Geigerrig Rig 500 review

The big talking point about the new range of Geigerrig hydration bladders is that they use a pressurised system. As well as the normal tube that transports water from the bladder to your mouth, there’s a second tube that ends in a ‘power bulb’ which you squeeze to push air into the reservoir. The pressure can be adjusted to suit your needs, an adjuster dial letting air out if necessary.

So what are the benefits of this pressurised system? Well, there are several, and all rely on the fact that by squeezing the bite valve – either with mouth or fingers – the water squirts out, rather than needing to be sucked out. From a hygiene point of view it’s a winner – you can share with as many people as you like without trading germs, and you don’t even have to put it in your own mouth. You can also use the Rig to spray water on your face to cool down, or to clean a wound, or even dirty gear. The icing on the cake, though, is that Geigerrig have developed a water filter that can be neatly plugged into the system, allowing you to fill simply and quickly up from streams or other water sources. A very clever product, this.