So I am looking for replacement bladders for my camelbak mule's (2) and other packs and typically I would just buy another camelbak bladder specifically the camelbak antidote. However when I looked online at REI and at Amazon I was surprised to see quite a few bad reviews.
Have you guys had issues with the new camelbak antidote reservoirs and do you recommend a different bladder (it would have to fit with the mule preferably 3 liters).
I use 'Source' bladders...I find them easier to put drink powders in, they're easier to clean and you can disconnect the hose on the new ones (you couldn"t on the old ones). Whether or not one would fit your Mule better than a Camelbak one, I don't know.
I had an antidote for a little while and it started to leak fairly quick,poor rubber seal. I have a deuter pack, which I love and decided to try their bladder that came with it and have been really happy with it. Much better than the antidote in my opinion.
Hydrapak is easy to clean and has never leaked. My Camelbak leaked and was hard to clean. Will not buy another bladder from Camelbak. Hydrapak fits in my Mule.
I've always a been a big fan of the camelback bladder. I replaced my old one last year with an antidote. I really like the slim fit and the baffles. Fast forward 6 months and the quick connect no longer works and it's now leaking around the seals. Dissappointing
I am going on my 3rd bladder since Christmas, the Antidotes are just simply put, horrible. They work great when they work, but then they leak like mad, You cant stop them from leaking and there is nothing worse than all your water leaking down your back into your bibs on a long long ride.
They are under warranty and im sending them back but im switching to a different bladder. I just cant afford to be on a 100 race and it pouring all my nutrition down my back. They leak at the quick connect (the o ring is cheap, it flattens out quickly and stops sealing) and they leak crazy bad at the 1/4 turn fill. If that seal is not perfect, and I mean perfect it pours out. If your like me and use Infinit or any other power mix, good luck. You get 1 crystal on the seal and its going to leak. Which when your in the woods dumping in powder to refill your pack, is going to happen.
I used the old camelbak bladders forever and never had any issues. Wish you could still get them.
If anyone has great advice let me know, going to be checking them all out this week. I am using a 2012 mule NV right now, great pack, rides super nice, but the bladder ;(
I ordered a hydrapak yesterday, will see how that goes. The video of them running over it with a fork lift and throwing it against the wall over and over with no leaks makes it hopeful. Also being able to turn it inside out to wash it, even with a baffle, seems great.
Will probably move my camelbak bite valve to it though, I do like the valve.
I'm now looking at all the bladder options mentioned above and looking for slightly larger pack with 3L bladder that is NOT CAMELBAK CRAP!
My old Mule from about ten years ago has been and still is going good, but forgot my bladder on a a trip and bought new style Antidote bladder to go in it. Love the thin profile of the Antidote but it started leaking badly around the filler o-ring. I was on a day long hike in wilderness area without water refills availalbe, I lost a lot of water down my backside fortunatley it was not cold out or I would have been frozen. As it was we finished the hike but last couple miles I was without water!!!!!!!!!!!! Not good Camelbak! I'm sending in for warranty and hoping that whatever I get back actually holds water. FOrgot to say that nobody needs quick release drink tube from bladder, the old style never leaked and if you pulled gently it would come off and could be put back on without any o-ring or LEAKS!
My original ten year old Camelbak bladder just sprung pin-hole leak last week, I'm going to patch it for temporary use with CA and Park dry patch, will use it for backup. I hate how big and cylindrical it gets when full of water, really makes pack uncomfortable and wastes internal storage space.
Here's something kind of of the wall go to the local Army Navy Store and get a tactical bladder and if in the market they have awesome assault packs to put them in. But is a bladder is all you need then thats all you get. At my local store in Boise, ID a bladder is about $12 and the pack with one included is $39!
I've had good experiences with Source bladders as well. I'm trying out a Geigerrig bladder (it's one you can pressurize, so the water will spray out...something that could come in handy as a bike patroller) right now but it is too early to pass along any comments on it.
As a few others have mentioned the Hydrapaks are great. Very easy to clean, they open at the top by folding over with a clip, so you can turn them inside out to clean.
I have a very vintage .civ Rogue CB with 70oz bladder with never an issue.
I have a .mil HAWG with the 100oz bladder. Never an issue.
One thing I did hate about both of them and another bladder I'd tried is that it becomes a big round cylinder when full, taking up a ton of pack real estate.
So I now have the low profile .mil 3.1L bladder (with internal 'web') for the HAWG and it has been great.
I am going on my 3rd bladder since Christmas, the Antidotes are just simply put, horrible. They work great when they work, but then they leak like mad, You cant stop them from leaking and there is nothing worse than all your water leaking down your back into your bibs on a long long ride.
They are under warranty and im sending them back but im switching to a different bladder. I just cant afford to be on a 100 race and it pouring all my nutrition down my back. They leak at the quick connect (the o ring is cheap, it flattens out quickly and stops sealing) and they leak crazy bad at the 1/4 turn fill. If that seal is not perfect, and I mean perfect it pours out. If your like me and use Infinit or any other power mix, good luck. You get 1 crystal on the seal and its going to leak. Which when your in the woods dumping in powder to refill your pack, is going to happen.
I used the old camelbak bladders forever and never had any issues. Wish you could still get them.
If anyone has great advice let me know, going to be checking them all out this week. I am using a 2012 mule NV right now, great pack, rides super nice, but the bladder ;(
On a trip when my antidote leaked, I went by Walmart and bought a bladder there to finish my ride. That was several years ago. The cheapo Wally world bladder works, with no fuss.
I ordered a hydrapak yesterday, will see how that goes. The video of them running over it with a fork lift and throwing it against the wall over and over with no leaks makes it hopeful. Also being able to turn it inside out to wash it, even with a baffle, seems great.
Will probably move my camelbak bite valve to it though, I do like the valve.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
15.4M posts
515.2K members
Since 1990
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!