Product review: Kriega Hydro-3

The perfect way to keep you hydrated on long rides?

Hydration systems allow you to drink water on the go. I’m addicted to them because it makes me feel fresher every ride - in the Himalayas, on the highway or in sweaty Mumbai. The Kriega Hydro-3 is my third, and it might be my last. It is a simple bag. The main compartment contains the bladder, a small stash pocket can hold an iPad Mini plus small bits and there’s a shock cord thingy. The Hydrapak bladder’s US military spec.
The Kriega sits snugly on your back and it never moves. It also transfers its weight from shoulders to the hips and chest on the bike which makes carrying 3kg of water (more if you add Kriega’s US-series dry bags to the Hydro-3) very easy. The bladder’s wide mouth and effortless closure make it easy to refill and clean. All we’d change is perhaps more reflectives on the back and perhaps a chest harness release button that’s easier to work with gloves on.
Kriega sell the Hydro-3 for £85 on their website but Indian riders can get the same bag with Triumph branding for Rs 5,500 approximately at Triumph showrooms. That’s a great price considering how well made and easy to use it is. All the 3-litre bags online cost about as much anyway. The Kriega Hydro-3 is perhaps the best hydration bag in the business. And at least in India, it isn’t vastly more expensive than any of the other brands either. Win!