Item Review: HydraPak Bladder System

This may be a premature review, but I wanted to get my thoughts out ASAP so I don't lose it in the next few days.

First off, I ordered up a brand new HydraPak bladder direct to replace the Platypus hydration bladder I've used for several years. Yes, I buy everything I test, so if I get burned, so does the product. The old Platypus worked excellent but was slowly wearing out. And some of the "newer" features peaked my interest, so I gave one of the new-comers a try.

I chose the HydraPak system to try something off the beaten path, much like the Platypus was back in the day. Nothing against CamelBak as their system is tried and true with a ton of riders.

The HydraPak boasts a super-stretchy bladder material that resists mildew and staining. Unfortunately, my bladder stained orange the first time out of the gate. Also with the bladder is the really trick opening that helps to clean and fill the bladder as well as have a "fold like a lunch bag" seal that holds tighter the more pressure that is applied to the bladder. To operate the opening, you have to unfold the top and "pinch" the top, flexing the pre-tensioned plastic bar in the opposite direction. Great in theory, but difficult in practice. With one hand I both flex and hold the bladder up. With the other, I aim a bottle of drink towards the opening. As the liquid fills the bladder, the hand holding open the mouth of the bladder now has to also bear the weight of the liquid. I've nearly dropped the bladder a few times. More likely is spilling. It has happened almost every time I fill it. Plus, if the flaps are moist, they will stick together and prevent liquid from entering the bladder (deflected). Folding the top is a cinch, but is still a messy ordeal if the flaps are wet or if there was any spillage during the fill, which was more often than not. You fold the top one way, then the other and secure the opening with a strip of velcro.

The delivery hose is easily detachable from the bladder. A slick button pops it on and off with relative ease. Minimal leaking is nice. The tube is also a 2-part construction. The outer is a durable sleeve with the internal being a taste-free medical lining, also resisting bacterial growth. It also boasts a larger delivery diameter which supposedly delivers more liquid with every bite.

The provide both a straight and angled valve fitting. Nice so the user can customize the delivery and routing. Plus it has a built-in on/off position to prevent leaks during transport. Unfortunately, when in the open position, the valve leaked. It produced stains all over my jerseys and the front triangle and elements around the bottom bracket were covered in sticky goo after every ride. I eventually had to use the shut-off feature to stop the bleeding during the ride. A pain in the butt. I am currently awaiting a replacement valve due to the problem described above. In the meantime, I grabbed my old CamelBak valve to use. Unfortunately, HydraPak decided to use a different tube all together so no competitors parts will easily work on their system. I did do a retrofit for my CamelBak stuff and due to the mis-match... it still leaks. I have been waiting a couple of weeks for the replacement, however... so... any day now.

Just the other day, I was getting ready for a ride and strapped on my pack. I all of a sudden had a very wet rear end. I whipped off the pack and the reservoir was spewing HEED everywhere. Not good. And now I may have to send in the entire system because it is leaking.

Hmmm. Final rating is poor for this guy. Bummed I didn't pick up CamelBak's OMEGA resevior instead. In the meantime, I may try to ressurect my old Platypus set-up.