Platypus Hoser Hydration System

I am a occasional hiker, quickly moving towards avid as the weather gets warmer. I purchased this 3L Platypus reservoir to go in a reservoir compatible small day pack I already owned. I found that the reservoir fit well in the pack, and I was able to use it easily.

The biggest plus I found with this reservoir is that it had absolutely no taste what so ever. Even at the end of a 3 hour hike the water tasted as if I had just poured it into a glass from the fridge.

I also liked the size of the reservoir, as it allows me to carry the majority of my water needs all in one container. This makes it excellent for a single person on a long hike, or even for sharing among family members. I always have a back up vessel in case of a problem, but assuming all is going well with a 3L reservoir I don''t have to worry about running out quickly and finding water sources on the trail.

There were two things I had problems with using this unit. I found that the reservoir became difficult to fill once it reached about 2/3 of the way full. I have to use a water filter pitcher and trying to hold the reservoir around the small opening with one hand while pouring with the other became slightly tedious as the reservoir became heavy and wet from spillage.

The bite piece also took a little getting used to. It has to be bitten a specific way in order for water to flow freely. Once I figured it out I didn''t have many problems, but occasionally I wouldn''t quite have it in my mouth right and I would suck and get very little water. In a way, the valve being finicky is also a plus because the valve seals tightly enough that it doesn''t allow air back into the system.

One additional plus is that these reservoirs are compatible with a range of accessories offered by Platypus, including an attachment that allows you to connect a filter straight to the bottle.

There are many positive reviews this bladder, enough to led me to purchase it. Please allow me to argue why you shouldn''t.

The most common praise for this bladder is it "has no taste". This is indeed a quality one should look for in a bladder, and my Hoser does not add a chemical flavor to water, nor does it hold an introduced flavor. It isn''t a compelling feature unique to the Hoser, though, as none of the name brand bladders suffer this anymore.

Platypus''s own literature claims the bladder is BPA free. Again this is industry standard in 2011.

Let''s talk about where the bladder falls short and why I recomend the Camelbak Antidote bladders instead:

Unlike the Camelbak bladders the Hoser, has a very small fill port. So small it is very hard to fill the bladder from a hose or campground spigot without spilling water everywhere.

The Camelbak has a handle with which to hold the bladder while filling, the Platypus does not. It is difficult to achieve a full fill because one runs out of places to hold the bag.

The Camelbak has a quick release attachment for the drinking tube, the Platypus does not. One is forced to fish the drinking house out of their pack simply to fill the bladder if using a Hoser. One must put the bladder and the hose in the fridge if they wish to chill their beverage.

The Camelbak bladders have internal baffles to keep jiggle to a minimum, and to aid in drying. Platypus does not. In fact the Platypus can be a pain to dry fully.

The Camelbak Antidote series has a set of thin folding arms which hold the bag open when drying, greatly decreasing dry time.

The Antidote series includes a shutoff valve, Hoser does not.

The Platypus Hoser series of bags appears to have a multi-layered laminated plastic film construction. This is a common way to inexpensively achieve desired properties, but risks delamination in the long term. The Camelbak bladders achieve their properties with a homogenous construction.

This bag is currently $10 less expensive than an equivalently sized Camelbak Antidote. Not a savings in my opinion.

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I purchased two of these for a hiking trip. They both fit nicely in the water pocket inside my boyfriend''s backpack (the kind you can run the hoses to the outside of the pack). The hose ends clipped onto the front straps so the water was easily accessible. I''ve used hydrating systems that took a while to "prime". Not so with this one. The water starts flowing after just a couple of seconds. For anyone going on a hiking trip, this is perfect. You don''t have to mess with water bottles and since it''s resuable, it''s a nice alternative to plastic water bottles. Cleaning the bag was really easy too. The tubing takes a little more effort, but it''s not that difficult. I think they make specific cleaning "tools" for these things.

Read Best Reviews of Platypus Hoser Hydration System Here

Overall, I am happy. The bladder seems to have no plastic taste effects. The tube on the other hand is another story. I ts been sitting for more then an hour, the tube must be drained to avoid the plastic mouthful. the bladder water is refreshing though once the first mouthful is gone. I let the bladder sit for two days as a test.

With the tube empty: I got zero plastic taste

With the tube full, I got the the usual plastic taste and after test.

The bag seems fairly rugged and if I had a complaint at all it would be that the mouth is not big enough and I cannot get any ice in there. Sometimes I like ice.

The bag did freeze well though and thawed ok.

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I am a occasional hiker, quickly moving towards avid as the weather gets warmer. I purchased this 3L Platypus reservoir to go in a reservoir compatible small day pack I already owned. I found that the reservoir fit well in the pack, and I was able to use it easily.

The biggest plus I found with this reservoir is that it had absolutely no taste what so ever. Even at the end of a 3 hour hike the water tasted as if I had just poured it into a glass from the fridge.

I own the 3l (100oz) version of this and I really like the size of the reservoir, as it allows me to carry the majority of my water needs all in one container. This makes it excellent for a single person on a long hike, or even for sharing among family members. I always have a back up vessel in case of a problem, but assuming all is going well with a 3L reservoir I don''t have to worry about running out quickly and finding water sources on the trail.

There were two things I had problems with using this unit. I found that the reservoir became difficult to fill once it reached about 2/3 of the way full. I have to use a water filter pitcher and trying to hold the reservoir around the small opening with one hand while pouring with the other became slightly tedious as the reservoir became heavy and wet from spillage.

The bite piece also took a little getting used to. It has to be bitten a specific way in order for water to flow freely. Once I figured it out I didn''t have many problems, but occasionally I wouldn''t quite have it in my mouth right and I would suck and get very little water. In a way, the valve being finicky is also a plus because the valve seals tightly enough that it doesn''t allow air back into the system.

One additional plus is that these reservoirs are compatible with a range of accessories offered by Platypus, including an attachment that allows you to connect a filter straight to the bottle.