robertmsla2104808

One thing you have to realize is that you are transforming a dromedary bag into a hydration system. Because of this, the drinking tube's connection on the bag's screw-on lid is not as streamlined as say a camelbak or other hydration bag where the drinking tube is mounted on the bag itself. However, in my opinion, what some may see as a drawback (relative bulkiness of the connection) I see as a benefit. It is very easy to clean, disinfect, and dry the tubing because it is removable from the dromedary bag. As with any "bite-to-open" valve system the tubing will leak if your backpack or other gear is set on the valve, however, MSR's valve has a very, very user friendly mechanism of closing the valve. You simply twist the head of the valve 90 degrees and just like a plumbing ball cock stop valve it stops the flow of water. A good portion of the time that I use this gear is in low-light / night time operations and the valve is equipped with a raised "arrow-like" indicator that is easy to feel and know when the valve is open or closed. I leave this bag filled, in my pack, at the ready in vehicles and in structures and it has NEVER leaked, even when lying under other equipment--that is when I remember to turn the valve off! Therefore, I see any leaks as "user-error"--not equipment malfunction! I have been using MSR dromedary bags for years and only recently had to replace a 4 liter bag that was destroyed by a "penetrating projectile." These new bags have a feature that I absolutely love, a small "lipped" handle at the opening making it very easy to fill the bag to it's max level without easily dropping the bag. I highly recommend this system to anyone--especially when large volume hydration bags are needed (say greater than 4 liters).