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Keeping hydrated on the trail is important. It’s even more important during the summer. One of the easiest ways to do that is through a hydration bladder. Sure you can carry a Nalgene bottle or even a one-time-use bottle from the store but using bottles limits the amount you can carry. In my opinion, they are only good for short 1 to 3-mile hikes in weather you won’t need much water. Water bottles are great for backpackers who carry LifeStraw filters or want more water than LifeStraw Flex Multi=Function Systems can carry. For me, I prefer using a water bladder for anything over 32 oz. Most hiking bags and tactical-style bags will have a spot for the bladder. I prefer the Outdoor Products 3 Liter Hydration Bladder. Found at Walmart.
Outdoor Products 3 Liter Hydration Bladder – And 2-liter Hydration Bladder
Why Outdoor Products? That’s easy you can find both the 3 and 2-liter bladders in Walmart. If you left yours behind, it gets damaged, or just too smelly to use it’s cheap and easy to replace. Just go down to the nearest store and pick one up. If you rather get one off Amazon, then you can get the Outdoor Products 2 Liter Hydration Bladder when it’s in stock.
Features
Features taken directly from the Walmart Sales Page
- 3 Liter (100 fl oz) reservoir
- Bite valve with on/off switch for extra leak protection
- Easy-fill cap and tether
- Bite valve flexible tip
- Bite valve screw on design for easy cleaning
- Removable hose for easy cleaning
- Flat wide cap with tether allows for ease in filling with ice and water
- 100% BPA free – FDA approved
- Great as a replacement in your hydration backpack
- Fits in all Outdoor Products, Timber Hawk, and Fieldline Backpacks
- 3-Year Warranty from Outdoor Products
- Additional items in images not included with the purchase of 3 Liter Hydration Reservoir
- Before using this reservoir system, make sure that the bite valve and the reservoir are firmly attached to the hose. Failure to do so may result in leaking at these connections.
- Parents of children six years old or younger, please do not allow your child to use this hydration system. The bite valve may detach from the tubing, creating a choking hazard.
My Review
I will keep this one short. For me, Hydration Bladders either work or don’t. There are several different styles for water bladders. But they all have the same feature. A hose is snaked out of the bag and attached to a shoulder strap that is reached by hand to mouth or you can tilt your head and grab the hose. Then there is a bite valve to bite down on and suck the water in. Honestly, it’s time to replace this bladder. I’ve had it for a few years and the bladder has some of the rubber bruised from ice pressing into the skin. It’s also clean but over time it starts to show signs of staining.
For me, I prefer a bladder with a twist top. To me, these feel like they are less likely to like if closed properly. The closure system is easy to use but it might take 3 hands to get it closed and sealed properly. The rubber/plastic parts are thick and not easily punctured. No need to worry about putting ice in the bladder and it puncturing.
The rubber hose connections, (connector to bladder, hose to bite valve) do not leak. Just make sure all of the gaskets are still good. Walmart sells replacement bite vales (so replace it if it is leaking!)
The hose to bladder connector is at the bottom and designed to get “every last drop”. From my experience, it leaves less than an ounce of water at the bottom.
How To Clean Water Bladder.
I will do a full article on this later, but for now, here is the simple version without pictures.
The bladder needs to be cleaned before first use and after you are finished with your trip. I use a mixture of vinegar, a little baking soda (a small amount goes a long way, or leave it out), and lemon juice. I use a teaspoon of each and fill up halfway with water. Then shake it up and let it sit for about 30 minutes. After that open up the bite valve and let the contents run drain out. Fill it up with water and shake it again. Drain the bladder until the hose and bladder run clear and have no taste. You can always take the bite valve off and clean that by hand and let the water drain faster. Then Let it drip dry. Try and keep the bladder open. The cleaning and storage kits may help. I also clean the exterior and wipe away any grime. The seems are the hardest to clean. Even with a brush, dirt doesn’t always clean up on the exterior.
Final Thoughts
Over the years I’ve had 3 Outdoor Products Hydration Bladders and only one for the Outdoor Products 3 Liter Hydration Bladder. After cleaning, It does not have a bad plastic/manufacture taste in the water (if it does it usually goes away after several washings. Water does go a little stale while in the straw. It even warms when it’s hot out. I found the easiest thing to do is get a hose sleeve (review coming soon.)
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