Gregory 3D Hydro Assessment | CleverHiker

Backside Line

The Gregory 3D Hydro is stuffed with options that make it simple and pleasurable to make use of within the nice open air. It’s a wonderful selection 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 function 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 will not be the lightest or most packable bladder out there, so alpine climbers or ultralight backpackers would possibly wish to discover a few of our different favorites within the gear information. Nonetheless, 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, try a few of our different common 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 mountaineering 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

Resulting from 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 selection, but it surely definitely doesn’t fall into the “ultralight” class. 

The onerous 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. Nonetheless, this placement does have advantages, which we’ll talk about 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 subject. The onerous 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 a number of the floppier bladders. 

Although the chunk valve finally labored fantastic, it was sealed shut after we obtained it. We virtually resorted to utilizing a knife, however after studying feedback on-line, we realized this was a typical difficulty. 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 helpful for runners. Throughout our testing within the desert, we observed that the magnet tends to draw sand. This made the magnet much less efficient, however the sand was comparatively simple to brush off. 

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

Ease of Cleansing

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

In idea, the 3D form of the Hydro is supposed to assist it dry extra shortly. In observe, it dried about as slowly as any of the opposite bladders that can not be turned inside out, taking up seven hours to change into 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 without having a clothespin.

Style

Sadly, the Gregory 3D Hydro retains a definite iodine style, even after cleansing. Initially, the style was disagreeable and tough to eradicate. After a number of makes use of, it improved considerably, however a lingering plastic style continued 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 simple 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 choice for these aiming to cut back weight, it boasts a number of the finest options among the many merchandise we examined. 

What Different Hydration Bladders Ought to You Think about?

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

Osprey Hydraulics Reservoir Assessment: If you happen to 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, but it surely additionally features a inflexible again plate. This design helps preserve the form of the reservoir as you load it into a totally packed backpack. This structural function makes the Osprey Hydraulics our best choice for in a single day backpackers who will often refill their bladders on the path. 

HydraPak Contour Assessment: The HydraPak Contour is a lighter-weight choice that retains important options. For path runners or ultralight backpackers in search of to shed ounces with out compromising the person expertise, the Contour is a wonderful selection. In contrast to the minimalist Platypus Hoser, the Contour consists of useful options like a chunk valve shutoff change and a hose fast disconnect. It additionally has inside baffles that stop water from sloshing round and a safe sternum strap magnet. By some means, the Contour manages to perform all the things, making it our high total choose.