Platypus Hoser Hydration System

Tastes Much Better!
August 10, 2011

I bought this to replace a camelbak bladder that, despite my best efforts, always tasted like melted plastic. So far I like this Platypus much better. Easy to fill, fits into my backpack and has a clean taste. There is a little bitterness from the first sip if the water has been in the bladder for awhile, but that disappears quickly. Can't speak to the durability just yet, but no leaking thus far. For a water lover, this makes hiking and biking with a bladder much more pleasant.

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really taste free
July 21, 2009

I've tried other hydration systems and they all make the water taste like plastic. This one doesn't! The water tastes great, even after several hours!

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solid and dependable
December 05, 2010

Does everything you want it to do. Easy to use, lightweight, does not leak, and easy to fill. I think it is worth the money but cheaper, similar products exist.

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User friendly
October 21, 2010

I like the valve feature, its easy to screw on and off. The mouth piece does leak if there is water in the tube. Although the tube has plenty of length to release water back into the bladder.

May 27, 2012

cons: hard to refill liquid not last long. have to change after about 10 times. material a lit bit too hard. mouth bite not secure. water leak. pros: lightweight. no taste.

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I like this one the best.
February 11, 2011

This model is simple. I know they make zipper topped models but I have trouble closing them. (I guess I have weak thumbs OR I don't know what I am doing) AND then I don't trust that the zipper will stay closed in my backpack....even though they say it will..... So I like a screw on and off cap.

good for the price
June 12, 2009

Overall I really like this system I kinda wish I would have gotten the zip top one just for convenience.

Puncture protection
July 27, 2009

I bought this specifically for it's durability after some of my climbing gear punctured my new Camelback on the first day in my pack. This product has held up great, and I have purposefully beat on it. It holds up well in the freezer too. The only thing I don't like about it is the water tube...I still can't figure out how to drink from it...and the fact that no closure caps come with it. When I want to take the hose off and drink right from it (which is all the time since I can't figure out how to use the hose) I end up spilling it everywhere trying to reconnect everything. It would be nice if they charged the extra $2 for the bladder and gave you the cap with it.

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A quality hydration system
November 28, 2009

The Platypus Hoser 3 liter hydration system only weighs 3 3/4 ounces when empty. It is lighter than other hydration systems and every ounce you can save in your backpack makes it easier on your body. There is no leakage from where the the hose threads to the bag. My wife has the Platypus Hoser 2 liter, and we are very satisfied with both products and would recomend them to a friend.

Simple, tough and versatile
June 19, 2011

I bought this bladder to fit my Golite Pinnacle (fits perfectly), and I also ended up using it with several smaller packs. On long drives, I sometimes hang it from the back of my seat, so I can have a sip anytime without taking my eyes off the road. I saw several people mentioning that they had problems filling it all the way, I never encountered this. Of course, when pumping water in the backcountry, another person's help is great. Drinking is very easy once you get used to it. The bite valve works as it should, mine never dripped, but it's a shame it doesn't come with a cap by default. The water tastes a bit like plastic only if you forget to blow the water back after drinking. The only downside I can think of is that if you want to refill while on a hike with a full backpack, you practically have to empty your whole bag before you can take it out and put it back full.

Lightweight, Functional, Economical
May 18, 2011

Bought two of the these as loaner hydration bladders. Have been used for 25 total days in the field, have peformed well and lasted longer than I initially expected. Product is lightweight and rolls up nicely so they don't take much space when not in use. On the down side the small hole makes cleaning more difficult if there is hard water residue (or other solid particles) stuck on the inside. Additionally the bite valve has no turn off so if it gets squeezed in your pack you lose that water and your other stuff gets wet. Overall the product is funcional and an economy grade purchase, but lacks some features of the more expensive bladders.

Platypus bottles are terrific. Low weight, excellent quality
February 19, 2010

I have used Platypus bottles for many years. They are very light weight, can be rolled up into small size and work really good. No problem keeping them clean and water tastes great out of them.

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Compact, durable and easily filled
July 20, 2009

I bought three of these for a 75 mile float trip. I had them secured beneath my feet and was surprised at how easy it was to sip the water up the tube. Considering that they have small diameter openings, they were easy and quick to fill. I'm buying two more.

Great addition to a backpacking water system...
June 01, 2011

I was pretty much a canteen user for decades, always wanting to keep thinks simple. After all, what is more simple than a water container with a screw-on lid. I also carried a Platypus 2-liter for the long dry treks between water sources. Being a desert SW hiker I trained myself not to over-hydrate but things changed when I bought a new pack. I noticed it had a hydration pouch and tube openings so I purchased the 1 liter Hoser system to see if it actually improved the backpacking experience or was just extra weight. The essential part of the system is the tubing and bite valve. You can screw it onto any standard Platypus bottle. The tubing is fairly thick and not overly flexible -which is good because it resists kinking. It is very light and lays nicely out of the backpack opening. It has a little clip near the valve to attach to a convenient location on your harness or clothing. The bite valve is semi-soft plastic, easy on the lips and teeth and is self closing. If you have a large full bottle/bag the flow will gravity feed but most often you have to apply some suction. It took a little getting use to but it never leaked or required too much suction. I also noticed no plastic or off taste. I don't have enough experience with hydration systems to know if slime is a problem, I can't imagine letting your water containers get that bad but Platypus claims the tubing and mouthpiece have SlimeGuard. I don't know what that is. Overall I think the Hoser system proved to be an added benefit to my wilderness experiences. The main thing I found is that you actually use less water. In the Southwest your mouth tends to dry out and the convenient occasional sips actually increase your comfort level while reducing the number of times you stop and "tank up" from a water bottle. My personal setup now is a 1 litre water bottle and the 1 liter Hoser. This allows me to stop, take off the pack, take in the scenery and enjoy a free-flowing drink from the bottle and also stay comfortable on a long hot haul by sipping from the Hoser. I've been using Platypus water bottles for nearly 15 years and they stand by their products. They replaced one of my bottles that absorbed woodfire snowmelt without question. Have fun out there -and stay thirsty my friends.