FAQs

Warranty

  • How Do I File A Warranty Claim?

    mountains_cropped.jpgWe go above and beyond for you, our warranty is no different. If you experience an issue with any products made by HydraPak or Polar Bottle, we are here to take care of you!  

    Please file a warranty claim and choose "File a Warranty Claim"

    HydraPak warranty claim form here

    Polar Bottle warranty claim form here

    Note : As leaders and producers of hydration reservoirs and soft flasks, our warranty claim policy covers products that are made by HydraPak for Osprey, Salomon, Nathan, Katadyn, and many more brands. 

  • Where do I find the production code on my reservoir?

    A unique production code is embossed (stamped) directly into the film of all our products so it can be a little difficult to find. Being able to locate the general placememt of the code is a huge assist. All production codes contain 4 numerals and ends with an X

    For Reservoirs, turn the reservoir to the back and look for the vertical seam on the left.  Once you locate the seam, you can find the code embossed about 1"-2" down from the top. 

     

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    If you cannot locate the code, please enter "0000" on the warranty claim form. 

  • How do I get a replacement part?

    HydraPak believes in providing low-cost replacement parts for our products. If we can provide a part to get your product back to optimal performance AND save items from filling our landfill, then it is a win-win! 

    If you want to upgrade your reservoir's tube connection or need to replace a bite valve on your reservoir, HydraPak.com offers a variety of replacement parts and accessories.

    Also, if you discover that a part has failed prematurely, we will replace most parts under warranty (for any manufacturing defects or material failures) - file your claim here

  • What does the warranty cover?

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    We go above and beyond with every product we make, and our warranty is no different. If you experience issues that are due to manufacturing or material defects, we will repair or replace the item under warranty. Manufacturing and material defects do not include, damage due to alteration, puncture, falls, mold, neglect, normal wear and tear and extreme weather conditions.  Our warranty covers products made by HydraPak and Polar Bottle, including items made for Osprey, Salomon, Nathan, Katadyn, Ulitmate Direction and many more!

    If you ever have an issue with any product made by HydraPak or Polar Bottle, please file a warranty claim using one of the links below and chose 'File a Warranty Claim'

    HydraPak Warranty Claim Form here

    Polar Bottle Warranty Claim Form here

    Please note that HydraPak products include water reservoirs, accessories, and hydration soft flasks. HydraPak is not affiliated with Hydrapeak / Hydroflask

    Polar Bottle include insulated and single wall water bottles.
    Polar Bottle is not affilated with Polar Camel Bottle

Product Use

  • Shape-Shift Reservoir Owner's Manual

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  • How to Open and Close the Recon Half Twist Top Cap

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    Click on the above image to see our 20-second video that demonstrates how to operate the top cap on our Recon bottle.

     

    Also, please see the image below:

    Recon_Top_Cap_Operation.jpg

     

  • 28mm Flip Cap Compatibility Guide

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    Our 28mm Flip Cap is a great upgrade to our Stow bottles and SF150 Flasks. The redesigned cap features a cover to keep unwanted dust or bacteria out and a valve for high flow and easy drinking. However, not all year generations are compatible with the cap. 
    This guide will help identify which model of Stows / Softflask are compatible.

     

    Compatible Models - Below shows sample Stows / Softflasks that are compatible
    See below for more details.

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    2020 Stow Bottles - Our 2020 Stow Bottles are compatible but our 2019 models are not.  To determine if you have a 2019 or 2020 model, look at the back of the Stow and find the Filter Compatible Icon.  If your bottle has this icon, then it is compatible with the 28mm Flip Cap. If the FIlter Compatible Icon is not present, the 28mm Flip Cap will not fit properly and is not compatible 

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    Softflask 150ml  - Identification on our SF150 Softflask is a little more difficult but it can still be determined by removing the top cap and taking a very close look at the threads.  To identify if your softflask is compatible, look for visible markings on the threaded nozzle of your flask:

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    Raised features circled above indicate that your flask is compatible.  If the markings are not present, then your flask is not compatible. 

    Softflask 250 - Unfortunately, the SF250 is not currently compatible with the 28mm flip cap.

  • What Water Filters Work with my HydraPak Product?

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    A HydraPak Flux bottle being used in conjunction with a Katadyn BeFree filter

    Water treatment is important to maintaining your health in the outdoors.  As tempting and pristine as alpine lakes and streams may look, backcountry water sources can contain nasty waterborne bacteria or parasites that could make you sick and your body weak. To keep this from happening, collect the water from the cleanest source available—a flowing river rather than a freestanding puddle—and go prepared with a method to purify the water before you drink it down.  To learn more about backcountry water safety, check out our Hydration 101 Blog.

    Water filters are a popular choice for purifying backcountry drinking water.  Filters come in a wide variety of designs and we are often asked which filters are compatible with our products.  To help determine which filter will work best for you, we have grouped filters into 4 categories:

    • Inline Filters - These attach to our product by using a drink tube
    • Direct-Mount Filters - These attach directly to the nozzles of our products that have a threaded top cap
    • Adapted Filters - These require the use of a special adapter that allows a filter to work with some of our products
    • Iodine or Chlorine purification tablets 

    Read below to learn more.

     

    INLINE FILTERS

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    All HydraPak reservoirs can be used with an inline filter

    Any container that utilizes a drink tube, such a HydraPak hydration reservoir, can be used with an "inline" filter.  These types of filters have a fitting at each end that allow you to connect two sections of a tube to it. Popular filters in this category include the Sawyer Mini, Sawyer Squeeze (with Sawyer inline adapter kit), Platypus GravityWorks, MSR Thru-Link and many others.  

    To install the filter, you will need to cut the hose with scissors and connect the hose ends to the filter.  Since you have to cut the tube, you will want to carefully consider where you want to place the filter.  It can be placed down low near the reservoir or higher up the tube so that the filter is over the shoulder.  Still another consideration is to remove the bite valve from the tube and place the filter at at the end of the tube and drink directly from the filter.  

     

    DIRECT-MOUNT FILTERS

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    A 1L Stow combined with a Sawyer Squeeze demonstrates a direct connection between a HydraPak container and a water filter

    Many of our HydraPak products are compatible with a variety of backcountry water filters that attach directly to the bottle or storage container’s threaded top.  There are three different sizes of threaded tops in the HydraPak line of products, each is compatible with multiple brands and styles of filters.  For your convenience, we have listed some of the available options for each size.

     

    28mm Threaded Top

    You can find this on the HydraPak Stow 1L and 500ml bottles (2020 models & newer, look for Filter Compatible icon on the back of the bottle)

    Compatible Filters:

    HydraPak 28mm Inline Filter 

    Sawyer Mini Filter

    Sawyer Squeeze Filter

    LifeStraw Flex

    Hydroblu Versa Flow

    42mm Threaded Top

    You can find this on the HydraPak Flux bottles, Stash 750ml, Seeker Water Storage containers and  our line of UltraFlasks and SkyFlasks.

    Compatible filters:

    HydraPak 42mm Filter Cap

    Katadyn BeFree Filter

    Salomon XA Filter Cap

    63mm Threaded Top

    You can find this on the HydraPak Expedition, Stash 1L bottle and all sizes of our Recon bottles.

    Compatible Filters:

    MSR Guardian Filter

    MSR MiniWorks EX Filter

    Katadyn Vario Filter

     

    ADAPTED FILTERS

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    The Sawyer Squeeze filter is an incredibly popular choice for thru-hikers and lightweight backpackers.  As such, it has become the industry standard for a compact filter.  While the Squeeze will mount directly to our Stow bottles (28mm threads), an adapter and a Plug N Play top cap must be used if you would like to use it with our popular Seeker containers (42mm threads).

    The above combination will also work for any of our 42mm diameter products including the Flux bottles, Stash 750ml, and our line of UltraFlasks and SkyFlasks.

    Also, the HydraPak 28mm filter adapter will allow a Squeeze to be used with any our Plug N Play products including our reservoirs, Inline Connector, 63mm top cap found on our Expeditions.

     

    PURIFICATION TABLETS

    Our hard-plastic bottle, the Recon, is compatible with with Iodine or Chlorine purification tablets.

    Unfortunately, our SoftFlasks, Seekers, reservoirs, or other products made from TPU film are not compatible with Iodine or Chlorine solutions. For this reason, we do not recommend using TPU products as purification vessels unless it is an emergency situation in the backcountry.

     

     

  • How to Replace a Bite Valve

    Bite valves are a part that will periodically need to be replaced due to wear and tear.
    The help article below has three sections:

    1. Reservoir Bite Valve, Sheath Replacement
    2. Reservoir Bite Valve, Complete Assembly Replacement
    3. SoftFlask Bite Valve, Sheath Replacement

    Reservoir Bite Valve, Sheath Replacement

    Often times the part that fails is the soft biting surface that is known as a sheath. Replacing the sheath is easy and takes less 30 seconds.

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    1. Remove the sheath - Grasp the hard plastic part of the valve and in one hand and the sheath in the other and pull apart. 

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    2. Install new sheath by pushing it onto the valve body.

     

     

    Reservoir Bite Valve, Complete Replacement

    Depending on the original problem with the bite valve, it is sometimes necessary to replace the entire bite valve.  We define the bite valve as the complete assembly located at the end of the tube.  This includes the hard plastic body and the soft biting material (known as a sheath.)

    Bite-Valve-Assembly.jpg

    1. Remove the bite valve from the tube

    Quite simply, the bite valve assembly needs to be pulled out of the tube.  There are barbs that hold the bite valve to the tube.  Grasp the tube in one hand and grab the bite valve plastic body in the other hand and pull hard.  The bite valve will pull out of the tube. 

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    Sometimes the valves can be difficult to remove.  In this case, we recommend the following solution using hot water.  Heat water up to 170 F / 77 C and place into a coffee cup. Place the bite valve and end of the tube into the cup and let it sit for 30 seconds. 

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    Once the hose is heated up, the bite valve can be pulled out of the tube.  Be careful as the plastic will be hot.  We recommend covering the end with a towel and then grasping the bite valve assembly firmly and then pull it out of the tube. 

    2. Install the bite valve.  Normally, you can press the new bite valve into the tube without any problem.  If you find it is difficult to press into the tube, use the hot water method above to heat up the tube and then press the bite valve into the tube. 

     

    Softflask Bite Valve, Sheath Replacement

    Much like a sheath replacement on a reservoir, the sheath replacement on a flask is quick and easy.

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    1. Remove the old sheath by pull it straight off of the flask.

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    2. Install the new sheath by pressing it onto the softflask. 

     

    Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

    Phone: (303) 440-0358

    Email: info@hydrapak.com

     

     

  • How To Open A New Reservoir

    HydraPak reservoirs can be somewhat difficult to open when they are brand new.  But rest assured, our reservoirs will open!  The following steps will walk your through the initial process of opening our reservoir.  After the reservoir is open for the first time, it will be much easier to open for the rest of the life of the product. 

     

    1.  Remove The Slider Top

    Grasp the slider top firmly and pull to the side.  The slider is directional so be sure to pull towards the closed end of the slider. 

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    2. Flip The Flap Up

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    3. Locate The Front Handle

    Locate the front handle and place 2 or more fingers underneath.

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    4. Locate The Rear Handle

    Look at the back of the reservoir and locate the handle, then place at least a couple of fingers underneath it. 

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    5. Pull The Handles Apart From Each Other

    With a firm grasp of both the front and rear handles, pull the two handles apart from each other in opposite directions.  A fair amount of force may be necessary so pull hard.  Our reservoirs are tough.  They can take it!

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    Viola!  Your new reservoir has been opened. 

     

Product Care

  • Cleaning your reservoir

    Keeping your reservoir clean is key to prolonging its life and keeping your water tasting fresh. HydraPak reservoirs are top-shelf dishwasher safe and most are fully reversible, which makes cleaning and drying a breeze.

    ELITE

    Reverse by placing your hand in the reservoir, grab the bottom, and pull it back through the top opening, just like turning a sock inside-out. The molded opening can also be flipped after the reservoir body has been reversed. Then, throw it in the dishwasher or rinse with mild soap and water. Make sure to let the reservoir dry out completely while reversed.

    SHAPE-SHIFT

    The Shape-Shift features a removable baffle which locks for a slim profile and increased stabilization. When unlocked it reverses for easy cleaning - place it on the top-shelf of your dishwasher or rinse with mild soap and water. Make sure to let the reservoir dry out completely while reversed.

    SHAPE-LOC

    Many of our brand partners use a fixed baffle reservoir called the Shape-Loc. It can only be reversed up until the baffle is exposed but is still simple to clean. We recommend either using a bottle brush or Bottle Bright.

    Method One - Fill your reservoir with warm water and use a bottle brush along with mild soap to scrub it clean. Rinse well and hang it upside down to dry.

    Method Two - Fill your reservoir with warm water and drop in one or two Bottle Bright tablets, slide the top close and let sit for fifteen to thirty minutes (depending on the amount of residue). Rinse and hang upside down to dry.

    TUBE & BITE VALVE CLEANING

     All of our components are removable for easy cleaning:

    1. Disconnect the drink tube from the reservoir
    2. Grasp the bite valve in one hand and tube in the other then pull the valve firmly to remove the bite valve from the tube
    3. Gently remove the silicone sheath from the valve and clean with Bottle Bright or mild soap and water
    4. Clean the inside of the tube by inserting the Hydrapak Tube Brush in the open end of the tube and scrub
    5. After drying the components, carefully reattach the sheath to the valve and re-install

     

  • Lubrication for your Plug-N-Play™ connect system

    The Plug-N-Play™ system allows a user to quickly connect and disconnect the hose from the reservoir.  This allows a user to easily remove the reservoir from the backpack, which is very handy, especially when filling the reservoir with water.  

     

    The system requires a little bit of care to keep your adventure going.  To keep the Plug N Play working smoothly, the o-ring attached to the hose fitting must be periodically lubricated with an approved lubricant. 

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    Hydrapak Plug N Play: Terms Explained

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    All of our reservoirs that are sold at a retail store include a lubrication packet.  However, if your reservoir was purchased as part of a backpack, a lubrication packet was not included.  Luckily, the approved lubricants can normally be sourced from your local pharmacy or hardware store. Please see below for the list of approved lubricants.  

     

    How to Apply the Lubricant

    Apply a small dot of lubricant on the o-ring.  You only need enough to lightly coat the o-ring.  Too much lubricant can have a counter-productive effect, so go lightly with the application. 

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    Now you can simply plug your hose into the valve and enjoy the convenience of being able to quickly connect and disconnect the hose. 

     

    How Often Should The O-ring Be Lubricated?

    Luckily, the system does not need to be lubricated very often.  The lubricant can last many months.  The small packet that we provide is enough for several applications.  Store it in a cool dark place and have it handy if you need to administer another application. 

     

    Which Lubricants are Recommended?

    If your reservoir did not come with a lubricant packet or if you wish to purchase more, we recommend the following three types of lubricant:

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    Glycerin - Glycerin can be found at most pharmacies and it is very economical.  A 6 oz. bottle can be purchased for $3.50.  

    Silicone Lubricant (Food Safe) - Silicone is perhaps the best type of lubricant, although it is important to verify that the product is "Food Grade" as there are a large varieties of types of silicone lubricant on the market.  This one can be purchased at hardware stores.  Cost for a 4 oz. bottle is $10.00.

    Bees Wax makes a great, all-natural lubricant although it is may be more difficult to find and apply to the o-ring.  These are typically sold at hardware or craft stores.  The 0.7 oz. portion is $5.00. 

     

    What About Other Types of Oils?

    We strongly recommend against using any type of cooking oils including olive oil, corn oil, coconut oil, etc.  Our experience has taught us that the use of these types of natural oils will cause the o-ring to swell.  They also get can get sticky.  The result is that the hose will become difficult to engage or disengage and it may cause damage the o-ring or fitting. 

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    What if the O-Ring becomes Damaged?

    If the o-ring is properly lubricated, it will provide many years of faithful service. If the o-ring becomes warped or damaged, it will not allow the system to function correctly and the o-ring must be replaced. Your options are to purchase one of the following:

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    Plug N Play Kit - This kit is sold primarily as an upgrade kit to reservoirs that are lacking the Plug N Play connection.  However, you can also use the o-ring or the hose fitting to repair a damaged o-ring.  We do not recommend replacing the valve, however, as it is very difficult to remove and almost never necessary because failures are normally due to an o-ring problem.  This kit is only sold through HydraPak.com and the cost is $6.00.

    Hydraflex Tube Kit - This is the standard Plug N Play tube that comes with most of our reservoirs.  This replacement option will fix an o-ring problem plus it gives you a new bite valve, which is a wear and tear part.  This kit is available though most of our retailers and the cost is $12.00.

    Hydrafusion Tube Kit - This is our premium insulated Plug N Play tube and it comes with a new bite valve with a dust cover.  The insulation keeps the water temperature cooler in summer and will help prevent water from freezing in the winter. Available though our retailers, the cost is $15.00, and well worth the extra cost compared to the Hydraflex tube kit. 

     

    Warranty

    If you feel the o-ring wore out prematurely, or if your hose fitting cracks or chips,  you may file a warranty claim though our web site.  We will be happy to provide you with a replacement. 

     

     

  • My slider top is difficult to move - what can I do?

    There are two methods for improving the operation of the slider top for your HydraPak reservoir: 

    1. Avoid filling the reservoir above the maximum fill line. If you over-fill the reservoir, it will create pressure on it, making the top harder to operate. If you leave some room, the pressure is reduced making the slider operate more easily. 
    2. Apply some food-safe lubricant to the tracks of the reservoir. We recommend silicone, glycerin, or beeswax. Don't use oil-based lubricants, as they can make your system sticky, which makes the slider more difficult to operate. Smear a small amount on the tracks and it will make the slider action much smoother. 
  • How Do I Recycle the Header Card?

    Regarding the plastic header cards and how to recycle them - the material is PolyPropylene.  It is typically considered #5 for recycling purposes. 

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Still need help?


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