Water is the number one priority when it comes to keeping us alive. Myself as a hunter, as well as many of you reading right now that may be hikers, bikers, joggers, loggers or otherwise active people need to rehydrate to function during demanding tasks. Carrying water with you is always a smart plan, but the biproduct is either producing waste in the form of empty water bottles, or lugging around the more popular athletic water bottles for the rest of the day. Like a modern wineskin, the bladder can be a space saving vessel for transporting water on the go, and it can be rolled up and crammed into your bag when empty. However, bladders always seems to leave a plastic aftertaste with each sip, are cumbersome to fill, and eventually tend to leak.

The Hydrapak Stash water bottle is an evolution of the canteen, bladder and bottle rolled - or should I say collapsed - into one neat little package. The Stash has soft walls that are RF welded (radio frequency) for strength, while the top and bottom ends of the bottle are molded plastic so when the soft middle walls are twisted, the top and bottom snap together for a profile thats less that 2 inches tall with a diameter of 3.5 inches. When collapsed and capped, the Stash easily can stow into a backpack, satchel, fanny pack, purse, or other personal carriers. When needed, the bottle can be uncapped and squeezed to release the tab locks, and then untwisted to form a 750ml capacity water bottle.

The Stash's construction is its selling feature, as the company reps love standing atop the filled bottles during tradeshows or presentations to demonstrate the strength of the RF welding. Another huge selling point is the materials used are BPA and PVC free, which is the main reason why alot of consumers are straying away from disposable plastic water bottles and snatching up sturdier plastic containers made from less harmful materials. When empty, those bottles still retain their shape and are really no different from a glass bottle after carrying it or packing it around all day. The Stash is trendy and functional, and is easy to stow or pack anywhere. When collapsed, Stash bottles even stack together giving you space efficiency and a high capacity for water storage.

As a hunter, I can see the benefit of the Stash bottle is its silent collapsing and storage. Crinkling water bottles are a super buzzkill in the woods, and a full size bottle takes up alot of valuable room on the pack. While a full stash bottle is no more compact or storable than a regular container, it's flexible walls will be more accustomed packed into the same pocket as your binoculars or other gear as opposed to a rigid and heavier bottle. Having a 750ml vessel thats easy to fill with a wide mouth that can be condensed down when not in use is a very pleasant convenience. Just remember to loosen the cap when expanding or collapsing to open the vacuum.

The only negative points I can give this product is the cap has no way of being tethered to the bottle to prevent loss, despite a carry loop and collar around the bottles neck that would serve as an attachment point. This a feature found on other Hydrapak products that I find would have liked to see carry over to the Stash.

Firearms Insider Reviews – 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: The Stash is a perfect companion for camping, adventure travel, and every day use.

Target Market: Camping, Travel, Hiking/Jogging,Bug Out/Preppers

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

Soft walls collapse to 2 inch overall height
Molded top and bottom that snap together for storage/transport
Screw-cap
Nylon Carry Loop
Stackable – Nests with other Stash Bottles for efficient multi unit storage
RF welded seams to create superior bonds at a molecular level
Weight: 64 grams/ 2.26 ounces
750 ml volume
Minimum dimensions 2.0 in. x 3.5 in.
BPA & PVC Free, Meets or exceeds FDA & EU regulations
Dishwasher safe (top rack, max temperature 140 degrees F)
No-Leak™ Product Lifetime Waranty
Naturally anti-fungal material

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: Orange, Lime, Blue, Smoke and Green

What others are saying?:

"When you think about the option of carrying an empty, full-sized 25-oz bottle around on the last two miles of your run or hike versus sliding a disc in your pocket, the Stash's advantage is clear..." - Gizmag

"What makes this so interesting to me is that when not in use, the hard molded top and bottom can be collapsed together for storage. This feature is a travelers dream when every inch of space matters." - The Gadgeteer

Price point: