Before I write a review for the Nalgene Hydration System, I think I should first explain what a “Hydration System is”. Second I should explain who Nalgene is and third I do I need a hydration system?

What is a Hydration system?

Better known as “Hydration packs” they backpacks containing a reservoir or "bladder" commonly made of rubber or flexible plastic. The reservoir contains a capped mouth for filling with liquid and a hose that allows the wearer to drink hands-free. Most hoses end with a "bite valve" that opens when the user bites down on it; the valve may be protected by a dust cover. Some hydration packs are insulated to keep water from freezing or becoming warm. Reservoir sizes commonly range from 1.5 to 3.0 liters

Hydration packs are commonly used for outdoor recreational activities, such as hiking, bicycling, and kayaking, as well as for military maneuvers.

Who is Nalgene
Any outdoor enthusiast will be familiar with Nalgene, even if they don’t own a Nalgene product they are likely to call their water bottle a Nalgene even if it isn’t. Nalgene water bottles are though of being indestructible, but are not really.

According to Wikipedia Nalgene bottles originally were only sold through industrial supply stores, and were popular only with an elite crowd of wilderness seekers, today there products are sold at every major sporting good store.

Do I need a hydration pack?
Originally made popular by the United States Military hydration packs are a very convent way to stay hydrated while working out. Placed on your back, the weight of water, is better distributed than any other method, allowing you to carry more water than bottles. By accessing the water through a hose that is always near your mouth one can stay well hydrated with out interfering with your current activity.

Hydration packs aren’t only useful for the wilderness travelers, even in an urban setting a hydration pack can be a real asset. Providing plenty of water, saves you expensive trips to the store for a $2 bottle of water, or at festivals having the water on your back saves you a hand needed for consuming more food.

About the Nalgene Hydration System

I was an early adopter of hydration systems, but I was also a cheap skate. I will tell you right now, don’t go cheap on hydration systems. When you are carrying 3 liters of water on your back and it starts to leak you will not be happy you saved $30.
In addition when it is 90 degrees out and your water is 95 degrees you will not be happy you saved $30. When you fail to get all the water out of your unit and you find stuff growing in it, as you try to clean it out, you will not be happy you saved $30.

The leader in the hydration system is CamelBak, and I will give them the credit they deserve there units ARE the best. They are also very expensive, in my now expert opinion. IE I’ve owned the cheapest and I have friends who own the most expensive I am more than satisfied that Nalgene’s Hydration System is the perfect compromises between quality and price.

Comparing it to CamelBak
Nalegene like Camelbak has sturdy bladders and well sealed caps that do not leak, a very important feature. Camelbak has a much wider cap allowing easier placement of the all important ice cubes on hot days. But the cap is wide enough that ice cubes will fit on the Nalegene.

Nalegene and Camelbak both use detachable hoses, this is very important for cleaning purposes, Camelbak is sold at any store so cleaning equipment is also available at any store, in addition replacement parts are easy to find. Nalgene replacement parts are available on their website.

Nalegene and Camelbak both use bit pieces, this is the piece that most likely will fail. Failure for Camelbak is fixed by a quick trip to Sport Mart or Dick’s but with Nalegene you need to pay shipping and handling. Replacement for both is easy, I purchased two when my bite piece failed and haven’t needed to use the second one yet, 2 years later.

Unlike Camelbak, the Nalgene has an awesome feature of a magnetic clip on the bite piece that attached to a magnetic plate on your straps, this make access toy our water even easier, with no dangling water hose to find.

If I was just to rate on features I would give a Camelbak a perfect 10 out of 10 and Nalegene a 9 out of 10, just on the fact you can’t find it in every store.

Other features
Besides providing water my Nalgene also provides storage. It is a backpack with plenty of room of stuff I might pick up along the way. I like to walk 10 miles on the weekend in a fairly urbanish area, and I’ll use that time to pick up odds and ends at various stores, the backpack is perfect for placing my purchases in. In addition a warm sweater is stuffed inside for a change of weather is also handy.

You can get hydration packs that are just water holders, but this unit is not for that, I like storage so I pay extra for it.

It is important that the unit fits well, this unit provides plenty of room for adjustments but I purchased it at a real store so I tested it before I purchased it. The bladders are flat so while adding water adds weight it doesn’t change the feel of the bag much. Stuff a jacket inside the unit and you should have a good feel for what it feels like full.

There are also outside pockets of water bottles, I am sure these work but I’ve never used them, seems a little redundant.

The bladder
The bladder is removable, this is important for not only filling, but for using with other systems. My hiking backpack
North Face Terra 50, has a storage and hole for the drinking hose, so all I need to do is place the bladder in it, and leave the backpack at home.

The Bladder also has insulation, this is nice it keeps your water much cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. The only problem is the water hose is not insulated so your first sip is awfully warm, since it is fairly thin, it gets hot fast, and freezes really fast. Sometimes I remember to blow to push all the water into the bladder, but most of the time I just drink and spit out the yucky warm water, heck at 3 liters I almost always have enough.

Recommended: Yes