Water Storage

Hydrapak Stash

Hydrapak Stash

Water is the number one priority when it comes to keeping us alive. Myself as a hunter, as well as many of you reading right now that may be hikers, bikers, joggers, loggers or otherwise active people need to rehydrate to function during demanding tasks. Carrying water with you is always a smart plan, but the biproduct is either producing waste in the form of empty water bottles, or lugging around the more popular athletic water bottles for the rest of the day. Like a modern wineskin, the bladder can be a space saving vessel for transporting water on the go, and it can be rolled up and crammed into your bag when empty. However, bladders always seems to leave a plastic aftertaste with each sip, are cumbersome to fill, and eventually tend to leak.

Hydrapak Stash

The Hydrapak Stash water bottle is an evolution of the canteen, bladder and bottle rolled - or should I say collapsed - into one neat little package. The Stash has soft walls that are RF welded (radio frequency) for strength, while the top and bottom ends of the bottle are molded plastic so when the soft middle walls are twisted, the top and bottom snap together for a profile thats less that 2 inches tall with a diameter of 3.5 inches. When collapsed and capped, the Stash easily can stow into a backpack, satchel, fanny pack, purse, or other personal carriers. When needed, the bottle can be uncapped and squeezed to release the tab locks, and then untwisted to form a 750ml capacity water bottle.

Hydrapak Stash

The Stash's construction is its selling feature, as the company reps love standing atop the filled bottles during tradeshows or presentations to demonstrate the strength of the RF welding. Another huge selling point is the materials used are BPA and PVC free, which is the main reason why alot of consumers are straying away from disposable plastic water bottles and snatching up sturdier plastic containers made from less harmful materials. When empty, those bottles still retain their shape and are really no different from a glass bottle after carrying it or packing it around all day.  The Stash is trendy and functional, and is easy to stow or pack anywhere. When collapsed, Stash bottles even stack together giving you space efficiency and a high capacity for water storage.

Hydrapak Stash

As a hunter, I can see the benefit of the Stash bottle is its silent collapsing and storage. Crinkling water bottles are a super buzzkill in the woods, and a full size bottle takes up alot of valuable room on the pack. While a full stash bottle is no more compact or storable than a regular container, it's flexible walls will be more accustomed packed into the same pocket as your binoculars or other gear as opposed to a rigid and heavier bottle. Having a 750ml vessel thats easy to fill with a wide mouth that can be condensed down when not in use is a very pleasant convenience. Just remember to loosen the cap when expanding or collapsing to open the vacuum.

Hydrapak Stash

The only negative points I can give this product is the cap has no way of being tethered to the bottle to prevent loss, despite a carry loop and collar around the bottles neck that would serve as an attachment point. This a feature found on other Hydrapak products that I find would have liked to see carry over to the Stash.

Firearms Insider Reviews – 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:  The Stash is a perfect companion for camping, adventure travel, and every day use.

Target Market:  Camping, Travel, Hiking/Jogging,Bug Out/Preppers

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Soft walls collapse to 2 inch overall height
  • Molded top and bottom that snap together for storage/transport
  • Screw-cap
  • Nylon Carry Loop
  • Stackable – Nests with other Stash Bottles for efficient multi unit storage
  • RF welded seams to create superior bonds at a molecular level
  • Weight: 64 grams/ 2.26 ounces
  • 750 ml volume
  • Minimum dimensions 2.0 in.  x 3.5 in.
  • BPA & PVC Free, Meets or exceeds FDA & EU regulations
  • Dishwasher safe (top rack, max temperature 140 degrees F)
  • No-Leak™ Product Lifetime Waranty
  • Naturally anti-fungal material

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: Orange, Lime, Blue, Smoke and Green

What others are saying?:

"When you think about the option of carrying an empty, full-sized 25-oz bottle around on the last two miles of your run or hike versus sliding a disc in your pocket, the Stash's advantage is clear..." - Gizmag

"What makes this so interesting to me is that when not in use, the hard molded top and bottom can be collapsed together for storage. This feature is a travelers dream when every inch of space matters." - The Gadgeteer

Price point:

I need it now! Availability: Hydrapak, Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Small imprint when collapsed makes storing easier
  • Wide mouth for easy filling
  • Carry loop for fingers or carabiner attachment

Cons:

  • No retension/tether of cap
  • When full of water, size isn't conducive to smaller backpacks or bags like a bladder

Score: 8.0 Great

 

 

Featured FFL:

For FFL services I choose Promised Land Firearms in Toulon, IL.

Ryan's Links:

Gun & Gear Review Podcast

Hunter of Design

Firing Line Review

 

 

Hydrapak SF500

Hydrapak SF500

The Hydrapak SF500 Soft Flask is a hybrid bladder and sports bottle. While everyone from hikers, joggers, bikers and gym goers seem to use standard water bottles in different shapes and colors, they all mostly suffer from the same problem. The materials, and the rigid shape that limits how you carry or travel with your hydration.

Hydrapak SF500

The SF500 differs from other water bottles because of its soft wall construction that expands like a bladder when filled, but can be collapsed and condensed like crushing a soda can. This makes it so when empty, the soft flask can be easily stowed in a pocket or bag. It's flexible nature also lends itself to runners or other athletes that only have pockets on their tight fitting performance clothing, as the bottles softness makes it more comfortable if carrying close to the body. The 500ml volume and easy refill-ability make it a nice companion on long outings.

Hydrapak SF500

The valve system on the SF500 is quite good, the bite valve is easy to use and expels water nicely. The valve can be closed off when in storage to prevent any unwanted leaking, and the dust cover cap is tethered to the neck for retension. The nipple is slightly scalloped to provide resistance to the dust cover's inner ridges, so that the cap is held firmly with friction, and the valve lock can be rotated without removing the cap. There are also multiple lashing options if you wish to secure it to the wrist or other equipment.

Hydrapak SF500

I see the SF500 being most beneficial to athletes or active individuals who travel long distances away from their vehicle or facilities. Without a flat base to stand the bottle vertically I don't see this soft flask being advantageous in a gym setting, but rather in a bicycle's bottle holster or on your person either in a pocket or bag/pack. The ability to squeeze it flat when empty makes it easy to carry more than one, so I would recommend getting 2 bottles, especially for those 'death marches' where 1000ml of water is a must and storage availability is sparse.

Firearms Insider Reviews – 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:  The award winning collapsible SoftFlask™ is an easy to use hydration flask and packs tightly for efficient storage and transport.

Target Market:  Camping, Travel, Hiking/Jogging,Bug Out/Preppers, Hunters

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Collapsible for easy use, storage, and transport
  • Molded top and bottom provides 3 dimensional shape and lashing options
  • Constructed with TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) for strength and flexibility
  • RF welded to create superior bonds at a molecular level
  • ISPO Design Award Winner
  • 42 mm wide screw cap for easy filling and cleaning
  • Twist on/off for valve for “on demand” use and secure “no-leak” transport
  • High flow rate from soft silicone bite valve
  • Dust Cover
  • Finger Loop Attachment
  • Screw-cap
  • Nylon Carry Loop
  • Weight: 56g (2.0 oz.)
  • 500 ml volume
  • BPA & PVC Free, Meets or exceeds FDA & EU regulations
  • Dishwasher safe (top rack, max temperature 140 degrees F)
  • No-Leak™ Product Lifetime Waranty

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: Smoke/Grey, Orange, or White/Blue

What others are saying?:

"Their SoftFlasks are definitely innovative, to say the least.  We tested these guys extensively, and the general consensus around here seems to be that they're awesome." - Packwire

"As you drink from the SoftFlask, it collapses on itself like all bladders do.  This eliminates all sloshing and allows you to stow the empty SoftFlask easily, in  my opinion, a huge improvement over other handhelds." - iRunfar.com

Price point:

I need it now! Availability: Hydrapak, Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Retension of cap/dust cover via tether
  • Cap is ridged to friction fit firmly over bite valve, and turn entire valve for open/close lock
  • Bite valve can be locked closed to prevent accidental or negligent discharge
  • Main opening is wide for easy refilling
  • When Full, bottl's soft walls allow for easy storage in pockets, even against the body
  • Tether points galore, on bottom, cap, and nylon loop

Cons:

  • Only lays down on its side (no base to stand vertically)
  • When collapsed, the bottle doesn't retain itself in a compact shape, so it tends to get crumpled up

Score: 8.5 Good

 

 

Featured FFL:

For FFL services I choose Promised Land Firearms in Toulon, IL.

Ryan's Links:

Gun & Gear Review Podcast

Hunter of Design

Firing Line Review