I already own a decent day pack, and was looking for a hydration solution (water bottles are nice, but cumbersome to carry and require stopping to remove from side pockets to drink). My pack doesn''t really have a good compartment for a bladder, and I was concerned that an unprotected bladder could get damaged by other items in the bag.
The UnBottle (I purchased the 3 liter version, but there is a smaller 2 liter version as well) is an insulated bag with a bladder insert it''s relatively light when empty and is easy to fill. The large opening seals nicely (a bit tough to open, but this is a good thing, as it avoids leakage). The opening also sports a plastic ring with a handle to facilitate filling holding it by the handle allows the bladder to open as the water enters. The bag insulates pretty well it kept water at a reasonably cool temperature even in high heat (90''s) or in a hot car. The one drawback is that the drinking hose is not insulated the tube can be snugged into the insulated bottle, but some part has to be exposed if you want to drink that water gets hot fairly quickly. The bite valve with the lock is a useful feature, though much less chance of leakage.
The size is as described it''s a bit longer than the bladder inside (as it has to be), and weighs 7-8 pounds when full but that''s mostly water weight (water bottles would be heavier and bulkier for the same amount of hydration). The UnBottle packs pretty easily it can be folded to fit in a pack when empty, but it''s really much easier to carry on the outside (full or not).
The UnBottle (has "snap clips" that allow it to be affixed to an existing bag (using whatever protrusions/straps are available on the bag) although they are a bit widely spaced apart for my current bag (I have to scrunch the UnBottle a tiny bit to affix them). I was originally concerned that the plastic snap clips wouldn''t be very durable, but they''ve lasted a summer field season without wear. The snaps can be hard to close, but that''s a good thing (again) the clips are secure and not likely to pop open accidentally. They''re sturdy but flexible enough to be slid around straps or rings on the outer part of a pack.
The bottle also has a single carry strap, which is really not long enough to do much with (it''s maybe 8 inches total length), but has snap closure so you can hook it around other items (I can hang it around one post of an adjustable headrest while driving, but it''s not long enough to go around both). I usually use this to stabilize the bottle on the back of my pack the strap goes around the top handle of the pack and keeps the bottle from leaning too far back. It''s not long enough to sling over a shoulder, though, so it''s not a good primary carrying solution. (I''m thinking I need to get a second strap to extend this one for short non-pack hikes).
I''m very happy with my purchase, with only two minor disappointments the uninsulated hose means you get few swallows of rather hot water before the cooler water from the bottle gets to you, and the "carry strap" on the top is too short to be really useful.
after having an accident, I''m now required to stay in my bed. I am forced to rely on family members for everything including getting a drink for me. And now that I have this bottle, it hangs on my bed post and now I can get a drink for myself anytime I want. This bottle is the perfect size to last all night, and is tough enough to be banged around and not leak. It neither adds nor detracts from the taste of whatever you put in it. I know this is not the use it was intended for, but it works perfectly for me. I would recommend it to anybody who asks. Thank you Amazon, very much.
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This is a very strong 3-liter water bladder that fits inside an outer pouch (what you see in the picture). This is definitely "leak-proof." The bladder itself is stronger and thicker than other bladders I''ve used, and once it is inside the outer pouch, I don''t see any way of it getting punctured. I am fairly confident I could fill this up and toss it onto the rocks from 50 feet and it would be okay. So it should hold up to branches and thorns that you brush up against. The reservoir comes with a lifetime warranty as well.
The description says it attaches to the outside of your pack. I guess it does using those clips if you purchase a couple straps, but I could not figure out anything to attach it to on my overnight pack or how that would work. There were no instructions explaining how the "slick clips" worked. I just stuffed mine into my pack. The handle at the top is very convenient for hanging it on a tree though, and I would say is one of the best features of this product. This bladder will definitely not fit in a pack''s reservoir pocket, as one description told me. Even the smallest 2-liter Unbottle is fairly enormous. It will take up a lot of room, so if you need to bring a lot of water, it is best to go with several smaller bladders like the Platypus Bottle 2+L (80 ounces).
The outer pouch does seem to insulate the bladder fairly well, and keep your water cool, which is going to be a requirement if this is clipped to the outside of your pack in the direct sun. The bladder has a huge opening on it, which makes it very convenient for filling up. The hose has a lock on it, although I never had problems with it leaking so I have never used it. If you stuff this in a pack however, it might be nice in case something shifts and presses down on the bite valve.
Lastly, if you''ve never used a bladder or water container with a drinking tube before, you don''t know what you''re missing. It is so convenient to run the hose through your pack so you can just bite down on the valve and get water. I keep water bottles in my pack''s side pockets, but it is a pain to use them when I can just stick the hose in my mouth and bite down. You also drink more often with a tube so you stay better hydrated. My only gripe is that the Unbottle doesn''t come with a clip to attach the tube to your shirt, that way it is right in front of you when you need it.
Overall, if this bladder is all the water you need, and you are able to figure out how to attach it to your pack, I would definitely recommend it. But it is very bulky and takes up space, so if you are planning an overnight trip and need to bring along several containers of water, I would only bring one 2 or 3 liter UnBottle with you.
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Pros:
Incredibly handy hydration
High quality materials and workmanship
Cons:
Mild chemical (plastic) taste
Fabric cover attached to bladder not removable
No bite valve cover
I got one of these to put in my older backpack which didn''t have a hydration pocket. I put it closest to my back and I opened a seam to get the hose to the front. Unless your going to attach this outside the pack, all the fabric and buckles are unnecessary added weight.
I have two Camelbak bladders, both have a mild chemical taste which I''d as soon live without. I emailed Camelbak, they replied in an hour (Wow) with a canned cleaning message, but the taste was day one to two years later. Turns out a teaspoon of lemon juice will kill the plastic taste w/o adding a lemon taste.
I consider this to be very well made, but I wish Camelbak had included the bite valve cover as a standard feature. Otherwise, the valve drags in the dirt each time I take my pack off.
Can''t imagine using a water bottle ever again.
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Spent 5 days in the Australian Outback, and the temperature index sometimes reached 124 degrees Fahrenheit. This little rascal holds about 3L water and you are constantly being reminded to "drink-drink-drink" to prevent dehydration. How GREAT to not only have my hands free but also not have to worry about a bulky water bottle either. And our Outback guide had one as well!!! Now THAT''S a product endorsement!
This is a good cushion, and is adecuate as a flotation device. What I don''t like about the cushion is that instead of it being one solid piece of foam, like the ones we used as kids, it is three or four layers of foam that shift from side to side within the cover. It works fine, but isn''t as solid as the ones made from one piece of foam material. I don''t think it will hold up as well, but time will tell. Having said that, I think it was a good purchase and would recommend it to those who aren''t on the water every week.
