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Long Term Review: CamelBak Antidote Reservoir

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There comes a time in every hydration reservoir’s life, and they do live long lives, when you just cannot get rid of that stupid carcinogenic plastic taste…or you crash really hard and it rips open (leaving you sore, a little bloody, and wet all over).  In my case, it was a combination of the two which lead me to purchase a set of the new Camelbak Antidote reservoirs. There are numerous aftermarket bladder options, but after reading about the new functionality Camelbak was introducing – I just couldn’t resist owning the new new. After all, the company claimed that with the Antidote they had “resigned and reinvented every key performance feature of the reservoir.”

So did this upgraded bag live up to the hype?

Just line up the arrows and give the bag a quarter turn to close. No more wrestling or feats of strength required to open them.

SARIS: The Antidote introduces a plethora of new features intended to increase the efficiency and usability of built in hydration systems, and they’ve succeeded. In the past I’ve been loath to use my hydration pack, and preferred to tote around metal Klean Kanteen bottles in my riding bag, but new features like the quarter turn closure system, internal baffle, and quick link system have altered my habits. This bag is incredibly easy to use. The new closure system, requires only a quarter turn to close, and features arrows to assist in lining up a tongue and groove design inside of the lid, to prevent from over tightening. This system works really well for the most part, but on occasion I didn’t push the lid all the way in, and end up drenching myself. It’s usually apparent when the lid isn’t adjusted properly, but there has been more than one instance when I’ve been mistaken.

ZACH: One of the most important aspects of the new closure system for me, is how much easier it is to open and close the bladder. Admittedly, it has been awhile since my last Omega reservoir, but I remember struggling at times to get it open after I had probably over tightened the cap. The new system is extremely easy to use regardless of the situation. I did put the cap on wrong once or twice, but it was easy to figure out I had installed it wrong, and fixed it before it ever became an issue.

The Antidote has measurement markers for both liters and ounces.

SARIS: In conjunction with the new lid design, CamelBak increased the size of the fill port opening, and it is finally wide enough for me reach in and clean the bag properly. After cleaning, the bag incorporates built in dry arms to allow the bag to easily hang dry. Unfortunately, the bag only has a clip on the top of the bag so there is no handle to hang dry the bag with the fill port open and facing downwards (unless you purchase the additional cleaning kit). The outside of the bag is labeled with different volumes, which enable you to determine exactly how much water you’re bringing, and how much you drank. The inside features a “center baffle” which decreases the width of the bag. This makes the bladder easier to slide into my backpack and increases the storage capacity of the main compartment when the bladder is full. Water is also distributed more efficiently across the back, consequently improving weight distribution, and comfort.

TYLER: The bigger opening is fantastic for shoving in ice or pouring pre-mixed sports drink in without it splashing out. The baffle does prevent using their original drying inserts unless you cram in two of them, one in each side.

ZACH: In all honestly, I am very bad when it comes to cleaning out my hydration bladders. I tend to leave them filled with water, sometimes for months after I have used them, sometimes only to put more water in without emptying it and going for a ride. I haven’t actually used the incorporated drying arms, but if you are into that kind of thing they seem like they would be useful. The plastic currently used for the bladder itself seems to not take on any undesirable flavors over time, even with poor cleaning and care. I have quite a few of the new bladders and tend to switch back and forth, and they all deliver water without that plastic taste. The new baffle design works extremely well, and prevents the bladder from “sausgaging”  on your back.

Pulled my reservoir out of my bag and it was leaking...yet again.

SARIS: Unfortunately, when the hydration bladder is full it tends to leak out of the quick link hose attachment. Occasionally, the amount of water is significant enough that when I pick my riding pack off the ground there are clumps of mud attached to the bottom. You also need to be careful when disconnecting the hose from the bag as any liquid in it will pour out unless plugged with a finger.

TYLER: I have way too many Camelbaks and haven’t experienced any leaks from the quick disconnect port, so this could be a limited problem.

ZACH: I have to side with Tyler on this one. With 3 different new Camelbaks and even more new bladders, I have yet to experience any leaking at all. This is after packing full bags and bladders in duffels for trips, stuffing empty Camelbaks in all too crowded suitcases for long flights, and carelessly throwing them into my trunk after a ride. Of all of the bladders I have used, this seems to be one of the most durable.

SARIS: The antidote also features several extra accessories which can be purchased separately such as a bite valve cover, flow meter, and fresh water filter. The flow meter digitally measures water consumption, but due to the measurement on the bag, I found the accessory redundant and frankly a little silly. The accessory is definitely targeted toward a market segment I don’t belong too.

TYLER: Yeah, the Flowmeter’s cool for a minute, but not really something I found myself using after reviewing it. If you were doing a super long event, as in multi-day, and really had to monitor fluid intake, maybe. One thing that it does show is just how much or little you actually consume, which can be revelatory and might help determine the culprit of frequent cramping or bonking if you’re prone to such things.

ZACH: I have not used any of the accessories, though if I had a choice, I think the water filter would be the only thing that would appeal to me.

Slight mold developing around the mouthpiece cover

SARIS: The fresh water filter, which fits between the hydration reservoir and quick link hose, is intended to provide better tasting water. The filter wasn’t, and is still not available through major shop suppliers like QBP and BTI, but the bite valve cover was available for purchase. The cover is rather difficult to install because it fits between the mouthpiece and the hose. The mouthpiece must be pushed rather forcefully into the hose and removing it is very tedious. The benefit of the cover is that the bite valve does not come into contact with every surface I toss my bag onto. The cover also prevents any residual moisture on or in the mouth piece from spilling or dampening my riding gear. The only downside is that if not carefully washed the valve cover is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and can soon develop mold.

TYLER: I’ve tried the inline water filter and it works as promised, improving the taste of tap water, particularly when it has a bleachy smell, but it does inhibit flow a bit. If you routinely fill your bottle from hotels or public water sources, it’s not a bad investment.  It’s only for taste, though, not to purify the water.

The drying arms are handy for drying your bag but you'll need to purchase the additional cleaning kit if you want a hook to hang it upside down. Or just use a clothes pin.

SARIS: The new antidote hydration reservoir introduces an innovative but flawed feature set. The new internal baffle and quarter turn closing systems are major improvements over past designs, but the quick link hose should have been better executed. Due to the leaky bladder my riding bag developed mold when it sat untouched during two weeks of rain storms. The antidote has a lot of great features which make it a pleasure to use, including being BPA free, but the leaking bladder is a real turn off…although it could have just been the  two units I purchased. Aside from the leaking issue (which is kind of a big deal) this is the best reservoir I’ve used to date. Its a vast improvement over the Nalgene and previous iterations of CamelBak bladders, but until the leaking issue is resolved I can’t recommend this product.

TYLER: While actual pack design from other brands are competing at Camelbak’s level in terms of features, pockets, comfort, etc., I still think their reservoirs are hands down the best. I haven’t had any problems with leaking, and the new baffled design definitely makes them flatter and fit better in the packs. Given my lack of problems, I’d recommend them in a second. Discuss.

ZACH: Again, just like Tyler, I am very happy with the new Antidote bladders. There was a time that I would have rather used other bladders that had quick release hoses to aid in filling the bladder, but now that Camelbak’s includes the quick connect, it is back on top of the market. For me the bladders have been extremely durable, and improved on all the areas where the old Camelbak bladders needed improvement.

Have you tried the new CamelBak reservoir? Did it leave you drenched in disappointment, or soaked in sunshine? Let us know in the comments…

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14 Comments
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Chris
Chris
12 years ago

I have not had any issues with the Antidote reservoir in my CamelBak MULE. No leaking, easy to clean, love the baffle, and no leaking when disconnecting the hose. My bite valve still seals well so when I disconnect, I get the same effect as if you sucked water into a straw and capped off the top with your finger. I don’t see a need to replace it for a long time.

slow joe crow
slow joe crow
12 years ago

I got a MULE this summer and also got a Lush (women’s MULE) for my wife. The reservoirs have been trouble free as long as I line up the fill cap marks correctly and no issues with leaks or crud. One nice feature of the quick disconnect is the ability to customize the hose. My wife wanted to run the hose across her chest like her old hydration pack and I was able to make a 12″ extension out of a replacement hose and a quick connector retrofit kit.

Jesse
12 years ago

I have had the antidote for about 3 months now. I use it for mountain biking, but often put it in my ski pack or use it for backpacking. I like the baffle a lot because it keeps the profile thinner when filled, instead of turning into a cylinder. The quick disconnect hose with valve is a nice feature and has helped a lot in diss-assembly for drying. My wife also appreciates the quarter turn lid… I was always cranking down the lids on the older models to keep them from leaking, and she couldn’t get them open again. I have cross threaded the quarter turn once and it leaked, but that is easy to pay attention to when putting the lid on and hasn’t happened since. I give it two thumbs up… a great improvement to an already great product.

Captain Penguin
Captain Penguin
12 years ago

I have a 2011 MULE and a 2011 Charge (the small one). I definitely love the newer versions of the Camelbak bladders and have never had leak issues. Way better than my old nalgene ones (the first two the quicklink leaked like crazy) and the one that came with my Osprey was awesome until the seal at the lid leaked out all the water. my only issue is the new lid (at least on my charge, hasn’t happened yet on the MULE) doesn’t like to stay attached to the bladder by the plastic piece that has the ball end. it falls out all the time when I hang it to dry.

TURBO
TURBO
12 years ago

Carcinogenic? Seriously. Please cite your source indicating the plastic taste of hydration reservoirs and/or water bottles is carcinogenic or remove the comment completely. It’s comments like this that encourage parents to withold vaccines for their kids, and it’s irresponsible “journalism.”

Jason
Jason
12 years ago

I bought an antidote reservoir in April last year and the quicklink sprung a leak in January, sent it back to the retailer for a claim, yet to get a call back. Real satisfied with the reservoir other than the leak.

Fred
Fred
12 years ago

To me the Camebak oversized screw closure is total overkill (unnecessary complexity and weight) compared to a simple fold over closure.

Adam
Adam
12 years ago

I love the new reservoir, and have had zero issues with regard to leaking or the cap not working correctly.

That said, Camelbak does have a “Got your Bak” guarantee and will stand behind any leaking reservoir, any decent LBS or other outdoor store should be able to easily take care of any defective product for you.

Victor
12 years ago

I would appreciate some helpful hints on putting the filled Antidote bag back into the pack. VPJ

Daniel
Daniel
12 years ago

I loved my 70oz but the gasket malfunctioned after just a half season. I have yet to take it back to the retail outlet but I hope that they honor the reported guarantee. The reservoir costs two thirds of what the backpack costs

DeeEight
DeeEight
11 years ago

Was happy with my antidote bladder until cleaning it with boiling water (to get some green growth out that happened after I used those fizzing sugar-free electrolyte tabs, and left the water sitting in it for 2 weeks), and now the quick-disconnect leaks at the bottom. I have to ride with the bladder inserted into a ziplock freezer back to keep from getting a wet back. Its not the o-ring around the hose insert that’s gone bad, but something in the QD fitting INSIDE the reservoir, that you cannot service of course…

WUForester
WUForester
10 years ago

My wife has one of these and I think it’s a joke. The lid system is horrible and clunky. Often, I have to put a lot of force into untightening the lid. I don’t understand the selling point of a 1/4-turn lid. I’d rather have a regular lid that isn’t so herky-jerky. Is it so hard to turn it the whole way? Worse than that is the plastic/rubber taste. It’s the worst hydration bladder I’ve ever used in this regard, even after rinsing it with baking soda. No matter how I clean it, the plastic taste never goes away. The bite valve is okay.

Comparing the Antidote to my Osprey Hydroform, they are light years apart. The Osprey has a quality lid, has absolutely no taste, and has a superb bite valve. Not the Osprey is a direct replacement for the Antidote (due to its funky shape), but it shows that Camelback has a lot of catching up to do when it comes to bladder quality.

JDev
JDev
10 years ago

Leaky bladder fix.
I had the same problem with the bladder leaking at the quick-link hose attachment. It wasn’t leaking where the hose is inserted into the quick-link, but where the quick-link piece fits into the bladder. The quick-link piece rotates very slightly, about 2 degrees. I noticed that when the quick-link piece moves is when it leaks. So I super-glued it in place to keep it from moving at all, and voila, no more leak. My lower back stays dry when I go hiking now.

LeAnn
LeAnn
7 years ago
Reply to  JDev

I hate the bad plastic taste!!!! I’ve had older model camelbak bladders that did NOT have a bad taste but the newer Andidote BPA free DOES! I have two of them and have tried Dawn, Lemons, and baking soda and let set for a couple of days and they still have a really bad taste.Keep in mind, I have a whole house filter and great R/O system so our water tastes great. Just when I use home filtered or bottled water in the Camelbak bladder it tastes awful! I really liked Camelbak but too frustrated, I am now an Osprey or Platypus fan.

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