Osprey Hydraulics SoftFlask £18

SO GOOD… This isn’t a hard-plastic, frame-mounted bottle like the others on test, but a flexible, bladder-style flask, which is easy to stow in a pack or back pocket. It’s compact for its 500ml volume and gets smaller the more you drink, making it a great fast-and-light ride option. Flow through the bite valve is good because the flask is so easy to squeeze. NO GOOD… Energy drinks need pre-mixing due to the narrow opening. We found that in smaller stash pockets, where the rigid top and nozzle protrude a little, the flask can work its way out as the liquid sloshes around inside it. www.ospreyeurope.com