In terms of storage – it’s best to deflate the bladder as much as possible and store it vertically in well-ventilated bags. It will keep it from developing mold or mildew stains inside. Tips For Keeping The Reservoir Clean My favorite hydration bladder is the Platypus Big Zip EVO Reservoir because it is durable, reliable, easy to use, easy to clean, and has a fast flow rate. It comes in three sizes, 1.5 liters, 2 liters, and 3 liters, allowing you to choose which will work best for you. The last factor to consider here is a bite valve’s flow rate, or how much water comes out with each sip. Generally speaking, we’ve found that Platypus and CamelBak’s designs dispense a lot of water, while HydraPak’s bite valves (including those on the Osprey Hydraulics reservoir) are slightly more conservative. Brands like to tout a fast flow rate as a selling point, but in the end it’s completely a matter of personal preference. All of the bladders on our list are easy to drink from and dispense water just about as fast as we can drink. Each bite valve has it's own personality, but in general they're all thoughtful, convenient designs

You don’t always need to fully clean your Osprey after every use, especially if you follow these tips below! However, I usually give mine a thorough cleaning each month because we take long trips that last several days, and I don’t want to deal with mold near the end of our trip! Final Thoughts Before you can begin to clean and wash the bladder you need to make sure there’s no water left inside the container. However, at the end of the trip, I still found it necessary to clean the bladder thoroughly! Otherwise, mold starts growing inside it. What to Avoid When Washing the Osprey BladderIf you leave it upside down for around 10-15 minutes that should be enough to get most of the leftover moisture out. 2. Rinse out with Hot Water But while it feels like slider-top reservoirs win out in most metrics, twist-cap bladders are distinctly easier to fill, thanks to the integrated handle that holds the opening ajar. On the other hand, reservoirs with sliders rest in a shut position, so you’ll have to pry them open underneath the water source. Each manufacturer has come up with a solution for this, including CamelBak’s one-handed pinch-grip on their Fusion, or the handle on Platypus’ Big Zip EVO. You’re likely to learn the ways of whatever model you choose, but for those looking for the height of filling convenience, a twist-cap bladder might be your best bet. Osprey's Hydraulics (and Hydraulics LT pictured here) features a convenient pour spout Hydration Bladder Durability

From the handle to the hose and baffles to the bite valve, we thought through every interaction and aspect of our Hydraulics design to identify opportunities for a better user experience—redesigning, reshaping and updating to create our best reservoir series yet. An all-new comfortable handle allows for true one-handed filling. This easier-to-fill design is also easier to carry and pour. Additionally, while hiking with the HydraPak HydraSleeve in the desert, we loaded it up with ice-cold water. Throughout the day (our hike was six hours), the water stayed icy cold, and ice cubes were still inside after the hike. Temperatures were between 80 - 90F that day. Overall, the HydraPak HydraSleeve offers excellent insulation that'll keep your drinks cool in the summer. Some people strongly prefer drinking cold water, and if that's you, this model does it best. Ease of Care A well-designed hydration bladder with a few features that set it apart from other competitors in this field. Osprey says: Bite valves are not all created equal, so there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing between hydration reservoirs. The first is whether or not the valve has an on/off mechanism, which is almost a requirement in our opinion. Accidental leaks happen more than you would expect, whether you sit on your valve, place it underneath a heavy object, or have a flaw in the seal. Most of the bladders on our list feature bite-valve shutoffs, but the budget models (particularly the HydraPak Cenote and Platypus Hoser) do not. Adjustable bite valves generally use a twist or switch mechanism (although Gregory currently uses a button); we’ve found switches such as those on the Platypus Big Zip EVO and CamelBak Crux to be the easiest to operate, as twist designs can be difficult to adjust with one hand. Various bite valve styles (from L to R: Osprey Hydraulics, Gregory 3D Hydro, Camelbak Crux)Instead of using a mix with bleach, take some hot water and mild soap and fill up the water bladder. Rinse it out multiple times and make sure to get in between all folds in the bladder for those with multiple compartments. This is a burly and reliable option has an awesome flow rate and convenient features, but long-term testing isn't favoring the zip closure Follow this step by step guide to always have a clean and new looking hydration bladder! 1. Remove the Hose and Empty any Remaining Water Many of the Osprey bladders are designed with parts that can be taken apart and cleaned. You should remove the bite valve so that you can clean the inside material.