Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Make no mistake about it, the newer osprey hydration reservoir is a certain downgrade from the old version. The old version had a nice fabric back with an unbendable piece of plastic to keep the back panel flat. The new version has a bendable piece of plastic on the back. This could be an advantage for someone that uses sturdy (heavy) framed backpacks because it would take a very slightly less amount of pack room, but for anyone out there that uses packs with a fabric or foam backpanel, this thing is beyond worthless. It will completely barrel out when full, which wouldn't be much of a problem if it was like the camelbacks that are a soft reservoir all around and therefore conform to your back. HOWEVER, this piece of plastic designed to go against your back will barrel out just enough to completely deform. So your nice flat comfortable backpanel has suddenly become a hard plastic barrel with the rounded apex resting directly on your spine. Yes, you read that correctly... Also, the new cap that isn't made by Nalgene anymore (Seems like they created their own inferior product because Nalgene would cost them more) is for some reason a half screw thread. If my hands are wet, it's a surprisingly difficult task to screw it tight. If it's not VERY tight, it is going to leak. Really osprey? Why would you make a cap that is prone to leaks and difficult in the field just so I don't have to spin the cap around for 2 seconds more. Gah!!!! I can't think of any reason as to why I would buy this bladder over a cheaper alternative. Most importantly of all, it's drastically heavier than the more minimal, better working alternatives. This is really saying something as I own 4 Osprey packs and consider the brand to be unmatched in the backpacking world. I've never found an osprey product that I didn't love until I bought this massive failure. The things I like about the reservoir are: they upgraded the soft reservoir material along with the hoses and the mouthpiece. Certainly better than the previous versions. If you need a more firm backpanel, the previous version made by nalgene works great. If you're just looking for a good bladder go with another brand and save yourself money, weight and hassle.