Hydrapak Stash Bottle

A brand new concept in the already-crowded field of hydration equipment (formerly known as “canteens”), the Hydrapak sport bottle is a unique marriage of a hard plastic bottle and flexible hydration bladder.

Most noteworthy is the fact that when empty, the bottle twists and folds into a package about the size of a round candy tin and weighs next to nothing. This makes the Hydrapak bottle great whenever space is at a premium. We’ve found it useful when stashing in a suitcase or as a spare in the bottom of a backpack.

Though it seems unlikely, toughness isn’t an issue: at the request of the Hydrapak marketing representative, we stood with all of our weight balanced on one (hiking-boot-clad) foot on top of a fully-filled Hydrapak bottle and rolled around a bit. There was no leakage, something that seems improbable for most other types of water bottles. In fact, the bottles come with a lifetime No Leak warranty.

Drinking from one takes a bit of adjustment but once you learn to cradle it, there are no problems. On the plus side, if you’re really thirsty, a slight squeeze will provide all the fluid your body can consume regardless of your size.

Hydrapak makes several other items with capacities ranging from 150ml for the small Softflask intended for energy drinks through 750 ml SoftFlask and Stash hydration bottles. The large SoftFlask bottles are similiar to the Stash but include a bite valve much like a backpack-worn hydration system. This alleviates unscrewing the cap when otherwise active, such as while running or biking.

The Hydrapak Stash is a bit pricey compared to other flexible bottles, retailing for $18.00 through many outdoor retailers. However, when looking at the durability, light weight and ease of packing when empty, the Hydrapak is a real winner. For more information, visit http://www.hydrapak.com

Read more about the Hydrapak Stash Water Bottle, Blue, 750 ml