Gregory Z55 / Jade Hydration bladder recommendations (MSR Hydromedary / Dromlite / Cloudliner)

Rob,

My wife and I have both the Z55 and the Jade.

(I have since moved on to a Golite Jam2).

I do use a Platypus Hoser 1.8 L Hydration system, but I have never put it in the hydration sleeve that comes with it because it takes too much room in my pack and stresses the hydration bag with everything that is stuffed in there.

If this helps you out, I would suggest laying your hydration bladder sideways on the top of pile of gear that you have in the main compartment or near the top with "softer"/lighter things on top of the hydration bag, so as to not damage or stress the bag.

I have the MSR Hydromedary, which is very durable but I have never used it as a hydration system.

My wife uses the "heavier" 3 L Camelback and also does not use the hydration sleeve in her Jade because of the loss of internal space.

My advice is not to go larger than 2L or if you go larger, not to carry more than 2 L unless you are expecting a long dry stretch of the trail.

Better to tank up on water before you start out on the trail and tank up at breaks at rivers/streams that you pass by and only carry whatever water you think you will need to get you to the next water source.

Saves weight on your back, but it does require that you plan out your hike more carefully as there is less margin of error if you don't find water.

That said, lighter could mean traveling faster and longer distances to get to water.

Hope that this helps.

-Tony

Thanks for the reply. I contacted Gregory; they said all their larger packs are designed to fit a 3L bladder, I guess that includes the small Jade 50. We ordered 2 of the Hydromedary 3Ls, it's only 17 grams heavier than a 2L, so it will give us the option of using more if we need it.

Rob