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Reviews > Hydration Systems > Bladders > MSR 4-liter DromLite Bag > Owner Review by Ray Estrella
MSR DromLite Hydration Bags
TESTER INFORMATION
I have been backpacking for over 30 years, all over California, and in many of the western states and Minnesota. I hike year-round, and average 500+ miles (800+ km) per year. I have made a move to lightweight gear, and smaller volume packs. I start early and hike hard so as to enjoy the afternoons exploring. I usually take a freestanding tent and enjoy hot meals at night. If not hiking solo I am usually with my wife Jenn or brother-in-law Dave. The Product
Manufacturer: Mountain Safety Research (MSR) part of Cascade Designs Inc Product Description
The Mountain Safety Research DromLite Hydration Bags (hereafter called the DromLite or bag) are collapsible, roll-able fabric water reservoirs. They are made of "MSR red" 200-denier Cordura which is welded together to seal the edges creating the envelope-type storage containers seen above. The fabric has a thick plastic-feeling coating on the inside. The MSR logo is applied to the face of the DromLites. Another option is the Dromedary Spigot Cap that fits all the DromLite and Dromedary bags. This cap screws on to the bag and then the center swivels to let the spigot be aligned straight up-and-down. A flat 1.25 in (32 mm) handle turns 180 degrees. When pushed to the right side of the cap the valve is off and says so on the flat side of the handle. When rotated to the left side it opens the valve to the on position. A small clear dust cap snaps over the end of the spigot, and is attached by a 2 in (51 mm) tether to keep it from being misplaced. MSR makes a few other optional pieces for use with the DromLite, such as the Hydration Kit seen in my top picture. Field Locations
I have used the DromLites from San Jacinto State Park to Kings Canyon National Park and many places between. Most use was in summer with temperatures that were over 100 F (38 C). I have carried them to 12,000+ ft (3650+ m) elevations. Observations
I have been using MSR's original Dromedary bags since they came out in the early 1990s. In the early 2000s they introduced this lighter version which I jumped all over as I was just starting my great weight-reduction program. MSR says that they are 30% lighter which I just verified as I have a 2 L Dromedary bag here too. I use it the same way for trips that see me making a base camp that I will spend more than one night at. Using the optional Spigot Cap (seen above in action) makes it very easy to use to get just what is needed. The ease of using the handle to control the flow is much easier than messing with the squirt offered by the 3-in-1 cap that the DromLite comes with. Otherwise to use the center cap the bag must be sitting, not hanging, or it is very easy to end up with water everywhere. I always bring the Spigot Cap for in-camp use. One of the best things about the DromLite is filtering water into it. I have the original MSR WaterWorks filter in Minnesota and a Katadyn Vario filter in California. Both attach directly to the threads of the openings on the DromLite bags. This makes it very convenient as the bag can just sit in my lap or on a rock while I pump. Once the bag is full I hold it by the opening, remove the filter and replace the cap. Ta-da! I now have a full bag of water. Here is a picture of Jenn filling one in the San Gorgonio Wilderness at Pine Bench Spring. I tried to use the DromLite as a hydration bladder using the Hydration Kit but did not care for it. I find that purpose-made bladders work much better. They are very easy to clean and rinse out. I shake as much water out of them as I can then pull the sides away from each other and hang it from clips I have in my gear room for the purpose of drying water reservoirs. Even my oldest Dromedary bag still smells fine. I have never had a leak in any version of the bags. I tried using a 6 L older version (which is in Minnesota now) as a pillow, but it did not work well for me as I like my arm under my pillow. 12 lb (5.4 kg) of water on it does not feel good… For the uses I bought them for the DromLites work very well and I plan on keeping them around for some time to come. This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1. Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Read more reviews of MSR gear Read more gear reviews by Ray Estrella Reviews > Hydration Systems > Bladders > MSR 4-liter DromLite Bag > Owner Review by Ray Estrella |