Unigear Tactical Hydration Packs Backpack 1050D with 3L Water Bladder, Thermal Insulation Pack Keeps Liquid Cool up to 4 Hours for Hiking, Cycling, Hunting and Climbing

This hydration pack is well made with many attentions to detail, such as a survival whistle molded into the sternum strap clip. There are two zippered compartments on the back that are large enough to hold common practical items (phone, wallet, keys, small first aid kit, snacks, toilet paper, pistol, GPS, etc.) but not so large that this becomes a bulky backpack. The 2.5 liters of water weighs 2.5 kg or 5.5 pounds, and it's positioned close to the back so it carries comfortably and minimally impacts balance during active sports. The water bladder has an internal baffle to minimize rapid weight shift when in motion. The huge opening on the bladder allows easy filling with ice cubes before topping off with cold water. The hose outlet on the bottom of the bladder doesn't leak when the hose is unplugged. The large opening at the top of the bladder is a bit tricky to align (getting easier with repetition) and requires some hand strength to seal, but was absolutely water tight. The insulation is a great feature. The reflective lining of the bladder pouch is very tough. Even though there is only approximately 1/8" of flexible closed cell foam insulation behind the reflective cover, ice water stays cool for four hours in normal use. The construction materials and techniques are on par with name brands. I love that there isn't some big goofy manufacturer's logo.This is my first hydration sack. I'm not sure if I'm going to like carrying water on my back and sucking on a watering tube like a gerbil, but if I don't like this hydration sack, I doubt I'll like any of them.

I was looking for a smaller hydration pack to do some short hikes. I wanted enough room for wallet, iPhone, a snack, a knife, etc. Something that would also survive without so much care and I don't want to spend lots of money.For $36 I was surprised at the quality. The nylon material is not super thick but thick enough that I don't think will wear out soon. The bladder is great. No leak. There's insulation in the bladder compartment.And there's lots of room. It's more like a day pack than a hydration pack. Definitely plenty of room for a full day hike. The straps are very comfortable and sturdy even when loaded up. I bring water and food for me and my 2 dogs when on a hike and this is a perfect size...and speaking of size...this is a bigger pack than it looks on the pictures. I'm 6'1' and I feel I'm the perfect height for this bag. I think this bag is for those 6' or taller. You may find this bag a bit of a large fit in the way it hangs off your bag if you're much shorter.

I bought this for my partner for adventuring. We didn't want to spend the big bucks on a brand name hydration pack, but wanted it to match my tactical Camelbak one, which I bought second-hand years ago and absolutely love. This one honestly compares well with my Camelbak, looks nice, comes with a sizable 3L bladder, and feels nice and durable. It's comfortable to wear, and the zipper pockets are ideal for carrying small essential items. We were able to fit quite a lot in them - flashlights, headlamps, snacks, etc without issues. We took it to Burning Man and the zippers and plastic had no problems with the dust, or anything. Plus the bite valve cover keeps your gear nice and hygienic. Highly recommend this purchase for adventurers on a budget!

The bladder itself is fine - haven't had any problems over the last year - through several rough uses. I use this all the time, so my complaints are from lots of uses. I still choose to use this instead of buying another one, so none of these things are deal-breakers, they are just annoyances.The push-fittings to attach the hose work well and haven't leaked. The opening is large and seals well.But, when you hold the bladder to try and add water, it always collapses, which then spills the water everywhere. When held by the opening flange, the bag should fall OPEN-mouthed. It really takes 2 hands to hold the mouth open - and then another hand to fill it (pour from a jug, turn on the faucet, etc.)The bite-valve is 3-layered - which makes this a pain to use while riding. There is a lever to open/close the waterline. If the valve is left open, then the water leaks out. If you close the valve, it almost takes two hands to open it. You can do it with one - but I find the lever is always in the wrong direction and I need to fumble with it. Then, the mouthpiece has a 45° rigid bend to it that swivels around. This is ok in the open - but when wearing a helmet (BMX, Motocross, motorcycling), it's hard to get the mouthpiece to fit, and when you get it in, it swivels flat against your face. This would be better as a formed, but soft hose. The bite valve has a snap-fit cover to keep it clean. That's hard to pull off with your teeth, and nearly impossible to put back on one-handed. It is also relatively rigid, so leaving it banging around is painful. Already said the bite-valve leaks.Now onto the bag: The bag is too long for the bladder - and the opening in the bag was OBVIOUSLY made for a different bladder. The bag takes up a LOT of volume, but the pockets don't have a lot of space in them. Something is just not right. It LOOKS great, but isn't very functional.I will say that the straps (positioning and length) is perfect. There's plenty of strap length to be used over top of an armored jacket.

Pros: (1)The backpack fits well on my back. (2)It can be put on / taken off very easily and quickly. (3)The bladder can be easily inserted in it. (4)It has ample room for snacks to be consumed while on the tracks. (5)The hose ie is easily connected to the bladder and water can be sucked from it easily. (6)The hose can be kept close to your mouth while walking / climbing / running. (7)The backpack is sturdy and will not come apart at the seams even under extreme exertions.Minor issues: (1)You have to find the best path how to bring the hose all the way from the bladder (at the bottom of the backpack) all the way to your mouth while walking. It took me several trial-and error- tracks until I came up with a satisfactory answer, which now serves me as it should.All told, I am very satisfied with it. I use it very frequently and find it very useful.

Reminds me of my kit from the infantry days. Rugged, quality, no complaints so far. Love it as a day pack. Even has a little flap bit where you could secure a tarp or something to do a light-weight overnighter. Recommended for people like myself who extensively hike and hunt and want something that'll hold water, rain gear, and not much else.