curious to know...
when to retire a hydration bladder?
no visible leaks, typical signature plastic hydration system smell
(despite regular and thorough cleaning after each and every use-- with hot soapy water sand baking soda),it sees only regular 3 season use
(heavy in summer, mild to moderate in spring and fall),
and virtually none in winter...
it's a good 8 years old, but still kickin'.
in the name of health, when to purchase anew?
what are others doing?
many thanks.

run it

keep using it until it leaks

no sense being wasteful

If no mold, no problem

As long as it's kept clean and there are no holes, then it's good to go!

i have a 10+ year old camelback bladder, toss some bleach in it every once and a while and its good as new.

Two of our Camelback bladders are 20 years old, still fine and still able to occasionally take a hit when I tumble down the trail (mtb, not hiking).

When I'm out in the back country, it usually means I'm on vacation time. I don't want that time wasted or ruined due to equipment failure, a blown hydro system and all my gear could be soaked, and most of my water is gone.

I have a camelbak bladder pushing ten years, but its been relegated to daytrips only, my newer platy does the "serious" work.

Old bladder is great for sports games, parades or other drinking venues. Fill with 3 liters of your favorite concoction and be smashed all day.

word.
what about the hose?
it's the bane of my existence trying to clean it,
think: greyish hue.
i know, buy a hose cleaner, buy cleaning tabs...
truly, how effective are these?
or should i just run ridiculous amounts of bleach and water through it
and forgo the scrubbing?
thanks again kids.

You could buy just a new hose and bite valve

Could detach the hose.. push a piece of old t-shirt through with a coat hanger.

or get a new hose if it is too far gone. pretty cheap replacement.

Just like with cleaning dishes, it's a fraction of the effort if you clean up sooner rather than later. Don't wait days after you're back, esp. if bladder / hose were used with any kind of sugary drink. Here's what I do:

1. Wash bladder with dishwashing liquid (and some bleach if needed). Fill up just a third of the way, squeeze out the air and recap -- to make it easier to rub the sides against each other.

2. Attach hose and bite valve to bladder and squeeze out the above bleach/detergent water.

3. Air dry (or attach to aquarium pump if you're impatient, like me).


CAUTION: Do NOT dry bladder or hose under the sun. UV will make the 'plasticky' material brittle and hasten its breakdown!

A few of my Platy's are 5+ years old and still performing their duty.