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

When running trails, frequent water supply is essential to maintaining high performance. Even when climbing, frequent water supply is effective as it will make it less likely to get fatigued. However, when running trails or speed hiking, you may lose time if you keep your backpacks down when hydrating. Therefore, a system is needed to provide water supply immediately.

Recently, there have been an increase in water supply methods such as soft flasks and body bottles that can be stored on the front of backpacks. However, the hydration system is still popular as a stress-free water supply. It seems to be recognized as a common gear now, but I can't forget the shock that this tool was first introduced.

Many athletes use these in combination in races, especially in long distances. The hydration on the back has the advantage of being able to have a variety of options, such as water, and the bottle on the front has the advantage of being able to be divided into different types, such as sports drinks and tea, and making it easier to manage the remaining amount. The range of items you can choose according to 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 your items.

This time, we have actually used hydration, which has a wide variety of water supply systems, including capacity and mechanisms.

We recommend this article for information on the basics of water bottles and hydration.

• The question of how to stay hydrated in the mountains - a bottle? Is it hydration? ~

table of contents

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

Hydration comparisons

We have picked out a total of six models available through regular Japanese routes, from standard models to unique models. Tested on the trail and on the kitchen. The capacity is unified to 2L for long distance use.

• CAMELBAK Crux Reservoir 2.0L
• OSPREY Rezavoir 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.

1. Ease of drinking: The size of the mouth and ease of water flowing out, when you actually drink while you run, the drinking experience is quite different. In addition, overseas products may be difficult for Japanese people to use.
2. Ease of replenishing: In some cases, you may need to replenish water through the aid, so it's best to be able to replenish your supplies quickly.
3. Storage: Ease of storage is one of the key indicators for many runners who want to keep packing as small as possible.
4. Care: Hydration has many areas that are difficult to wash, such as thin water intakes, tubes, and complicated valves, but of course there is no need to pay attention to hygiene. We will evaluate how carefully they are being taken into consideration.
5. Usability: We have evaluated the overall usability other than those listed above, including weight, ease of setting the tube onto the body, a lock mechanism to prevent water leakage, and a wide range of optional parts.

Test results and spec comparison table

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

Impressions of each model

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

I like this

• There is a baffle inside the pack to prevent changes in shape due to changes in water remaining amount.
• It is the most convenient to maintain, with the ability to flip the pack over and the valve being easily disassembled.
• Lightweight and overall simple parts

This is a shame

• If I were to be greedy, I wish the drinking water had a little more flow...

No.1 Ease of Drinking: CAMELBAK Klux Reservoir 2.0L

I like this

• The water supply outlet is dial-type and expands widely, making it easy to supply water and maintain the inside of the pack (but be careful not to let the lid close at an angle if you accidentally do so).
• The valve is large. It flows a lot without chewing too much and is easy to drink
• Equipped with a hydroguard to suppress the development of bacteria

This is a shame

• The shape is special and you choose a backpack, making it unversible

Overall balance: Platypus BIG ZIP LP 2.0L

I like this

• The baffle (baffle) inside the pack is vertically long, reducing the shape change due to changes in water remaining amount and reducing the burden on the body.
• The drinking valve can be removed, so hygiene is also safe

  

• The elastic connected to the slide bar at the opening of the pack is stretched sufficiently, making it less stressful when refilling

This is a shame

• The vertical shape is not suitable for some packs, or it is not suitable for small people.
• The baffles (baffles) in the pack cannot be turned over for a long time, so maintenance is not easy to maintain.

Less stress from supply to water supply: SOURCE Hydration Pack Wide Pack 2.0L

I like this

• The slide bar at the opening is easy to use

  

• The wide and easy to expand the supply opening are No. 1
• A special valve allows you to drink water if you chew a little

This is a shame

• The valve cap will sway, so it is not necessary for a trail running (removable)
• Special shape with the spring inside when the valve is disassembled

Store smartly in your pack at any time: OSPREY Rezavoir 2L

I like this

• The plate on the back makes it difficult to change the shape regardless of the amount of water remaining, reducing fatigue from long-term movements
• Easy to disassemble and maintain
• A magnetic hose clip is included as standard (but a set is required to prevent it from coming off while running).

This is a shame

• The sliding supply outlet is too robust and difficult to open and close

The only spray type is not suitable for trail running: GEIGERRIG HYDRATION ENGINES

I like this

• Using the air pressure of the attached pump, it is a structure that emits water like a spray, so there is no need to suck when drinking.

This is a shame

• The air tube connect part of the pump takes up an unnecessary volume
• The leak prevention lock rotates 180° so it cannot be handled with one hand.

summary

Of the good and bad sides of each coexist, Hydrapak has the least bitters and was the easiest to handle throughout, including water supply, replenishment, storage and maintenance. In addition, if you are specializing in ease of drinking and ease of replenishing, CAMELBAK is also difficult to throw away. I get the impression that Platypus and SOURCE are well-balanced. Although OSPREY has its own unique features, it is excellent in how easy it can be stored in a pack. The basic construction is similar to Hydrapak, so I felt like I was able to get a unique storage capacity in exchange for ease of maintenance.

On the other hand, GEIGERRIG has an extraordinary drinking experience in which water is sprayed with air pressure, but the air pump is bothersome and the capacity increases when the air is full, making it extremely difficult to use on trail runs, making this a disappointing ranking this time. As long as you don't get the right purpose, it's definitely a very unique and excellent product.

Trail runs, which require smooth supply and water in severe situations, have many different aspects of mountain climbing, such as valves that are structured to easily replenish supplies, structures that allow for replenishment without pulling out the Hydre Pack, and storage capacity that is stable even within small, cut-down packs. When purchasing hydration, try comparing the scenes you use with the characteristics of each model, and bringing the intended backpack to use to find the best match for you.

We also recommend this article about water bottles and hydration.

• The question of how to stay hydrated in the mountains - a bottle? Is it hydration? ~

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.

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