Evernew Water Carry Hydration Bladder Review

Bottom Line

The smart features and minimalist design of the Evernew Water Carry (bag/hose) make it a strong contender among our favorite hydration bladders of the year. At just 4.9 ounces (1.3 ounces for the bottle and 3.5 ounces for the hydration tube), this system is incredibly lightweight and packs down to almost nothing when empty. Our lead tester loved using it for long multi-pitch climbs and scrambles in Red Rock Canyon this spring. 

While it’s very similar to another top pick, the Platypus Platy, the connected cap makes it stand out as a bottle. With a small piece of plastic attaching the cap to the bottle, it’s easy to keep track of. After losing the Platy’s small cap multiple times, this feature was a game-changer. It also manages to improve on the Platy’s design and weighs about the same. 

However, the hydration hose is sold separately, which is why it’s ranked lower on the list. Plus, this tube costs more than the bottle itself, which makes it less convenient for folks looking for a traditional reservoir setup with an eye towards budget.

The Evernew bladder is a simple water bag that can be fitted with a hose, making it a great choice as a bottle or a classic bladder. Ultralight backpackers looking to shave ounces for big days in the mountains will appreciate the simplicity of this product.

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

How We Tested

We tested the Evernew Water Carry over the course of six weeks this spring in the desert. We climbed with it on multi-pitch routes up to 900 feet in length, shoved it into our pack for cragging days, and packed it for plenty of hikes and runs on sand trails. We especially loved this ultralight bladder for long climbs and scrambles in Red Rock Canyon, NV.

Weight & Packability

This is where the Evernew Water Carry really shines. At just 1.38 ounces for the reservoir and barely over 3.5 ounces for the hose, the Water Carry is an outstanding pick for folks who want an impressively low weight. When empty, the Water Carry rolls up to a tiny packed size of 8 inches by 2.25 inches by 0.5 inches, and the tube packs up small as well.

Evernew Mountain Equipment is a Japanese brand that specializes in ultralight gear, starting with their titanium pots. The Water Carry products continue that legacy with a focus on minimalist features and lightweight design.

Ease of Use

While the Water Carry doesn’t include many features, it’s very functional in the ways it was designed to be used. It doesn’t include a hydration hose with purchase, although you can pick one up separately. That might turn some hikers away, but it is still easy to drink out of as a water bag – and for folks that want on-the-go convenience, you can add the hose anytime, and it works impressively well. We also appreciated the connected cap, especially since we’ve lost a couple of caps for bladders with a cap design.

Another benefit of the Water Carry is its compatibility with a Sawyer water filtration system. Sometimes we use the Evernew bladder primarily as a water storage system when camping far from a water source. The small opening makes it a little trickier to fill than other bladders, but it’s easier to drink out of than the Hydrapak Seeker with its larger opening.

Ease of Cleaning

The Evernew Water Carry’s small opening makes it hard to clean without special tools. It’s impossible to fit a regular-sized sponge inside, and it’s hard to rinse soap out once suds fill the bladder. 

The small opening also means that this bladder takes longer to dry than other options. It can’t turn inside out to dry like some of the other hydration systems. If you blow air inside after cleaning, it stays rigid, which helps it dry faster than bladders whose walls stick together when wet.

Taste

We rated the taste of our water in the Evernew as nearly perfect (4.9 out of 5.0). Water in this bag doesn’t take on a plasticky flavor, huzzah!

Durability

We used the Evernew Water Carry for six weeks of climbing, hiking, and scrambling in the desert. We shoved it into backpacks full of climbing gear, dropped it on rocks, and exposed it to spiky desert plants. It’s also been exposed to plenty of strong desert UV. So far, we haven’t noticed any leaks or tears in the material. 

The material is similar to that of the Platypus Platy, which always eventually tears at the seams in our many platy experiences. So we are curious whether the Evernew bladder will hold up after several seasons of heavy use, and will continue testing to see if and when it begins to break down.

Should You Buy the Evernew Water Carry Hydration Bladder?

If you’re looking for a minimalist water bladder with the versatility of a bottle and a reservoir, the Evernew Water Carry is a great option.

Ultralight hikers and alpinists will appreciate the lightweight, simple design at an affordable price. The Evernew Water Carry is compatible with Sawyer water filtration systems, making it a solid water storage option for someone planning a backpacking trip in a location with limited water sources. 

Backpackers who like to hydrate while hiking should consider bladders that include a hydration hose as part of a single purchase. We like that the hose is available separately, but this drives up the price by over 100%, and this system ends up being one of the most expensive we reviewed – although, for the versatility, we think it’s money well spent.

What Other Hydration Bladders Should You Consider?

Several other lightweight, minimalist hydration bladders in our water bladder gear guide rival the Evernew Water Carry. Check a few out below:

Platypus Platy Review: The Platy is extremely lightweight and packable, similar to the Evernew Water Carry. One benefit of the Platy is that it is dishwasher safe, making it easier to clean than the Water Carry. The Platy is not totally compatible with Sawyer water filters, but it works well with Platypus’s Quickdraw filter and has a separate drink tube that works well. 

Hydrapak Seeker Water Bag Review: The biggest benefit of the Hydrapak Seeker over the Platy or Evernew bladders is its durability. It’s harder to drink out of and not quite as light, but the Hydrapak Seeker is the winner for longevity.

Hydrapak Velocity Review: For those looking for an ultralight bladder that includes a hydration hose, the Velocity is a good option. It stays lighter than most of the other complete hydration systems by shaving extra features like an on-off valve and sternum strap magnet. It’s also easier to clean than any of the products listed above, since it can be turned inside out.