Nutrition - Weight Loss. DAA Industry Opt Out?
Whether you’re running, walking or hiking, it’s important to bring plenty of water when you exercise to stay hydrated. Water bottles are a good solution for short runs, but their capacities are limited, and carrying one can be a hassle on a run. If you’re running long, or simply going to be out all day, it’s worth carrying a hydration pack, hydration vest or running backpack with you, because they’re all equipped to hold large hydration bladders, which can hold liters of water and feature a long biteable straw that allow you to drink a bit whenever you need it without a water break.
Hydration bladders come in a few different sizes and shapes, which will fit better in certain kinds of bags. Their quality varies quite a bit, as well: Some don’t hold up well over time, others may be hard to clean. Many simply don’t work as well as they should, dribbling out tiny sips when you need a longer drink. After years of running and keeping hydrated on the run, we’ve picked the best hydration bladders to add to your running kit–options that are built to last and easy to use.
The Best Hydration Bladders
- Best Overall: CamelBak Fusion Reservoir
- Best Budget: HydraPak Cenote
- Best Ultralight: The Best Hoka Shoes for Blazing the Trails
- Nathan Insulated Hydration Bladder: Gregory 3D Hydro Reservoir
- Best Insulated: Nathan Insulated Hydration Bladder
- Best for Easy Cleaning: Osprey Hydraulics LT Lightweight Water Reservoir
- Most Durable: HydraPak Velocity IT
The Expert: Over the past decade, I’ve reviewed running and fitness gear for publications like Runner’s World, Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, Men’s Health, and more. A lifetime runner and trail enthusiast, I’ve used hydration bladders of all varieties, and I’m well aware of what makes a particular reservoir a winner.
What to Consider
Water Flow
Hydration bladders feature a hose attached near the bottom of the reservoir, which runs up to a mouthpiece with a “bite valve” that pulls water through the hose whenever you bite down. Most packs feature a path for you to feed the bladder hose from inside a protective sleeve up to your shoulder, so you can access your water easily without stopping.
The design of the drinking mechanism, from where the hose attaches to the reservoir to the mouthpiece, is often the biggest differentiator among hydration bladders. Small nuances in a design can ensure that you always get a steady stream of H20, or prevent it. Some bladders have poorly designed tubing that frequently pinches and cinches, preventing water flow. Others have issues with restrictive bite nozzles that make it hard to get a good drink.
The best way to test a hydration bladder is to test it, but there are a couple of telltale signs that one will or won’t work consistently. The fixture where the hose attaches to the reservoir should point upwards, toward the top of the reservoir, rather than hanging down. The downward-facing fixture is much more likely to press against the side or bottom of your pack, pinching the hose. Second, the mouthpiece should have a round and open shape, rather than a narrow tip.
Though fairly rare, it’s worth keeping in mind that some mouthpieces feature manual, switch- or trigger-operated valves rather than a bite valve. They generally provide great water flow, but aren’t quite as intuitive to operate mid-run. All of our picks feature bite valves.
Capacity
Hydration bladders typically hold somewhere between 1.5- to 3-liters of liquid. Some brands also make smaller 1-liter travel options, or extra large reservoirs that can hold 6- to 10-liter, enough water for a whole group of people. (Many of the XL bladders are designed for campers, not runners, and may not have a hose and bite valve for easy mid-run drinking.)
As a rule, only bring as much water as you think you’ll need. I generally think 2- to 3-liters is the sweet spot for most medium-to-long runs–You have more than enough water to offset everything you sweat out, with more to spare. Ultramarathoners may want to look for a larger option.
Experts recommend that men should drink around 3.7-liters of water per day, and women should drink around 2.7-liters per day. While running, you should Nutrition - Weight Loss.
In addition to your hydration needs, you should also keep in mind that your bladder needs to be compatible with your backpack or hydration pack. Luckily, 1- to 2-liter bladders tend to be more or less universal. If you’re looking for a larger size, take the time to make sure a bladder will fit your pack, or buy the two together.
Durability
Over the years, I’ve encountered water bladders that leaked from loose hose attachments, and others that failed catastrophically and popped. Either way, you end up wet rather than hydrated, and that’s not what you want. The best way to hedge against a leaky bladder is to check the seams and bladder material, lid or zipper, and hose connections and nozzle. If any part of your bladder feels wobbly or fragile, that’s probably not a good sign.
It can be difficult to detect a problematic hydration bladder just by looking at one–a problem with one bladder isn’t always an issue with the design. Reviews, both ours and those by other runners, are often the best way to tell if a specific bladder has a widely proven reputation as a durable choice.
How We Selected The Best Hydration Bladders
I selected the best hydration bladders based on decades of first-hand tests, running with hydration bladders in packs and vests to compare different models from the leading brands. I compared my findings with reviews from other experts and user reviews from everyday consumers. The final lineup reflects a range of options for different kinds of runners, which I selected based on their capacity, ease of use, water flow, durability, and price.
Pros
- Other Hearst Subscriptions
- Zipper opening for easy fill-up
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Easy to partially close the zipper, which leads to leaks.
The CamelBak Fusion Reservoir gets virtually everything right. Its hose attaches at an upward facing fixture that ensures steady flow. CamelBak’s large “big bite” mouthpiece is wide and unrestrictive, so you can take a big drink if you need one.
Its signature feature, however, is the “Tru Zip” waterproof zipper, which allows you to quickly and easily fill it up completely from any water source. The wide opening, along with detachable parts, also make it easier to hand-wash than many of our other picks. (It’s dishwasher-safe, too, which is a big plus.)
That said, the zipper also introduces the Fusion’s one major flaw: While I never had any issues with water leaking through the zipper, it is possible to almost-but-not-quite fully close it. If you put the bladder in your bag while it’s partially zipped, you’re going to get wet. Ultimately, though, that’s as much about human error as the design itself. This is a great hydration bladder by pretty much every metric.
Key Specs
| Sizes | 2L, 3L |
| Weight | 5.8 oz |
| Dishwasher Safe? | Yes |
Pros
- Upward-facing hose attachment
- Easy to clean
Cons
- May develop leaks at connection points
I tested a lot of cheap hydration bladders, and nearly every one had the same fatal flaw: A hose that connects to the reservoir with a downward-facing fixture, which gets pinched by the bottom of your pack, obstructing water flow. The HydraPak Cenote gets this crucial detail right, and delivers great water flow through its straightforward nozzle.
It suffers from long-term durability issues, though: The bladder has a tendency to develop leaks at the cap and hose fixture over time. That said, Cenote offers a lifetime no-leak guarantee, so you can get a replacement if and when you spring a leak.
Key Specs
| Sizes | 2L, 3L |
| Weight | 4.8 oz |
| Dishwasher Safe? | Yes |
The Best Hoka Shoes for Blazing the Trails
Pros
- Lightweight
- Nozzle delivers fast flow
- Large size range
Cons
- Bottom-facing hose fixture
A 2-liter bladder weighing in at just 3.6 oz, the Platypus Hoser is about as light as hydration reservoirs get. The light bag is perfect for competitive runners looking to shave every possible ounce off their load. I also really like its bite-valve nozzle, which only needs a light nibble to get a sip, and doesn’t leak.
This reservoir has a flaw in the form of a downward facing hose fixture, which is susceptible to pinching against the bottom of your pack, impeding flow. That said, I found it wasn’t a huge problem in this case, so long as the bladder fits snugly in your pack’s reservoir sleeve. When going lightweight is your priority, the Hoser’s featherlight design is hard to beat.
Key Specs
| Sizes | 1L, 1.8L, 2L, 3L |
| Weight | 3.6 oz |
| Dishwasher Safe? | Yes |
Pros
- No leaks
- 3Running Shoes & Gear
- May develop leaks at connection points
Cons
- Not dishwasher-safe
If you’re running long and need to carry more water, the Gregory 3D Hydro has a design that works especially well in a larger 3-liter size. Its long, thin shape distributes the water’s weight evenly along your back, which I found led to a more balanced pack. (It also makes the bladder easy to fill.)
The upward-facing hose fixture and fast-flowing nozzle deliver water effortlessly, and the fill-lid locks on without leaking. An included strap magnet also makes it easy to place your nozzle exactly where you want to find it when you need a drink.
My only gripe is that it’s not dishwasher safe, so you’ll have to put in a bit of extra effort to clean it. Beyond that, though? The 3-liter model can help distance runners shoulder a larger load.
Key Specs
| Sizes | 2L, 3L |
| Weight | 5.8 oz |
| Dishwasher Safe? | No |
Nathan Insulated Hydration Bladder
Pros
- Best for Easy Cleaning
- Zipper opening for easy fill-up
- The Best Basic Running Watches for Minimalists
Cons
- Only comes in a small size
Nathan’s insulated bladder keeps your water cold for longer, making it a stellar choice for hot days. This is a thoughtfully designed bladder: Its hourglass-shape reduces sloshing as you run, for a more balanced pack. It also has a leak-proof slide-top opening that, like the Camelbak Fusion’s zippered top, allows for easy filling and cleaning. The hose fixture and bite-value nozzle provide unobstructed water flow.
The distinctive design comes with drawbacks, too, though. It only comes in a smaller 1.6-liter capacity, and it’s comparatively heavy–an unavoidable side effect of the added insulation. I think the weight’s worth it, though, every time I take a cold sip.
Key Specs
| Sizes | 1.6L |
| Weight | 8 oz |
| Dishwasher Safe? | Yes |
Pros
- Easy to clean inside and out
- Zipper opening for easy fill-up
Cons
- Tricky attachment points
The Osprey Hydraulics LT features a few smart design choices that make it easy to clean. It opens completely at the top, making it possible to turn inside out. The hose has a high detachment point, so you can easily reach every inch of the hose. Last, but not least, it’s also dishwasher safe.
Easy maintenance isn’t everything, though: The Hydraulics LT also performs. The hose and nozzle design offer great water flow, and an extending pour shield at the collar allows for easier filling and pouring. The only potential issue I found is that some of its attachment points don’t always fit together easily when you reassemble after a cleaning. A little fumbling isn’t the end of the world, though: All told, it’s an excellent bladder.
Key Specs
| Sizes | 1.5L, 2.5L |
| Weight | 5.9 oz |
| Dishwasher Safe? | Yes |
Pros
- The Shoes and Gear Kipyegon Will Wear at Breaking4
- Easy to clean
- Best for Easy Cleaning
Cons
- The Lululemon Further Capsule Just Dropped
If you tend to be hard on your gear (like me), consider the Velocity IT from HydraPak. I’ve tossed and bounced mine around campsites and vehicles without any issues.
The design is no slouch, either. Its slide-release top opens all the way across, allowing for easy filling and cleaning. It’s also lightly insulated to keep water cool, though it isn't as effective at that as the Nathan bladder. (A few ice cubes are something I'd recommend.)
You may need to run it through the dishwasher a few times before you take it out to get rid of the initial taste, but once that’s gone, this is a solid hydration bladder that should last for years to come.
Key Specs
| Sizes | 1.5L, 2L |
| Weight | 6.6 oz |
| Dishwasher Safe? | Yes |
Q+A With Our Experts
How do you clean a water reservoir?
It’s a good idea to clean and dry your hydro bladder after every use. Depending on the model, doing so may require a little bit of elbow grease.
Health & Injuries hose cleaner, which will allow you to run a brush through its entirety. Bladders that seal with a zipper or slide are easy to scrub out with a sponge, but options with a narrow fill-up lid may require a bottle brush to clean thoroughly. Hang everything to dry—never store any of the parts wet. Some runners and cyclists store the empty, dry reservoir in the freezer to prevent bacteria from growing between uses.
Many reservoirs are dishwasher safe. Check your bladder’s care instructions for specific directions. If washing in the dishwasher, turn the reservoir inside out if possible, and place it on the top shelf.
Can you freeze a water bladder?
In most cases, yes. Freezing your hydration bladder pre-run can be a great way to keep cool through a run on a hot day.
Keep in mind, however, that you will have limited access to your water at the start of the run while most of the water is still frozen. Likewise, remember to underfill slightly, as water expands as it freezes.
I recommend filling up and popping it in the freezer just 60- to 90-minutes before it’s time to run: Ideally, you want the water to start getting frozen and turn slushy, but not let it harden into a solid block of ice.
Health - Injuries?
Once the bladder is full, squeeze any air bubbles out of the hose and nozzle. The less air there is in the bag, the less the water can move around.
Nutrition - Weight Loss?
Theoretically yes, but keep in mind that it can be extremely difficult or even impossible to fully clean some juices and other liquids out of the bladder. Unless hydration supplements are a core part of your routine, I recommend sticking to plain water.
Nick Hilden is a writer, globetrotter, and jack-of-many-talents who has written gear reviews for the likes of Runner’s World, Popular Science, Men’s Health, Thrillist, Osprey Hydraulics LT Lightweight Water Reservoir, the Los Angeles Times, Greatist, and the Manual, and his lifestyle, culture, and tech writing has also appeared in Scientific American, Afar, Salon, Vice, Healthline, and many others. Before entering journalism some 15 years ago, he worked as a bartender, brewery manager, sound engineer, recording and touring musician, cook, teacher, and in a variety of other trades. These days, he lives all over the world, performs music sporadically, and spends a lot of time thinking how to best improve his Honda Element conversion.
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