HydraPak Softflask Collapsible Bottle

A common complaint with race vests is that the hard bottles on the chest can be heavy and uncomfortable for some runners. I’ve toyed with different bottles (small bottles from waist packs, or my contoured Simple bottle), but I’m pretty sure I’ve found a better answer: The Softflask from Hydrapak.

First impressions:

Looks like one of the older Hydrapaks I got at a race a few years ago. This one’s bigger, and it doesn’t strike me as something designed by or marketed to the Mountain-Ultra-Trail (MUT) crowd. There’s a cap on the nipple, and some sort of loop used to carry it.

Features:

350mL, which is 11.8 ounces of liquid in an RF welded polyurethane. Not sure what that means, but if you’ve never held a Hydrapak bladder, they’re soft, but not rubber soft. More like a soft plastic with a tiny bit of rigidity. The neck and the bottom portion are both harder (though still malleable) plastic.

It’s got a bite valve that holds air and water surprisingly well, as well as a dial on top that adjusts the flow of liquid.

On the “bottom” of the bottle is a harder plastic “hook” that didn’t make sense at first, but I later discovered is perfect for airing it out after a good wash.

Small strap and a lid for the nipple. Both removable.

Dish washer safe.

What I liked:

I like the “feel” of the flask a lot. I don’t have to squeeze hard, and I don’t have to invert it to drink.

I love the fact that I get only liquid when I drink. No air, no gas. Huge bonus for those who get funky butt when they run.

It collapsed into the size of a smashed can. Awesome and easy to stash. Who wants to carry around an empty bottle on their chest or in their hand?

The mouth of the bottle is wide enough to handle any size ice cube.

I’m able to squeeze a gel into the flask and drink it throughout a run.

What I’d change:

Get rid of the strap and the lid. Neither make any sense if used for running.

Get rid of the adjustable flow dial. It’s hard to grip, very tough to see (especially in low light conditions), and doesn’t really make sense. Maybe have a “lock” feature on it, but find a different method of incorporating that into the flask.

I wish there were a way to invert the bottle for drying purposes. Make the opening even wider maybe? Yeah, it dries OK as it is, but if I could flip it inside out, I’d be sure there’s not any mold growing inside.

Numbers:

I’ve got the 12oz version and it runs $19. I’d say that’s at the top of the price range for a bottle, but not exorbitant. There are 17oz ($20) and 25oz ($21) versions available.

Empty, the bottle weights 1.75oz, compared to nearly 2.8 ounces by an empty hard bottle, though the traditional bottle holds 75% more liquid.

Verdict:

I see myself transitioning over to soft flasks for many uses. They’re great to carry in vests, in backpacks, and my running stroller, but I can’t yet see myself carrying one in my hand. Once it’s half full, it feels limp and floppy.

Prediction? We see a LOT more of these in the next year in different sizes, shapes, and platforms from many different manufacturers.

Note: I spoke with Ultimate Direction Brand Manager Buzz Burrell and the company is partnering with HydraPak to offer soft bottles for many of their existing vests. Salomon already offers one, though I have not tried the product. Have you?

26 Responses to "HydraPak Softflask Collapsible Bottle"

ned barrett says:

January 28, 2014 at 1:12 pm

I like the soft flask idea, but only 11.8 ounces just isn’t enough. If that’s all I need (down here in the humidity, where runs sometimes feel like swims), I don’t take any. And I did not like the Hydrapak bladder that came with my Nathan pack at all. The nozzle either leaked, or was impossible to get off with wet fingers (see above for swimming comment). I read several reviews which said the same thing. Used it once and then replaced it with a camel bak. Sounds like this flask has a similar problem. Is Hydrapak listening?

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1. eric schranz says:
  
  January 28, 2014 at 3:09 pm
  
  Well, you’d have two of these if using a vest option, and they’re soft, so stashing in the backpack section is a very real (if somewhat expensive) option. I’ve had these for about a month now and they don’t leak. My kids have played with them, I”ve washed them, and they’re still in great shape.
  
  Reply
2. Frank says:
  
  August 26, 2014 at 3:43 pm
  
  Did we read the same article Ned? The one I saw (directly above your post) explicitly mentioned that the bottles are available in several sizes and said nothing about leakage.
  
  Back on topic: Looks like a good idea. I’ll hit the local stores and find one. Thanks for the review Mr Schranz.
  
  Reply
Jon O. says:

January 28, 2014 at 1:15 pm

I have run with the Solomon soft flasks on shorter runs. Works well but does have issues with becoming a limp fish in your hand after you drink. I would blow some air back into the bottle to maintain the support in the handheld strap that Solomon sells. This of course creates a sloshing bottle. Not any worst then a handheld bottle though. For runs under 2 hours and in mild temps it was a great option to lessen the load vs. my hand helds. For a hot 5K or 10K its perfect. Light, provides water when you need it, but doesn’t effect form or speed. It does have a small fill port which is a little hard for aid station fills. Plus the nibble is not as good as the UD nipple.

I did think of using mine in a UD racing vest, it might allow for a more conforming fit, but have not tried it yet.

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Michael Jimenez says:

January 28, 2014 at 1:16 pm

Love this…can’t wait to see UD’s version, empty bottles are def annoying to carry along in the vest. Don’t like seeing them or feeling them and a collapsing bottle sounds like a great way to eliminate the annoyance.

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1. eric schranz says:
  
  January 28, 2014 at 1:53 pm
  
  Not just for the front, but for the pack as well. I don’t see myself using that any time soon, but some folks like to carry all the fluids they’d need, and this would be an option.
  
  Reply
Trailmomma says:

January 28, 2014 at 1:27 pm

“Once it’s half full, it feels limp and floppy” – TWSS 🙂
Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Good review. I’ve seen these but never tried one.

Reply
1. eric schranz says:
  
  January 28, 2014 at 1:45 pm
  
  Oh, I had so many more, that was the most tame. 😉
  
  Reply
Francois says:

January 28, 2014 at 2:03 pm

Eric you should try the salomon sense hydro glove thing. I was skeptical at first (the price put me off too) but I can’t find anything more convenient for shorter outings and races. For longer runs I just toss the soft flasks (they only provide one with the 2 gloves but I bought a spare for a 2-hands option) into the front pockets of the backpack. It has the advantage of being silent as well, which is not the least benefit of all…
Since you’re a “toss it in the shorts waistband” kind of guy go for the larger 500ml flask only (without the gloves) and you’ll be good!

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Michael Chau says:

January 28, 2014 at 2:03 pm

Doesn’t hydrapak make the Solomon flasks?

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1. eric schranz says:
  
  January 28, 2014 at 3:08 pm
  
  As far as I know, yes.
  
  Reply
  1. Francois says:
    
    January 28, 2014 at 11:35 pm
    
    They do (and the bladders too) but they look very different from the one pictured here: there is no cap, no hard plastic piece at the bottom, the screw part of the nipple seems much smaller, etc…
    
    Reply
Pete says:

January 28, 2014 at 5:47 pm

Hey guys. I’ve got the salomon flasks in my salomon pack and they’re pretty great. They just kinda disappear as you drink which is nice with a pack. I agree carrying one around would be odd – like a dead fish that you’ve been dated to tote.

In the pack they rawk.

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Werner Brandt says:

January 28, 2014 at 6:19 pm

When running in remote and amazing places, it’s always an annoyance to hear the sloshing of water coming from your chest. How do these fair for a more quiet run?

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1. Francois says:
  
  January 28, 2014 at 11:38 pm
  
  I’d assume as for the salomon branded ones: it works just like a bladder from which you’d remove the air after filling: the water does not move (or barely, and not in a noisy way) and concentrates closer to the nipple. And as mentioned above if you’re annoyed with the ball aspect it takes once empty, you can easily inflate it a bit with air to be able to, say, hold it or tuck it back in your shorts…
  
  Reply
Andrew Benham says:

January 29, 2014 at 1:31 am

I have the Salomon Hydro 12 race pack which comes with 2 soft flasks. Each is 500 ml so plenty of carrying capacity. They are pretty good really as there is no sloshing and they are easy to drink from.

The necks are a bit thin though – could be wider – certainly wouldn’t get ice cubes in easily (though I’m from the UK so this isn’t often an issue!).

The only drawback they have is really a failing of the pack rather than the bottles in that it would be good to have a retaining strap at the top of the flask pockets. Once they empty out a bit they disappear down into the pockets and its a struggle to get them out, whereas when full you can drink from them without removing them from the pockets at all.

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Jim says:

January 29, 2014 at 10:01 am

Note: I work for Hydrapak….Thanks for the great review and I just wanted to mention that these SoftFlasks come in 350, 500, and 750 ml volumes (approximately 12 – 24 oz.). Additionally, the cap and finger loop are optional and can be easily removed. I agree we have some work to do and appreciate the feedback. Some people I run with like to keep the 350s up front on a vest while having a 1 or 1.5 liter reservoir as a reserve. This works well during races …..quick aid station transitions with the flasks and the reservoir is the backup.

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1. eric schranz says:
  
  January 29, 2014 at 10:07 am
  
  Thanks Jim. I updated the review to indicate that the strap/cap are removable. Don’t know why I didn’t include that originally.
  And I think you nailed it. Using the larger bladders for backup fluid is a great way to stay safe on the trails.
  
  Reply
Gary G says:

January 30, 2014 at 5:14 pm

Did you see Max King’s prototype vest flasks with long straws on top?

IMNHO the best vest bottle pack is the forthcoming Inov-8 Race Ultra pack. I’ll be wearing it at RR100 this weekend.

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Marcus Bosano says:

July 19, 2014 at 2:36 am

Hi all,
I use the soft flasks in my salomon race vest and also in my pack for shorter commute runs. Love that they collapse to nothing and that they do not chaff like solid bottles. My wife reckons they are like breast implants!

Anyway my question was how do you clean them? Are they dishwasher safe in entirety or maybe the nozzle? Or do I have to go and buy some bottle brushes?

Great product and I’m a convert for definite.

Cheers folks

Reply
1. eric schranz says:
  
  July 19, 2014 at 4:19 am
  
  Hi Marcus-
  I put the soft flasks in the upper rack of the dishwasher and toss the nipple in with the flatware and haven’t had a problem.
  
  Reply
Martin Schneekloth says:

August 8, 2014 at 12:30 pm

Any idea whether the 500ml version of this bottle fits into the front pockets of the UD line of vests?

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mike says:

September 17, 2014 at 12:38 pm

Thank you so much for publishing this review. I tried out a CAMP vest and had to run the last half of the run with the hard bottles in my hand because my ribs were so sore!

My question is: is the fill port on the Hydrapack larger than the Salomon, and is this size difference enough to matter (such as time filling at the aid stations)?

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1. eric schranz says:
  
  September 17, 2014 at 12:49 pm
  
  I’m not sure how the sizes compare. I figured they were the same.
  
  Reply
  1. mike says:
    
    September 17, 2014 at 1:04 pm
    
    Eric, Thanks for the reply. Talking to an REI store that stocks both, the Salomon port is the size of a quarter maybe, while the Hydroflask is more like a half-dollar. I haven’t found a store in my town that has both so I just wanted to compare the relative sizes of the openings. Mike
    
    Reply
  2. mike says:
    
    September 17, 2014 at 1:05 pm
    
    And, yes the bottle sizes are very similar, opening sizes differ….
    
    Reply

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