Retailer for Source hydration bladder

[GPSGuided]

Interested in picking up a Source hydration bladder (2 or 3L). Particularly like the wide opening for cleaning.

Anyone know where to source them locally?

[Strider]

Mountain Designs stock Source.

Platypus Big Zip might also be worth a look.

[GPSGuided]

Thanks Strider!

I also just noticed that Source does direct mail order. My intended order of US$66 can get free P&H. Not bad too.

[GPSGuided]

Quick follow up.

With a lack of local stock, made online order for two Widepac 3L units and it was dispatched from Israel. Uneventful airmail delivery in about a week and a half. No problem at all. Very happy with the "wide" opening design for cleaning and drying out. Given their geographical location, the Israeli really knows how to design hydration equipments well.

[Snowzone]

Just had a look on their website and they look ok. If you've had a chance to use them yet I am interested to know how easy it was to fill and then get the top closed?

[GPSGuided]

Just had a look on their website and they look ok. If you've had a chance to use them yet I am interested to know how easy it was to fill and then get the top closed?

I have one their 4L "water bag" and really liked the closure design, hence the current purchase. The slip on clamp is easy to apply and remove and the rubber/plastic is of sufficient stiffness to stand up on their own when empty. The design may irritate some as when it's filled, unless I support the bladder from the side or have a good hold of its wide opening, it may collapse and spill out. It doesn't have a separate grab handle like Osprey's offering. But I am not worried about that as I value the ease of cleaning and drying above this. I also considered their "hollowed centre" bladder as it makes good fit logic for a backpack. Would have selected it if I wasn't concerned about ease of cleaning and the fact that my backpacks have a spaced mesh separation b/n my back and the actual bag. The other feature of their unit is the cap over the mouth piece. It may be considered redundant by some and can be easily cut off, but I can understand their inclusion given the hot and dusty conditions of the Middle East region. YMMV.

[Joomy]

Hmm... I like the look of that 4L bladder. GPSGuided: Can you attach a tube to the spout for set up with a gravity filter system? If so it could be what I've been looking for.

Edit: Ok couldn't help myself given that the shipping cost was only US$5 so I've ordered one. Hopefully I'll be able to make it work.

[GPSGuided]

Hmm... I like the look of that 4L bladder. GPSGuided: Can you attach a tube to the spout for set up with a gravity filter system? If so it could be what I've been looking for.

Edit: Ok couldn't help myself given that the shipping cost was only US$5 so I've ordered one. Hopefully I'll be able to make it work.

Sorry about the late reply but looks like you've gone down the road already. Hehe! The tap on the 4L bladder is similar to one of those wine/juice flasks and the end of the spout is a 1.5-2cm straight segment of plastic tube, one that'll easily mate with a suitably matched vinyl or silicon tube. So I think your chances are good.

[Snowzone]

Thanks Gpsguided, I have ordered the 3litre widepac as well as the 4litre bladder as it does look rather handy.

[Giddy_up]

I've use a 3 litre wide pack now for about 3 years and it's been very good, never leaked and I get all my spare parts from MD without any problems.

[Joomy]

Hmm... I like the look of that 4L bladder. GPSGuided: Can you attach a tube to the spout for set up with a gravity filter system? If so it could be what I've been looking for.

Edit: Ok couldn't help myself given that the shipping cost was only US$5 so I've ordered one. Hopefully I'll be able to make it work.

Sorry about the late reply but looks like you've gone down the road already. Hehe! The tap on the 4L bladder is similar to one of those wine/juice flasks and the end of the spout is a 1.5-2cm straight segment of plastic tube, one that'll easily mate with a suitably matched vinyl or silicon tube. So I think your chances are good.

Good to know! Yeah, when I see something I like at a good price I tend to snap it up and hope for the best.

[KANANGRABOYD]

Ahhhh, you know Kathmandu bladders are Source!- look on them!

[GPSGuided]

Ahhhh, you know Kathmandu bladders are Source!- look on them!

Yes. Got their 1L bags and they are identical to Source. No surprise. Thanks.

[Joomy]

Lol just walked into MDs and they had heaps of Source stuff. $30 for the 4L bladder compared to $28 that it cost me to buy direct... probably wouldn't have bothered in hindsight. Have to say they don't look that schmick but I'm sure they do the job.

[Strider]

Why Source?

[GPSGuided]

Why Source?

I liked their opening design and ease of cleaning.

[Strider]

Fair enough

[GPSGuided]

Any reason why you may not like them?

[Strider]

I wasnt suggesting that, though I'm not particularly keen on bladders in general.

[GPSGuided]

Ah ok. Yes, I wasn't keen on bladders until I came across this model. After experiences in water bottles for cycling, I was also very reluctant on bladders for their potential cleaning and hygiene issues. The wide open Source design has made it much more acceptable.

[Strider]

My concerns are more around having all my water in one relatively weak container.

Out of interest, are you using the model with the hole in the middle?

Cleaning and hygiene are most easily solved with a teaspoon of bleach per litre in a full bladder after each use, then drain and store. I use this method for my collapsible bottles.

[McWade]

After each use?!? I'd never get out of the friggin house!

[Bluegum Mic]

Ive used the wide opening source bladder for a few years and have found it the best I've owned. Easy to clean, easy to fill, has been reliable, I love that you can unclip the hose and it wont leak so it makes it easier to get it in and out of your pack without having to unfeed the hose from the hydration port of your pack. Mine was purchased direct from source (a member here did a group buy) but yes the kathmandu bladders are source if you want to purchase in a store.

[Strider]

Its a 10 second process..

[GPSGuided]

The bladder is quite solid, not flimsy plastic/rubber. Not too concerned about it rupturing unless I am being "stupid". I didn't go with the model with a hole in the middle. Maybe I should have but it's not as easily to clean based on my interpretation of the photo. Of course, that's relative.

[Strider]

Yeah it does look a bit tricky but I do wonder how well it works in preventing "the bulge".

[GPSGuided]

Yeah it does look a bit tricky but I do wonder how well it works in preventing "the bulge".

I think it will prevent the bulge pretty well. I note Source's bladder material is not really elastic, as such, the shape will be preserved. I was surprised that the largest model can also hold 3L, same as the no-hole model I bought. But as indicated earlier, it's not a significant issue for me as all my backpacks have spaced out design. A bit of a bulge won't intrude on my back but close in the c.g. of the backpack. Otherwise, slot it in another location in the pack.

[Snowzone]

Why Source?

I've decided to try the source bladders because so far I havn't heard anything bad enough to stear me away from them. I also like the idea of being able to clean and dry the bladder out well between uses.

My concerns are more around having all my water in one relatively weak container.

I always carry a 1litre bottle as a back up so its never all my water. I only started using bladders a few years ago after changing to a pack that didn't have bottle holders. It took a while to get used to being able to drink whenever I felt like it instead of having to stop, contortion stretch for bottle, unscrew lid, drop lid in dirt before retrieving and then ending up taking pack off to put bottle away anyway. So I think I'll continue with bladder use.

[roysta]

I have the 3 litre one with the hole in the middle.
It does eliminate the bulge and I find the bladder very good.

[simonm]

I have used the Source bladder primarily for sea kayaking over the last few years, placed in the back of my PFD and I have found it to be of excellent quality. No issues so far.