Great pack!

I've owned a number of the Source military-style olive green bladders, and none of them have let me down. Due to their convenient filling/cleaning features, Source has become my go-to brand for hydration bladders. So after using my 3L military bladder in my 47L hiking pack, I decided I wanted something lower profile that wouldn't take up as much space in the pack. I couldn't locate the low profile military bladder for sale anywhere by itself (without UTA adapter) for a reasonable price, so decided to order this one from their outdoor series.

Having used it once now, from what I can tell it's pretty much the same level of quality as their military bladders. The main differences beyond the obvious color scheme change, are the top slider piece and drinking tube. The former is not teathered to any other piece, and has a smaller ovular hole in its center for hanging (1/4" male/female clip straps or 1/2" soft velcro straps you find in many backpack hydration compartments will fit through it), and the latter has a traditional bite valve and no cloth sheathing on the clear tube. I simply swapped out the clear tube wih the military cloth-covered high-flow drinking tube and it snapped into the bladder connector just fine; I didn't experience any leaks once it was connected. My one disappointment with this bladder (the reason I gave it 4 stars), is how "low profile" it is. There is a video on Source's website showing how much thinner it is than their standard 3L bladder when filled, but I didn't perceive much of a difference in thickness. The glued-in vertical strip in the center is supposed to prevent it from swelling at the bottom, but it still did that. I don't think it saved me any appreciable amount of room in my pack, which was the entire purpose behind this purchase. I mean, I'll still keep it because it's not junk, but in the end it was something I didn't need, and that's a bit frustrating. Perhaps it would have been better to buy one of their donut-shaped bladders, but then again, those appear too wide to fit in most pack's bladder compartment, and also harder to clean than their traditional bladders. It's something to consider though.

This is one of the few hydration bladders I could find that had both the screw on cap (which makes filling up in shallow sinks much easier) and the big zip top (which really helps with cleaning). I got this one instead of a Source Tactical bladder because 1) I couldn't find a low profile one that I thought would fit in my bag, and 2) the Source Outdoor bladders come with the Helix valve (more along the lines of a Camelbak mouthpiece), and I much prefer that over the Storm valve (basically your old standard water bottle top).

Two cons:
1) I wish the tube was just a little longer. It works, but I can't look very far to the left while I'm drinking. The tube is 36" long.
2) The plastic handle next to the screw top is somewhat small and not very sturdy. It starts bending if that's the only thing I'm holding onto while filling the bladder. I'm not particularly worried about it breaking at any point soon, but I would feel better if it didn't have any flex to it.

Otherwise, I am completely content with this bladder and would recommend it. I didn't realize how useful the mouthpiece cap would be until I got the bladder - it means I can put the bag on any sort of ground without worrying my next drink is going to be gritty or disgusting.

FYI, the bag I use this bladder in is the old version of the Lowepro Photo Sport 200 AW.

Fits perfectly in a 35l daypack, right in the "laptop" sleeve. Handles for filling the water, baffles to help dry and stop the sloshing, wide openings for filling and cleaning. Volume markers on the side of the bag. No odors or taste, other than water. Plastic feels sturdy and thick. Very happy with the product.. will test in a few weeks in the arizona desert.

Ordered two of these for my wife and I to use in our backpacks. We have only used them twice, so far they work great. Water quality from them is very good. The extra piece in the middle of the bladder keeps if from bulging in the pack. The detachable hose is very helpful when the hole in your pack is too small for the bite valve to pass through. Would recommend this product.