If you are used to carrying your gear on your back while camping or hiking, you know that every inch of cargo space is precious, and every ounce of weight can feel like pounds. The problem that has always plagued explorers and adventurers is how to make our gear take up less space when it’s not being used, yet have it available when we need it. Water bottles are a necessity on any hike or adventure, but once they are empty we find them hanging uselessly from our pack. Wouldn’t it be great if you could somehow make your empty water bottle virtually disappear, without throwing it away? Hydrapak has now solved that problem for you.
Who is Hydrapak ?
Hydrapak is an Oakland, California based company that has been a leading producer of soft sided water storage containers since it’s founding in 1996. Although the company was founded in 1996, Hydrapak didn’t really explode onto the scene until it was purchased by Matt Lyon in 2001. They then began to expand their product line to support cycling, mountain biking, triathlons and other endurance events. Several innovations and cutting edge patents, such as the Easy Flow Bite Valve, helped allow Hydrapak the flexibility and capital to design our featured product, the Hydrapak Stash 750 ML collapsible bottle. The Stash series of bottles is available in two different sizes, our featured 750 ML size, and the larger 1.0 Liter brother.
Specifications for Hydrapak Stash 750 ML:
- Colors Available:
- Orange
- Lime
- Smoke
- Blue
- Green
- Capacity:Â 750 Milliliters (25.36 Ounces)
- Height Extended: 7.2″
- Height Collapsed: 2″
- Diameter: 3.5″
- Mouth Opening: 1.5″
- Cap Size: 43mm (1.7″ Diameter)
- MSRP: $18.00 available direct from Hydrapak.
Applications:
- Everyday use
- Camping
- Hiking
- Adventuring
Pros:
- Highly compact
- Easy to use
- 2 year warranty
- Easy carry handle
- Five color choices
Cons:
- Might be more susceptible to puncture than conventional solid water bottles
Evaluation and real world applications:
When the Hydrapak Stash arrived I stared at it with mild curiosity, and wasn’t sure what to make of it. It was mailed in it’s collapsed state complete with packaging labels. Standing at just over 2″ tall, it’s very small, which is appealing to people who are dealing with a limited amount of space. There are many instances where this will definitely come in handy.
The most obvious group of people this bottle will be most advantageous for are hikers, due to the fact that they are keeping everything on their back. While practicing opening and closing the Hydrapak Stash, I began to think of other people who would benefit from this type of accessory. Immediately I thought of what I will refer to as a non-traditional person, the office worker.
This type of user may not be so inclined to be in the great outdoors, but can defiantly benefit from the portability of a collapsible bottle. Office workers can easily stow the collapsed bottle safely in a small desk drawer, or in their shoulder bag or briefcase during their commutes. Children would be another group where a smaller stow-able bottle could really be advantageous. Many school aged children won’t want to carry around a large style water bottle, like the Hydro Flask or the Klean Kanteen.
If a parent was to attach a simple carabiner or clip to the supplied nylon carrying loop, it could easily be hooked to a child’s backpack, and stored in the collapsed position when empty. These qualities would hopefully encourage children to drink more water throughout their day. I’m not sure if the marketing team at Hydrapak thought of these user groups, but they could put a lightweight and durable water bottle to great use.
Some Cautions to Users
While the Hydrapak Stash is a great water bottle with an impressive two year warranty, and collapses down to a mere two inches, it is not perfect. There is one issue with it that I can’t really call a flaw, just something to be aware of. The sides of the Stash are soft and flexible, which allows the user to twist and compress it down as demonstrated in the above video. This also means that if you have the water bottle extended and full of water, any firm pressure on the sides will cause the liquid inside to shoot out of the open spout. The remedy for this situation is to simply grasp the Hydrapak by the hard plastic ring just under the cap. It allows you to wrap your hand around the bottle and drink without splashing the contents all over the front of you. This minor detail is about as close to negative attribute as I could find on this water bottle and, in my opinion, is really grasping at straws to even mention it. I learned this lesson the hard way though, and splashed myself. So, I hope you learn from my mistake and keep the front of your shirt dry when you pick up the Hydrapak Stash 750 ML.
Thanks for tuning into The Load Out Room and our first look at this handy and innovative water bottle from Hydrapak. The Stash is available in both 750 Milliliter and 1.0 Liter sizes. If you have any comments or questions be sure to use the Comms Check link or comment on any post, someone will respond in short time.
Quote of the Week:
“Trust, but Verify” – Ronald Reagan
(Featured Image Courtesy: Hydrapak.com)
