Camelbak Reservoir review: Ok, you may have read some online, but you want a more detailed explanation as to whether or not you should buy one or do you need the backpack too?
Raise your hand if you don’t drink enough water everyday? It’s so hard to get enough water, let alone pack enough for all day adventures without having to bring absurdly large containers or stopping in a grocery store or gas station to buy even more environment-killing single-use plastic bottles.
That’s me, Lumalia (Emmy) with my crazy hiking hair wearing my Camelbak hydration pack! I’m an anniversary and elopement photographer based in Oregon but together with my partner photographer we serve Colorado and the whole USA! We love adventuring with our families and exploring new areas with our couples crafting unforgettable experiences that connect our hearts and bodies back to the things that matter
How I Got Hooked on Camelbak’s
Wondering if you need one too? Even though I love my Camelbak backpack and hydration bladders, in this Camelbak reservoir review I want to share with you some pros and cons about this amazing invention and also talk about the elephant in the room (other brands that are out there).
Camelbak Reservoir Review: Why I freaking LOVE My Camelbak Hydration Pack and Reservoirs.
Camelbak Bladders Holds Enough Water For The Whole Family
All Day Adventures
I Drink More Water
No More Single Use Plastic Water Bottles
Easy To Use
Camelbak Reservoir Review: What I'd Love To See Changed
Made of Plastic
In creating this Camelbak reservoir review I’d like to share that as a family trying to diminish our own plastic use, it’s sometimes hard to choose between my glass water bottle and these plastic water reservoirs when I go on shorter adventures. The new reservoirs are made partly from recycled plastic, which is at least a small step in the right direction. But let’s be honest, I don’t want to carry one gallon of water in a glass container on a hike.
Camelbak bladders are 100% free of BPA, BPS and BPF so that is also a plus!
Camelbak Bladders Are Hard To Clean
P.S. Wondering what this title triangle thing on my Camelbak hydration pack is? Its called a Kula Cloth! Its for wiping after you go pee for us ladies. I love it.
It's Not Usable For Very Young Children
Until my daughter was about one and a half or two, I had to get the water moving through the tube for her, but I love that even at this young of an age she could use it too. So if you have children under 18 months, you’ll probably want to bring one of their own water bottles for them to use or make sure you’re around to supervise them using it.
In my reading of the new Camelbak Crux reservoir reviews, I saw this is now WAY more friendly for little kids, which is awesome!
Off Brands - Just Don’t Do It
Ok, now if you’re like me, you’ve seen this sort of thing from other brands with reservoirs built in. But let me tell you, friend–they are HORRIFIC. A relative bought one for my husband so that we could both have our own reservoirs, but the suction was very difficult to use unless you had “super lungs.” The plastic quality was very questionable and there were no certifications such as BPA free. It turned hazy quite fast under the heat of the sun, even during a couple hour hike within its backpack housing, which is a BAD sign when it comes to plastic.
There are, however, some alternative brands of quality that you could look into. One is Platypus, which I haven’t personally used, but in other reviews is pretty comparable (sadly, these are also not able to be washed in the dishwasher).
Whatever hydration reservoir you choose, we hope you enjoy your adventures thirst free. Happy hydrating!
4 Responses
Sounds like an awesome pack. When I find something BPA-free, it usually has BPS, so that’s really cool this doesn’t have either!
I should probably try one of these again. I tried one a few years ago, but I could never get over the rubbery taste (and I hated attempting to clean it.) I’ve heard that you can get rid of the bad flavour with bicarbonate of soda…so maybe it is time to give it another go.
We don’t stop much while we’re hiking, so I am not totally sure I want to get rid of the mini rest I get when I stop to grab my bottle from the side of my bag!