Climbers often carry their water in two ways - using a water bottle, such as a Nalgene, or inside a water bladder, such as a CamelBak. 

There are several benefits of using a water bladder.  1) high capacity: the bladders come in various sizes which allow you to carry a large supply of water. 2) hands-free operation: all you need to do is bite down on the valve.  3) encourages consistent hydration: there is no need to stop to drink, so using a bladder increases performance because climbers consume water by consistent sipping rather than gulping periodically. 

There are drawbacks to using a bladder as well. 1) inconvenient to refill: refilling the bladder requires removal of your backpack and at least partially taking out the bladder. 2) durability: bladders can leak.  3) difficulty to monitor intake/supply: because the water is out of sight, it is hard to know how much water you have consumed and how much is left, 4) hard to clean: cleaning the bladder is cumbersome.  If water is left inside, mold can develop.  5) taste: bladders can make water taste like plastic. 


We recommend using both systems while climbing Kilimanjaro, using the bladder (70 oz.) for pure water and a supplementary bottle for an electrolyte drink (such as Gatorade, Propel, etc.).