 This Product
Osprey Hydraulics Reservoir | |||||
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| Awards |  |  | |  | |
| Price | $49 List $36.95 at REI | $43 List $41.95 at Amazon | $32.59 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $36.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $30.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Easy to fill everywhere, easy to put into a backpack, fast flow, locking bite-valve, versatile with other bite valves and hoses | Thick and durable bladder, handle for easy filling, drying accessory, excellent flow rate, narrow and rounded profile for easy fit in narrow packs | Lightweight, slim profile, simple to use, easy to clean | Lightweight, super packable, durable material, inexpensive, incredibly versatile | Durable, versatile and lightweight design, good flow rate, great price |
| Cons | Expensive, heavy design, hard to clean, outer material isn't puncture-proof, specific fit, bad taste | Bulkier components don't pack down | Not as durable as other options, connections get gummed up without lubrication | Poor taste, does not come with hose or bite valve, doesn't pack easily into backpack sleeves | Harder to clean, bite valve doesn't lock off |
| Bottom Line | All about stability, this heavy hydration bladder is perfect for backpacking | This top performer stands out for its quality construction and easy filling profile that is reliable for hydration on backcountry adventures and day trips | A lightweight and slim bladder that's especially suited for ounce-counting athletes pushing deep into the backcountry | This reservoir is lightweight and durable with many functions and uses in the outdoors | This durable, lightweight, and simple bladder won't take a toll on your wallet |
| Rating Categories | Osprey Hydraulics R... | Gregory 3D Hydro | Hydrapak Shape-Shif... | MSR DromLite Bags | Platypus Hoser |
| Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
| Ease of Care (25%) | |||||
| Ease of Filling (20%) | |||||
| Quality and Durability (15%) | |||||
| Weight and Packability (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Osprey Hydraulics R... | Gregory 3D Hydro | Hydrapak Shape-Shif... | MSR DromLite Bags | Platypus Hoser |
| Weight of Bladder & Tube (oz) | 8.75 oz (3L) | 7.1 oz (3L) | 5.40 oz (3L) | 5.20 oz (4L) | 4.2 oz (3L) |
| Bladder Capacity Options (liters) | 2L, 3L | 3 L | 2L, 3L | 2L, 4L, 6L | 1L, 1.5L, 3L |
| Dishwasher Friendly? | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Plastic Taste | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Bite Valve | Bite valve with shutoff twist valve | Push-button on/off valve | Bite valve with shutoff twist valve | None (Bite valve with lock arm shutoff valve in separate attachment kit) | HyFLO bite valve |
| Can bite valve be removed? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Hose Connection | Extended quick release hose (no swivel), no release at base of bladder | Mid-tube quick release, but can be changed to the base. | Quick release (no swivel) | At the mouth of the screw top | Screw-on hose |
| Closure Type | Slide top | Screw top | Slide top | Screw top (3 in 1 spouts) | Screw top (hose connection) |
The Osprey Hydraulics bladder is great for the hiker or backpacker seeking a bladder that retains its shape while filling it with water and exploring trails.
The Osprey Hydraulics hydration bladder offers an easy way to get your bladder in and out of a loaded backpack. A feature unique to the bladder is the ergonomic HydroStatic backplate that adds structure and rigidity to the bladder that maintains its flat profile when stuffed inside a pack.
While this is a cool feature that many backpackers and hikers may enjoy, it limits the versatility of its fit. Since the backplate is rigid, it is designed only to fit inside of packs that are large enough to accommodate it. For example; if you have a 3-L bladder, you need a backpack that can hold a 3-L bladder. The bladder does not compress down, nor is it comfortable to wear with a running pack that requires a smaller bladder with a slimmer profile. That said, it provides a little more structure to an otherwise unstructured backpack, a cool idea!
Another unique feature of this hydration bladder (similar to the Osprey Hydraulics LT) is that the hose doesn't connect at the base of the bladder, but halfway up the line, making it easy to unclip without having to dig through piles of stuff in your backpack.
The bite valve features a twist-locking mechanism that prevents any unexpected water loss. We ran and climbed with it unlocked, though, and the bite valve doesn't leak. If you don't like the way the bite valve feels, or you prefer a different locking mechanism, the hose and bite valve can be switched out for pretty much any other option in this review.
The flip-top design makes it easy to get inside and scrub the bladder reservoir if needed. It is dishwasher safe and can be loaded up on the top rack of a washing machine set to low temperatures. That said, because the hose connects halfway up the length of the hose, it's almost impossible to clean the section of hose between the base of the bladder and the connection point. A huge bummer. You also can't flip it inside out because of the backplate. Therefore, maintenance is key. Rinse and dry after each use. Make sure to blow all remaining water in the hose back into the reservoir and let it dry. To kill and suspected bacteria, put the hose and reservoir in the freezer until you're ready to use it again. Overall, this bladder is not the easiest to care for, but it's not hard either if you stay up on maintenance.
The flip-top design features an extended spout and a handle that makes filling from a tap, river, lake, or trickling stream easy peasy.
The rigid backplate keeps the shape of the bladder, even when empty, making it easy to pour and share water from this bladder. Overall, a super easy hydration system to fill up and share water.
This Osprey model is a high-quality product that offers a surprisingly durable design. The reinforced HydroStatic backplate protects from abrasion and friction while hiking. The outer film is a little thinner, so it's not as resistant to punctures as thicker options. The seams are welded and in good shape, while the quality of the plastics is bomber and well-crafted. There were no durability issues observed in our time testing this bladder, though some online reviews mention issues with punctures and leakage around the base of the bladder.
Given the additional features and materials utilized in its design, this is a relatively heavy bladder. It maintains a slim profile when empty and can be left in the hydration bladder sleeve, but it cannot be rolled up or packed away to a smaller size because (a) the backplate is too rigid, and (b) there is no hose disconnect at the base of the bladder. As a result, its best for those who don't need to pack it away during their trips or adventures.
This is an expensive bladder for the price. Many bladders that score higher cost less. Those that will find the value in this bladder will be looking for one with better structure and stability. We found this the easiest to stuff into a full backpack, for example, than any other bladder tested. If you need a bladder that can do that, this is a good price. Otherwise, look at lower-priced options that don't have this nifty feature.
GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison.
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