I find that its more of a pain to use a bladder, though lighter than a Nalgene bottle for example, they are prone to punctures and leaking thru the bite valve, as well as cleaning/disinfecting the thing is a pain. I as well am not a fan of drinking like a gerbil as if I want to take mega gulps I can do that. Also, you can mix drinks in a Nalgene and as well use it to hold hot drinks, and cleaning/disinfecting it is easy. Weighs more....yes....but a Nalgene is more versatile than a bladder.