Have you decided to try your bladder for the first time but not sure how to get it to work with your pack? Fear not, I have tried a few backpacks and bladder styles and can help you start sipping right away.
Many backpacks are now designed with a separate pouch with clips and openings for your water bladder and its bite valve tube. It is also possible to add a bladder to any backpack by using a side pouch or keeping your backpack partially open for the bite valve tube.
Of course, there is a little more to it when adding the water/ hydration bladder. This is especially true if you are retrofitting a backpack which isn’t designed for a hydration bladder but don’t worry I will cover that too.
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How To Place A Hydration Bladder Into A Compatible Backpack?
If you have a backpack designed for hiking or camping, then there is a very good chance they will have a separate compartment for your hydration bladder. This is ideal because it ensures your bladder is kept in the best position.
A well packed backpack, exploiting the perfect weight distribution will feel lighter (even if it isn’t) than one which isn’t. If you don’t believe me, have a play. Hydration bladders, when full are heavy. A 3L bladder will weigh 3kg when full.
Heavy items should be as close to your back as possible and in the middle to top of your backpack. You don’t want deadweight in the bottom of your pack as it will pull you down (and not to mention you need easy access).
For these backpacks, you simply place your bladder once filled into the compartment. I usually find this easier when the backpack is empty due to the expansion into the pack for my compartment (and my tendency to overfill my backpack) but this is not essential. A compartment outside the bag is meant to be easy access whether your pack is full or not.
The separate compartment, ensures that the bladder is close to your back and is usually held up with a clip. Don’t underestimate the importance of this. Your bladder may stand up fine when full, but as it empties it will start to flop down.
This causes creasing which can reduce and even stop the flow of water. Think of a kink in a hosepipe. Last thing you want to do is take off your backpack to readjust the bladder, simply because you forgot to secure it.
I have used a few different types and have learnt a little tip here. If you’re mixing backpacks and brands and the clip does not fit through the hole your bladder has to hold it up then use a hair band instead to attach the two.
The next step is to thread your hydration tube out of the pack, which again normally has a designated space if it is within the bag. In some cases you can choose which side you want the tube to come round, but in others it’s decided for you.
My hydration pack for example, tube opening is on the right so it makes sense to follow that round. I also have a magnetic clip to attach my bite valve to my chest strap which I highly recommend if you are able to.
My older hydration bladder, did not have this and it tended to flop around everywhere and was really annoying as it rubbed my neck (especially on runs). If you don’t have that clip, I have found threading the tube through a loop on your backpack straps can help. I have a few for attachments such as walking poles and these can help hold things in place.
Perhaps you don’t have the luck of having a specialised backpack but still want to hit the hills with what you already have plus the bladder. I am a big fan of using what you have and fortunately, it is possible to make this work.
How To Place A Hydration Bladder Into Any Backpack?
Don’t have a hiking backpack but still want to play with your hydration bladder? In some cases it can work to add your bladder to any backpack, although I do not recommend this retrofitting method.
1. Top Of The Backpack
The first method is to simply place your hydration bladder in the top of your already packed backpack. It will lie reasonably flat and therefore wont be flopping down as it empties. I would be concerned about having water in my backpack in case it strung a leak but waterproof bags are always your friend when backpacking.
2. Side Pouch Method
Another easy method that doesn’t involve any opening in your backpack (which I will talk about later), nor having water on top of your nice dry clothing is using a side pouch if you have one. Simply pop it in there.
The compression should help it keep upright, although you could try and secure it through any loops or clips you may have. If they don’t fit nicely a bit of string or hairband normally does the trick.
Hydration bladders can go through a lot but if you traipsing through branches and brambles then some protection may be needed for the bladder before you tear a hole right through.
3. Inside the Backpack
Lastly, you could play it inside upright along the back of the pack, like those which have compartments do.
If you can secure the top to the top of the backpack. This will stop it from crumpling down, which is important. If it folds in on itself, it can prevent the water from flowing effectively to the tube.
Some bags may already have some form of clip attachment for organisation or a zip if you do not need access. If you have neither of these in the correct place then consider a safety pin into the bag liner or side.
Though be aware the weight may cause this to rip and if you piece the outside, any water resistance may not be as effective. You can then use a hairband or string to secure the loop at the top of hydration bladder.
Fitting The Bite Valve
The next step is to ensure that the tube with the bite valve can actually reach your mouth. Otherwise, you might as well have a bottle if you have to remove your pack!
This is usually achieved by allowing a small hole out of the top of the bag. If your backpack has two zips you can use these to move the hole to wear you find it most comfortable (usually somewhere near the top) and this may hold.
Otherwise, to stop the movement of the tube from opening the bag fully, secure the zips together with either a small padlock or string. Be careful about how easy it is to open. You will want something in there eventually, and will need to reattach it afterwards.
Personally, I find zips tend to migrate towards the bottom of the bag, this means they can open on their own and then items can fall out. If this happens, you will need to move the zips to one end or another and secure the bite valve tube over your shoulder by another means. Again, clips or magnets can work here.
There you have it, with a bit of creativity you can add a hydration bladder to any backpack. It’s simply a case of ensuring things are attached in an effective manner or it will get annoying!
Should you give this a go and decide you do want to invest in a backpack that will carry your hydration bladder effectively, then I do have an article to cover your options. In that article I cover hydration packs and daypacks, which are simply smaller backpacks which gives useful pointers for what to look for in a backpack to meet your needs.
My Kit Recommendations
The photos above are all hiking kit I own and use on a regular basis. As you can tell I am an Osprey fan but they have not let me down yet with quality and usability. The following links are where you can get the equivalent versions from Amazon.
Backpack: Osprey Tempest 30L (Amazon). The men’s equivalent is the Osprey Talon 33L (Amazon)
Hydration Bladder: Osprey hydraulics LT 1.5L and 2.5L (Amazon)
Running vest: Osprey Dyna 6 (Amazon). The men’s equivalent is the Osprey Duro 6 (Amazon)
Conclusion
Hopefully I have answered your question about where to put your hydration bladder for backpacking. As you can see, backpacks designed with the hydration bladder in mind are really very simple. Just pop it in its compartment, clip it up and off you go.
I hope you find the tricks and tips useful in your endeavours. As for backpacks which are not compatible, then it isn’t the end of the world. With some easy adjustments, you can use the backpack effectively too. Happy Hiking!
