How do these things work?

Bladders collapse as the liquid is sucked out of them. Surely something that has the capability to use a 'normal bottle' would need a second tube going in there to allow air to replace the liquid as it's drunk...

Reckon its just a case of collapsing the bottle by sucking the water out - and then letting the air back down the tube.

Not as good as a bladder - but lots cheaper, more robust and easier to replace when knackered.

Si

Platypus tubes can be used on a normal bottle, the size is the same, as are the threads....handy for when your bladder bites the dust...hasn't happened to me yet tho'

These hydration systems.. You pay a lot of money for a a simple plastic hose & bladder, then there is lots of fuss to keep them clean & hygienic. I had to throw away a platypus tube a few weeks ago that went greenish black on the inside, had only used water in it a couple of times.. :-( I'm going back to old fashion bottles, easier to know how much drink. Suppose that they are worthwhile for races though.

I've not had any problems with my camelback unbottle (yet!)

Had a couple of platy's die on me - not good. Lots of water INSIDE rucksack and not a lot left in the platy to drink.

I prefer a hydration system, less fuss and I tend to drink more regularly, which is good.

But each to their own Jarl.

Si

Yeah Simon, that's another point - Once my sleeping bag was drenched in the backpack due to a leaking Platypus hose cap. Last day on the hike luckily. Prefer to have my water in mesh pockets on the outside after that.

But they are guaranteed not to leak!

a guarantee isn't much use 1/2 way up a mountain!

> Platypus tubes can be used on a normal bottle

And conversely, normal bottle tops can be used on Platypus bottles. So, if all you want is a collapsible bottle with a sport cap, don't pay the ridiculous price Platypus charge for a 'sport cap'; just go and pay 34p for a bottle of water and get the cap free...

But then I only paid a fraction of the rrp for my 2.4l Platypi, and bought up most of the stock from the clearance shop and flogged them at cost to friends & fellow RT users. About 60 in all, I think...

Julie, they'll happily replace them if they fail - but like Anthony says thats not a lot of help. Thats why I went for a Camelbak in the end.

Si

I guess it will work by having a valve to let air in much like the hydration system for Sigg bottles.

Although you seem to need to suck a lot harder than a platypus for the Sigg system to work.

It leaked not because of failure but because of a stupid design of the cap & screw thread.

I had re-filled the bladder once during the day, (through the zip-bottom) and then the cap probably wiggled loose a tiny bit which I didn't notice. You have to screw the cap on the bladder thread really tight, just a few millimetres less will cause it to leak. A tiny drip soaked the sleeping bag in the bottom of the backpack in a few hours.

It's common sense really not to mix water containers with things that must stay dry. If it had happened in the winter more than a days walk from roads it would have been pretty annoying..

Maybe Camelbacks are better designed, haven't tried those.

The bladder is more rubbery so doesn't split like a Platy (or, like mine did).

The hose is a push fit item, not screw on, so you wont have the problem of it coming undone.

Personally I think they're significantly more than Platy's - but I know people who feel the opposite.

Si

Fill platypus with hot water seal it with a normal top and you have a hot water bottle heaven when you need it. I have done this now for 3 years and as yet no wet bags but a warm sleep.

Yet to find the perfect hydration system. Had problems with my camelbak leaking from the filling hole (Omega port) so changed over to platypus I have'nt had any leaks with mine but I know they do happen as Si has said. MSR do one which I have'nt seen yet but might try one of these when I need a new one.

Bottom line is that they all leak eventually. I've used the MSR and the valve isn't, ime, as good as the Camelbak valve, also the seal at the bottom end of the tube went on mine leading to irritating leaks as did the bite valve.

I've never had a problem with the Omega - perhaps I've been lucky - and like the sound of the silver-impregnated anti-mould ones coming our way next year.

Think I may have been unlucky as it was from the first batch of the ones with the omega which aparently had some problems. I Have used a MSR water carrier which is made with really tough bladded though if they use this they would be longer lasting but if the valves leak then obviously still problems. Cheers for the info Jon.

On a hot day if you freeze the bag overnight it defrosts at just the right rate from the outside so you have a supply of ice cold water all day.

My Camelbak also leaked from new around the filling hole. Wiggle.co.uk promptly replaced it and paid the return postage. The replacement is giving good service.

I try to be quite fastidious about caring for my Camelbak after use. It gets a good rinse through and then I usually try to hang it where the sun can get to it. Stuffing the hose inside the bladder helps it dry out too.

Does anyone else find that Cameback's make the water in them taste terrible, whilst the platypus doesn’t taint the water at all?