Hydration bladder for trail running: drink without stopping

A hydration bladder (also called a reservoir, or simply a 'camelbak' by many runners) is a flexible water reservoir that slides into the back compartment of your trail vest or running pack. Through the tube with bite valve you take small sips on the move, without stopping or reaching into your vest. That way you keep drinking, even when you get tired and forget.

Hydration bladder or soft flasks?

Soft flasks on the front are ideal up to about 1 litre and easy to refill at an aid station. Going longer or further from civilisation? A hydration bladder gives you more volume without weight on the front. Many ultra runners combine both: water in the bladder on the back, electrolytes or sports drink in the flasks up front.

Which volume: 1, 1.5 or 2 litres?

• 1 to 1.5 litres: runs of 2 to 4 hours, or when there are water points along the way. Compact and stable in a smaller vest.
• 2 litres: long days in the mountains, hot conditions or ultras with little support.

Not filling it all the way? Squeeze out the air before closing it, so nothing sloshes while you run.

Will the bladder fit my trail vest?

Check the size of the back compartment and whether your vest has a port or loop for the tube. Brands like Salomon and Nathan make reservoirs that fit their own vests perfectly, but most hydration bladders work in any trail vest with a back compartment. Not sure? Bring your vest to our store on the Maasstraat in Amsterdam and we'll fit it together.

Keep it clean and taste-free

Choose a bladder with a wide opening: easy to fill with ice cubes and easy to dry. Rinse it after every run, especially if you used sports drink, and let it dry open. Our cleaning products keep it fresh, and a spare drinking tube is easy to replace.

Frequently asked questions

Does water from a hydration bladder taste of plastic?
Modern reservoirs are BPA-free and hardly give off any taste. Rinse a new bladder a few times before first use.

Can I put sports drink in it?
Yes, but rinse it thoroughly right after your run. Many runners keep the bladder for water and use flasks for sports drink.

Won't a hydration bladder leak in my vest?
Not when it's properly closed. Most bite valves have a shut-off for when you're not drinking.