Gregory 3D Hydro Evaluate | CleverHiker

Backside Line

The Gregory 3D Hydro is stuffed with options that make it straightforward and pleasing to make use of within the nice outdoor. It’s a superb alternative for hikers who wish to keep hydrated on the go, due to its well-designed hose and chunk valve. 

Backpackers and hikers alike will admire the chunk valve with a shutoff characteristic to stop leaks, in addition to the sternum strap magnet that retains the hose from flopping round. The hose fast disconnect is positioned close to the highest of the bladder, making it simpler to reload into the backpack after refilling. 

The Hydro is probably not the lightest or most packable bladder out there, so alpine climbers or ultralight backpackers may wish to discover a few of our different favorites within the gear information. Nevertheless, in a single day backpackers in search of a seamless expertise will admire the added options of the Gregory 3D Hydro.

And for more information, take a look at a few of our different well-liked gear guides:

How We Examined

We examined the Gregory 3D Hydro on quite a few hikes in Joshua Tree Nationwide Park throughout December and January. We used it whereas climbing the Warren Peak Path and the Panorama Loop Path close to Black Rock Campground, took it on neighborhood walks within the Mojave Desert Land Belief, and even introduced it alongside on climbing days within the nationwide park.

Weight & Packability

Attributable to its options and construction, the Gregory 3D Hydro is likely one of the bulkier choices in our lineup. At 6.5 ounces, it’s not the heaviest alternative, nevertheless it definitely doesn’t fall into the “ultralight” class. 

The laborious plastic deal with and medium-sized twist cap make it tough to roll up. As soon as we packed it down as small as potential, we measured its dimensions to be 6.5” by 7” by 1.5.” The hose’s fast disconnect is positioned on the high of the bladder, which additionally makes it more durable to roll up. Nevertheless, this placement does have advantages, which we’ll focus on under.

Ease of Use

The considerate design of the Gregory 3D Hydro makes it one of many best bladders to make use of within the area. The laborious plastic deal with simplifies the filling course of, whether or not you’re utilizing a faucet or dunking the bladder in a lake. The 3D form permits the Hydro to load right into a backpack extra simply than among the floppier bladders. 

Although the chunk valve ultimately labored superb, it was sealed shut once we acquired it. We virtually resorted to utilizing a knife, however after studying feedback on-line, we realized this was a standard subject. As an alternative, we massaged the chunk valve between our fingers for about 5 minutes, and it lastly opened up. 

As soon as the Hydro is in place in your pack, the safe sternum strap magnet helps stop the hose from flopping round, which is very useful for runners. Throughout our testing within the desert, we seen that the magnet tends to draw sand. This made the magnet much less efficient, however the sand was comparatively straightforward to brush off. 

We additionally admire how the hose’s fast disconnect is located close to the highest of the bladder. This manner, if it is advisable to refill the Hydro throughout a hike, you gained’t should dig to the underside of your backpack to reconnect the hose. Lastly, the chunk valve’s shutoff swap prevented any leaks throughout testing.

Ease of Cleansing

The small twist cap opening makes cleansing the 3D Hydro considerably tough. Our tester couldn’t match her hand contained in the bladder to clean it out. An extended scrub brush with a deal with can be wanted to completely clear the within. Cleansing tablets can be useful in absolutely cleaning the Hydro. 

In concept, the 3D form of the Hydro is supposed to assist it dry extra shortly. In apply, it dried about as slowly as any of the opposite bladders that can not be turned inside out, taking on seven hours to grow to be moisture-free.

We’re curious to see if the 3D form prevents it from molding in the long run, in comparison with the bladders with none inside construction. We admire the built-in hook that enables it to hold up for drying with no need a clothespin.

Style

Sadly, the Gregory 3D Hydro retains a definite iodine style, even after cleansing. Initially, the style was disagreeable and tough to remove. After a number of makes use of, it improved considerably, however a lingering plastic style endured all through the testing. 

Sturdiness

All through our testing, we didn’t discover any leaks from the 3D Hydro, so long as we ensured the chunk valve was closed. There was no tearing alongside any seams or failures.

Ought to You Purchase the Gregory 3D Hydro?

For backpackers and hikers in search of a seamless expertise, the Gregory 3D Hydro is a wonderful hydration system. It’s straightforward to load into an in a single day backpack and easy to refill. Water doesn’t leak or slosh round, and the hose stays safe throughout use.

Whereas the 3D Hydro isn’t the lightest possibility for these aiming to cut back weight, it boasts among the finest options among the many merchandise we examined. 

What Different Hydration Bladders Ought to You Take into account?

If the Gregory 3D Hydro doesn’t absolutely meet your wants, think about exploring among the different choices in our lineup of this season’s high hydration bladders.

Osprey Hydraulics Reservoir Evaluate: When you just like the user-friendly design of the Gregory 3D Hydro, you may also admire the Osprey Hydraulics Reservoir. It options related qualities to the Hydro, nevertheless it additionally features a inflexible again plate. This design helps preserve the form of the reservoir as you load it into a completely packed backpack. This structural characteristic makes the Osprey Hydraulics our best choice for in a single day backpackers who will ceaselessly refill their bladders on the path. 

HydraPak Contour Evaluate: The HydraPak Contour is a lighter-weight possibility that retains important options. For path runners or ultralight backpackers in search of to shed ounces with out compromising the consumer expertise, the Contour is a wonderful alternative. In contrast to the minimalist Platypus Hoser, the Contour consists of useful options like a chunk valve shutoff swap and a hose fast disconnect. It additionally has inside baffles that stop water from sloshing round and a safe sternum strap magnet. Someway, the Contour manages to perform all the pieces, making it our high general decide.