Hardside Hydration Review ***Updated 7/31/22***

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

Hardside Hydration - Dependable & Rugged for Backcountry Adventures

Turn a dependable Nalgene bottle into a hydration pack. Use the Swig 63 and a Nalgene bottle to make an awesome Swig Rig that will keep you drinking deep in the backcountry. No more broken bladders to leave your bag wet and your throat dry.

www.hardsidehydration.com

Hardside Hydration up with another option to solve issues with conveniently carrying water or other beverages. Sam @realunlucky and myself will be reviewing their "Swig Rig". I received mine a couple days ago and Sam will be chiming in once his arrives.

The product is pretty self explanatory, it is essentially a conversion kit that turns most wide mouth Nalgene bottle into a hydration reservoir with a hosed delivery system similar to the kind water bladders use.

I got the "Swig Rig" kit, an insulated hose with bite valve, an uninsulated hose with bite valve, a 48 oz. Nalgene bottle, insulation sleeve, and 2 hose quick connects.

My initial impression of the "Swig Rig" is it's so easy to use and intuitive, it is hard to believe that it's a new product that I haven't been using for years. I normally use a 32 oz Nalgene and the jury is still out on whether I like the size of the 48 oz, but the system easily modifies to a 32 oz if I choose to. The one way air relief valve is a bit restrictive but it's not really a problem with drinking and does the job well of preventing spills. So far it seems to be a pretty solid product.

If you have any questions for Sam or myself, let us know.

***7/31/22*** Hardside Hydration Swig Rig Review

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[robby denning]

48 ozs is a good option to have.

what pack(s) you running this with?

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

48 ozs is a good option to have.

what pack(s) you running this with?

I haven't ran it on a pack yet, but will likely use my Kifaru Ma Deuce. I will probably make a deeper nalgene holder to accommodate the 48 oz. bottle, but I might just use a carabiner and attach it to the outside.

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[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

Popping the hose off at the quick connect turns into a spill resistant nalgene with a straw making it super versatile for everyday use.

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[bsnedeker]

This is one of those products I don't really understand the "why" of. Is there a problem with water bladders that this is solving? I've never had a water bladder leak on me in all my years using them... maybe it's more common than I would have thought?

Really curious about others opinions on why they would like to use something like this.

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[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

This is one of those products I don't really understand the "why" of. Is there a problem with water bladders that this is solving? I've never had a water bladder leak on me in all my years using them... maybe it's more common than I would have thought?

Really curious about others opinions on why they would like to use something like this.

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Its more convenient to fill than digging a bladder out, easier to clean and sterilize, and utilizing electrolytes is easier because a nalgene is easier to clean.

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[Ryan Avery]

This is one of those products I don't really understand the "why" of. Is there a problem with water bladders that this is solving? I've never had a water bladder leak on me in all my years using them... maybe it's more common than I would have thought?

Really curious about others opinions on why they would like to use something like this.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using Tapatalk

I've broken no less than ten bladders. Don't know if this will be better but it certainly won't be any worse.

 

[bsnedeker]

Its more convenient to fill than digging a bladder out, easier to clean and sterilize, and utilizing electrolytes is easier because a nalgene is easier to clean.

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Ahhh.... that makes sense. I don't use anything to flavor or enhance my water and I've never cleaned a bladder ever so probably not for me but I understand.... thanks!

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[bsnedeker]

I've broken no less than ten bladders. Don't know if this will be better but it certainly won't be any worse.

Man, that's crazy to me! I've used the same two Source bladders for probably 5 years at least and the old bladders I used before those (camelbak I think) are still floating around in a gear bin somewhere in my basement.

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[WeiserBucks]

I bought a Swig Rig and really like it. It solves two problems for me, I hate bladders and I like sucking on long hoses.

 

[woods89]

Man, that's crazy to me! I've used the same two Source bladders for probably 5 years at least and the old bladders I used before those (camelbak I think) are still floating around in a gear bin somewhere in my basement.

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I've decided that the Source bladders must be a step up from everything else. I've used the same one for 5 years or so, and packed quarters up against it in the bag, cranked on the compression straps, and never had a problem. But I hear all the time about other people having issues.

@Ryan Avery , were any of those 10 a Source?

This by no means is to take away from Hardside, as I think their product is great, and plan to order one.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

I find myself using this setup far more frequently than I anticipated. It has mostly become my go to for everyday use during everthing from pack training to mountain biking to interfacility patient transfers at work. The quick disconnect makes it very versatile.

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[svivian]

@HARDSIDE Are you going to offer an option to be screwed on to a hydroflask or similar type insulated bottle?

 

[HARDSIDE]

@HARDSIDE Are you going to off an option to be screwed on to a hydroflask or similar type insulated bottle?

This cap will fit the hydro flask wide mouth bottles as well as many other 63mm bottles.

 

[realunlucky]

I've been using the hardside for a couple weeks now. I live in the high desert so it's a big plus for the convenience of adding ice and not having the container sweat on everything in my pack.

I'm using the insulated hose and cover it's impressive how long it keeps my water cold.

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[JeffRaines]

This is one of those products I don't really understand the "why" of. Is there a problem with water bladders that this is solving? I've never had a water bladder leak on me in all my years using them... maybe it's more common than I would have thought?

Really curious about others opinions on why they would like to use something like this.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using Tapatalk

Gotta say I’m right there with you. Never broken a bladder, never had any issues cleaning them. I seen one person mention filling them being an issue - if you’re using a Sawyer or pump style filter you can buy a QD fitting and fill it while it stays in your pack… that’s what I do anyway.

 

[Brad@Argali]

Love my hard sided hydration kit. I moved away from bladders 3 years ago and this is a great product so I don't have to take my pack off to get water. If you're a bottle person, go get yourself a setup. Won't regret it.

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[BRTreedogs]

@HARDSIDE have you considered offering the HDPE Nalgene? They weigh half as much.

 

[HARDSIDE]

@HARDSIDE have you considered offering the HDPE Nalgene? They weigh half as much.

Yes, we want to. Unfortunately, right now they can be hard to get. Especially in bulk. My understanding is that Nalgene had to switch some manufacturing over during Covid so it’s going to take some time to switch back.

 

[Randle]

I just got mine and put to work with my nalgene soft canteen .
It is similar to platypus bags i have used for 20 + years with zero failures.
So i will see how it holds up. If needed I can change over in winter for a hard nalgene .
Great to drink on the go, and easy to refill. No more small mouth to refill in the field. I will carry a 2 lt platypus in the hydration sleeve for when I want to refill this amd then a 24 oz monster drink bottle for drink mixes
Thanks hardside hydration for a great product.