Better than a water bottle: When a hydration bladder is the right choice

Mountain bikes are better today than they’ve ever been: robust suspension systems, powerful motors, reliable gear systems. One could go on like this for a long time, until one finally comes across a crucial shortcoming of many modern MTB frames. Often, there’s barely any space left for a large water bottle, let alone two. Yet staying properly hydrated is vital on the trail. Even in normal temperatures, you should drink around 2.5 to 3 litres of fluid on a four-hour ride. No frame offers this option.

But that’s just one reason why a water bottle isn’t always the best way to quench your thirst whilst out on a ride. Trails demand your full attention, good body control and quick decision-making. If you have to stop to take off your rucksack or pull the bottle out of the frame, you often end up drinking too little and usually only realise this once your performance starts to drop.

Yet the solution is actually quite simple: drink before you get thirsty. This is precisely where the hydration bladder comes into its own. A sip of water is available at any time, without having to take your hands off the handlebars for long or take your eyes off the trail. It may sound like a minor detail, but on longer rides it makes a surprisingly big difference.

Why a hydration bladder is often the better choice for mountain biking

Anyone who’s ever tackled a long climb in the summer sun or completed a trail ride lasting several hours will be familiar with the problem: although the water bottle is mounted on the frame, it’s often difficult to reach on technical terrain or on full-suspension bikes where space is limited. The rougher the trail gets, the less frequently many riders tend to drink.

A hydration bladder carries your water supply directly inside your rucksack. The drinking tube ends within easy reach at the front of your chest, so you can drink almost without thinking about it. This can be a real advantage, particularly during marathon races, long tours, Alpine cross adventures or bikepacking trips.

The key benefits at a glance:

• Drinking whilst driving is permitted
• You just need to take your hand off the handlebars for a moment
• Larger volumes of water can be transported
• Better weight distribution in the rucksack
• Ideal for technical trails and long climbs
• Fluid intake is more regular

Especially on challenging trails, this extra safety offers real added value. If you don’t have to juggle one hand on the handlebars and the other on your water bottle, you can stay more focused and in control whilst riding.

It’s not all perfect: the downsides of hydration bladders

As practical as hydration systems are, they are not a cure-all. The main criticism remains the issue of cleaning. Whilst a water bottle can be rinsed out quickly, a hydration bladder requires more attention: the tube, valve and reservoir should be cleaned regularly and dried thoroughly.

What’s more, a hydration bladder only gives a limited indication of how much water is actually left. Whilst you can check the level in a bottle at a glance, with a bladder you often have to rely on guesswork.

An overview of the disadvantages:

• Greater cleaning effort
• Residual water is more difficult to assess
• Faulty inner tubes or valves can be a nuisance when you’re out and about
• A rucksack is practically a must
• Refilling whilst out and about can be a bit of a faff at times

For a quick one-hour run after work, a classic water bottle may therefore still be the simpler option.

This is what a good hydration bladder should do

• ​Taste-neutral material High-quality hydration bladders are made from materials that do not affect the taste of the water and keep it fresh for several hours.
• High water flow rate The bite valve should deliver enough liquid so that just a few sips are sufficient.
• Large filling opening A large opening makes it easier to fill and makes cleaning much more convenient.
• Easy to clean The easier it is to clean the reservoir, hose and valve, the more hygienic the system remains. Removable hoses and wide-opening caps are clear advantages in this respect.
• Leak-proof A good hydration bladder should remain reliably leak-proof even on rough trails. High-quality closures and robust materials prevent any unpleasant surprises in your rucksack.
• Robustness and durability The material should be crease-resistant, tear-resistant and abrasion-resistant.
• The right size For an after-work ride, 1.5 litres is often enough. On long rides, Alpine cross-country adventures or hot summer’s days, 2 to 3 litres is a good idea.

The different types of hydration bladders

​1. Classic hydration bladder for a rucksack

This is the most common option. The hydration bladder is stowed in a special compartment in the cycling rucksack and is used via a tube fitted with a bite valve.

Advantages:

• large capacity (usually 1.5 to 3 litres)
• ideal for long rides and cross-Alpine tours
• good weight distribution close to the back
• extra space for tools, clothing and food

Disadvantages:

• greater total weight
• a sweaty back on hot days
• Not all cyclists are keen on rucksacks

2. Hydration bladder in the hip bag

In line with the trend for hip bags, many manufacturers have developed specialised hydration hip bags. The water bladder sits horizontally in the hip belt.

Advantages:

• Your back stays free and better ventilated
• low centre of gravity
• high level of comfort on trail runs

Disadvantages:

• smaller volume (usually 1 to 1.5 litres)
• less storage space
• When fully loaded, the bag can slip around on rough trails

The editorial team’s view

I know from personal experience that I often don’t drink enough whilst out on a ride. The result for me is a headache afterwards. On rides lasting longer than two hours, I therefore like to use a hydration bladder. For me, the system has nothing but advantages: no fiddly reaching for a bottle, no fumbling on technical sections, and a continuous supply of fluids whilst riding. As long as you only fill the bladder with plain water, the cleaning effort is kept to a minimum. For Alpine tours, the Transalp or a marathon, the hydration bladder is therefore highly recommended. For a quick spin after work, however, a water bottle is the better choice.

If you drink more, you’ll ride for longer, stay more focused and, in most cases, have more fun. And that’s what mountain biking is all about, after all.