Hydration » Dromlite bladders by MSR
Our Fast & Light® version of the Dromedary™ Bag. DromLites are built light but tough with “MSR® red” 200-denier Cordura® and now feature a low-profile handle for easier filling and carrying.
* Tough: Made with rugged “MSR red” 200D Cordura.
* Light: 30% lighter than Dromedary Bags.
* Easy to Fill/Carry: Ergonomic handle makes filling and carrying bags easier than ever.
* BPA-Free
2 Liter
Dimensions: 8 x 16.5 in. (20 x 42 cm)
Weight: 4.6 oz. (130 g)
4 Liter
Dimensions: 10 x 19 in. (25 x 48 cm)
Weight: 5.1 oz. (145 g)
6 Liter
Dimensions: 11 x 22 in. (28 x 56 cm)
Weight: 5.7 oz. (162 g)
Product website: http://www.msrgear.com/hydration/dromlite.asp
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I highly recommend the 6L version of these bladders. When I started doing overnighters, I quickly found that the standard 100 oz bladder wasn’t enough, no matter how many bottles I had on the bike.
As I went to a rackless setup, the number of bottles I carried dropped and having a 6L (=~200 oz) bladder became even more important.
True, I live in Arizona, and many of my rides are in hot, dry places. But I still find it handy to have the capacity for cooler/wetter rides.
They sell an additional hydration kit that comes with a hose and nozzle. I’ve been using the same 6L dromlite for the past three years and have replaced the hose/nozzle with a standard camelbak one. Works great.
Only beef is that the nozzle attachment (with the screw on lid) sticks out quite a bit. It can be hard to get a full bladder into your pack because of it. Never had it break or leak, though.
I’ve been using the same 6 liter Dromedary bag with hydration kit for 5 years now. It’s one of the best pieces outdoor gear made. Period.
I like the super burly old dromedary, even the new ones are a big lighter in material now.
I concur with Scott’s statement of the sizes utility, its so easy to not use its capacity, but really nice to be able to tank up when facing a long stretch between sources, especially with a dry camp in between.
I replace my valve and hose about once a year to keep the funk at bay.
Inflated with air, they also make very nice pillows.
I have a 4 L and love it
I also have the 6L version and use it mainly in an Osprey Talon 22. This does seem to be a popular setup. It’s been durable and easy to keep clean. I also use the MSR hydration kit (with camelbak bite valve) with it. I wish the elbow on the hose (coming out of the screw top) didn’t stick out so far. I’d also be happy with a bigger opening. All in all, an excellent product.
Can those of you with the 4 and 6 liter bags compare the stated dimensions to the full dimensions. I am assuming the stated dimensions are for these bags empty, and that they take on a cylindrical shape when full? Thanks, I am a water hog, and the distance between creeks can be a bit much where I live.
I would ‘guess’ that the diameter of the six is a few inches more than the four. If the bag isn’t full it’s pretty easy to manipulate it into a longer or fatter shape depending.
The ‘black’ version of these can also double as a ‘solar’ shower, with the proper attachment. Makes the thing usable for more than just bike packing. Highly recommended!
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A black 10 Liter dromedary bag fell off in Guatemala. Went back to retrieve it, a truck had run over it – leaving tire marks across it – but it was still good as new. These bags are pretty incredible.
You can add gromets to the corners of the dromlite version and can strap them to a few different places on your bike. Useful to position the water weight somewhere on the bike as opposed to on your back.
The Dromlite is unreliable. the plastic opening can rip out from the fabric. This happened to me and to several other people on the Pacific Crest Trail. The Dromedary is much sturdier. Don’t be a fool where precious water is concerned–get the Dromedary not the Dromlite.
It is hard to fill the bladders to the top in the field. Typically, I fill my 6L bladders to 5L so they won’t be rigid like they are when filled to 6L.
You can clean the bladders periodically using either Micropur tablets (chlorine dioxide) or denture cleaning tablets. One advantage of the black dromedaries is that there is no sunlight to allow algae to grow. However, bacteria can still accumulate.
I like to hang one of my 6L dromedaries (I carry 4 for the desert) in the front triangle, so as to balance the weight.
The 10L is heavy for some people when full. That’s why I prefer multiple 6L bladders. Also, multiple smaller bladders means backups in case something fails. Even though Dromedaries are reliable, losing all your water in the desert would be a disaster.