When you're spending long days on the trail, at any temperature, you want easy access to water and this keeps you going for hours. The Camelbak Crux Reservoir has been around for a while, but the new update is 20 percent bigger and comes with a handle, which makes it even easier to fill. When you're packing for a long hike, you can easily fill this bladder up under the tap thanks to its wide mouth and easy screw lid.

Once it's full, a handy hook makes it easy for any to accommodate, and you can lock the tub shut so it doesn't leak until you're ready to drink. Once you hit the trail, the tube is easy to drink from and carries only a mild plastic taste, which we've grown to expect from most hydration bladders (read our article on ). The durable construction is up to the demands of hiking and .

After your hike, the bladder doesn't turn inside which does mean it requires a little extra attention to dry it, but the hose detaches and the wide mouth makes it easy to wipe out and keep clean. Compared to other reservoirs, this one comes in at a good price, is versatile for different activities and offers great quality and performance. During my years living in Colorado, my Camelbak was a staple of all my outdoor adventures, making sure I stayed hydrated at .

Alas, it didn't make it across the pond with me and I've been making do with a for the past few years. Recently, however, I got my hands on the new-and-improved Crux and I've been using it for various hikes across Scotland, the an.