Comparison impression: Which hydration is perfect for a trail run? I actually ran and compared it

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Platypus , OSPREY , Hydrapak , SOURCE , GEIGERRIG , comparison , hydration , CAMELBAK

Written by Kazuya Toujyou

In trail running, frequent hydration is essential to maintain high performance. Drinking water frequently is also effective when hiking, as it helps prevent fatigue. However, when trail running or speed hiking, having to take off your backpack every time you want to hydrate is a waste of time. Therefore, you need a system that allows you to quickly replenish your water

Recently, there has been an increase in hydration methods that can be stored on the front of a backpack, such as soft flasks and body bottles. However, hydration systems remain popular as a stress-free way to hydrate. Although they are now recognized as common gear, I still remember the impact they had when they first appeared

Many runners use both systems in races (especially long distances). By separating the different types of hydration, such as water in the back hydration bottle and sports drinks or tea in the front bottle, you can add variety and easily manage the remaining amount. The range of items you can choose based on the distance and number of aid stations is expanding, and it's fun to be able to make your own plan depending on how you pack

This time, we actually tried out and compared hydration systems that come in a wide variety of capacities and mechanisms, even among these water supply systems

For more information on water bottles and hydration basics, check out this article

The problem of how to stay hydrated in the mountains: Bottles or hydration packs?

table of contents

table of contents
About the hydration systems compared this time
Test results and spec comparison table
Impressions of each model
summary
Looking for reviewers

About the items we compared and tested this time
Test results and spec comparison table
Impressions of each model
summary

About the hydration systems compared this time

We've picked out a total of six models available through official routes in Japan, ranging from standard to unique models. We tested them on the trail and in the kitchen. The capacity is all 2L, designed for long-distance use

CAMELBAK Cracks Reservoir 2.0L
OSPREY Reservoir 2L
SOURCE Reservoir Wide Pack 2.0L
Hydrapak Shape Shift 2.0L
GEIGERRIG HYDRATION ENGINES 2.0L
Platypus Big Zip LP 2.0L

Five indicators are set as follows for evaluation items.

Ease of drinking: When you actually try drinking while running, the size of the mouth, the ease of water flow, etc. make a big difference in the drinking experience. Also, foreign products may be a little difficult for Japanese people to use
Ease of replenishing water: In some cases, you may need to refill water at an aid station, so it's best to be able to refill it quickly
Packability: For many runners who want to pack as little as possible, ease of packing is an important factor
Care: Hydration packs have many parts that are difficult to clean, such as thin water inlets, tubes, and complex valves, so of course there's no reason not to take care of hygiene. We evaluate how much care has been taken with the pack
Usability: We evaluated the overall usability other than those mentioned above, including weight, ease of attaching the tube to the body, locking mechanism to prevent leaks, and the variety of optional parts available

Test results and spec comparison table

If you find it difficult to see the table because it is lightweight for smartphones, click here

comprehensive evaluation	AAA	AA	AA	AA	AA	A
item	Hydrapak Shape Shift 2.0L	CAMELBAK Cracks Reservoir 2.0L	Platypus Big Zip LP 2.0L	SOURCE Reservoir Wide Pack 2.0L	OSPREY Rezavoir 2L	GEIGERRIG HYDRATION ENGINES 2.0L
Reference price	6,739 yen	4,860 yen	5,184 yen	4,860 yen	4,320 yen	9,072 yen
Ease of drinking	★★★☆☆	★★★★★	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆
Ease of replenishing	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆
Storageability	★★★★★	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★★	★☆☆☆☆
Care	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★☆☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆
Easy to use	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆	★★★☆☆
Specs
item	Hydrapak Shape Shift 2.0L	CAMELBAK Cracks Reservoir 2.0L	Platypus BIG ZIP LP 2.0L	SOURCE Reservoir Wide Pack 2.0L	OSPREY Rezavoir 2L	GEIGERRIG HYDRATION ENGINES 2.0L
Variations	2L/3L	1.5/2/3L	1.5/2/3L	1.5/2/3L	2L/3L	1.5/2/3L
weight	135g	210g	160g	170g	300g	220g
Water leak prevention lock	○	○ (Easy to use)	○ (Easy to use)	○ (Easy to use)	○	○
Can it be washed inside out?	○	× (large mouth)	×	× (large mouth)	×	○
valve cover	Sold separately	Sold separately	Sold separately	○	Sold separately	×
Tube clamp	Sold separately	Sold separately	clip	Sold separately	magnet	×

Impressions of each model

Easy to use during and after use: Hydrapak Shape Shift 2.0L

Shape Shift 2.0L

Hydrapak

6,739 yen

I like it here

There is a baffle (partition) inside the pack to prevent the pack from changing shape due to changes in the amount of water remaining
The pack can be turned inside out, the valve can be easily disassembled, and maintenance is at its highest level
It's light and the parts are simple overall

This is a shame

If I were to be greedy, I would like the flow rate at the spout to be a little higher..

No.1 in drinkability: CAMELBAK Crux Reservoir 2.0L

Cracks Reservoir 2.0L

CAMELBAK

4,860 yen

I like it here

The water inlet is a dial-type opening that opens wide, making it easy to fill with water and maintain the inside of the pack (however, be careful not to accidentally close the lid at an angle, which can cause water leakage)
The valve is large, allowing for a large flow rate without the need to chew hard, making it easy to drink
Equipped with HydroGuard to prevent the growth of bacteria

This is a shame

The unique shape means it is difficult to use with a backpack, making it less versatile

Overall balance: Platypus BIG ZIP LP 2.0L

BIG ZIP LP 2.0L

Platypus

5,184 yen

I like it here

The vertical baffles inside the pack prevent the pack from changing shape due to changes in the amount of water remaining, reducing strain on the body
The drinking valve is removable for hygiene reasons
The rubber that connects to the slide bar at the opening of the pack stretches enough to reduce stress when refilling

This is a shame

The vertical shape makes it difficult to fit some packs, and it is not suitable for small people
The baffles inside the pack are long and cannot be turned over, making maintenance difficult

Reduced stress from refueling to hydration: SOURCE Hydration Pack Wide Pack 2.0L

Hydration Pack Wide Pack 2.0L

SOURCE

4,860 yen

I like it here

The opening slide bar is easy to use
The wide and easy-to-open refill opening is No. 1
A special valve allows you to drink water with just a little chewing

This is a shame

Valve caps are not necessary for trail running as they tend to shake (they are removable)
Special shape with spring inside when disassembling the valve

Always pack smart: OSPREY Reservoir 2L

Reservoir 2L

OSPREY

4,320 yen

I like it here

The plate on the back keeps the bottle in place regardless of the amount of water remaining, reducing fatigue during long periods of use
Valve disassembly is easy, making maintenance easy
A magnetic hose clip is included as standard (but you'll need a set that won't come off while you're running)

This is a shame

The sliding supply port is too sturdy and difficult to open and close

The only spray-type product is also somewhat unsuitable for trail running: Geigerrig Hydration Engines

HYDRATION ENGINES

GEIGERRIG

9,072 yen

I like it here

The included pump uses air pressure to spray water, so you don't have to suck it up when drinking

This is a shame

The pump's air tube connector takes up extra volume
The leak prevention lock rotates 180 degrees, so it cannot be operated with one hand

summary

While each has its good and bad points, Hydrapak was the most uncomplicated and the easiest to use overall, from hydration and refilling to storage and maintenance. If you're looking for ease of drinking and refilling, CAMELBAK is also hard to beat. Platypus and SOURCE seem well-balanced. OSPREY has its own quirks, but it's easy to store in your pack. The basic design is similar to Hydrapak, so it feels like you've traded maintenance for unique storage

On the other hand, the GEIGERRIG uses air pressure to spray water, which makes it incredibly comfortable to drink from, but the cumbersome air pump and the large volume it takes up when it's full of air make it extremely difficult to use on trail runs, which is why it received a disappointing ranking this time.However, if used properly, there's no doubt that it's a very unique and excellent product

Trail running requires smooth refueling and water supply in severe conditions, and there are many differences in what is important compared to mountain climbing, such as a valve design that makes refueling easy, a design that allows refueling without pulling out the hydration pack, and storage that allows stable storage even in a small, trimmed-down pack. When purchasing hydration packs, try to find the best match for you by comparing the features of each model with the situation in which you will be using them, and also by bringing the backpack you plan to use them with

We also recommend this article on water bottles and hydration

The problem of how to stay hydrated in the mountains: Bottles or hydration packs?

Tojo Kazuya

He grew up in Ibaraki Prefecture and worked mainly in swimming during his student days. He made his triathlon debut as a working adult. In his first year as a member of the company, he completed the first Japan Mountain Endurance Race (= Hasetsune). I am fascinated by the sense of accomplishment of mountain sports. In his 30s he moved to Saitama Prefecture and became independent. Mr. T guided Okumusashi to him and was fascinated by the training run and ultra marathon. He is currently active mainly in domestic trail races. He completed a series of long races from Shinetsu Five Mountains, Joshu Takeru, and KOUMI100. He also works with the NPO Koedo Oedo Trennic World and the NPO Sainokuni Ultra Project (SUP). They are also working hard to bring out the performance of the gear and raise awareness of ensuring the safety of trail running.

Looking for reviewers

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