Hydration

Common questions

Hydration questions

• Handheld, vest, or reservoir — which do I need?

  Handhelds (8 to 22 oz) are simplest for runs under an hour. Vests with soft flasks (250 to 500 ml each) are best for trail running and long road runs. Reservoirs (1.5 to 3 L) are best for cycling, hiking, and hot-weather training where carry capacity matters more than fast access.

• How long does a bladder last?

  Most reservoir bladders last 2 to 4 years with regular cleaning. Mold and biofilm are the usual failure modes. After every use, drain, dry inverted, and store in the freezer between trips. Replacement bladders ship for most major brands.

• Are filtered bottles worth it?

  For backcountry trips, yes. For tap water and standard sport hydration, no. Filtered bottles cost more, weigh more, and slow flow. Most athletes use a filter only when traveling to questionable water sources or training in remote areas. The catalog covers both filtered and unfiltered.