G'day Alex,

I have heard some reports of the Dromedary Bladders not tasting overly great. Generally, taste is quite subjective, and some users will notice it more so than others. It sounds like you've tried most of the options we'd suggest, but one option you could try is the Camelbak Cleaning Tabs, they tend to knock out any odd flavours hanging about.

These flavours do seem to be noticed by some people more than others, Alex, and it's not just confined to a particular brand. One thing I'm yet to try in my water bladders is red cordial. Sounds crazy but apparently it works, just make sure you rinse it well afterwards.

Another thing I have found is that filling my bottles and bladders with fresh rainwater results in much less plastic taste than when using mains water. Adelaide water is renowned for it's chemical taste, and the taste is exaggurated drinking from my bladder, so it must be something to do with the combination of chemicals in the water and the materials the bladders are made from.

I hope the red cordial works, I'm yet to give it a go. You're not the only one experienceing this problem, it's an issue that has been around for years and there has always been some mystery around why some people find it so much worse than others. ~ Ben