I do prefer the water bladder over water bottles. Carrying it- not so much. I would wear a 3 liter pack for a long time until the bag finally split. I disliked the sweaty back it left me with all day. When I tried finding a frame bag to fit the bikes I ride most, that is where issue came and I stopped having the water bladder. Small frame bags which would fit the 3 liter bladder could not be found. Water bottles have to be so small to fit within frames that having them can be pointless in my usage.