The best hydration bladders 2023: portable water reservoirs

The best hydration bladders allow you to go fast and light during whatever activities you've got planned. When coupled with a compatible backpack, they slot away in a fashion that gives you balance whether you're on the trails or on two wheels. Then there's the hydration tube, that allows you to drink on the go, without the faff of opening up your backpack.

These hydration bladders come in many shapes, sizes and styles. Some are insulated and will keep your liquid at a constant temperature for a while. Many of the best hydration bladders are engineered so that you don't get the plasticky taste of a cheaper model.

While trail runners may want to invest in a hydration pack with its own soft flasks, hikers and cyclists may have need for a larger store of water, particularly if setting out on an expedition or bikepacking trip. This is when a high capacity hydration bladder really comes into its own.

Some of the best hydration bladders are also compatible with a water filter, enabling you to fill up quickly and safely at a mountain stream. All of the bladders in our selection are durable and won't let you down on the trails.

Best hydration bladders

Best standard hydration bladders

Platypus’s premium reservoir has loads of features that make filling it, drinking out of it and also cleaning and drying it user-friendly. The newest Big Zip EVO has twice the flow rate of past hydration reservoirs. The plastic slide that seals the reservoir goes on from either side and doesn’t leak, and a handle on the front of the reservoir provides a dry place to grip when filling. Silver ions embedded in the polyurethane reservoir kill mold and bacteria before they can grow, keeping the reservoir taste-free. 

On test we loved how the drink tube disconnects from near the top instead of at the base, so that when our pack was full but our water bladder was empty, we didn’t have to fumble around to get the reservoir out. It doesn’t leak and it is easy to see if the valve is on or off. The center baffle prevents the reservoir from sagging as it empties, and helps prop it open when you are drying it out. Our favorite feature of this hydration system, however, was the new high-flow bite valve that’s paired with a new larger drink tube. 

Built for backpackers, what makes Osprey’s Hydraulics bladder special is the backer plate on the reservoir that keeps it from sagging as you drink, and which also keeps the set-up low-profile, so it doesn’t sag and feel lumpy against your back. A handle on the reservoir allows filling without getting wet hands. And the sections of hose and bite valves come off for deep cleaning. The reservoir comes with a magnetic clip to attach to a backpack’s sternum strap that gives the magnetic bite valve a place to attach when it’s not in use.

On test we really liked the stiffened back design, which let us slide the reservoir against the back of our packs. The locking valve is also excellent, preventing unexpected spills. The hose detachment point near the top of the reservoir let us remove the reservoir to refill it without pulling the hose from its routing through the pack back and shoulder strap. 

Nathan’s 1.6 Liter Insulated Hydration Bladder keeps fluids 38% cooler than an uninsulated bladder, according to Nathan. The Hydrapack bladder has an hourglass shape that prevents sloshing when you’re moving and after you’ve been drinking. The reservoir comes with a 36 inch / 91cm non-kinking drink tube that can be trimmed to fit. 

On test the top slider was easy to open on this reservoir, making it quick to fill it and not too hard to clean. On sweaty summer hikes and bike rides, this bladder helped me drink more because the water was cool and delicious, not lukewarm, and hard to choke down. And, when used for cycling on longer rides, the 1.6 L size perfectly complemented a water bottle mounted on the bike. The bite valve has decent flow, but it doesn’t lock, so spillage has occur if something presses against the valve. 

Best bladder and filter system

Important note: the CamelBak Crux Reservoir filtered by LifeStraw is currently only available in the United States. The CamelBak Crux Reservoir system is available elsewhere, and can be attached to the LifeStraw Flex (opens in new tab). (The LifeStraw Flex is sold separately, and only available in the US). The standard CamelBak Crux Reservoir system is not safe for use with dirty water.

You can fill the CamelBak Crux Reservoir filtered by LifeStraw combination system with dirty water, because before you get to drink it, the water passes through two stages of filtration, thanks to the LifeStraw attachment. A hollow fiber filter removes bacteria, parasites and microplastics, while an activated carbon filter reduces taste, odor and chlorine. An anti-microbial technology inside inhibits bacteria growth in the reservoir and tube, and all components are BPA, BPS and BPF-free. Plus, for every unit purchased, CamelBak gives one child one year of safe drinking water.

The wide-mouth reservoir and sturdy handle makes it easy to fill this bladder from streams. The lid screws on tight, and it is tethered, so you won’t lose it. CamelBak’s self-sealing Big Bite Valve has the best flow of any bite valve sold, and it locks. The filter, which clips directly into the reservoir, can also be removed when your reservoir is clean, and you know your water is too, which makes the system extra flexible. The filter and reservoir pair with CamelBak’s reservoir Gravity Kit to turn this system into one you can hang and use in camp for cooking, washing food and drinking. 

Best water bottle bladder

One of the simplest and smallest large-capacity hydration reservoirs available, the soft and flexible Platy Bottle holds two liters, and as you drink, it can be rolled or folded to take up less space in your pack. The bottle comes with a simple screw cap, but it’s compatible with Platypus’s Drink Tube Kit, GravityWorks Filter System and Push-Pull Cap too. 

If you’re a hiker who sometimes likes to drink out of a tube, and sometimes out of a bottle, the Platy Bottle 2L is for you. The large capacity bottle comes with a cap that seals it securely, which makes this one of the best ways to carry extra water on long days on the trail, without always having a heavy and space-consuming bottle in your pack. But you can also pair it with Platypus’s Drink Tube Kit, which is sold separately, when you want to drink from a hose. In cold weather, used with the cap, the Platy Bottle won’t freeze, unlike other hose-based hydration systems. It’s also easy to carry on bikepacking trips, strapped to a seat bag. 

Best large hydration bladders

While it’s not a bladder for staying hydrated while you’re hiking, this is a great reservoir to hang up in camp to dispense clean water for all present. The Pack Tap is ultra-packable and foldable for storage, with Hypalon anchor points for easy hanging. Filled, the single-hand-operable self-shutting valve is convenient and doesn’t waste water.

It’s hard to find a vessel big enough to supply water for drinking, cooking and refilling reservoirs for a hiking party that’s not too heavy and bulky to pack along. The wine-box-technology Pack Tap takes up almost no room in a backpack, it’s foldable and comes in a variety of sizes. The cloth-covered mylar bag has one opening, and that’s the fill port, which is also the pour port. The cap makes it easy to dispense a controlled stream of water, and when your thirst is quenched, a cover clips over the cap to keep the dirt out. On the downside, it is quite difficult to clean. 

Hydration bladder comparison table

How to choose a hydration bladder

For an ostensibly simple piece of kit, the best hydration bladder can be a very good friend when you’re out on the trails – keeping you in good shape as you enjoy whatever adventure you’re experiencing. There are several factors you should consider when buying a water bladder.

1. Size

Get one with the capacity to match your adventures. A 1L reservoir won’t cut it for a full-day desert adventure. Within reason, it’s always better to carry too much water than not enough. So, if you’re not sure if you should buy a 2L or 3L reservoir, go big (as long as it fits in your pack) – you don’t have to fill it right to the top for every adventure.

Check out our guide to water for hiking: how much you need to carry.

2. Flow

If you’re panting at the top of a gruelling hill hike or singletrack climb, you want a bite valve with high flow that doesn’t take a lot sucking to get water into your mouth. 

3. Mouth

A bladder with a wide mouth (or slider system) is much easier and quicker to fill when you’re on the move. This can be particularly important in cold conditions (and you don’t want to be fiddling around with water) and/or you’re racing. They are also easier to clean.

4. Hang hook

You don’t need to be Newton to know that, in order to work properly, a bladder needs to be kept relatively upright, with the hose at the bottom – they are powered by gravity as much as by sucking power. The best hydration bladders will have a hang hook at the top, and the best hiking backpacks and race vests will have a hoop for you to hang them from.

5. Taste

If you’re sensitive to taste, opt for a reservoir that is taste free. Some reservoirs come with directions of how to get rid of reservoir taste, but you might want to invest in one with guaranteed no taste from the get go.

6. Lock

Although bite valves shouldn’t release water unless you have them clenched in your teeth those without a locking system can seep somewhat. 

7. Care

It’s important to empty and dry your reservoir when it’s not in use. Some have handy hang loops that make drying easier. To dry out your reservoir, blow air into the mouthpiece to empty the tube of water, then hang the bladder upside down with the tube inside to prop the reservoir open. 

Always keep a box or bag of hydration reservoir cleaning tablets on hand. Use one a month or as needed to keep your reservoir fresh testing. (See also: how to clean a hydration bladder and how to choose a water purifier.)

8. Top tip

Regularly freezing your hydration reservoir will kill most germs and bacteria that can build up inside the bladder and hose.