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Gregory Hydration 3D Hydro 3L Reservoir
Although many of my backpacks are still in great shape, I am way past due to switch out my hydration bladders on a number of these packs. The Hydration 3D Hydro 3L Reservoir from Gregory has many great features that will add a nice update to any pack that is able to hold a hydration reservoir. Gregory has been around for some time and is well-known for designing great packs. Since 1977, Gregory has been manufacturing packs out of Salt Lake City, Utah. At the base of the Wasatch mountains, Salt Lake City is the perfect place to get inspired, build, and test backpacks and all their components.
For the past couple of months I have switched out my old hydration reservoirs for the new Hydration 3L Reservoir from Gregory. It has been fun hiking, biking, and exploring with this new feature packed hydration system.
Initial Thoughts on the Gregory Hydration 3D Hydro 3L Reservoir
The Gregory the Hydration 3D Hydro 3L Reservoir has a bunch of exciting features. The overall shape of the bladder is more 3 dimensional than the traditional flat bag appearance of some hydration reservoirs. Within the bladder there is a full length baffle that attaches the front of the bladder to the back of the bladder. This baffle aides in the integrity of the bladder.
The EasyGrip Fill is a moderately sized opening to the hydration reservoir at about three inches. The port is rubberized for easy grip and opening. Below the opening is the Spine Co-Molded Handle that allows for easy transportation and filling.
Spine Co-Molded Handle
A quick disconnect makes for a drip free disconnection of the bladder from the mouth piece. Other features are the Speed Clip Mounting System that allows to reservoir to easily hang within a pack and and the DryLock Magnetic Bite Valve that can attach to the sternum strap of a Gregory Pack.
Quick Disconnect
Additionally there is QuickDry Hanger that is built in to allow the hydration reservoir to rest upside down and dry out when not in use.
Field Testing
The Gregory Hydration 3D Hydro 3L Reservoir is a fantastic product that can update nearly any existing backpack. Throughout this early summer I have enjoyed all of the features that this reservoir has to offer in a number of different packs that I own.
I have to admit that in the past I have not really been too pleased with some of the bladders that I have purchased or had come with my backpacks. Leaks, bulky designs, and complexity of use have been my main gripes. From what I gather through the design achievements of this reservoir is that the engineers at Gregory had the same issues with hydration reservoirs.
Hiking Using with the Hydration 3D Hdro 3L Reservoir
The overall shape of the Gregory Hydration 3D Hydro 3L Reservoir is well thought out. The three dimensional design with center baffle keeps its shape when full of water as opposed to turning into a “blob” at the bottom of a backpack. This is sure nice in my smaller packs that I use for mountain biking.
The Spine Co-Molded Handle also is quite useful. Filling this reservoir is more like filling a pitcher rather than filling a plastic bag.
Filling the Reservoir
Favorite Features
Of all the great features, my two favorite features on this reservoir are the EasyGrip Fill Port and the QuickDry Hanger. The rubberized fill port is easy to use, doesn’t get cross threaded, and best of all doesn’t leak. The built in hanger is genius. Some people like me, who admittedly don’t clean there hydration bladders nearly enough having the built in hanger eliminates excuses. Making it this easy is the only way my hydration bladders get cleaned.
EasyGrip Fill Port
QuickDry Hanger
Easy to Use
In a few of my packs and especially in my older backpacks it is a pain to thread the hose and mouth piece through the inside of the pack to the outside. The quick disconnect makes this a nonissue since the main reservoir can be disconnected and then filled without having to undo or un-thread the mouthpiece.
The mouthpiece for the Gregory Hydration 3D Hydro 3L Reservoir works very well. It is very easy to bite valve. I have noticed no leaking even when left open during my mountain bike rides where I don’t like to open and close the valves often. Additionally, the bite valve allows an adequate amount of water to flow when in use.
Set up for a Gregory Backpack
Two features that I did not get a chance to use but sure seemed useful when paired with a Gregory pack are the SpeedClip Mounting System and the Magnetic Bite Valve. I really like the idea of being able to hang the Gregory Hydration 3D Hydro 3L Reservoir within the pack. This seems like a great idea that makes for an easy pairing of the hydration reservoir. Also, I would really love to be able to use the magnetic attachment to the bite valve. Being able to magnet the bite valve to a pack strap would be awesome. I may have to rig up a way to use this feature on my existing packs.
Magnetic Bite Valve
Specs Taken Directly from the Gregory Website
- MSRP 39.95
- Weight 7 oz/200 grams
- Volume 3 liters/100 oz
- Dimensions 17.25″ x 7″ x 3″ / 43.8 x 17.8 x 7.6 cm
- 3D QuickDry: Soft-molded 3D design
- QuickDry Hanger
- SpeedClip Mounting System
- Anatomical Fit: 3D form and full-length baffle
- Spine Co-Molded Handle
- Quick Disconnect
- DryLock Magnetic Bite Valve
- EasyGrip Fill Port
Final Thoughts
With the addition of the Gregory Hydration 3D Hydro 3L Reservoir it is quite simple to update an existing backpack. Feature packed, the Gregory Hydration 3D Hydro 3L Reservoir is simply the perfect hydration bladder. Designs like the QuickDry Hanger, 3 Dimensional Design, Spine Modeled Handle, Quick Disconnect, EasyGrip Fill Port, and DryLock Magnetic Bite Valve make this hydration reservoir a must have for all backpacks.
For more information on the Hydration 3D Hydro 3L Reservoir and other Gregory products, visit gregorypacks.com