Gear Review Authority, OutdoorGearLab.com, Discloses the Best Hydration Bladders in their Latest Review

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Sept. 30, 2016 - PRLog -- The popular gear review website, OutdoorGearLab, has just published their latest review, awarding the top hydration bladders of 2016. Six reputable models were selected for the rigorous testing process which took place throughout Colorado and in the Peruvian Andes. An expert review team, led by Amber King, utilized and scrutinized the products in a range of scenarios, including mountain climbing, stand-up paddleboarding, backpacking, trail running and even dog walking to find the best products for specific applications. The contenders were paired with a diverse range of packs to explore compatibility and versatility. Creative objective tests such as loading them with stacks of books and attempting to pull their seams apart were devised in order to test specific metrics. At the culmination of months of testing, each product was rated over metrics including ease of use, ease of care, ease of filling, quality, and weight.

The winners are as follows:

Editors' Choice - Geigerrig Hydration Engine

The Hydration Engine earned the Editors' Choice award because it's effortless to drink from and offers numerous innovative applications, making it one of the most versatile models tested. It features a sleek design allowing it to work well with a variety of packs and the fact that it features multiple attachments makes it easy to collect and drink water from both natural streams and lakes. The clever design allows users the option to keep this product pressurized or unpressurized due to its double chamber - one for air and one for water. Testers found that, "When pressurized, it was the easiest to drink from and doubled as a sun shower and a great way to clean off your dog or dirty sports equipment before throwing it into your car."

Best Buy - CamelBak Antidote Reservoir

The Antidote Reservoir won the Best Buy award for a blend of low cost and high performance. This contender scored highly across the board and its bite valve was a favorite among testers. Building upon its classic design, Camelback has modified the mouth opening to be larger and wider, added large grab handles for easy filling and included a divided water chamber in order to decrease water sloshing. It's also one of the most durable products tested; Lead reviewer King says, "After putting this contender in the freezer, setting it in the sun, filling it up, and flipping it around, we found it to be quite durable." It even comes with a lifetime warranty to back it up.

Top Pick for Lightweight Adventures - Hydrapak Shape-Shift

The Shape-Shift wins the Top Pick award because it's the best option for lightweight adventures. It features a zip-lock divider which stops water from splashing around and a flip top opening which makes cleaning and fill ups a breeze. While the bite valve is small, it provides an adequate flow with no leakage. Expert reviewer King says, "We were surprised to learn that we could actually freeze the bag (as advertised) and put warm (but not hot) beverages inside."

Top Pick for Backpacking - MSR DromLite Bags

The DromLite is a Top Pick for backpacking due to the fact that it's both highly versatile and exceptionally durable. It features unique design details such as a nylon exterior (instead of plastic polymer) and a three-in-one top that makes accessing water simple. Additionally, this product can be converted into a hand or dishwashing station. Basically, King states, "If you want a water container with more capacity and flexibility than a water bottle but don't care for hydration hoses, this is the product to get. Strap it to the back of a backpack or stuff it in a pack. Don't be afraid to throw it around - it's pretty darn tough."

OutdoorGearLab, LLC is based in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and is a free resource dedicated to helping consumers make informed purchasing decisions about outdoor gear when shopping online. The website, www.outdoorgearlab.com, contains comparison reviews of outdoor apparel and equipment, and complimentary buying advice guides for each category. The test team performs tests of gear, comparing products against one another in real world applications, and publishes their findings in written essays. Each product is scored across a range of weighted metrics, ranked against its competitors, and awards are given to the deserving models. Readers can then find the best possible product with minimal time invested in personal research. These reviews will inform anyone who participates in activities such as backpacking, hiking, camping, hunting, bird watching, running, swimming, and cycling.