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Platypus Hydration Bladders

I am a big fan of Platypus hydration bladders and I normally carry a 3L reservoir with me when I’m backpacking.

Platypus Hydration Bladders and Hose System

Platypus bladders are different from Camelback reservoir, which I have used in the past, because they have a much smaller opening screw top openings. This is important when you are cooking and you need to pour some water into a pot.

Platypus bladders also stand up by themselves on a flat surface which is useful when filtering, transferring water between bladders, and again while you are cooking.

In the evening when setting up camp, I’ll go to the water source and fill my two 1 liter water bottles and my 3L Platypus bladder. They actually hold about 3.5L. I use the water in my bottles to cook dinner and keep the platypus full until the next morning for breakfast and to fill my first set of water bottles for the day. That way, I don’t have to filter and/or purify water in the morning and can break camp quickly when the sun comes up.

I’ve read about people who have had problems with their Platypus bladders because the caps can leak. I solve this problem by wrapping the threads of the opening with teflon tape, also called plumbers tape, which gives the caps a very snug fit. I learned that trick in organic chemistry lab in high school.

The Platypus bite valve does leak because it does not come with a locking mechanism that turns off the flow from the bladder to the bite valve. I use a Camelback bite valve instead, which does have a lock. I attach it to a Platy tube and never have any leaks that are not due to forgetfulness.

I also use a 1L platy for carrying stove fuel for my alcohol stove. This bladder is well-marked with skulls and cross bones to prevent people from drinking from it.

Platys are pretty indestructible and easy to clean using water purification tablets. I have however had some issues with them freezing in colder weather and the 3L size is awkward to slip into your sleeping bag. When the temperature dips below freezing, you are probably better off switching to a wide mouth Nalgene bottle. If you carry them upside down during the day, the tops don’t freeze shut.

A 3L platy weighs 1.4 oz. and a 1L bladder weighs 1 oz.

Disclosure: The author owns this product and purchased it using their own funds.

Written 2008. Revised 2013. 

 

10 comments

  1. Hi Earlylite

    I just purchased a Platypus 4L water tank. I did not realize until I got home that the thing is treated with Slimeguard(TM). The company is not very forthcoming with information and I come up empty on a trademark search. This really bugs me; I hate additives. Do you have any information on Slimeguard? BTW I have a few degrees in Chemistry.

  2. It's a silver ion compound that inhibits microbial growth – I read about it on a bulletin board where the author has called platypus customer service to ask about it. I'm sure if you call them they can give you more info.

  3. I just got of the phone with them and "all they know is that it is Silver ions." They do not have test studies, white papers or even any 3rd-party information available to the public. Unfortunately I cannot accept that little piece of information on blind faith. I once saw an advertisement that claimed smoking cigarettes was good for your tummy. The Water Tank is a great design but I have to take it back.

  4. I'm fond of these for similar reasons – light, indestructable + useful. I often carry an empty one when there is a possible dry stretch. You can keep the slime down by storing them empty in the freezer.

  5. I often carry an extra 3L bottle now for camp water because it lets me chemically treat a big batch overnight for the next morning. To clean platys, I just use efferdent periodically. It's really effective and it's fun to watch the water turn from blue to clear, just like on TV. See https://sectionhiker.com/sterilizing-hydration-bla

  6. If you are interested in what silver ions due. I suggest to look up NASA’s information since they use palladium and silver tubes to sanitize the water in shuttles and in the space station before it came down.

  7. Teflon is soooo toxic. Please reconsider using it in the threads of your water bottle. The research on Teflon is finally coming out to expose the dangers of this material. Best!

    • Hey Vic, what do you mean, the threads of your water bottle? What companies put teflon in their bottles? And this platypus doesn’t have teflon, right?

  8. how do you dry this between uses?

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