Worth their weight in gold or 'don't bother' ?

[RobinGore]

Bladder, yes or no, I'll do a poll

 

[Pafayac]

When walking, 3 things to not forget:
- drink water
- drink water
- drink water
Personally, I cannot manage to drink enough (especially if the weather is not hot) without a bladder.

 

[CWBuff]

Yes for all the reasons @Pafayac said above and then some

 

[MikeJS]

For the same reasons as stated above. Plus, I can comfortably walk all day without eating but would not do well in the Spanish heat without drinking and a bladder ensures I stay hydrated.

 

[peterott]

I bought a backpack where I can easily grab each of the water bottles from the two outer pockets, without twisting my wrists.

Prefer this heavily over such a bladder and drink-hose

 

[J Willhaus]

Prefer water bottles.

 

[Robo]

I have used both bladders and bottles with drinking tube.
Ensuring adequate hydration is essential, and both methods allow for sufficient water to be carried.
By using a drinking tube, both methods allow for easy water access.
But which one allows for easy monitoring of consumption and water levels?

Front mounted water bottles….

For that reason alone I don’t use bladders any more.
On longer stretches, or more remote Caminos I would be forever digging into my pack to check water levels. That fear of running out, when using a bladder, caused me to carry too much water (weight).

Front mounted bottles, always in sight, allow precise monitoring, and I find encourage better hydration. I can drink to my planned consumption level freely, without worrying about how much water remains.

I loved bladders initially, but no way I would use them again.

I now remain fully hydrated, and don’t run out.

 

[roving_rufus]

Definitely water bottles- easier to see what I have drunk and what is left. Easier to wash and clean. And easy to replace if they get damaged or are leaking.

 

[davejsy]

Bottles (obviously reusable) every time.

 

[wisepilgrim]

I started with bladders, but switched to a sturdy bottle. The bladder is easier to drink out of, which is very good. But the bottle is much easier to refill.

I also buy some of those tasty vitamin tablet tubes that you can get from the pharmacy... the effervescent kind. That way when I find a fountain that tastes a bit too metallic for my liking I can spice it up.

 

[bestfootforward]

Bottles, bottles, bottles. Easier to use, fill, clean and know how much water you have

 

[dougfitz]

I do both. Bladder for ease of drinking, weight balance, etc when walking. Small bottle as a reserve to refill the bladder if I drink all its contents, for a hydration mix at the end of each day's walk, for treating water collected from an untreated source, and to have beside my bed during the evening. I have a bladder that doesn't need to be removed from my pack to refill it, and a fitting that can be used to replace the mouthpiece so that it can be refilled from a bottle, also while still in my pack.

I recommend using a bladder, but making sure you stay hydrated is more important than how you achieve that. Do something that works for you.

 

[henrythedog]

I do both, but the other way round. 2x500ml bottles either side of my pack; easily accessible whilst walking, and 1-2l in a bladder under my pack lid as a reserve. Once I’m certain I’m within an hour or so of my end point the bladder contents get ditched.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Should I start another poll?

 

[J Willhaus]

I think it is kind of like shoes, rain ponchos vs rain coats, backpacks, and other items. It is extremely individual and a poll probably won't solve it for you.

 

[dick bird]

I think it is kind of like shoes, rain ponchos vs rain coats, backpacks, and other items. It is extremely individual and a poll probably won't solve it for you.

Absolutely. You're the one that is going to have to carry it. Go for a few long walks and try out both solutions and see which one works for you.

 

[Donna Sch]

Depends on the route and the season. If the weather is hot, have at least one bladder.
If it is cool ie under 20 degrees bottles will suffice.
I used bladders on the VDLP in June/July and they were invaluable. Bottles on the Levante/Invierno in Feb/Mar as I didn't need to drink as much and there were more opportunities to stop for a coffee or drink.
Next Camino next May/June will be tubes on 2l soft bottles plus some extra in the front pockets depending on weather. We will be doing short stages however this time around.

 

[Donna Sch]

And I need my hands for my poles and my camera. Bladders let you use your hands for other things. But bladders can leak so I bring two.