Cherainti Hydration Bladder Review

Bottom Line

The Cherainti Hydration Bladder stands out as the most affordable option in our lineup of hydration systems. It is even less expensive than the ultra-minimalist Platypus Platy, but the Cherainti bladder comes complete with a hydration hose and bite valve. 

It’s not quite as feature-rich as some of the pricier bladders; there’s no sternum strap magnet or handle for convenient filling. The reservoir lacks both interior and exterior structure. However, the hose does include a quick release, and it’s actually the only bladder we tested that comes with a bite valve cover included. 

If affordability is your priority but you still want a hydration system that works, the Cherainti is a great option. If you’re looking for something lightweight or searching for the best user experience, it might be worth investing in a different bladder.

And for more info, check out some of our other popular gear guides:

How We Tested

We hiked with the Cherainti bladder on the High Point Trail and the Nature Trail near Blackrock Campground in Joshua Tree. We also took it out on several days of bouldering in Joshua Tree National Park. We primarily tested it during the winter in the Southern California desert, where temperatures ranged from 40 to 70 degrees.

Weight & Packability

While the Amazon product page states that the Cherainti Bladder weighs only 3.2 ounces in the 2-liter size, our measurements indicate it weighs over 7 ounces. This isn’t the heaviest bladder in our lineup, but it certainly isn’t considered ultralight. The inclusion of some hard plastic components, such as a large plastic twist cap, contributes to the increased weight. 

With the hard twist cap, the Cherainti Bladder doesn’t fold or roll up as easily as the highly packable Hydrapak Contour or the VectoX. We measured its minimum packed size at 7 by 5.5 by 3.25 inches. In terms of weight and packability, the Cherainti falls somewhere in the middle of the pack.

Ease of Use

While the Cherainti Bladder serves its purpose, it lacks many additional features for enhanced comfort or an improved experience. We appreciate the quick-release mechanism on the hose, allowing for easy refills without detaching the entire system from the backpack. The plastic twist cap includes a hole, enabling it to be suspended in various backpacks. 

The Cherainti Bladder is the only one we tested that features a bite valve cover. As we took our pack on and off during hikes in the sandy desert, this proved to be useful. However, we found the bulky cover somewhat more challenging to thread through some of the hydration hose openings in our backpacks.  

In addition to these features, the Cherainti Bladder is fairly minimalist; it lacks a rigid backer or internal baffles, causing water to slosh around somewhat while running. You can stop the water flow by pressing the bite valve in, but we found this to be less secure than the on-off lever present in other models. 

The bite valve also has a lower water flow than those on other bladders. During a gravity test, it only filled about 0.4 cups while the bite valve was pinched, compared to 1.25 cups filled by the Camelbak Crux. Anecdotally, the bite valve required more aggressive sucking to get the same amount of water compared to other bladders we tested. 

Ease of Cleaning

Since the Cherainti Bladder has a plastic twist cap, it can’t be turned inside out, which makes cleaning and drying a bit more challenging. Our tester was able to fit her hand inside the twist cap’s opening, allowing her to scrub the inside fairly well. 

The bladders with twist caps dried more slowly during our tests than those with sliders, and this one was no exception. It took over seven hours for the Cherainti Bladder to fully dry. Pouring it out completely after cleaning is difficult, and water tends to pool at the bottom. Additionally, it retained a plastic-like taste even after being washed thoroughly.

Taste

As soon as I opened it, the Cherainti Bladder had a rubbery taste that lingered even after a thorough wash. Compared to some other bladders, this one was among the worst tasting. However, some of the pricier options tasted even worse; the Osprey Hydraulics and Gregory 3D Hydro had a distinct iodine flavor.

Durability

Over six weeks of hiking in the desert, we didn’t notice any leaks from the Cherainti Bladder. We stuffed it into backpacks brimming with climbing gear, tossed it carelessly in our car, and tested it over many miles of trail. So far, the bladder has held up without any issues.

Should You Buy the Cherainti Hydration Bladder?

For budget-conscious hikers seeking a functional hydration system, the Cherainti Bladder works quite well. It is less than half the price of other similar products while still including a hose and bite valve. There are some drawbacks to its design; it is slightly bulkier than our favorite lightweight products and lacks the specialized features of more expensive options. Throughout our field testing, however, we remained happy and hydrated with the Cherainti Bladder.

What Other Hydration Bladders Should You Consider?

If you’re willing to spend a bit more for a slightly better product, check out some of our other favorite value options. 

CamelBak Crux Review: The Crux keeps its price relatively low while providing a superior user experience compared to the Cherainti, making it our choice for best value. It tastes significantly better and has a higher flow rate than the Cherainti, resulting in an overall enhanced drinking experience. Its bite valve shutoff switch is slightly more secure, and it features an ergonomic handle that simplifies filling. The Crux shares a similar design with the Cherainti Bladder, but the experience feels more elevated. 

Platypus Hoser Review: If you don’t mind limited features, the Hoser is another simple, more affordable option. It is also a good choice for those seeking lighter, more packable hydration bladders. Similar to the Crux, it offers better taste and a higher flow rate than the Cherainti. While it’s a bit more stripped down than both products, it features a small twist cap opening and very few additional components beyond a hose and bite valve.