I've been using one of these for a couple of years now. I initially bought it when I decided to start mountain biking - it was the cheapest bladder in my local outdoor shop, so I bought it. Having not seen any of the major competitor's offerings before buying this, I was amazed to see that the likes of Camelbak and Platypus bladders carried a significantly higher price tag, whilst being of what seems to be a much lower spec.
Having the whole bladder held in its nylon 'frame' makes filling to the brim really easy, as you can hold it by the 'handle' without squashing the bladder itself. I always assumed (and ave read in other reviews) that the reason for the tube being braided was partly to give added abrasion resistance, but the main benefit is that as sunlight can't get through to the tube inside, you won't get any algal/fungal growth inside the tube.
One of my mountain biking mates has a Camelbak and my wife has a Platypus bladder for walking - both of which cost more that the Source - and I wouldn't swap mine for either of them.
More features, better build and material quality and a lower price - bit of a no-brainer really!
I've also been using one for a couple of years and agree with Andrew's comments, it seems like a very good product.
One point to watch though - I had hoped that the braided tube would provide enough insulation for winter use but it doesn't. I tried using it on a skiing tour and the tube had frozen solid by mid-morning. I guess it would need supplementing with one of the camelback neoprene covers get round that problem.
I don't think any of the tube covers offer a huge resistance to freezing anyway. Blowing back as much liquid into the bladder as possible helps. Then again I've had an entire bladder freeze into a giant Icepop in the Andes before now...
I've just ordered - yep, my money for once - a three-litre Source bladder to replace a well-used and chronically leaky Camelbak bladder, though I'll probably swap the bite valves over because I reckon the Camelbak one flows slightly better and I like the shut-off valve.
Beg to differ on the price, but I paid £14 for my 2 litre playpus hoser(not in a sale - full price) earlier this year. I've just done a quick search among the retailers on the left, and the most expensive I found was £ 16.00. Perhaps a bit pedantic of me, but if that bit of info is wrong....
Three years later, the information here is still useful. I got two Source Vagabond bladders after researching on line, trying everything to eliminate the bad taste in my old Camelbak bladders. Apparently it's easy - replace with a Source! My ones cost about US$15 each, on eBay.
My smaller source is the most heavily used one, and yes the bite valve has started to leak when it hangs lower than the bladder. The fix for that has been replacing it with my old Camelbak bite valve and shutoff lever. But the Source bladder taste, or lack of it, is fantastic. I'm a much happier hiker now. I'll never go back to a Camelbak again, especially their black military model with the rubbery taste I used for a while.
The article mentions the tube shroud, and how it's not an effective insulator but might be purely aesthetic. Another person suggests it could block sunlight to the tube and help inhibit mold growth. There's a third possibility as well. Source is a big supplier to the military, and hydration tubes have a reflective shine to them. This can be a bad thing if you don't want to be noticed. My larger Source bladders is the military model with the camo cover, and the tube shroud looks identical to the photos in the article.
Despite a less-than-ideal bite valve, I think these are great products.
I have had a Source bladder for over 5 years. It happened to come with a Kelty day pack I bought. I have had many bladders by several different names,,,Platypus, Nalgene, other cheaper brands. The Source is by far the best bladder I have ever had. Hiking/Backpacking, Biking, you name it, I have tortured this bladder in every way possible. I finally found the bag's limit when i used it on a winter backpack trip and the bladder froze, I put it too close to the fire and the edge melted a little. Even then, I was still able to use the bladder on several more occasions before a leak actually occured two weeks ago. Tasteless, easy to fill with a purification pump, and VERY durable. Easily the best bladder you can buy, even before the low price.....on my way to get another one....
Of course, the other advantage of the sheathed tube is that you can't see the fungal growth inside, so you do not worry about it, thus giving you immune system a good work-out!
I recently ditched an old source in favour of (I think) a Platy, because something kept going wrong (the bite vales seemed to come off easily on the ones I bought 6 or 7 years ago, even when new), but it had lasted me quite a while, and the Platy was just very cheap in a Tiso sale.
"Anyone know if the widepack types are any good? Thinking about getting one to replace my ancient platypus."
I've been using one of these for a while now and have been very impressed. Much easier to clean than the usual design and there have been no leaks yet.
I think the widepack is great - easy to fill, easy to clean, and the tube detaches at a valve on the bladder so you don't need to constantly unthread it from your pack to refill it. I've tried Platypus and Camelbak too but the Source is my favourite.
