Gear Review: Dometic HYD Hydration Water Jug 11, Hydration Water Faucet –  The Go line of gear reimagines the camp kitchen

We all love things that make life easier, especially when it comes to life in the great outdoors. The new Dometic Go line of gear does just that — its new hydration jug and faucet will revamp any camp kitchen or water station, making everything from food prep to cleanup a breeze.

Dometic is best known for its large electric-powered coolers that act as a pseudo fridge in any vehicle. The powered coolers are a staple amongst vanlifers and overland vehicles these days. 

Building off of the mobile living made easy ethos the company lives by, it recently released a Dometic Go line of outdoor adventure living gear. Designed to fit in the back of a vehicle, it makes camp a little homier at the end of a long day on the road. 

One of the newest additions is the water jug and faucet system, which, when combined, create an easy-to-use outdoor sink setup.

So how does it compares to an old-school water jug? Let’s find out.

Reinventing a classic

Perhaps the reason the water jug hasn’t really been improved on much over the years is that it’s a simple tool that almost always works. It may seem like an afterthought when it comes to gear, but water is one thing we can’t live without.

That’s a bit of the genius in what Dometic is doing — they took a classic and looked at how they could improve on it. When on the road, I typically travel with one to two Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7-gallon water jugs and a smaller 5-gallon soft-sided Carboy for easy transportation in camp.

So, how can the new Dometic water jug and faucet replace my tried and true water system? 

It holds 11 liters of water, which is about 3 gallons, so it would take two of these to compare to my other water jugs. The smaller size is a benefit for Overlanders as it is designed to fit snugly behind a wheel well. 

If you have multiple jugs they will stack neatly thanks to a notch in the bottom. The sturdy jug also comes with removable velcro handles, making it easy to carry when filled with water. And there are also built-in tie-down guides to secure the water while on the road. 

The Dometic jug/faucet combination not only carries water easier than a standard water jug, but it makes dispensing the water simple and way more efficient. I can feel better about conserving water using this setup compared to my old system because there is far less wasted water that goes on the ground.  

Faucet for nonstop flow

The USB chargeable magnetic faucet comes with a hose that easily clicks into the jug’s cap. The kit includes two magnets to affix to the jug’s lid or a table, which the faucet will magnetically adhere to for stability. It can also work freestanding. 

Once assembled, tap the touch-sensor on the top faucet twice and water freely flows. One more touch turns it off. The controlled moderate flow is ideal for filling a cup or pan with water, food prep, cleaning up, or just washing your hands or face. 

The faucet automatically turns off after a minute or dispensing 1 liter to conserve water. One charge on the faucet will dispense 150 liters of water.

You can place a plastic bin or bucket to catch the water to create a sink and eliminate making a muddy mess in camp. Having a faucet in camp is a real game-changer and is ideal for Overlanders or vanlifers living on the road.

From the open road to camp

The jug works great for transporting water and is even better when it comes to dispensing it. 

The jug has two openings on top. A 63 mm Nalgene-style opening is designed to accommodate water filters so you can filter water directly into the jug. The other large hole allows for easy cleaning as my entire large hand can fit through it. 

The jug comes in three colors: ash, glacier, and slate. It also includes a rubber hose that goes inside the jug to provide water for the faucet accessory. It comes with a standard spigot attachment to dispense water. The jug and faucet are sold separately.

Takeaway

I’ve seen a variety of makeshift versions of a faucet and sinks on the road, and Dometic nails it with this sleek simple setup. 

As nice as the water jug is, the new faucet accessory is where this setup takes it to the next level. For filling larger water containers, such as a CamelBak bladder, the faucet will work but it takes a while. The spigot or pouring from the jug would be a faster option. 

When you pack up, the faucet comes with a nice carry bag for storage and a USB charge so you can recharge it on the road. If you are just looking to lug a lot of water with you, a standard jug will suffice, but if you want more versatility and ease of use, the Dometic Go jug and faucet are ideal. 

It’s great for weekend warriors, car campers, and families with small kids. The only demographic this would not appeal to is campers looking to shed weight or save on space. Outside of that, if you’re looking to make camp cushier this is a great upgrade. 

The Dometic HYD Hydration Water Jug 11 sells for $69.99. Check it out here. Dometic GO Hydration Water Faucet sells for $99.99. Check it out here.