Water Bladder - MSR Hydromedary 3-Liter Container

One key to a happy backpacking experience is availability and convenient access to plenty of water. To make sure you have clean, potable water – that is, the de-bugged kind – you need to treat it with at least a pump water filter to be safe. But what do you do with the water after treatment? Some hikers carry plastic bottles to drink from, which are fine for short trips and day-hikes. For more convenience and carrying capacity though, we recommend a water “bladder”, which is a bag that will fit in or on your backpack with an attached hose you can draw water from.

The bladder we normally carry is MSR’s 3-liter Hydromedary Bladder. For those not into the metric thing, that’s a tad over 3 quarts, or when filled, is enough to get most hikers thru their walking for the day in moderate temperatures and conditions. But unless you are assured of a ready source of water all along your route, we suggest keeping at least a quart or two on you at all times to be less likely to run out at an inopportune time . . . . which would be anytime you’re not around more water. On the other hand, since water weighs about 2 pounds per quart, no point in over-carrying if water sources are readily available.

While we're on that point, how do you know if you're drinking enough water? Well, not just by thirst, but by looking at your pee. That's right, don't just daydream, look down - if it's clear, you're probably adequately hydrated; if it's dark yellow, best be drinking more than your thirst is suggesting to be safe.

The Hydromedary is about 18” long by 7” wide, and weighs only about 6 ounces when empty. It’s made from a lightweight but tough nylon lined with food-grade polyurethane. The 40-inch drinking tube with a Bullet Bite Valve (bite down on the end and “inhale”) will stay soft and flexible even in freezing temperatures, and has good volume output when drawing a drink.

And yes, to answer the question, all of our hydration bladders and filters, etc are fully cleaned and disinfected between uses. You’re not going to “catch” something that way. Your bigger cleanliness problem will be keeping the bite valve out of the dust of the trail and your dirty shirt. But that’s all part of the “charm” of backpacking, isn’t it . . .

For more information read our article on hydration and water treatment options.