CamelBak Crux Water Reservoir Hydration Bladder Blue

I purchased this about three years ago and have been using it ever since. I tend to drink a lot of water when I'm outside doing any kind of strenuous activity -- hiking, rock scrambling, running. This three liter reservoir is a great option to swap out the included smaller 1.5L and 2L bags that come with the packs that I buy. Very long hose ensures that you can use it with small day-packs, hydration vests, and backpacking backpacks, and nozzle works okay for sipping.Some people that have an issue with sealing and leaks -- I only had that problem in the beginning, but it's mainly because I wasn't sealing it right. You just have to make sure the cap is on securely before you start turning clockwise to seal it shut. If you do this, then you'll get a good and secure seal each time.

I’ve been using Camelbak hydration packs and bladders for over two decades. The drinking bladders last for many years until they start leaking. I recently purchased this one to replace an old one, and I’ve had no problems with leaks since switching to the new style lid. I also appreciate the newer and larger handle, which makes it easier to hang the bottle in my Camelbak and other manufacturers’ backpacks. .

Had I thought about how much weight 3 liters of water is, I would have likely bought the smaller version of Camelbak. Three liters of water on your back is heavy! However, the Camelbak is made of thick rubber-like plastic. One thing I'm afraid of is that the plastic handle grip might break; it's made of thin plastic. In any case, I am thankful for this product because in South Florida, it is a must-have on long motorcycle trips.

I bought this product after reading mostly positive reviews - but some reviews said it leaked, it was hard to fill completely and the water tasted bad. The only problem I had with leaking was the one time I didn't get the cap on right. However, I always turn it upside down before putting it in my bag to check for leaks. There's a trick to getting the cap on correctly: when you put the cap on first spin it slowly counter-clockwise like you're unscrewing it until you click a "click." That sound is the threads engaging and lining up. Then screw it clockwise and tighten as normal. I agree that it shouldn't require a "trick" but once I figured this out I can quickly and easily get the cap on correctly. The hose connects with a solid "click" and I've had no leaks from that connection.The second issue I've seen in reviews is that it's hard to completely fill, and this is true if you try to get every last drop possible in it. However, I questioned how much water this actually holds so I completely filled the reservoir and poured it out into my 2 liter measuring cup. It held about 2.2 liters. So it is hard to put 2.2 liters into a 2 liter reservoir, but it's easy to fill to the 2L advertised capacity.The other issue is the taste, and if you put water in it brand new without cleaning it, it will taste like rubber. So I washed mine with warm water and a little dish soap (and ran some through the tube) and thoroughly rinsed it. I spent 10 minutes doing this 1 time and the water tasted completely normal after that. If you leave water in it for over 24 hours (especially if partially filled) then you'll get a slight aftertaste. If you're looking to store water for several days without any change in taste, then this product probably isn't for you.Two things that would make this better are to include a sleeve option for the tube. I've got a green/brown bag and the bright blue tube just doesn't look good against it. Also the hook at the top of the reservoir (used to hang inside your bag) is shaped like a T and that works great in my bag, but my wife's bag has a velcro loop. To secure it in her bag we'll have to rig a string through the T hook and the loop in the bag. Finally, check the dimensions before ordering your size. The measurements showed it would be a tight fit in my bag and it is, but it works fine and I'm glad I got the larger size. The measurements in the specs are accurate with the bag full of water. Bottom line, I liked this enough to buy one for my wife.

Works great overall just be aware the blue ring on the cap can come loose, which causes leaks. Once it’s securely back in place, though, it seals perfectly and doesn’t leak at all.

Crux 3L is just what I’d hoped it would be. It functions extremely well hiking and rucking in the heat. No leaks. Great attachment points. It does seem to keep its shape and remain flatter or thinner back to front due to the partition intended for that purpose. It appears so far to be very durable.

Previously I wrote a review saying that the bladder leaked. Amazon sent me another one and in the meantime while it was being shipped, I discovered that I screwed up and I was the reason it was leaking it was not defective at all. I love Camelbak products and especially their bladders.

Have it hiked once and biked once. Good quality, hard to clean tho but that’s all the water bags issue…