About 7 or 8 years ago when I started to get more serious about road riding I used a camelbak for about a year. At the time, it seemed like a great solution. But finally getting rid of it and going to water bottles putting those three jersey pockets to good use was very liberating. Looking back, the hydration pack was more of a hassle to use than bottles. Between cleaning, filling, the weight on my back, the smell of it after several hot summer rides it just became a PIA to use.

With five or six water bottles in rotation, I always have clean ones available. On a real hot day I can stuff a third bottle in a back pocket.

If a hydration pack works for you, go for it. Ain't nothing wrong with it and what works for you works for you. But there are practical reasons that if you show up at a group ride at anything beyond a beginner's level that you'll see a lot more bottles than hydration packs.

As for a $10-$15 hydration pack, I think the You-get-what-you-pay-for rule might come into play. Better packs & bladders won't leak, are easier to clean and easier to fill, likely have valves that are easier to drink out of and you can even get replacement parts. The packs themselves will likely last longer and be easier to put the bladder in and out of. My first camelbak Lobo is probably going on 12 or 13 years and still works fine (even if it looks beat to hell). That said, $15 might be worth the experiment for you.

Cheers.