if you are dry camping for the night.
keepinitsimple
04-19-2013, 09:30
I do the 3L bladder, and keep a 1 L Nalgene bottle in the pack. I usually do long day hikes, and I sometimes need to resupply the bladder by cleaning water on the trail- and I prefer to do that with the bottle and tablets. I do not like the fact that I cant see how much water is left in the bladder, I do ok at estimating, at the same time, I recall too well that sensation of sucking the last ml out of the thing with miles to get to the car, and no water source- not good. On the other hand, one of my goals is to get back to the car with no extra water or food- keepin it light as possible. Finally, the ease of the bladder is the best, and I would never go back to any other way. I hit the thing as walking, keeps me hydrated very well.
This time of year on the AT, I carry a 20oz and 32oz gatorade bottles. If water is somewhat less available, I add a 3rd gatorade bottle. For camp, I carry a collapsable 96 oz nalgene canteen. This gives me a lot of flexibility. I like the convenience of bladders, but never know if I am drinking enough or how much water I have left. Not to mention, the inconvenience when refilling the bladder.
DeerPath
04-19-2013, 10:26
I attach a 1 Lt bottle to each shoulder harness, on the front, because it helps balance the pack weight and I can see how much water I have. I carry two 1.5 Lt Evernew Water Bladders rolled up inside the pack for use at camp. Also, I can carry the filled Evernew Water Bladders in the side pockets if necessary.:sun
Bungee a 20 oz Gatoraide bottle to your packstrap and be done with it. I only use a zip-type platy for water in camp. Simple and easy. :)
...look at my avatar! I used to carry a small bladder for in-camp use, but have found that I never need to carry more than the 1 1/2 liters that fit in the gatorade bottles, so that's all I bring with me now. the comment made by a later poster is right on, I think, -- it is nice to put some weight on the straps instead of in the pack to balance things a bit. I am particularly fond of knowing exactly how much water I have by just looking down.
I attach a 1 Lt bottle to each shoulder harness, on the front, because it helps balance the pack weight and I can see how much water I have....:sun
...look at my avatar! I used to carry a small bladder for in-camp use, but have found that I never need to carry more than the 1 1/2 liters that fit in the gatorade bottles, so that's all I bring with me now. the comment made by a later poster is right on, I think, -- it is nice to put some weight on the straps instead of in the pack to balance things a bit. I am particularly fond of knowing exactly how much water I have by just looking down.
That's what I'm saying. I'm set up like you Lazarus, a bottle on each shoulder strap but since I don't always hike where water resources are so abundant and well documented as on the AT I also roll with a bladder. Sometimes, like on the AT, I can roll with just one 1 L bottle on one shoulder strap. That one 1 L bottle gets me through the day because water sources are typically so abundant on the AT.
Anyone want to chime in about durability comparisons between the Evernew(2 L, 1.5 oz), Sawyer(JUST THE BLADDER!, 2013 version!, 2 L size! the ones MLD has for sale, 1.4 oz each, 2 @ $15), and Platypus(2 L size!, 1.3 oz, NOT the Hoser system) bladders?
rocketsocks
04-19-2013, 11:30
...look at my avatar! I used to carry a small bladder for in-camp use, but have found that I never need to carry more than the 1 1/2 liters that fit in the gatorade bottles, so that's all I bring with me now. the comment made by a later poster is right on, I think, -- it is nice to put some weight on the straps instead of in the pack to balance things a bit. I am particularly fond of knowing exactly how much water I have by just looking down.On my new Osprey Atmos 65 pack it has a trekking pole stow bunggies, the upper bungie on the pack strap allows for a water bottle to be lashed...and works quite well, this I tried after seeing at your Avatar :) and have plans to do the same on the other side, much more convenient than reaching back in the side pockets, at least for me.
Deer Path, Lazarus, and anyone else who carries water bottles on their shoulder straps, ever get people saying things to you like: from a distance I thought you had grenades or oxygen tanks attached to your pack?
Deer Path, Lazarus, and anyone else who carries water bottles on their shoulder straps, ever get people saying things to you like: from a distance I thought you had grenades or oxygen tanks attached to your pack?
hohoho that avatar picture of me is probably around five years old. I'm even more ancient now. pretty sure they'd guess oxygen tanks for me!
Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2
rocketsocks
04-19-2013, 11:58
Deer Path, Lazarus, and anyone else who carries water bottles on their shoulder straps, ever get people saying things to you like: from a distance I thought you had grenades or oxygen tanks attached to your pack?Told em I was harvesting H and o2 for cooking and recharging batteries :D then realized I had switched out my water bottle for my GORP bottle....for this i had no answer.....I believe their response was.....whatever dude!
capehiker
04-19-2013, 12:23
I attach a 1 Lt bottle to each shoulder harness, on the front, because it helps balance the pack weight and I can see how much water I have. I carry two 1.5 Lt Evernew Water Bladders rolled up inside the pack for use at camp. Also, I can carry the filled Evernew Water Bladders in the side pockets if necessary.:sun
That's pretty much exactly what I do except I only have one 1.5L bladder.
DeerPath
04-19-2013, 12:26
Deer Path, Lazarus, and anyone else who carries water bottles on their shoulder straps, ever get people saying things to you like: from a distance I thought you had grenades or oxygen tanks attached to your pack?
No........
I don't like bladders carried inside my pack because I'm never quite sure how much water is left.
daddytwosticks
04-19-2013, 15:44
Deer Path, Lazarus, and anyone else who carries water bottles on their shoulder straps, ever get people saying things to you like: from a distance I thought you had grenades or oxygen tanks attached to your pack? Manboobs...:)
I love the bladder for being able to sip on the go. That said, I cannot imagine carrying it on a thru-hike, given the effort required just to keep it reasonably sanitary, and the hassle of filling it. That's not really an issue on a weekend trip.
I've never used a bladder, mostly because of all of the brown and furry mouthpieces I've seen.
Wise Old Owl
04-20-2013, 08:19
I too have pulled the bladder out of my pack for 3 reasons: can't see how much water is left, stopped carrying the brick of a katadyn pump filter, and I found something that is AMAZING!!!!!!!!! to replace the bladder. Jetflow.com
This thing is awesome. It allows me to use my Nalgene in my side pockets with a sipping tube. I can use Nalgenes in camp and then screw them on the Jetflow manifold and put it in the side pockets of my pack. I see how much water I have left and I can use the adapters that come with it and screw on a Gatorade bottle when I stop in town, drink the Gatorade through the sipping tube, then hook a Nalgene of water back up to it and it cleans out all the Gatorade residue.
WARNING I goggled Jetflow and a misdirect was stopped by Trend FIREWALL was a malicious page. TYPE www.jetflow.com (http://www.jetflow.com) to get there safely
ChinMusic
04-20-2013, 08:32
I carry three 20oz Gatorade bottles. Two are in pockets connected to my shoulder straps. One is a pee bottle in the bottom of the pack. Once in town I buy a new Gatorade, throw out the pee bottle, and demote one of the other bottles. This way I'm reducing the supposed hazards of reusing these bottles for too long.
I can also treat the water next to my shoulder straps with my Steripen Opti without removing them from their pouch.
rusty bumper
04-20-2013, 08:41
I've never owned a water bladder so I can't comment on them. On my 5 month AT hike, 95% of the time I carried a single 1 liter sports drink bottle. It fit in the lower side mesh pocket of my Gossamer Gear pack and I could easily reach back for it without taking off my pack. I also carried a 2 liter, roll-up Platypus bottle that I used the few times water became scarce.
Wise Old Owl
04-20-2013, 09:05
I own both - when I hike flat territory I generally do a ten with a 16oz bottle.... years ago I hiked up mt minsy with no knowledge of where the water was - there wasn't any - I shot thru the bladder and although I still had six miles to go I was parched and miserable. The first source was at the shelter, I did not care if it was filtered or not... I was really out of shape and not thinking clearly. In future if the UL bladder goes dry the Ul water bottle is the backup
What I don't like about bladders are their weight and the fact that I can't easily see how much water I have left to drink.
I like to carry 20 oz Gatorade bottles on my pack straps, held in place with cords that are secured by two cordlocks each (one cordlock tends to loosen too easily). So I am usually carrying 40 oz or less. If I know that 40 oz is not enough to get me to the next water source (which is rare, but happens), then I carry additional water in my pack in a platypus or evernew 2 L bag.
I like the carrying comfort of having some of my heavier items (water) in front of my shoulders, the ease of getting a bottle out to drink from without taking off my pack or even stopping at all, and the ease of seeing exactly how much water I have left before running out.
Works for me, but there are lots of ways to address this.
I see a lot of people who carry way too much water weight, usually in a bladder that they fill up in the morning and still have a liter left when they get in to camp.
Swordpen
04-20-2013, 14:42
I like to know how much water I am drinking & cant see via the bladder. So I carry 2 one liter Smartwater bottles on each side of my pack.
macdaddy
04-20-2013, 14:44
I usually overestimate my water needs, but would rather have too much than run out. I carry a 2L bladder, a 1L Platypus, and a 1/2L Nalgene. I like to attach my filter to the Nalgene when on the trail and then transfer to the bladder if refilling becomes necessary. The 1L Platypus is for camp water, those rare times that the 2L bladder is not enough or should the bladder fail. The 1/2L Nalgene is the reserve tank I hope I don't need or used for powdered Gatorade when I stop to eat.
As it should be obvious Baudetious, people look at bladders from different perspectives. Some folks use a bladder(s) to supplement water carrying like for in camp water use or for long stretches between water sources. They sometimes or often do this in addition to carrying water bottles typically stored in side backpack pockets or attached to shoulder straps. Some, like Lazarus just roll with two 1 L bottles on the AT, where water is fairly commmon and well documented, one attached to each shoulder strap. Others use bladders stored inside a backpack or sometimes on the outside in rear or side pockets with an attached tube and sip away while hiking by clenching down on a bite valve. Different ways to get it done with pros/cons with the various methods.
You might notice the folks who are water wt conscious or further advanced in UL ways TEND TO not opt for heavier water carrying systems and/or are more mindful of not carrying extra water wt than absolutely necessary. Water in itself is often the single heaviest item many hikers can carry. A gal. of water ways about 8.3 POUNDS! To give you some idea of what that wt for one gal of water means TO ME --- MY BIG 3(pack, shelter, sleep system) for 3 season UL thru-hiking typically weighs under 6 POUNDS, OFTEN even less!
beaudetious
04-20-2013, 20:40
As it should be obvious Baudetious, people look at bladders from different perspectives. Some folks use a bladder(s) to supplement water carrying like for in camp water use or for long stretches between water sources. They sometimes or often do this in addition to carrying water bottles typically stored in side backpack pockets or attached to shoulder straps. Some, like Lazarus just roll with two 1 L bottles on the AT, where water is fairly commmon and well documented, one attached to each shoulder strap. Others use bladders stored inside a backpack or sometimes on the outside in rear or side pockets with an attached tube and sip away while hiking by clenching down on a bite valve. Different ways to get it done with pros/cons with the various methods.
Thanks for the excellent summary. Like many questions asked on this site, there is no right answer. Just whatever works for you.
I did get some good ideas though. Thanks to everyone who responded.
mrgadget921
04-20-2013, 21:35
OMG ! what a brick.... OK for day hike?.... failures galore....
Swordpen
04-21-2013, 01:00
It definitely depends actually, on where you are hiking. On the AT, I'd only bring 2 liters.
however, in Arizona, all bets are off. It was 90 degrees here today. Its so dry you dont even know if you are sweating, you dont sweat, so you dont know if you are overheating.
So in Arizona, I carry my 2 liter Smartwater bottles PLUS a 2 liter Platy for storage. I dont overnight hike in Phoenix, but even in Flagstaff, its soooo dry!
Can anyone say heat (abdominal) cramps? It got me today, still, after drinking 2.5 liters of water over just a 2.5 mile mountain hike, anyway.
Gonecampn
04-21-2013, 09:30
Thanks for the review/link for the Jetflow! Just ordered the Raptor, can't wait to try this out. I too had ditched my hydration system about a year ago but added it back just last week because I didnt feel as if I was drinking enough water on the trail. For me, keeping hands free and sipping along the way is easiest. I think this Jetflow may be the answer?! :)
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
macdaddy
04-29-2013, 10:01
Was carrying my 2L bladder in a hydration pack with a couple of snacks and two .5L Nalgene bottles on my waste pack on a 15 mile day hike Friday. 2 miles in I noticed the bladder was leaking down my back. Was able to turn the bladder upside down and transfer the water to my Nalgene bottles as I emtied them. Fortunately the leak was small and at the bottom, didn't lose too much.
Without a backup plan for water my day would have ended early.
Gonecampn
04-29-2013, 10:36
Glad that you were able to transfer the water. As for myself, I always have my water filter in my pack. Of course that doesn't do any good though if there isn't any waste source in the area you are hiking :-/
Sent from down on the farm :)
I have used camelbaks, platypus's as well as nalgene's and klean kanteens. After using both bladders and bottles, I prefer bottles. After awhile the water towards to end of the bladder tastes like rubber. The only time I still use camelbaks now are for endurance events or when I go out riding my mountain bike. I love the concept of the platypus but even after cleaning it the remaining few drops of water inside reminds me of a petri dish.
Bottles here. Used to use a Camelback but got tired of taking it out of the pack. Now I just use one metal bottle and one Nalgene wide mouth bottle.
misterfloyd
05-27-2013, 11:08
Lazurus, and to all,
How did you get you bottles to stay on you pack straps?
I have an Atmos 65 and the side pockets are pretty useless. I have a 3L osprey bladder. It is too much weight. Also I cannot mix any gatorade or the like with it.
I'm doing the section of the AT from Springer to Fontana damn, and based on the AT guide in front of me, there should be plenty of water.
soooooo.....................................
How did you do that????????
BuckeyeBill
05-27-2013, 11:45
The straps on the ULA catalyst have two bands that can be tightened around the bottes on each straps You can see them here (http://ula-equipment.com/catalyst.asp) they are yellow in color
hikerboy57
05-27-2013, 16:08
Lazurus, and to all,
How did you get you bottles to stay on you pack straps?
I have an Atmos 65 and the side pockets are pretty useless. I have a 3L osprey bladder. It is too much weight. Also I cannot mix any gatorade or the like with it.
I'm doing the section of the AT from Springer to Fontana damn, and based on the AT guide in front of me, there should be plenty of water.
soooooo.....................................
How did you do that????????
I have an osprey atmos 50, I use the tall narrow Gatorade bottle for the side pocket,and now my water bottle is actually accessible. I have a sawyer squeeze and use those bladders for camp water.the sawyer bladders are much lighter than either the osprey, platypus or camelback bladders, although not as durable.from springer to Damascus I never needed to carry more than a liter of water.summer time, though, these sources can dry to a trickle.
misterfloyd
05-27-2013, 19:35
Buckeye and Hiker boy,
Thanks for the quick reply !
I have been trying to put stuff in from the side. I have tried smart water bottles as well they do not stay securely in there. Will keep trying.
Floyd
hikerboy57
05-27-2013, 19:43
Buckeye and Hiker boy,
Thanks for the quick reply !
I have been trying to put stuff in from the side. I have tried smart water bottles as well they do not stay securely in there. Will keep trying.
Floyd
i keep the squeeze in the side pocket, upright closest to the rear of the pack,i stick the gatorade bottle in the side opening of the side pocket, and i can awkwardly retrieve it without taking off my pack.i used to use a bladder, but dislike not knowing exactly how much water i have, almost always ended up carrying way too much,and usually still not drinking enough because i never knew when it would run dry.if i need to carry more than a liter, i just fill one of the sawyer bladders, stick it in the rear pocket
I use a bladder plus carry a Gatorade bottle for juice or flavored drinks!
As for bladders getting "funky dirty" I clean mine by dropping a denture cleaning tablet in & running it thru the hose ! Couldn't be easier! No reason for them to become icky other than laziness!:)
I Carry Both also. I use the bladder when Im hiking and my camelbak bottles when in camp. choices are good!
I carry a 4 liter MSR Dromedary in my pack (usually empty) for use around camp--and two (one liter) Gatorade bottles in the side pockets on my pack.
Typical water bladders (especially with drinking hoses) are prone to rips, tears, leaks, contamination issues, mechanical problems etc. These issues are particularly true if you carry them on your hike with water in them and/or drink directly from them. Conversely, Gatorade bottles can be replaced every 1-2 weeks. (Thus, reducing the risk of excessive bacteria and virus buildup). Very little chance of mechanical failure. Easy to clean (if necessary).
StealthHikerBoy
05-29-2013, 06:58
I tend to carry a 3l Platy and a Gatorade bottle. But I don't use the tube for the Platy.
On a trail where there is a lot of water, I tend to only use the Gatorade bottle during the day, unless I am in a dry section. I mainly carry the Platy to fill up in camp, as I find that 3l carries me from dinner, breakfast, and a start on the trail the next day. Also, although I am not big into having redundant items, it is nice to have more than one thing that can carry water, in case on fails.
Clarifying my earlier post... I do carry two Gatorade bottles while hiking. However, that does not mean that I always hike with both of them full. It depends upon availability of water on any particular trail. Often, I will carry only one liter of water. Conversely, I never hike with any water in the bladder I carry in my pack--- unless it is believed there will be a significant scarcity of water. I typically use the bladder just at camp. Like others have said, the bladder gives me all the water I need at camp--and enough to fill bottle(s) for the trail the next morning. Saves time getting out of camp in the morning.
Clarifying my earlier post... I do carry two Gatorade bottles while hiking. ....the bladder gives me all the water I need at camp--and enough to fill bottle(s) for the trail the next morning. Saves time getting out of camp in the morning.
Agreed! It is nice to only filter once when arriving at camp!
For many years, Nalgene bottles, occasionally supplemented with plastic OJ jugs which could easily be lashed on the outside of my Kelty Tioga.
When the Kelty was retired, so were the Nagenes. Replaced with Platypus "Hoser" bladder. Used this for many years, along with supplemental Platypus soft bottles for extra capacity when needed.
Last summer, changed to two 20 oz Powerade bottles carried with the ULA bottle tethers on the shoulder straps. Supplemented with Platypus, Sawyer Squeeze, or similar soft bottles for extra capacity. I really like this system, and it's lighter than a bladder. Is also less hassle to refill and I always know how much water I have.
In regard to filtering, I just fill my soft bottles with "dirty" water and carry that. When I need more drinking water, I just refill the Powerade bottles via the filter. Simple, plus, if I carry too much and don't need it all, I can just dump the remaining "dirty" water and gather new, cold water before filtering. I find filtering at meal time is adequate most days, done while breakfast or dinner water is heating, so no added time, really. At lunch break, filtering is a none-issue as well.
As for bladders getting "funky", it's never been a problem when section hiking for up to three weeks at a shot. Between trips I just dismantle the bag/hose/valve and soak in a basin of bleach water for an hour or so. I then rinse everything thoroughly with clean water, and hang to allow it to air dry. Once it is dried out, re-assemble and it's ready to go the next trip. I assume a similar routine once a month or so on a distance hike (minus the need to dry) would keep everything sanitary and clear. Other folks have suggested freezing between trips, I never found this necessary.