MSR Dromlite Bags

Tough water bladder and a choice piece of gear on all my expeditions

I’ll preface this review with my cut and paste statement that I work as a backcountry backpacking guide in Yosemite National Park. Nearly all of the products I take the time to review have seen at least a half a season, if not more, of use... and I’m committed to not bothering to write a review until I feel like I’ve really gotten to know a product. I never thought I’d bother to write reviews, but I’ve recently decided that since I’ve spent so much time over these last many years reading reviews, and finding a tremendous amount of value in articulate and well-informed opinions, that I wanted to give back to the community. So, with that being said, here we go...

These are another of those pieces of gear that wind up being the unsung, unthanked whipping boys of our trips. Water and water containers are not sexy like hard shells and backpacks. People sit around and croon about their new Arcteryx Alpha SVs... or their trusty old Western Mountaineering bags. Who gets hot and bothered talking about their water containers? If these could talk they would sound like Milton Waddams from Office Space. Don't let their timid, unsexy demeanor fool you... these are the grunts of backpacking. Give them a few strokes of appreciation, invite them to be a part of your quiet time around the campfire, clean them once in a while, and for God's sake don't put them up wet.

Care for these, show them a little appreciation, and they'll faithfully serve you for decades.

Disclaimer - I left this same review for the normal Dromedaries, because we use both, and I feel the same about them. They are steadfast and trusty, and unsexy enough that they don't get the love they deserve.

I bought the 6L version of this bag, and it's great. It's really, really durable while still being light and manageable. It folds up small for when it's not being used, and the grommet at the top is great for enabling you to hang it from stuff. Good buy for sure.

The MSR Dromlite is easily one of my favorite pieces of gear by far. The dromlite is so versatile you won’t go adventuring without it. I use one of mine as a hydration bladder, and the others to carry fresh water down low in my kayak to help trim the boat when it’s loaded.

Pro: The fabric is incredibly flexible, making it very easy to pack up. The fabric is also VERY durable. I have set them on rocks numerous times, and not one leak, not even any sign of wear. The threading locks things up tight, so no worries of leaking. The 3-in-1 cap really is awesome, as the description says. The best part… -No Plastic Taste-

Con: It can be kind of awkward to fill

Tip: When you’re going to wash these out and dry them, use the plastic practice golf balls (holes in them). This will keep the bag open so you can let it dry out properly!

For the minimal upcharge I went to the Dromedary bag. Yes this bag is cheaper, but the Dromedary bag has an integrated rope that makes it super easy to hang around the camp, or strap to on a pack, and it is a much more durable construction. I definately recommend upgrading to the Dromedary. Either option is leaps and bounds better than the old Nalgene I used to tote around!

Here's a repair tip: if you poke or rub a small hole in the bag, use McNett seam sealer to plug. Our Dromedary is close to ten years old now and going strong. This is a good investment.

I usually backpack with folks who are not as avid backpackers as I am. I usually pump/filter this thing full and then hang it in camp (I tied a small piece of rope to the grommet for hanging). My camp mates love it, and I love it because I pump less often for others. So far I've had no holes or leaks, and I've probably used it for 10+ nights of backpacking.

I own a three liter hydromedary and a four liter dromlite. They are both very durable and much better than the other bags out there. The four liter dromlite is too small to use as a base camp water source, as it has to be refilled multiple times when used in a group setting.(Almost always). Definitely looking to get another in a larger size.

The 6 liter bag is good for extended trips where water is sparse. It's easy to fill right from the river and add a water purifier. It’s great for hanging in a tree for a shower or to wash hands before cooking. The only downfall is that carrying six liters of water is pretty dern heavy.

This thing is super durable. It is very lightweight to be so durable. It hangs easily with some small cord. The way I see it, you can carry your water in it for everything...cooking, cleaning and now with the optional hose, you can even drink from it directly. I love the versatility of being able to pump water directly in with my MSR water filter. With this bag...I can leave my nalgene bottles AND my camelbak at home. That alone saves me over a pound in my pack.

I recently purchased the 6 liter bag and it leaks. This is the second one I have purchased that has done this. If you buy one, fill it full of water, put the lid on, hang it upside down over night. If you get no puddle, go ahead and use it. The problem seems to be around the lid, I was dissappointed, MSR stuff is usually great. The other thing that surprises me is most people have nothing but good to say about it, maybe I am just unlucky?

Water bottles are for suckers. Get the adapters to turn these into a camelbak-like bladder you can suck on while you hike, or just rolling them up for weightless travel, these things kill it. As durable as the un-lightweight version, they'll keep you hydrated for a while. Show me a better way to carry 6L of water for 4 oz. Water is life.

Got the 4L size which is more than I'd want to carry around all day, but it is great for filling up at the last water source before camp. Holds plenty for dinner, a bit of washing up, and breakfast the next morning. The standard size opening fits my MSR Hyperflow filter perfectly and the small spout in the cap is handy for filling pots & cups without spilling. The Cordura type material just seems much less susceptable to puncture than a standard platypus or camelbak bladder.

Just received my new 6l dromlite. I havent field tested it yet but am very excited for an upcoming four nighter in the catskills. My only concern is the fanciness of the cap. It seems like it protrudes too much possibly getting in the way. Also the little spout opening up in my bag soaking everything scares me. I may try to use a standard wide mouth cap.

It seemed the right time to go lighter on a few standard items in my backpack, so I ordered a 4 liter MSR Dromlite Bag to replace my standard blue 4 liter MSR Dromedary Bag. Lo and behold, when I weighed the two sans caps & hoses, I found that my older bag was .65 ounces lighter. I'm guessing that the addition of the "low-profile handle" to the Dromlite adds weight.While the weight differential is minimal, it wasn't worth it to me to shell out $26 or so for a new bag. Overall, I'm very satisfied with the MSR hydration system and always carry an extra bite valve just in case.

This drom is where it's at! I won't go backpacking without it. It's never leaked in my pack, and I trust it won't. The cap is ingenious for all purposes and the add-ons make its potential uses even more numerous. Thanks for another great product MSR

I like it. You need a wide mouth on water containers and it's pointless to have a container that doesn't fold up. Other designs don't cut it. I added a hydration hose from MSR. Also superior design.

I use the 6L when I'm on 3-dayer trips (So I don't have to deal with filtering).

They're tough, durable, and get the job done.

This thing is small, packs down nicely, and does the job. I only wish they made them bigger!

I just got back from a canyoneering trip down waterholes canyon in Arizona. I had a 4 liter bag packed basically on the outside of my pack because I had an inflatable kayak on the inside. My backpack was torn up by the time I got to the bottom of the canyon and hole were ripped through the backpack exposing the bag. The bag was never punctured even though it was being drug through the canyon. This is a very very very durable bag

Drop it, sit on it, pull on it, run it over with a car...(yes it's been done) and it's not going to break. Very versatile bag since you can run several types of attachments through it for various needs. Run a rope through the eye hole on the top and hang it for use in camp, or use the drinking tube for use on a hike. Stores nicely in a backpack for back country outings and very easy to fill and clean. No nasty, stale, toxic, plastic, chemical taste whatsoever! Literally, indestructible.

I have yet to find a water-storage device that is as tough as the Dromlite is for its weight. I primarily utilize the Dromlites in drip-filter systems and water storage for groups (>4). But they have been used as pillows, shelter anchors, cold (ice) packs and ballast without spring a leak. A couple of times they have served well as hydration bladders though that is not what they were designed for and are not as good as Camelbak or Platypus bladders. The new handle design makes filling and cleaning much easier than previous versions. IMO, its biggest shortcoming is its rather absorbent outer fabric.

This thing seems to be holding up to some pretty rough use. Like the little spout but think I need to get a hose for it. Not the best for hanging on the outside of a pack needs more grommets.

The Dromlite has tough enough material to keep you from worrying about where you set it down or about anything else in your pack potentially puncturing it. It is easy to use and best of all, when your done using it, it flattens down to almost zero volume for the return trip back. It is easy to clean and dry. Make sure to swish some soapy water around and rinse before using. There's a little bit of a subtle new plastic taste upon first use. So I'd rinse it out and use it once before you head out in the field then you should be good.

Sometimes it is better to get your hands on something first rather than buy it just by the description and picture. Kloogy would be the best word for this bag. It neither is easy to fill nor easy to empty nor easy to dry (inside or out - the outside material doesn't shed water as I expected - it actually absorbs it and it is extremely difficult to dry) and the huge cap/cover makes it difficult to load into your backpack water sleeve. It retains no shape unless it’s completely full. It is only good for using with your MSR filter screwed into it. I was disappointed in the design and material. If you use it only with your filter, fill it all the way, and never get the outside wet, it is a decent piece of equipment.