Hydration Bladders vs Water Bottles | Pros & Cons | Staying Hydrated on the Trail

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

Do you prefer a hydration bladder, or bottles to carry water on your hikes? Let me know below! Thanks for watching!

[@idontextback]

Why not put a long straw? Hook it on your pack to the front like bladders. And an insulater for your bottle? Sew the bladder pocket on each side, to create the best size for bottles, so it's centered as you discussed. You can get much bigger bottles than those you are displaying, to carry more water...... Then, you don't have to reach around or ask anyone to hand you your water. Just a few thoughts....

[@flyphish4434]

One thing worth mentioning is that lifestraw and sawyer filters will screw onto the top of a smart water bottle. Typically, I’ll carry 2 smart bottles one for filtered water and one for unfiltered. You can leave the filter screwed onto the unfiltered bottle to distinguish the two. It’s a real time saver.

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

Excellent point!

[@lizcrowe5189]

I agree; pros and cons to each. Another con to the bladder is that you don’t know how much water is left! I recently ran out on a hike and now carry a water bottle as a backup. If the bladder runs out I know I still have a liter in the bottle if I need it. So….both!

[@14Marathons]

Good video with helpful info. One thing I would add, with a water bladder, I put it in an insulated sleeve, that not only keeps the water cold (especially if I add ice, as it will stay cold all day), but it also protects the bladder from punctures. The other thing I'd mention is I tend to not drink enough water when using water bottles because I hike solo and it's a pain to have to take my pack off every time I want a drink. I definitely stay hydrated better with a bladder because, as you mentioned, you can drink on the go. I agree with the downside of a bladder of not knowing how much water you have, but you can get a feel for it over time, by the weight. Thanks again for the video.

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

Good thoughts ... thanks for sharing!

[@richardadams379]

I prefer bottles. Not being a flexible guy I also had a problem getting them out of my pack pockets. Finding a way to attach a bottle to each shoulder strap solved that problem and I've found that I drink more this way and avoid dehydration. Lots of KZbin videos to explain how to do this. Thanks for all the great videos!

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

Richard, rigging a system to attach the bottles to the front of your shoulder straps is a great idea ... I may have to look into that! Thanks for watching!

[@punkninjitsu3698]

Great video! A lot of things I never thought about

[@Wondering_Fireball]

Putting the water bottle in a damp sleeve it will keep it cooler. We used this trick in the desert.

[@glidergirle7844]

We do that in ohio too lol

[@traveler8826]

I use a carabiner to clip my Nalgene bottle to my pack to keep it from falling out

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

That's a great idea! Thanks for sharing!

[@rainbowhiker]

Yup! Gave up bladders years ago.

[@robbiesam7156]

Solid video!! Thanks for the tips

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

You're welcome!

[@FrankenTiger88]

I prefer the hydration bladder most of the time, simply for the convenience. I think the three liter because I’d rather have to much water than not enough. Hiking Mount Marcy is literally an all day affair. The bladders to me at least allow your hands to be more free especially when hiking with trekking poles. The bottles you need two hands to unscrew the lids and well if your drop a bottle cap-yuk! But sometimes an extra Nalgene bottle for cooking water and coffee for an overnight night stay is nice to have.

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

Very true! When I first started really hiking a lot, I would suck down 3L of water within 4 hours, so the big bladder was definitely convenient for that. I've since learned to stay better hydrated normally, as well as "super hydrating" the day before a big hike. Thanks for watching!

[@FrankenTiger88]

ADK Woods Walker I enjoy your channel and like that you are local! I’m using you Northville-Placid video to do research for a possible hike for myself next year!

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

Excellent! You can private message me on Facebook or Instagram if you have any questions - I'd be glad to help. Good luck!

[@FrankenTiger88]

ADK Woods Walker thank you!

[@andrewcheshire1063]

Good video post, thanks. I have a water bladder that came with a small backpack. I've had to replace it once already and since I haven't used it for a little while it has deteriorated and the bite valve leaks. A lot. I think I probably need to replace with another bladder because that is easier for cycling. I always end up carrying a hydration bladder for general drinking and water bottles for cooking / brewing up. If you are sharing the brewing up with a buddy I think it's a little bit unhealthy to use the bladder to make a drink to share. Also, you can waste a lot of water trying to pour it out of a bladder. I don't like the squirty hose ones myself. They are activated too easily by general movement.

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

Very good points! Thanks for sharing!

[@theslowwalker]

For my fanny pack - water bottles. For my backpacking adventures - bladders. I've never had a leak, and as you drink the volume used be the bladder shrinks and since they're in a pocket they're protected. Carrying more than 3 liters - take two bladders and pack it outside of your pack liner in case it does leak. And, like I've said no leaks so far (more than 10 years). And, three of my water bottles are at the bottom somewhere at the base of cliffs (irretrievable). Which one do I use - both depending on the application.

[@johnallen3111]

I store my hydration bladder in the freezer to prevent mold ... also the osprey exos has those sweet water bottle pockets ... you could have also mentioned tucking the bladder hose into your jacket ... ur the one that gave me that pro tip

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

Didn't even really think about the freeze factor of the bladder hose, but yes, tucking the hose and tip into your jacket can help prevent that - plus blowing the water back after you sip. Those Exos pockets were the bees knees - I wish more packs would adopt that style.

[@user-nd9re8vr6l]

Can you show me a daypack with an outside pouch for bladder?

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

Hmmm .... I've never actually seen one like that, although I suppose you *could* try to use the front mesh pocket that most packs have to hold a water bladder, and then run the hose up and over the shoulder from there. Problem with that is usually those pockets aren't typically very tight, and there may not be enough rigidity to a.) keep the bladder from flopping all over the place, or b.) give the bladder enough pressure to "squeeze" the water out Sorry I can't be more help. If you find something, please let us know!

[@barascr1]

I got my water bladder and cleaning kit for free, the people from the Surplus store I buy from were nice enough to give me the stuff. I do buy a bunch of things from them all the time though. And cleaning the stuff it's easy, fill it with water with bleach, let it sit for 30 minutes and then scrub everything. I keep my water bladder in my chest rig. Also, if you carry powder flavor packets for water bottles, you can get rid of that taste. I carry Propel. And well mine doesn't have that taste though, I carry the propel for the electrolytes.

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

Good information - thanks for sharing! I usually carry the Propel packets too, but just pour them into my bottles for an evening treat on the trail ;) Thank you for watching!

[@blairtaylor9552]

I only do shortish day hikes, so I'm ditching the Osprey LT bladder in favor of a couple water bottles. I deliberately bought a Katari 7, as it has nice side pockets for bottles. My first Osprey LT bladder (in a Viper3) also developed a leak right at the hose connection at the bottom of the bag- it's a crappy design having it protrude from the bag like that, and anything hard or heavy down in your bag will beat up that connection and make it leak. For a temporary fix with a new bladder, I fashioned a U-shaped piece of styrofoam to go around that connection and protect it. Really though, I shouldn't have to make something to protect a vulnerable hose connection down in the bottom of the bag. They're a pain to fill and clean too. I'm sticking with the cool Naturehike bottles I found in the amazon, and I also bought a third quart-size Nalgen canteen to throw in the pack if I'm on a longer group hike.

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

Live and learn ;) Glad you found a system that works better for you. Thanks for watching!

[@Gunner-qz9sh]

I was leaning towards a bladder but now I’ve realized it’s really way to much work to clean and ya the taist would definitely make me wanna drink less water!. I’m gonna stick to my old fashioned bottles they never failed me so far and to think something could leak all over my camera gear is very scary 😧

[@Snitchols]

I'm more of a bladder guy. I really like the convenience of having the bite valve right on my shoulder and and less times to stop and fill. I've never had my bladder leak, rip or get a hole punctured in it; perhaps I've been lucky. I do usually take two bottle of Gatorade with me on long hikes along with the bladder.

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

Thankfully, my bladders have never leaked, but I've had multiple bite-valves with a small crack in them, and water just drips down my chest and stomach which is a huge bummer when it's not warm outside. Gatorade is a great idea too --- we usually get road Gatorades for when we get back to the car after hiking for the day ;)

[@Snitchols]

@@JayMorrisonOutdoors I've had one bite valve go one me in the past 15 years. I've been pretty lucky. The Gatorade is a big pick-up for me with the sugar. It's one thing that I found out is critical for my intake on days of very long hikes. Finding out the best foods and drink combo for your own body is half the battle, especially on long hikes. The typical meals of trail mix, protein mix and etc didn't work for me and it took me a couple years to figure out what did the trick.

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

@@Snitchols Plus, Gatorade has electrolytes --- it's what plants crave ;)

[@RealFableFox]

2 x 48oz nalgene for me. This made me looking for bag that fits nalgene and has a lock-ish / loop (like one of pacsafe 30L bag) or some cheap beverly hills polo club 35L bag that allow you to lock the nalgene through the cap holder. of course in order to drink i have to put the bag down and unlock it, but i tend to drink when i need to get a few minutes rest anyway. i hike slow and steady.

[@RealFableFox]

also to add another thing. pacsafe, nalgene, and others sells bottle carrier / pouch that you can hook. the pacsafe one has a bottom loop to keep the bottle stable. this way you can keep the bottle in front of you if you prefer easy reach.

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

Good info, thanks for sharing!

[@Angel-hm9so]

Stainless steel cans only. No chemicals, no risk of puncture or cracking, and if the squits hits the fan, I can boil in them.

[@EspenFrafalne]

Never used a water bladder, but i just ordered a EVOC "CC 3L" with a 2 liter water bladder. Think this will be *perfect* for dayhikes when i only want to bring water, some sandwiches, map and compass, a GPS, and my Arcteryx "Incendo SL" jacket (which packs TINY).

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

Solid plan ... definitely sounds like a light and tight day hike kit! Enjoy!

[@antsara9218]

good points, thanks:)

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

Thanks for watching!

[@TasHikingAdventures]

Nice video very informative mate done well I had a bladder on my last two hikes realised I don't need it esp here in my country....water everywhere it's basically common sense really hey ...the fact that you have to wash those bladders out or it tastes like plastic that's what turns me off about them...I'm looking at the new MSR bags to carry water out were I don't or can't get water...or just take a cheap wine bag with water in it I suppose I don't see the big hype in them anymore now I've hiked for two years Thanks for the advice new subb from van diemens land

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

I use a 2 liter Cnoc Vecto bag for hauling water during dry sections of hikes. I've never had any problems (or funky tastes) with them. tinyurl.com/cnocproducts Thanks for watching!

[@JoeyIngles]

Keeping a bladder clean is a royal PITA. Bottles are just easier, imho.

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

100% agree

[@aliabdelali2399]

Why not both? Thanks a lot

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

You could definitely use both if that works for you. Nothing wrong with that at all! Thanks for watching!

[@aliabdelali2399]

@@JayMorrisonOutdoors thank you for your reactivity. Best regards

[@jcrnda]

Cold water vs Warm water - warm water is better as it's for hydration, not refreshment (I come from an arid country and cold water is not worth the trouble). Another con for disposable water bottles - where do you dispose of them, unless you decide to carry empty bottles all the way to your destination?

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

Good point about cold vs warm water. As for disposing of the bottles, I just keep them and continue to refill them throughout the trip and beyond. I still have a 1 liter bottle that I bought over a year ago, so they last. Thanks for watching!

[@ALORDW]

Yeah, the taste of plastic from my hydration bladder is soooo bad. Nothing (freezing, lemon juice or deep cleaning) has gotten it so I enjoy drinking from it. Discovering Sawyer filters and having a way to make water safe from available water sources makes bottles my choice too.

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

The Sawyer filters are awesome! When I switched to the Squeeze is when I fully committed to bottles because, you're right, it's so easy to get water and go! Thanks for watching!

[@pramukwijesinghe7941]

👍👍

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

Thanks for watching!

[@Wondering_Fireball]

Water bottles also make it easier to filter water

[@FteCoUk4x4]

I have been thinking of switching over to a bladder, but as you mentioned the taste is putting me off.

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

Yea --- I've had a few different brands and sizes of bladders, and I've never been able to get the taste fully gone, so when I switched to bottles, that was just a huge win for me. Thanks for watching!

[@TasHikingAdventures]

I just stopped using a bladder bro I just hiked 24kms the other day had heaps of fresh water around me and barely used any as I drink beer haha Go bottles

[@TasHikingAdventures]

@@JayMorrisonOutdoors same here and after your video I'll save 50-60 buying shit plastic carrying bags again lol

[@danik4945]

I hike the same areas as you...the ADK playground! Back to Pharaoh Lake Wilderness this weekend! I have been using 2 big Smartwater bottles, but also a cheap 2l bladder from a day pack I fill at home before I leave. (I use a Sawyer Squeeze to filter into all three...so a giant pain in the ass, but worth it!) I HATE trying to clean that bladder...and just KNOW I'm not doing it properly. Sceeves me out. So...I am thinking about just using it to carry unfiltered water to a site/shorter distances. Otherwise, just leave it empty and in my pack. Anyone else do this? Do I have to worry AS much when cleaning a "dirty" water bag? (You'll all say yes. I know better. Just trying to be lazy here.) Water is not usually that hard to find where I like to go, but I have plans for other trips and having that bag (even if I'm carrying extra weight!) may be great if I know I'm about to stop being spoiled by streams and lakes. Just subscribed...thanks so much for the videos. If I see you out there, I'll say hello. I owe you a Snickers or something :)

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

Thanks for joining the community! I've actually used a bladder for canoe camping trips - just fill it up, hang it from a tree, and have the filter in-line so you can get water whenever you want/need. For cleaning them, I tried a Platypus and a Camelbak bladder and couldn't get inside to feel like I was doing a good job. When I finally got a HydraPak bladder, it was a breeze to clean since you can flip it completely inside out and wash every bit very easily. I also recommend getting one of those hose brushes to make sure you don't get anything gross growing in that part. I have a few friends that still use bladders and they wash them out as best they can, and then put it in their freezer until they want to use it. Not sure how effective it is, but it's worked for them for a very long time! Good luck, and thanks again for watching!

[@kcdogny1]

Fair presentation, but it doesn't has to be either-or. I'll use bladders, bottles, or both, depending on context. In dry areas, a big advantage of bladders is the ability to squirt water with the hose. I hike with a dog, and squirting water for him to drink wastes less water (& therefore requires me to carry less) than pouring water into a bowl. Another vessel you don't really touch on is the collapsible water bottle (playpus with a cap, not a hose). You can freeze a couple, and that will keep a perishable meal safe all day if you tuck it between them. You'll also have super cold drinking water as it melts (although condensation will dampen the inside of your pack).

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

Very good points! I spend most of my time on the trails in the Northeast US where water is (for the most part) abundant, but freezing some H2O in to collapsible bladders is a great idea for anyone going out in a dryer climate. Thanks for sharing!

[@kcdogny1]

@@JayMorrisonOutdoors Ironically, I'm in the Northeast, too... but I seem to end up either hiking very dry trails - or hiking butt-deep in trail soup! ;) And yes, some of the latter refers to the Adirondacks.

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

LOL "trail soup" :)

[@Wondering_Fireball]

The main con is you don’t know how much water you actually have with out unpacking your pack.

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

Agreed! That sound that the bladder makes when you are sucking the last little bit of water out of the bag while you're on a ridge with no convenient option to refill ... that's the stuff of nightmares ;)

[@danbosler]

Came across a product that solves this issue! Hardside hydration Swig Rig, check it out

[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

@BigIronBackpacking actually has the hardside hydration setup ... it's super slick and definitely works as designed! Thanks for the tip!

[@janeliu-baker9515]

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[@JayMorrisonOutdoors]

13.7?