Salomon Soft Reservoir Review: Hydration Made Easy

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A hydration bladder can save you from stopping for a bottle, but poor fit, water movement, and difficult cleaning can make the convenience feel less worthwhile. The Salomon Soft Reservoir 2L addresses those concerns with a flexible body, slide-top opening, 90 cm tube, and high-flow bite valve. Its low 128 g empty weight suits hiking and other active uses, although the soft structure requires careful pack fitting. This review explains where it performs well, what limitations you should expect, and how to set it up correctly.

Key Takeaways

• The reservoir holds 2 L and weighs approximately 128 g when empty.
• Its flexible body shapes to your pack and contracts as you drink, helping reduce water movement.
• The included 90 cm tube supports standard shoulder routing and can be shortened carefully.
• A gripped slide closure makes the wide opening easier to operate with cold or sweaty hands.
• The high-flow bite valve is designed for faster drinking with less effort during active use.
• The soft construction packs lightly but lacks the structure of a reservoir with a rigid backer plate.
• Proper drying, seal inspection, and pack fitting are necessary for reliable long-term use.

Salomon Soft Reservoir 2L Specifications

What Is the Salomon Soft Reservoir 2L?

The Salomon Soft Reservoir 2L is a reusable hydration bladder designed to sit inside a compatible backpack or hydration pack. It stores up to two liters of water and supplies it through a drinking tube, allowing you to drink without removing the pack.

Unlike a rigid bottle, the flexible reservoir conforms to the available space in your hydration sleeve. Its body also contracts as the water level falls, which helps reduce sloshing and prevents the empty portion from holding as much air.

The model focuses on low weight and flexible routing rather than rigid support. That makes it particularly useful when your pack already has a suitable internal sleeve, hanging point, tube port, and external retention clips.

Who Should Buy It?

Design and Build Quality

The reservoir’s flexible body uses thermoplastic polyurethane as its main material. Salomon lists a composition of 80% TPU, with ABS, polyoxymethylene, and silicone components used elsewhere in the assembly.

TPU lets the reservoir bend and flatten more easily than a rigid container. The clear blue body also helps you see the approximate water level and inspect the inside for residue before storage.

The tradeoff is limited structure. A full soft reservoir can fold or bulge while you insert it into a tightly packed hydration sleeve. Loading it before filling the rest of your pack usually makes the process easier.

Capacity and Pack Comfort

A 2 L capacity gives you a practical middle ground between small running flasks and larger three-liter reservoirs. It can cover many day hikes, training sessions, and ski outings, although your actual water requirement depends on weather, distance, exertion, and access to safe refill points.

The reservoir weighs about 128 g when empty. Two liters of water add roughly two kilograms, so most of the carried weight comes from the water rather than the reservoir itself.

As you drink, the soft body contracts around the remaining water. This limits unused air space and helps reduce movement, but it cannot eliminate bounce caused by a loose hydration sleeve or poorly tightened pack.

Slider, Tube, and Bite Valve

The top of the reservoir opens across most of its width after you remove the slider. That design gives you more filling and cleaning access than a small screw-cap opening.

Salomon adds extra grip to the slider, which helps when your fingers are cold, wet, or sweaty. You still need to fold and align the opening correctly before sliding the closure fully into position.

The supplied tube measures approximately 90 cm. That length supports conventional over-the-shoulder routing and gives you room to adapt the setup to different packs. You can shorten it, but cutting is permanent and may reduce compatibility with future packs.

A quick-disconnect fitting allows you to detach the tube from the reservoir. This makes it easier to remove the bladder while leaving the tube routed through your pack. The separate soft bite valve provides the drinking point and is designed for a high flow rate.

Pack Compatibility and Fit

The reservoir is most straightforward to use in a pack with a dedicated hydration compartment. Look for a sleeve large enough for the approximately 33 x 17 cm body, plus room for the filled reservoir to expand.

Your pack should also have a secure upper hanging point. Without support, the reservoir can slump toward the bottom as its water level drops, which may kink the hose or make the remaining water harder to access.

The tube connection and bite valve are designed around Salomon’s hydration ecosystem. The reservoir may fit packs from other brands, but physical fit does not guarantee that every hanger, clip, magnet, or valve accessory will align correctly.

How It Performs in Real Use

For Day Hiking

The 2 L capacity suits hikes where you want a useful water supply without moving up to a larger three-liter bladder. The wide top simplifies refilling at home or at a suitable water source, while the flexible shape fits closely against your back.

Its main hiking limitation appears when your pack is already full. Because the reservoir has no rigid backer plate, inserting it behind tightly packed clothing or equipment can require unloading part of the bag.

For Running and Fast Movement

The shrinking body helps control water movement, especially after you remove excess air before closing the reservoir. A snug vest or pack is still essential because an unsecured two-liter load can move noticeably during running.

Many runners will not need the full capacity for shorter sessions. Filling only the amount you expect to use reduces carried weight and may improve the pack’s stability.

For Skiing and Cold Conditions

The flexible reservoir can work in a compatible ski pack, but the exposed tube and bite valve are more vulnerable to freezing than the water stored close to your back. Insulated routing and frequent small sips may help keep water moving.

After your outing, let the tube, connector, and bite valve thaw naturally before forcing any stiff components. Check the current product instructions for temperature and storage guidance.

For Travel and Storage

The empty reservoir packs flatter than a rigid bottle, making it convenient to carry as part of your hiking or travel kit. Disconnecting the tube can also make the system easier to arrange inside luggage.

Do not store it while damp or sealed. Trapped moisture can create odors and residue, especially inside the tube and around the bite valve.

Setup and Tube-Routing Tips

1. Rinse before first use. Flush the reservoir, tube, and bite valve with clean water before filling it for an outing.
2. Test the fit while empty. Place the reservoir inside your hydration sleeve and confirm the hanger and tube port align.
3. Fill on a stable surface. Hold the opening securely and avoid putting stress on the tube connection.
4. Remove excess air. Before sealing, carefully move trapped air toward the opening. Less air usually means less sloshing.
5. Close the slider completely. Fold the top correctly and run the slider across the full opening.
6. Check for leaks. Hold the filled reservoir over a sink and inspect the closure, seams, connector, and valve.
7. Route before trimming. Wear the pack and test the full tube length before considering a permanent cut.
8. Secure loose tubing. Use the pack’s clips or loops so the tube does not swing while you move.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Rinse the reservoir after each use, especially when you add an electrolyte or flavored drink. Residue can collect around the top fold, connector, tube, and bite valve even when the main chamber looks clean.

For routine cleaning, use warm water and mild dish soap unless the product instructions specify another method. Flush the soapy water through the tube and valve, then rinse every part thoroughly.

Keep the chamber open while drying and position it so the inner surfaces do not remain pressed together. Hang the tube separately and allow water to drain from both ends.

Inspect the seams, slide closure, connector, and valve regularly. Replace damaged parts instead of continuing to use a system that shows cracking, persistent leaking, or a loose connection.

Material Safety and Use

Salomon identifies the reservoir and tube as PVC- and BPA-free. The flexible body is mainly TPU, while harder polymers and silicone are used in the closure and drinking components.

These material claims do not remove the need for normal hygiene. Use potable water, clean the system after flavored drinks, and avoid sharing the bite valve unless it has been cleaned appropriately.

Do not fill the reservoir with liquids outside the temperatures or types allowed by the current product instructions. Extremely hot liquids, harsh cleaners, and incompatible chemicals may damage the materials or seals.

Pros and Cons

Is It Worth the Price?

The Salomon Soft Reservoir 2L sits in the branded outdoor-equipment category rather than the most basic hydration-bladder tier. Its value comes from the low empty weight, flexible construction, wide slider opening, high-flow valve, and availability of compatible replacement parts.

It offers stronger value when you already use a compatible Salomon pack or want a soft, low-profile reservoir for hiking. The ability to disconnect the tube also saves time when you remove the bladder for refilling or cleaning.

It is not the best fit when you want a rigid carry handle, magnetic hose attachment, or structured backer plate. Those features may justify comparing it with a heavier alternative.

How It Compares to Alternatives

The Osprey Hydraulics 2L is worth comparing when you prefer a structured backer plate and magnetic bite-valve attachment. That design can be easier to insert into a tightly packed backpack, but it adds more structure than the Salomon reservoir.

The CamelBak Crux 2L offers a large filling handle and a separate on-and-off lever at the tube. The HydraPak Contour 2L focuses on a low-profile shape with internal stabilization. The Salomon makes the most sense when you prioritize low weight, a simple slider opening, and compatibility with Salomon hydration packs.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

The Salomon Soft Reservoir 2L is a strong choice when you want a light hydration bladder with a wide opening, long tube, high-flow valve, and flexible pack fit. Its main limitation is the lack of rigid support, which can make loading it into a tightly packed sleeve less convenient.

Buy it for hiking, longer trail sessions, or use with a compatible Salomon pack. Skip it when you need a smaller capacity, a structured backer plate, or guaranteed integration with another brand’s hanger and hose accessories.