I recently went on a hike thinking all I needed was a 3-liter hydration bladder but boy was it hot! That taste of rubber/plastic is not pleasant to me whatsoever.
For those of you who use hydration bladders, do you ever wish you had electrolytes/flavoring in your bladder? Or is it just me?
Id recommend getting a Nalgene bottle and a Swig Rig. I have this same setup and it helps alot with the taste. Plus I don’t have to go through the hassle of cleaning a bladder bag.
Only while actually hiking, but even still I only use water bc of cleaning afterwards.
I live in Arizona and only use bottles when it’s hot. I arrive at the trailhead hydrated and then I drink a liter of water at my car. I carry 2 liters with me. Plus a hip bag isn’t nearly as hot as carrying a hydration pack on my back.
I use a 1.5L and carry a small bottle or collapsible cup for electrolytes. I also carry a water filter so I’m not carrying all the water I may need at once, but I also don’t live in the desert.
Dior said:
I use a 1.5L and carry a small bottle or collapsible cup for electrolytes. I also carry a water filter so I’m not carrying all the water I may need at once, but I also don’t live in the desert.
What is wrong with just putting the electrolytes in the bottle? I’ve been doing that forever. I keep smartwater bottles (different sizes) in the fridge with electrolytes in them. Same with a 2.5L bladder.
When I backpack, I have two 1.5L smartwater bottles in the diagonal side pockets ready to go. One with electrolytes and one without, as I want to have plain water for cooking at camp. When I do the PCT, I will also have an empty 3L bladder in my pack that I will fill when I face long dry stretches in the desert. So, I will have 6L capacity. The bladder also acts as a backup, as a dropped smartwater bottle can easily break, and I’ve seen that happen to others more than once.
@Sky
I don’t use bottles unless I’ve stopped, I prefer the ease of drinking out of a bladder, and I don’t put anything in it other than water.
I don’t notice a weird taste. I have some Osprey and some CamelBak branded bladders.
I do sometimes wish I had Nuun or something. You can also carry a bottle…
I thought this one a lot myself. I went towards Hydroflask and that has been my go to in hydration packs. I use a 2L plus 2 500 ml “bottles” to trail run. The standard 2L Hydroflask bladder is light-years ahead of my camelbacks from 15 years ago. CamelBak is still a decent brand but I consider myself a convert to Hydroflask for anything. They are also top rack dishwasher safe if you use electrolytes in your bottles. Search Nathan Hydroflask.
I just use Smartwater bottles. I find water bladders to be too annoying to clean.
What is wrong with adding electrolyte packets to your bladder? I do it all the time. I also keep a filled bladder in the fridge with electrolytes so that I am ready to go on a hike at a moments notice. I also keep a packed daypack ready to go. I do live in major hiking territory, so I always have plenty of options just minutes away.
I’ve tried a few water bladders and the only one that doesn’t make the water taste odd is from source. The blue ones.
I’ve shifted to two litre used wine bladders and refill each time. Lift and squirt. Hold in teeth, wash each hand, or dispense over head. Does not touch your mouth, can share. First few times they have a taste, but then fine. Can remove all air so no sploshing if hiking or stalking. Can part fill and freeze as well. Can fill through the open port. I use a small backpack to carry with first aid, sunscreen etc. Can’t stand hose-type bladers, like drinking chemicals when hot from hike. Tried a few. Also, for $10, you get the wine free!!
I don’t notice any taste with my Camelbak bladder, but I would never put anything but water in a bladder because it would be harder to clean and invites bacteria to grow.