PlatyPreserve by Platypus

PlatyPreserve 800 by Cascade Designs IncThe platypreserve works as well as it says it does and is a very convenient and economical way to preserve and transport wine.

It works much better than the vacumn pump systems and is much cheaper to buy, operate and maintain than the expensive electronic wine lockers systems or even the argon gas system.

Cons:

* You have to be somewhat physically capable of squeezing the platybag while simultaneously screwing the cap on without shooting wine all over yourself.

* It''s not the classiest way to serve wine. But if you''ve got company, it''s most likely that you would open a new bottle anyways.

* The platy-bags resemble detergent/shampoo refills in Europe.

* Some people cannot mentally accept wine out of a bag.

* Bag is not opaque to prevent light detriorating the wine.

Pros:

* Preserves wine better than all other affordable systems.

* Can be used as a safe and lightweight way to bring wine while traveling, hiking.

* Space-saving design excellent for small fridges where a normal bottle would not fit. (Can be safely stored on its side)

There is no plastic taste or scent and the wine seems to be perfectly preserved for a week. (Haven''t tested it for longer). As the platybag is not opaque, keeping it in a cool dark place would further prevent sunlight from deteriorating the wine.

Recommended for: singles living alone, couples who like to drink different wines, travelers, spacesavers, picnicers.

I use mine almost every day. I am surprised that the bag is still holding up well, I have used it a lot. It keeps the wine fresh for a week or two depending on how much you open it and how good of a job you do of getting all the air out. If you pour a bottle of wine in it and get all the air out and you don''t open it then I think the wine will be totally good for 2 weeks, maybe more. I told the company that makes the Platypus that they should put a one way valve on top of it instead of the screw cap. To close it up you need to put the cap on partially so that air can be squeezed out of the bag but, don''t let the cap be too loose. Then squeeze the air out, when you get a little wine coming out of the top, tighten the cap the rest of the way. It takes a little practice to get good at it but you can do it unless you''re not good at doing things. Do it over the sink because you will probably spill a little.

Buy PlatyPreserve by Platypus Now

We came to find the PlatyPreseve bags when we decided to take a home wine course and had to open 3 or 4 pricey bottles at one time. The problem is obvious not that we didn''t want to drink it all, lol. So after using these for a year, here''s what we think:

1. The bags are BPA safe and very sturdy. They seal well and are easy to clean. BTW, the instructions say "no soap" for good reason. Use soap and you may have an aftertaste if you don''t rinse them repeatedly.

This is no problem because the material used is non-staining, semi-stiff and doesn''t seem to absorb wine or color. We always wash them right after we finish the wine just fill two or three times with fresh water, agitate, pour out, and leave them in the dishrack to drain, cap down. Works well.

2. They seal well. There is no need to "crank down" the caps, they seal reliably by just snugging them down lightly.

3. They pour safely and easily. One poster had trouble pouring wine, but it''s actually easy. Just support the bag in one hand, just under the cap with the other. The bag is semi-rigid and this works every time. Takes two hands, that''s all. You can''t pour with one hand.

4. Filling is best done with a small funnel, but in a pinch you can fill the bag without spillage if you use the same technique as for pouring, except this time the bottom corner of the bag is supported by the table, and the top with one hand. Of course the other hand holds and pours from the wine bottle.

Just lightly support the opening of the wine bottle on the bag opening, with a slight overlap. The bag is supported, and you simply pour slowly.

5. One problem you may have is expelling the air when there is not much wine left in the bag. Platy describes a technique, and we do it this way. Bag sideways, cap up and screwed on loosely (to let air out). Push the sideways bag, sideways against a flat vertical surface with the flat of your hand, applying pressure first to the bottom of the bag, then forcing the wine up toward the opening.

When the wine has almost filled the entire opening, then just use your other hand to snug the cap, and voila! You may spill a drop or two, but not ususally and this removes all the air, or nearly so.

Bottom line: a lovely, effective system. We''ve tossed these bags into our cooler for the beach, in the fridge for extended storage, etc. Have dropped a few from chest height. They are indescructable. Oh, and we like that they are clear, but still number them so we can remember what wine is in which bag.

Great product. I see them for $8 to $10 each, $27 to 29 for four. We got four.

Read Best Reviews of PlatyPreserve by Platypus Here

I have figured for a long time the perfect wine preserver would be a refillable version of the "box of wine", Since I haven''t been able to find such a thing, this seemed to be the closest in concept. As other reviewers have noted, this is not the easiest thing to fill unless you have a funnel. Ok, so you CAN get it filled, but then you have the problem that every time you want to close it you have to precariously squeeze it so that all the air comes out, but you don''t wind up with a wine fountain. If you master that, and then how to quickly put the lid on tightly while still holding it with the wine at the brim, you sit it down and watch as the poor seal still allows air to get back in. If it just had a TAP near the bottom, you could fill and seal it once, and then wine would only come out through the tap and no air go back in. Now that would be convenient. I would recommend a tried and true boda bag over this thing. I used it once and it will either go in the trash, or maybe into the glove box for an emergency water tote.

Want PlatyPreserve by Platypus Discount?

My mother is the avid camper and also wine lover. I got this 4 pack as a Christmas gift and she really loved it! No longer does she have to worry about carrying glass into the woods , or losing the quality/flavor of wine by placing it into something else. Also these are re-usable so they have a positive effect on the environment.

Nathan 10-Ounce Sprint Handheld Bottle Save 13% off

Nathan 10-Ounce Sprint Handheld BottleI used this product during the training and running of a marathon and plan to use it on short hiking trips with my partner (I bought a second one in grey for him). I needed something easy to wear (which it is), small (which is is) and light (which it is). The adjustable velcro was just right so I could get my hand in and thumb through the top hole; once in place, I barely noticed it was there. It was just the right size for my training loop (on higher mileage days, I would swing by the house to refill with the gatorade I had stashed in the mailbox; for a longer out-and-back run, I would just wear a bottle on each hand). On marathon day, it was great for quick sips between water stations when my mouth got dry; I switched bottles/holders with my race crew midway (since I have 2 handheld bottles, my cheering section had the second one full and waiting for me at mile 14). The pouch is tiny (would only fit a key), but it has a slide out id card w/medical (which is good to have).

As for the leaking issue, if you don''t screw the cap on right, it will leak everywhere. However, once you do it a couple of times (test it out in the sink before you head out the door), it is pretty easy to see if it is on correctly; the cap must be perfectly flush with the grey strap on the bottle holder. In order to fix that issue, they would probably have to make the cap bigger to increase the thread length on the screw, but that isn''t necessary if you are paying attention when you put the cap on.

The only thing that would have been nice is if you could switch out the bottle more easily (like the holders on the hydration belts). For this one you have to take the cap off to slip the strap over the neck to free the bottle for washing. However, the bottle is super secure while running with this one. Even with 2 small cons, I would still give this 5 stars because it does the job well.

I have no idea if she likes it or if it works as she wants it. She found it online and asked for it for her b-day.

Buy Nathan 10-Ounce Sprint Handheld Bottle Now

This little water bottle is the perfect size and shape but it doesn''t have a zippered pocket can slip some $ into the ID holder, but without a zipper I wouldn''t trust a key in there.

Read Best Reviews of Nathan 10-Ounce Sprint Handheld Bottle Here

I wanted something small (I have super tiny hands) that I could carry with me on 2-5 mile runs when it is hot out. I tested it out today and it was perfect. If you put your hand in with the thumb through the spot at the top, you don''t even need to hold it. It just stays on your hand! It doesn''t leak with the exception of a drop right after a sip of water.

Want Nathan 10-Ounce Sprint Handheld Bottle Discount?

Handheld bottle is a great idea for people looking for hydration options on a run of 3-6 miles.

Prosthe bottle fits snug against your hand and you do not notice you are carrying it.

Consstorage is miniumal (which I am sure is the purpose of this product). There is room for a single key or a single gel and that would be it. So if you are looking to carry more, please keep that in mind.

Another potential problem is this bottle is difficult to remove from the holder when you want to clean the bottle. I am a bit uneasy about how well the strap around the bottle opening will hold up over time when you have to remove it to wash it.

Save 13% off

Sport + Store Water Bottle Save 8% off

Sport Store BottleGoing on a hike, I was always used to putting my keys and ID in a pocket and every 5 minutes I found myself adjusting my shorts or rearranging the contents of my pockets for comfort. I said enough was enough and looked for an alternate option. At first I tried a lanyardit worked for the car key, but did''t help with my ID. Plus, having a string wrapped around your neck in 80-100 degree heat is extremely uncomfortable!

Finally I found the Sport+Store. I had already been carrying a water bottle, so this was nothing new. Now though my water bottle can hold my key, my ID, and cash for lunch after my hike! The carbineer clip on the top also makes it perfect to attach to my backpack when I decide to take my camera along.

At first I thought the water would get warm quickly in the metal bottle, but I was surprised by how well the water stayed insulated. Granted, it doesn''t stay cold as long as it would in a camelback or other insulated type of bottle, but it was equal to a any plastic or tritan bottle I''ve used.

The only downsides to the bottle are the height and the ease of chipping and denting if you drop it. The convenience of having the storage compartment on the bottom makes up for the downfall entirely.

I love this bottle!

This water bottle is a great idea, but it is too large and awkward. I ended up returning it, because it is too big to take hiking.

Buy Sport + Store Water Bottle Now

Topeak Pocket Rocket Master Blaster Bike Pump Save 32% off

Topeak Pocket Rocket Master Blaster Bike PumpPros: High Pressure, Very Small, Light Weight, High Quality

Cons: Heating, Flimsy rubber holder on the frame connector.

Recommended: Yes

Has Owned Product: 2 Day(s)

Comments:

This is an amazing pump, very small and works really good. I had other pumps before, but for my racing bike I need to put over 100PSI air. No mini pump could go near 80PSI. This one goes as much as 160PSI according to the specs. When I tried it on my bike, I could go over 100 easily. My tires can take a maximum of 120PSI, so I didn''t try further. It is neatly built, with high quality material. The barrel is brushed aluminum, and very narrow in diameter. Towards the end of pumping it gets warm, but it works like a charm. Thanks Topeak! If I lose I''d definitely buy again.

Unscrew the gray cap.

Pull out the black insert(s). There should be two pieces but you may have to pull them apart.

Take the one with the point end and push it through the small hole of the cylindrical one.

Put the pair back into the pump with the larger hole facing out.

Reattach the cap.

Buy Topeak Pocket Rocket Master Blaster Bike Pump Now

Pros: Sturdy metal body. Very good seal on tires(only tested w/ presta). Little force needed to pump. Inexpensive

Con: Not very much air with each pump.

Mainly I wanted to write this review to put at easy anyone who, like me, was looking for a small, inexpensive travel pump, but also didn''t want to end up with a flimsy piece of junk. My old bike pump was exactly that, and I really didn''t want to have another crap pump. So trust me, I know a cheap pump when I see one. After rolling the dice and ordering this pump from Topeak, rest assured fellow shopper, this little guy is solid. It''s got a great strong metal body and a very smooth and sturdy pumping and locking action.

I''ve only used it for presta tires, so I can''t vouch personally yet for the schrader mode, but for the presta, the seal it makes is perfect and there''s no adjusting or need to try and lock it in again (A constant with my old pump). Just put it on, flip up the lock and start pumping. No leaks. As far as using it for schrader tires, all you do is unscrew the front, pop out a little plastic piece, turn it around and screw it back together. Seems self explanatory and I would have to guess it works well also, but like I said, haven''t tested it yet.

I will use this pump probably once a week, as I love having lots of pressure in my tires though they never seem to hold pressure that well. The pumping is very easy even when it''s getting very full. I never feel like I''m going to blow a neck vein from pushing so hard like I used with my old pump. And even if I did, this pump is very sturdy so I never feel like it''s going to shatter in my hands if I get a little aggressive with it either like the old pump did.

The only negative I have is that the amount of air you get in each pump is on the low side. If I used 7 or 8 pumps with my old pump, I''d say with this one I''d need close to double that. But this is a small price to pay for not having a flimsy pump that takes some tries to get a good seal, get''s very hard to pump and feels like it will snap in two.

Almost forgot about the mount. It''s a great system that will screw in underneath your water bottle holder (Comes with screws if you don''t have one). Just take off the water bottle holder, line up the mount, and put the water bottle holder back on on top of it. (you can see this in the customer image) Mountain bikers take note; The pump clips in very hard and on top of that, has a rubber piece that holds it in. One of my water bottles would fall out before this thing would.

Read Best Reviews of Topeak Pocket Rocket Master Blaster Bike Pump Here

Pump works very well. Since it is a mini, it will take more pumps to inflate the tires but not meant to use on a new out of the box tire unless you want a good arm workout. works well if you need a little extra air on the tires when out on the road or when bike has been left around for a few months and the tire is a little low.

Want Topeak Pocket Rocket Master Blaster Bike Pump Discount?

This is a well-made pump that has a holder that fits rather cleverly underneath a standard water-bottle bracket. The rubber strap that holds it in place on the holder seems strong and yet has the necessary elasticity to hold its tautness for a long time. Unfortunately, I cannot imagine how the manufacturer concluded that there was no need for even the briefest of instructions: Most importantly, how to convert the tip from the default Presta valve use to what most people have known since they were kids (but didn''t know the name), the Schrader valve. The pump came attached to a piece of cardboard, but the cardboard had not one sentence of instruction printed on it. I was so baffled as to how this pump works that I carried it on my bike for months just hoping I would never have to use it. I thought maybe it simply wasn''t every going to work with my tires, but it was too late to return it. Finally after almost becoming stranded with an extremely low tire about five miles from home, when I got back I did a google search using a few key words, and came upon a review here that described it in words how to convert the tip. Then I found a video posted on Youtube that showed how. Now I know, but it shouldn''t have taken an online internet search to figure it out. Shame on Topeak for assuming everyone is already an expert in their products.

Save 32% off

Yacht Brite Brite Wash, 32 Oz Bottle

Yacht Brite Brite Wash, 32 Oz BottleWe first became acquainted with this product when we purchased our SeaRay boat. Because it is environmentally safe, we decided to use it in cleaning the railings and composite decking on our dock rather than Krud Kutter. Not only is this product more economical to use, it does a better job of removing mold and dirt! We used it to power wash our dock, house and paver walkways. A definite 5 star product!

Crocodile Creek Kids Drinking Bottle (Daisies)

Crocodile Creek Kids Drinking Bottle - DaisiesI was looking for a non plastic water bottle for my five years old to sent to school. So far it hasn''t leaked. In these five months it fell many times but just got only one small dent in the bottom. I always hand wash it. So not sure how it will be in dishwasher. We are happy with this purchase.

I accidentally ordered 2 of these and am glad I did. One of them has a loose cover so it pops up no matter how much pressure you apply. The other 1 is fine so it must just be a manufacturer''s default. I didn''t know about it until after my daughter came home from school complaining about it so it''s too late to return it. Oh well, it wasn''t that expensive at least.

Buy Crocodile Creek Kids Drinking Bottle (Daisies) Now

My daughter carries this with her each day to school filled w/ water. She does have to make sure to push down hard on the white part of the drinking spout so it doesn''t leak. I love that it has no liner, so no chemicals to leach into her drinks. It will dent if you drop it, but it''s metal, so it''s to be expected.

Read Best Reviews of Crocodile Creek Kids Drinking Bottle (Daisies) Here

I bought this same brand last year for my daughter and it held up really well. I am hoping this new one I bought for this school year will hold up equally as well.

Want Crocodile Creek Kids Drinking Bottle (Daisies) Discount?

My daughter used it for all of first grade last year. Finally she admitted she hates it!!!

The problem is something only a child can answer; drinking from it is a pain in the W#@$.

She would have to suck hard to pull water from the pull-up sippy piece. Maybe that would be fine for a 2 year old, but not a bigger kid. It was frustrating to her. Also its noisy to drink from it.

Zefal Fiberglass Bottle Cage Save 10% off

Zefal Fiberglass Bottle CageLight weight..holds bottle securely with easy in and out on the move..Good value.

Very happy with purchase with plans to purchase a few more for gifts.

Save 10% off