Minimalists may shun them, but for the average hiker and backpacker, bladders are the order of the day. It is tough to beat the convenience of storing all the water you need for the day in one place, and sipping it through a handy tube that hangs off your shoulder. The biggest gripe for those of us using these water delivery systems? That annoying bulge against your back, and the space it steals in your pack’s main compartment. Enter Osprey, who unveiled their new reservoir system early in 2010. I have been using the Osprey HydraForm 100 oz. reservoir all season, both for hiking and backpacking. Here’s what I found:
Pros: You don’t have to go any further than your sink to see the beauty of this design. Filled to capacity, this bladder has ZERO bulge against the molded plastic backing. The front of the unit has a slight bubble, but is stopped short again by the molded handhold. I like the handhold for another reason: stuffing the bladder into your hydration pocket is a cinch. What used to be a tough trick with other systems is now a breeze.
The Osprey performs well in the field. I used it in both the Osprey Talon 22 daypack and Osprey Kestrel 38 backpack. The reservoir was snug against my back and did not interfere with the air venting system. Inside the pack, I did not suffer the annoying loss of space. Sure, any bladder will have some bulge, but the Osprey lived up to the billing by cutting down on lost space by at least 50%. The water tube has no flaws, and does have a locked position to stop annoying leaks while in transit. Bonus: it comes with a magnetic piece that attaches to your sternum strap and holds the tube in place.
Cons: Osprey’s fancy plastic molding comes at a cost: weight. While a Camelbak OMEGA 3 liter bladder weighs 7.2 oz, the Osprey comes in at 9 oz. It’s not a huge difference, but then again, every ounce counts, right? The Osprey is designed to work in, you guessed it, Osprey packs. Unless you already have one, that means you need to gear up with not only the bladder, but a pricey new pack as well. The bladder does fit into other manufacturers’ packs, but for optimum performance you need an Osprey. Last but not least is that oh so annoying “slosh.” When water levels drop below 1 liter, you can hear the water splashing in the bladder when you take a heavy step or leap.
In my humble opinion, the good easily outweighs the bad. I had been waiting a long time for a more streamlined 3 liter bladder, and this is it. Osprey’s claims bear out: the plastic molding puts an end to the dreaded bulge, and saves space inside your pack. Aside from the obvious, there are other benefits to owning the Osprey. If you have a pack with no frame system, the bladder adds some stability. Inserted into the REI Flash 18, it turns the flimsy daypack into a mini peak bagger. Even close to empty, the plastic stays in place to create a removable framesheet. The price is similar to other bladders, so if you’re in the market I definitely recommend it.
You can purchase the Osprey HydraForm 3L Reservoir at Backcountry.com
I’m curious to find out what kind of material the Hydration bladder is made out of, when I look at it, it appears to be made from some kind of mesh and upon further inspection it appears that air can pass through it….but not water. This is quite perplexing.