Gregory 3D Hydro Hydration Bladder Review

Bottom Line

The Gregory 3D Hydro is filled with features that make it easy and enjoyable to use in the great outdoors. It’s an excellent choice for hikers who want to stay hydrated on the go, thanks to its well-designed hose and bite valve. 

Backpackers and hikers alike will appreciate the bite valve with a shutoff feature to prevent leaks, as well as the sternum strap magnet that keeps the hose from flopping around. The hose quick disconnect is positioned near the top of the bladder, making it easier to reload into the backpack after refilling. 

The Hydro may not be the lightest or most packable bladder available, so alpine climbers or ultralight backpackers might want to explore some of our other favorites in the gear guide. However, overnight backpackers seeking a seamless experience will appreciate the added features of the Gregory 3D Hydro.

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

How We Tested

We tested the Gregory 3D Hydro on numerous hikes in Joshua Tree National Park during December and January. We used it while hiking the Warren Peak Trail and the Panorama Loop Trail near Black Rock Campground, took it on neighborhood walks in the Mojave Desert Land Trust, and even brought it along on climbing days in the national park.

Weight & Packability

Due to its features and structure, the Gregory 3D Hydro is one of the bulkier options in our lineup. At 6.5 ounces, it’s not the heaviest choice, but it certainly doesn’t fall into the “ultralight” category. 

The hard plastic handle and medium-sized twist cap make it difficult to roll up. Once we packed it down as small as possible, we measured its dimensions to be 6.5” by 7” by 1.5.” The hose’s quick disconnect is located at the top of the bladder, which also makes it harder to roll up. However, this placement does have benefits, which we’ll discuss below.

Ease of Use

The thoughtful design of the Gregory 3D Hydro makes it one of the easiest bladders to use in the field. The hard plastic handle simplifies the filling process, whether you’re using a faucet or dunking the bladder in a lake. The 3D shape allows the Hydro to load into a backpack more easily than some of the floppier bladders. 

Though the bite valve eventually worked fine, it was sealed shut when we received it. We almost resorted to using a knife, but after reading comments online, we realized this was a common issue. Instead, we massaged the bite valve between our fingers for about five minutes, and it finally opened up. 

Once the Hydro is in place in your pack, the secure sternum strap magnet helps prevent the hose from flopping around, which is especially beneficial for runners. During our testing in the desert, we noticed that the magnet tends to attract sand. This made the magnet less effective, but the sand was relatively easy to brush off. 

We also appreciate how the hose’s quick disconnect is situated near the top of the bladder. This way, if you need to refill the Hydro during a hike, you won’t have to dig to the bottom of your backpack to reconnect the hose. Finally, the bite valve’s shutoff switch prevented any leaks during testing.

Ease of Cleaning

The small twist cap opening makes cleaning the 3D Hydro somewhat tricky. Our tester couldn’t fit her hand inside the bladder to scrub it out. A longer scrub brush with a handle would be needed to thoroughly clean the inside. Cleaning tablets would be helpful in fully cleansing the Hydro. 

In theory, the 3D shape of the Hydro is meant to help it dry more quickly. In practice, it dried about as slowly as any of the other bladders that cannot be turned inside out, taking over seven hours to become moisture-free.

We are curious to see if the 3D shape prevents it from molding in the long term, compared to the bladders without any internal structure. We appreciate the integrated hook that allows it to hang up for drying without needing a clothespin.

Taste

Unfortunately, the Gregory 3D Hydro retains a distinct iodine taste, even after cleaning. Initially, the taste was unpleasant and difficult to eliminate. After several uses, it improved somewhat, but a lingering plastic taste persisted throughout the testing. 

Durability

Throughout our testing, we did not notice any leaks from the 3D Hydro, as long as we ensured the bite valve was closed. There was no tearing along any seams or failures.

Should You Buy the Gregory 3D Hydro?

For backpackers and hikers looking for a seamless experience, the Gregory 3D Hydro is an excellent hydration system. It’s easy to load into an overnight backpack and straightforward to refill. Water doesn’t leak or slosh around, and the hose remains secure during use.

While the 3D Hydro isn’t the lightest option for those aiming to reduce weight, it boasts some of the best features among the products we tested. 

What Other Hydration Bladders Should You Consider?

If the Gregory 3D Hydro doesn’t fully meet your needs, consider exploring some of the other options in our lineup of this season’s top hydration bladders.

Osprey Hydraulics Reservoir Review: If you like the user-friendly design of the Gregory 3D Hydro, you might also appreciate the Osprey Hydraulics Reservoir. It features similar qualities to the Hydro, but it also includes a rigid back plate. This design helps maintain the shape of the reservoir as you load it into a fully packed backpack. This structural feature makes the Osprey Hydraulics our top choice for overnight backpackers who will frequently refill their bladders on the trail. 

HydraPak Contour Review: The HydraPak Contour is a lighter-weight option that retains essential features. For trail runners or ultralight backpackers seeking to shed ounces without compromising the user experience, the Contour is an excellent choice. Unlike the minimalist Platypus Hoser, the Contour includes helpful features like a bite valve shutoff switch and a hose quick disconnect. It also has interior baffles that prevent water from sloshing around and a secure sternum strap magnet. Somehow, the Contour manages to accomplish everything, making it our top overall pick.

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