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
table of contents
- table of contents
- About the hydration systems compared this time
- Test results and spec comparison table
- Impressions of each model
- Easy to use during and after use: Hydrapak Shape Shift 2.0L
- No.1 in drinkability: CAMELBAK Crux Reservoir 2.0L
- Overall balance: Platypus BIG ZIP LP 2.0L
- Reduced stress from refueling to hydration: SOURCE Hydration Pack Wide Pack 2.0L
- Always pack smart: OSPREY Reservoir 2L
- The only spray-type product is also somewhat unsuitable for trail running: Geigerrig Hydration Engines
- summary
- Looking for reviewers
table of contents
- 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 |  |
 |
![Platypus Big Zip LP Outdoor Water Bottle [Official Japanese Product]](https://images-fe.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71S6MC4ynOL._SS300_.jpg) |
 |
 |
 |
| 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Tojo Kazuya
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