Hydration packs?

[Gadgetgeek]

So I'm pretty much a water bottle user, don't really like packs, but, I kind of need one for a trip coming up that will involve quite a lot of kayaking, and a hydration pack just works better. Of course during the move I tossed the old bladder I had since it had gone a bit off, the valve was leaking and not thinking I would need it. I have a small 6L bag that will easily house a bladder (gregory diablo6) so thats a non-issue.

As for bladder selection. I had a source bag, liked it while the valve worked. Valve needs to either be one-hand or no-hand use.
I'm an MSR convert and so most of my kit sort of falls along that line, I already have a dromy 4L and a mini-works, and I'll likely continue on that path with 63mm accessories.

right now I'm looking at a dromlite 2L and hydration kit which sits at about 90, for what I can get here and now. Dollar being what it is, and shipping, I have not found an international source that is better enough to bother with.

Or I can do a platy big zip for about 70,and that 20$ difference isn't big enough to justify the loss of adaptability, since I can't really filter straight into it.

A buddy of mine had the twisty valve source bag and kind of mostly hated it, since it almost needs two hands to use, but maybe they have improved it?

80 for a camelbak unbottle seems steep consider again that it looses me the 63mm compatibility.
Any other thoughts?

Gotta be adaptable to multiple bags, gotta be either really easy to fill or match to MSR stuff (fill-able from a dromy) 2L is my goal, but I'll take a 3 if I have to. Anything I've missed? I'm unlikely to go to using a bladder for most of my walking so it seems like the dromlite at least lets me use it as a carry bladder most of the time, but maybe my thinking is way off?
What say you?

[CasualNerd]

I feel like I'm missing something here... I use a 3 litre MTB hydration pack like http://www.wiggle.com.au/evoc-hydrapak-bladder-3-litre/ - folding top closure so it's easy to fill and clean, bite valve which can be locked off if necessary.

It's no "heavy duty" bag but I've taken plenty of spills on the bike and stuffed into many a pack and it's always been fine. I love using a bladder so I remember to drink while walking.

[MrWalker]

A buddy of mine had the twisty valve source bag and kind of mostly hated it, since it almost needs two hands to use, but maybe they have improved it?

I use a platypus 2 or 3L with twisty valve and most of the time I don't twist it off, since it doesn't leak much when you're not biting it. So one handed use is no problem - I just grab it to put it in my mouth and stop biting when finished, so my hand is only busy for a moment.

[GPSGuided]

As for the Platypus, you don't need to twist the Source valve as it has a bite valve on top. Only need to twist and cap if one is transporting or in a dirty environment. Otherwise just leave it 'untwisted' and bite and suck. Even for twisting, it's easy enough to do one handed.

[lseries92]

Just thought I would chime in as I spend more time in kayaks than hiking at the moment and thought I would give a bit of feedback on this issue as. I hike using a hydration bladder however in the kayak I have moved to using bottles instead. In fact when I bought my last life vest, a hydration bladder pocket did not even figure in my purchasing decision (not that my previous vest had one). Mind you I mainly do rivers and lakes these days rather than really rough water ...

I have used hydration bladders in the kayak before but it was hydration pack over a life vest arrangement which was not that comfortable. I know some people have said on the kayak forums that it makes them tire faster by having the weight of water on their back (never got that far so I can not comment on this). I have also tried having the bladder under a bungy net on the kayak or behind the seat. Depending on its location you will need to check the length of the drink tube to make things easy for yourself.

My kayak has a day hatch right in front of the cockpit plus a large bungy net in front of that which makes using the bottles convenient - I normally stow a bottle (or maybe two) under the bungy net and then refill when I land to take a break using my MSR Drom bags in the main hatches. I do have an MSR hydration kit for my Drom bags where I had a cunning plan to stow my small Drom bag behind the seat in a soft cooler bag on a recent trip but I never even used it in the end. The bottles on the deck did me fine (even if they were not as cool obviously) although I may look at again at some point.

[Gadgetgeek]

Thanks for the ideas folks. Its possible that my buddies bag was defective since it pretty much leaked constantly if not shut off. who knows.

Iseries92, thanks for the input. My situation is a bit odd, as the boats I use are not mine, and so slightly different setups on each can really mess up my plans. I did bottles for the last couple of trips, and keeping paddle, bottle and life organized was a pain, That said, my assigned boat last trip had no mesh pockets, a day well that was just a little far to reach easily, and no real stowage bungies. Not ideal. Also most of my co-workers have switched to bladders, so while it might not the actual best, if it works for them, I'm inclined to follow the pack, they generally do things the easy way. To be honest, I'm pretty rubbish at kayaking, just good enough to be functional, but I won't be tackling any real water any time ever. (canoes are much more my speed, on nice, flat, calm lakes)

I'm going to be on pretty sheltered water, we don't do hard stuff, but as the guide, my needs come last, so I kind of need to keep myself sorted so the group can take my attention. distance isn't an issue, we generally don't do too much, but there is always the possibility of getting tug-boat duty.

[GPSGuided]

I still recommend the Source bags as they have that roll top and the inside of the bladder is fully accessible when opened up. This is so important for cleaning and washing. They also have a version with an inline Sawyer filter. On a recent trip, a fellow walker was trying to clean the sand and dirt out of her Osprey hydration bladder, it was just impossible as one can't fully tip the inner.


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[mystery oneal]

Check out Geigerrig. They are pressurised, and also work extremely well with sawyer inline filters. They have roll tops for easy cleaning and are much more friendly to bottle drinkers...IMO...as they don't require you to suck to drink.

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