Best Outdoor Backpack Reservoirs of 2025

"I’ve taken this Camelbak on two trips so far, and I’m really enjoying it! The ability to unclip the hose makes cleaning a breeze. I love the baffle design that keeps the bladder thin, allowing it to fit back into my pack easily. I did encounter a leak once, but I believe it was due to my own error in not screwing the cap on properly. After that, I made sure to double-check, and it’s been great since!"

"I got this for my 20-30 mile rides, and it’s fantastic! I can now carry a gallon of water without the hassle of pulling out a jug. Filling it is simple, and it fits perfectly in my regular compartment backpack. However, the bite valve took a bit of getting used to; you really have to bite down hard for a good flow."

"I'm very pleased with the latest Camelbak 3L reservoir. The hose is wider, allowing for better water flow, and the cap is much easier to operate. The new drinking valve is also a practical improvement. I highly recommend pairing it with a Camelbak Backpack that supports 3L reservoirs for the best experience."

"I've been using the CamelBak Crux 2-Liter Water Reservoir for a while now, and it's a game-changer for long hikes and working out. The 2-liter capacity keeps me hydrated without being heavy. The Crux design makes drinking easy—just bite the valve and go. It's leak-proof, so no spills in my pack. A reliable hydration bladder that's built to last!"

"I love this CamelBak insert. I didn't own a CamelBak bag, but this fits perfectly in my pack. The leak-proof nozzle is fantastic!"

"Overall, I like this water bladder. It's got a unique design for easy holding and filling. However, the handle's convenience also leads to some issues when closing the cap. Once you figure out the best way to hold it, it performs great!"

"I got these for my kids when hiking. They were able to sip water easily, did not leak, and showed no signs of wear. Filling and cleaning are straightforward, just like any other bladder."

"I found these hydration bladders extremely helpful on my recent trip. They kept the water cold and fit perfectly in our camel packs. Super easy to carry around!"

"After two months of use, I noticed discoloration and a black substance inside the water tube. Despite my efforts to clean it, I couldn't remove it. I reached out to the vendor, but they showed no interest in addressing the issue. Sadly, I had to throw it away."

"I used this for hydration while hiking Hadrian's Wall in September. After an initial cleaning, most of the plastic taste disappeared, and it provided adequate water throughout the long days. I really liked the strong magnet to clip the bite valve to my pack—very convenient. The bite valve also has a stop to ensure no leaks. I'll definitely keep using this water bag."

"For hydration reservoirs, CamelBak is my go-to as an avid hiker and biker. They are so strong that a car can drive over them without exploding. However, I prefer Osprey's water reservoir for its filling and cleaning mechanism. I appreciate Osprey's unconditional guarantee and have been buying their gear for years. The spout is leak-proof but can be a bit confusing. Overall, this is another quality product from a great brand."

"I recently returned from a hiking trip and the reservoir worked great! It fit perfectly in my Osprey day pack, and I had no leaking issues at all while on the trails. I'm really pleased with it!"

"I wanted to test this before reviewing, so my wife and I took it on a few hikes and then to Disneyland. I have a backpack outfitted for a bladder system but didn’t come with one. It performed well on the hikes. Initially, we found it difficult to get water from the mouthpiece, but it improved with use. Unfortunately, it sprang a leak on our first day at Disneyland. We thought it was where the hose connected to the bladder, but something in the backpack pierced the bag. After patching it with super glue, we had no further issues. The optional cleaning kit is a necessity; the hanger in the kit is crucial for prolonging the bladder's lifespan. We’ve had others that we thought dried completely but tasted moldy on the next use. For cleaning, I recommend warm water and baking soda. Avoid soap to prevent lingering tastes. Clean after every use or keep it filled overnight and rinse before the next use. It generally takes about 48 hours to dry completely. Detach the hose, rinse it, and blow out any remaining water. Overall, this product is great and with proper care, it performs excellently."

"This is my first hydration bladder, which I bought for a hiking trip in Yosemite. The overall construction is great, and the materials feel premium. The soft-touch exterior surprised me since I expected a smooth plastic pouch. The slide top makes filling and cleaning easy while ensuring a tight seal. I didn’t worry about leaks. The baffle in the center provides nice weight distribution and prevents it from being overly bulbous. I found that my water stayed relatively cool throughout the day. The nozzle is easy to remove, and I haven’t experienced leaks from it. The bite valve delivers plenty of water, though opening it can be a bit tricky, leading to minor adjustments. After closing, a few drops often remain, causing slight dripping, but it didn’t bother me much while hiking. Overall, I’m very satisfied and look forward to using it again."

"I've tested several hydration bladders, and this one stands out for its build quality, zip closure, capacity, and watertightness. However, I find the bite valve to be somewhat frustrating with a slow flow rate. I tend to chug when hydrating, and my travel partner noticed that it requires quite a bit of suction to get water out of this bladder. I replaced the hose and valve with a GYZR from Mazama, which solved the issue. I ended up transplanting the original quick disconnect to the new hose for compatibility. This left me with an extra GYZR quick disconnect, perfect for my DIY Sawyer Mini pump setup. I've never had hose insulation keep water cold, but this helped prevent freezing during an overnight cold snap."

"I needed a replacement for my son's old Camelbak bladder. The new bladder fits well, and the longer hose isn't an issue. Overall, I'm satisfied!"

"I love the 1.5-liter size. It's the perfect weight for my day hikes, along with a water bottle. It's so comfortable and easy to use!"

"I’ve used Camelbak products for years, and this one is well-made with a big opening for ice. Just what I needed for my beach walks!"

"I've been using the CHERAINTI 1.5L hydration bladder on all my hikes and bike rides, and it's been a total game changer! The big opening makes it easy to fill and clean, even for adding ice on hot days. I'm thrilled it doesn't add any weird plastic taste, just clean, fresh water every time. The high-flow bite valve is fantastic—just bite and sip, no hassle. Also, it's incredibly durable and leak-proof, so I don’t have to worry about spills on rough trails. If you need a reliable hydration solution, I wholeheartedly recommend this!"

"I decided to get this bladder for my new backpack, opting for the 2-liter model. The assembly was a breeze—just attach the straw and slide it into the pack. My backpack is hydration bladder compatible, and this bladder fits perfectly! The large fill port makes it easy to fill, even in the pack, and the tethered lid ensures I won’t lose it. Importantly, it’s large enough to clean the inside thoroughly. Overall, I’m very pleased with how it works!"

"I was initially hesitant to buy a hydration bladder, but I’m glad I did. The fill hole is huge, making filling a breeze. It feels robust, and the water has no weird smells or flavors. While the drinking valve can be a bit inconsistent, it’s a minor issue. I can easily drink while riding my motorcycle, which is super convenient. The 2L size is just right for my needs, and it fits better than my Klean Kanteen. I appreciate that I can use it for filtering water from streams, making this a great value!"

"This is my second bag; the first one lasted for years. Both bags have been fantastic, with no leaking or ruptures. On my Yosemite trip, they performed wonderfully! Initially, there was a slight plasticky taste, but it diminished over time. I prefer this over my CamelBak."

"I recently got this hydration reservoir, and I find it to be awesome! It fits perfectly in my Salomon running vest, and while I did notice a heavy plastic taste at first, I followed a tip of adding lemon juice and freezing it overnight. Now it’s great, and I believe it will last a long time."

"I purchased one for my husband and replaced my old one with this reservoir. The bite valve works exceptionally well, and it includes magnets for easy attachment. It stays flatter due to internal baffles, making it easy to fill and clean. Just a note, the packaging was a bit challenging for me to handle due to my arthritis."

"This bladder has been a game-changer for my outdoor activities. I can choose between the 2L or 3L version, and it consistently provides reliable hydration. The design is sleek, durable, and super easy to clean, making it an essential for my hikes and workouts."

"I took this bladder on a 6-week offroad motorcycle adventure, and it performed exceptionally well. It kept me hydrated almost every day, which made my experience much more enjoyable."

"The material feels lightweight yet strong, and I love the insulated hose to keep my water cool. The bite valve is super convenient, and overall, it's just a tough quality product."