Water bladders...yes or no?

[Joker4ink]

Water bladders: Some people love 'em, some people despise 'em. I'm just wondering how many people use bladders in their pack. Or do you only use quart/liter bottles? Maybe even a combination of both even. I use one with a small Poland Springs water bottle as backup or to put a flavored beverage in.

[Lone Wolf]

no. bladders not needed. most leak.

[JaxHiker]

I'm taking one week after next. Just got the Sawyer 3-way filter and I figure I can use it as a gravity filter in camp. Otherwise it'll be dry unless water is scarce and I feel the need to stock up.

[LoneRidgeRunner]

I have 2 Camelbak bladders and have never had a leak..that's not to say it never will but I've had it for years..I also carry a Nalgene bottle I like being able to drink whenever I want without having to dig out a bottle. I also have a MSR Dromedary bag..but it does have a slow leak at the cap so I don't take it anymore...

[Skidsteer]

Hate 'em. When they leak it's a disaster. Especially in the Winter.

I have friends that use them with no problems so maybe it's just me.

I use a quart bottle.

[Praha4]

don't use them in the winter, freezing temps makes them leak.

I've never had a problem the rest of the year with my Platypus Big-zip, love it. They are much easier to use while hiking than water bottles. That said, i always carry an empty 1.0L gatorade bottle, to mix propel or other electrolyte drinks

[chiefduffy]

Used to use a bladder until I ran out unexpectedly on a hot climb one day. Easy to see how much water you have left in a bottle...

[ChinMusic]

32-oz Gatorade bottle for most areas. Have a 4L Platy that I use in camp or for stretches that are possibly dry.

For the most part I just use the 32-oz Gatorade bottle. I don't want to have a bladder leaking (read tons of journals with such mishaps) or have to futz around cleaning the thing. I just throw out my bottle and get a new one when the mood hits. They make a good pee-bottle too.

[Walkintom]

I use a 3L Big Zip and also carry a 1L bottle.

Bladder is wonderfully convenient to make sure I drink enough while hiking but the insurance of the 1L is nice.

[TallShark]

Two 1L nalgenes and a 1L platy. Something about an over stuffed pack pushing up against a full bladder seems like a bad idea.

[Point Man Chef]

I use a 2 litre Camelbak and a 1 litre nalgene bottle. I use them in different ways depending on how the day is going. I have learned not to pass up a water source on long stretches or climbs. As far as a leak, I have not had that experience but I pack all my important gear in a trash compactor bag and place the bladder in such a way in case if it were to leak/sweat it will nor affect the contents of my pack.

[Uncle Walkie]

carry 2, 1 liter Nalgene bottles, then have a 2 liter collapsible Platypus used when making camp/cooking

have carried a Camelback in the past but the hose can quickly get nasty..mold etc....not to mention leaking.....some like the ease of drinking from a tube when walking, but stopping to fish out a bottle and drink doesn't take that much time...I have to rush in my real life too often...on the trail I want to slow down!

[10-K]

Nope.... Gatorade bottle and camel up at stream crossings.

[harryfred]

2L Outdoor Products. one I have used for 3 years, never had a leak problem, and I am rough on it. I have a second I use if I know I will camp between water sources that are several miles apart. I also carry a Gator Aide bottle for Gator Aide and one for water if I think I might run my bladder dry. I also have a modified bag out of boxed wine I use for camp water but I can fill with a couple of liters and carry in the top of my pack If I camp a long way from a water source. In cold weather, blow back through your hose to keep it from freezing.

[Jonnycat]

I use a 2L or 3L platy on top of the stuff in my pack (not in the hydration pouch), depending on temperature/distance to next water. When they get ratty looking I relegate them to camp duty to decrease the chances of a leak in my pack.

So far this works out great, and carrying an extra platy is only an ounce or two.

[Leanthree]

I use a camelback in the desert but other than that I like 1 nalgene (I know it is heavier than a gatorade bottle but I like having one for hot drinks) and 1 or 2 gatorade bottles depending on the expected water availability and whether I want the flexibility to dry camp.

[aaronthebugbuffet]

I carry one sometimes to take water to a dry campsite or on a long stretch without water sources but I usually just keep water in some sort of re-purposed plastic bottle.
I definitely do not do the bladder with the drinking hose thing.

[Amanita]

I carry a 2 liter camelback (6oz) and a 3+ liter nalgene canteen (3oz) plus another small water bottle. I use aqua mira so the nalgene canteen is used to treat water, which is then poured into the other two. the small water bottle is kept with between 1/8 and 1/2 liter of water depending on how hot/dry the day is. I fill the camelback when I treat, and then sip slowly all day until it goes dry. Once the camelback is empty I check for the distance to the next water source and ration the small bottle. I also try and pay attention to have plenty of water for a big climb, but try not to fill up before I reach "developed" water or if I won't drink most of it before I hit camp. For example, carrying 2 liters of water IN to town and around all day isn't fun.

I find the camelback helps me keep momentum. Sipping slowly rather than "cameling up" at the source also decreases the number of times I have to urinate in a day. Not such a big deal for the men folk, but for us ladies finding a good spot to pee and taking the time to dig a cat hole can be a real chore.

[rusane]

I use a 3 litre bladder and carry a klean kanteen as well. I'd lose it without the bladder. I take frequent small sips especially when ascending. I can't imagine not having it. Perhaps it's mostly psychological, but it gets me up the hill. I carry the kleen kanteen to mix powdered drinks in, to use around the campsite, and to have something for my canine companion if he's with me and we haven't crossed an appropriate water source in a long time.

I do know from my days as as a paramedic that if you drink too much water in one go, as a stowed bottle encourages you to, most of it passes through without rehydrating you. Even if you use a bottle, you should drink lots of small sips.

[Gaiter]

i like them, plus my dog learned how to drink from the hose so the doggie bowl not needed as much.. the two holes i've had to deal with: one was from my own stupidity, the other was from just wearing the bag out, surprised that it made it as long as it did...