Deuter Streamer Hydration Bladder Review

1. Construction

Made of strong and durable co-extruded polyethylene, Deuter Streamer comes in three different sizes: 1.5 liters, 2 liters, and 3 liters. These three options weigh in at 6 ounces, 6.2 ounces and 6.5 ounces respectively. Reasonably a lightweight pick, the Deuter hydration bladers can serve a number of applications ranging from hiking, running and mountaineering.

And while the 1.5L one comes in a queer butterfly shape, the other two sizes come in the conventional shape.

As we've been emphasizing, hydration bladders made of polyethylene excel magnificently in three ways: abrasion resistance, flexibility and plastic-free taste. Of all the hydration bladders we tested, Source Tactical WXP, Source Widepac and the Deuter Streamer are constructed using this material. These bladders are puncture-resistant and can be tossed on anything without them giving in.

The flexibility of the Deuter allows it to be rolled up for easy storage when emptied. It folds into a sizeable hand-fitting structure that doesn't have a bulky feel.

Well, that is at least true for the 2-liter and the 3-liter options. The 1.5-liter bladder, with its weird butterfly shape, is a tad difficult to fit in normal hydration packs, especially those packs with really narrow profiles. And to be quite honest with you you, we don't find any reason why you should pick the 1.5L option except for the fact that it is probably inspired by nature.

If you are looking for an alternative to the Source Tactical WXP and the Source Widepac, then the Deuter will work for you. Our only misgiving about the Deuter's construction is its slide-clip closure which doesn't look as robustly built as those of the Source Tactical WXP or the Source Widepak.

2. Ease of Use

Filling and refilling the Deuter didn't give us much trouble. The full-width wide opening meant that we could fill it using a cup, directly at the tap, or even in moving streams.

Our caveat with the fold-top reservoirs is the inability to fill them to the brim. All of them require that you leave an empty space at the top so that they don't spill when closing. The Source Tactical WXP has an advantage of having both the fold-top and the screw-cap closures hence considered a better alternative to the Deuter.

Still, we found it easy to insert ice cubes to the reservoir using the full-width opening. This means that in scorching summer heat, you can still manage to keep your water within a reasonably cold temperature.

The Deuter, together with the aforementioned two reservoirs, are the only ones that feature the Helix type bite valves. This valve is easy to suck from without forcing your cheeks to form those artificial dimples. It delivers about 25% more flow than most other suction valves.

What we didn't like about the Deuter's valve is the twist locking mechanism. Twist locks tend to be more delicate than the Switch or the Push-and-Pull locks and require a more careful handling.

3. Cleaning and Drying

Like all other fold-top reservoirs, the Deuter opens full-width. This means that you can easily access its interior surfaces and seamlessly clean all the nooks. The only misgiving is that the bladder doesn't flip inside-out, which means that you will still face a struggle getting it fully cleaned. And, the 1.5-liter reservoir seemed to have difficult-to-access nooks even with full-width opening.

Another implication of the bladder's failure to flip inside-out is that you can't clean it in a dishwasher.

Every other part including the drinking tube and the bite-valve are detachable and can be cleaned independently.

The Deuter's drinking tube is clear which means you can easily see through. As such, there won't be a growth of molds without you noticing it. Cleaning it is also easy as you can see through the transparent tubing.

Though not as hardly sticking together as those of the Source Tactical WXP, the apposed interior surfaces of the Deuter are not as freely apart from each other. This, added to the fact that the bladder can't be flipped, means that you will have to apply special techniques to keep it fully dried. Stuffing a dry kitchen towel into the reservoir seemed to be the most logical way to air-dry it.

Normally, you wouldn't have to fully dry your reservoir if you are immediately filling it up with water. If you are storing it for future retrieval however, keeping it moisture-free is mandatory. Storing your bladder with moisture means that microorganisms will grow and put your health at risk the next time you use the reservoir.

4. Reliability

The fact that the Deuter freely detaches from its hose via the quick release socket means that there is an increased flexibility when handling the reservoir. You don't have to remove the reservoir with its tube from your hydration backpack in order to refill it.

A damage to the tube or any of its parts doesn't render your entire reservoir useless as you can easily replace the damaged part.

The innovative Deuter's Helix Valve has the non-drip technology integrated which effectively deters leaks even with intense exertion. What this means is that you can confidently rely on it to hold even when used in rigorous activities such as mountain biking, skiing and running.

Its drinking tube which is uninsulated is easily interchangeable with those of the Badlands, Source Tactical WXP and the Hydrapak™ reservoirs (listed on our review of the best hydration bladders). This means that if you need an insulated hose, you will have to purchase one from the named brands separately.

The valve has a push-fit cap that effectively protects it from dust and other forms of contamination when not in use.

Equipped with the antimicrobial Grunge-Guard technology, the Deuter effectively deters any aggressive bacterial growth. If well-maintained, this bladder will guarantee you a clear and tasteless water flow throughout its lifetime.

The profile of the 2-liter and the 3-liter Deuter reservoirs allows for easy compatibility with most of Deuter hydration packs such as the Deuter Race X Hydration Pack. Still, we found the bladder to be a perfect fit for most other hydration packs and hydration compartments of most backpacks. The reservoir is neither too tall nor too short to hamper compatibility. It is one of those bladders we can easily recommend to someone who isn't sure of whether their hydration pack will be a perfect fit or not.

5. Versatility

One of those bladders that can be put to any use, the Deuter Streamer water bladder has carved for itself a soft spot in the hearts of the most daring outdoor adventurers. Mountain bikers, hikers, skiers, runners and hunters find new applicable uses for the reservoir daily.

Though limited by one color choice, Deuter's durability seems to be the hallmark of its applications. It is hardy and can withstand abrasions and punctures much as it is flexible to allow rollup and easy storage.

Though versatile with regards to drinking water, the Deuter doesn't match other more versatile reservoirs in other extra applications. For instance, the Aquamira Pressurized Hydration Reservoir which took our reward for the most versatile reservoir in our roundup of the best hydration bladders had a number of uses other than quenching thirst. Dromedary water bags as well, with their varied capacities that range from 2.5L to 10L, had more versatile uses such as storing water for camping.

Compare With Similar Hydration Bladders

Conclusion

An impressive reservoir that made it to our list of top performers, the Deuter Streamer stands tall as one of the best bargains.

Save for a few misgivings that include a flimsy clip-slip, a weirdly-shaped 1.5L choice and uninsulated hose, the Dueter performs spectacularly well. It is one of the new-generation reservoirs that utilize improved technology to add to durability, safety and improved performance. It is void of BPA, BPS and phthalate, a fact which makes it safe for your health.

Everything put at an equilibrium, Deuter Streamer is definitely a reservoir we can confidently recommend. It is a great alternative to the two most popular Source bladders; the Source Widepac and the Source Tactical WXP hydration bladders. Simple, reliable and overwhelmingly exceeding expectations.