Water bladder?

Posted by: GrumpyGord

Water bladder? - 01/28/08 05:45 AM

I use a GG Vapor Trail pack and have always used a water bottle in a pocket attached to the hip belt for drinking while hiking. There is a small side pocket on the pack and I was thinking about putting a bladder in that pocket. When I look at bladders they are all large (2 to 4 liters). I would like to use something like one liter which would fit in that pocket. I have a couple of one liter platypus bags and a hose to fit on the cap but I have been hesitant to use it because it looks flimsy and vulnerable on the side of the pack. Am I worrying needlessly or is something more durable available? Having only one liter readily available is not a problem since I would be stopping often enough to refill the external bag. Thoughts?
Posted by: geokite

Re: Water bladder? - 01/28/08 08:53 AM

I use that same pack, with a 1 liter platy. I poke holes in the corners of the platy with a hot nail, then tie string from corner to corner. The top compression strap on the pack runs through this string, holding the platy upright in the pocket.

This works well for me, as I use an inline filter. In camp I can then hang the platy and use it as a gravity filter.
Posted by: Ben2World

Re: Water bladder? - 01/28/08 09:55 AM

Platypus flimsy? So why did you buy it?

Kidding aside... you have no worries. Nothing in life is 100% guaranteed but the chance of failure is tiny. I've been using my Platys for 4 years and counting -- and they're all functioning like new.

Reading the myriads of posts, my two conclusions about water bladders are:

1. ALL the major brands are dependable: Camelbak, MSR, Nalgene, Platypus, etc.

2. ALL the major brands have the occasional lemon.

Every time you finished filling the bladder and screwing on the cap -- ALWAYS give it a few squeeze to make sure the screw cap, hydration tubing, etc. are all on correctly and tightly. Some failures are genuine failures, but I suspect the great majority is due to user error.
Posted by: GrumpyGord

Re: Water bladder? - 01/28/08 10:16 AM

I also have been using platypus for several years but always inside of my pack. I am concerned about them when they are in an outside side pocket. They can sustain a pretty good blow when completely unprotected. I am sure that I am worrying unnecessarily but I would hate to be out and break my only water container. I suppose the best thing would be to buy another platypus and keep it as a spare. They weigh almost nothing. My usual routine is to have a one liter nalgene on my hip belt and then two one liter platypus inside the pack which I fill and carry as necessary. If I will be coming across water soon I just use the nalgene. If it is noon and I will not see water for another 15 miles I fill the two platypus and carry three quarts for supper and breakfast etc.
Posted by: Trailrunner

Re: Water bladder? - 01/28/08 10:36 AM

I have a Vapor Trail as well and I use a 32oz. Gatorade bottle. It fits nicely into the side pocket and lies somewhere between a Platy and a Nalgene on the bombproofness scale. And the price was right. I prefer a rigid bottle over the Platy because it allows me to refill quickly and easily as I cross streams. I own a couple of Platys but I only use them in situations where their loss would not ruin my trip. I've had two failures. One was at a bottom seam and the other was when I set it down on a cactus needle in Anza-Borrego State Park. Granted the latter was my fault but it would not have happened with a Nalgene or a Gatorade bottle.

I don't know the exact difference in weight between a 1 liter Platy and a 32oz Gatorade bottle but I'll gladly pay the weight penalty for some peace of mind.

In the near future I plan to experiment with a homebrew hose setup for the Gatorade bottle. I can reach the bottle with the Vapor Trail still on, but getting it back in is a tad dificult.

Posted by: jaiden

Re: Water bladder? - 01/29/08 07:16 AM

Quote:
I use a GG Vapor Trail pack and have always used a water bottle in a pocket attached to the hip belt for drinking while hiking. There is a small side pocket on the pack and I was thinking about putting a bladder in that pocket. When I look at bladders they are all large (2 to 4 liters). I would like to use something like one liter which would fit in that pocket. I have a couple of one liter platypus bags and a hose to fit on the cap but I have been hesitant to use it because it looks flimsy and vulnerable on the side of the pack. Am I worrying needlessly or is something more durable available? Having only one liter readily available is not a problem since I would be stopping often enough to refill the external bag. Thoughts?


Why not use a 2l and fill it half way? I doubt the difference is more than 1/2 oz between a hypothetical 1l system and a 2l. the VT has a pocket that's made for a bladder. I carry a 3L and just don't fill it all the way unless I need to. That way I have extra capacity.
Posted by: Ben2World

Re: Water bladder? - 01/29/08 08:26 AM

Four years and counting, I've always placed my 1L platys on the outside pockets. No worries at all.
Posted by: sabre11004

Re: Water bladder? - 01/29/08 01:50 PM



I have been using Platys for many years and I still have one of the originals that I purchased years ago...I have three or four of these bottles and they are all different sizes for different things. I do carry a spare but I have never had to use it....ever....I took one of those Gatorade bottles with me on a trip one time to Little Big Fork on the Cumberland trail. We had stopped for the day and we were boiling water and to correctly measure the quantities of the water for our food I had drawn increments (in oz.) on the side of the bottle. I poured hot water in that Gatorade bottle and it folded like a K-Mart lawn chair. It just collapsed and spilled all the water or most of it any way. Hope this helps....Happy Trekking...sabre11004....

The first step that you take will be one of those that get you there... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: finallyME

Re: Water bladder? - 01/29/08 01:54 PM

Quote:

1. ALL the major brands are dependable: Camelbak, MSR, Nalgene, Platypus, etc.



All three of my camelbacks leak. They are all the same type, the 3L they sell to the military. They leak in the exact same spot. The seal for the filling cap. I replaced the o-ring on one, and it worked, so far. Everyone makes lemons, and they all sell them to the military. You should be safe with a civilian one. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: tpdwr

Re: Water bladder? - 01/29/08 02:25 PM

I've used a 1 liter Platypus in the outside mesh pocket of my pack for 2 years with no problem. I use the same set-up day hiking with the Platypus inside my daypack. Sometimes, in the desert, I have three liters crammed in there and never a leak.
Posted by: altadude

Re: Water bladder? - 01/29/08 05:14 PM

I just got a Platy for lift service skiing cause with my bca packs the long hose freezes in our cold Maine wintuhs.....I put the Platy in my vest pocket and it stays warm.......

Two questions:
1. Can you put boiling water directly into them?
2. How do you get them dried completely to avoid mildew when they are stored?
(I have the small water bottle type top).

My camelbacks have this hanging holder that keeps the bladder from compressing on itself but it is too big for the platy........

Thanks,
A
Posted by: NiytOwl

Re: Water bladder? - 01/30/08 03:31 PM

Quote:
1. Can you put boiling water directly into them?


Platypus bags are food-grade polyethelene. They can be boiled themselves, so I doubt that pouring boiling water into them will hurt one bit. However, this leaves the water tasting...well...like boiled water. If you let it cool then whip it a bit to re-aerate, it'll taste better.

Quote:
2. How do you get them dried completely to avoid mildew when they are stored?


I have used several methods to store Platy's. To dry one, take a bottle brush and put it inside the bag - it holds it open enough to dry. You can speed it up in the oven on "Warm". Lay it on a cookie rack on a cookie sheet to avoid hot spots that might damage the bag.

You can freeze the almost dry bag. Roll it up and use a rubber band. Then put them in a tupperware to protect the bag from being smashed, which could lead to holes. Much easier than drying.

You can store it wet if you use a dose of Aqua Mira or a chlorine dioxide tablet. Just mix a batch according to the product directions. Then portion it out into each bag you own. This has the advantage of preventing any "slime" from growing on the inside of the bag. Store in a dark place. You can rinse before next use, but it's not required.

Now I just wash the bag and fill it with "bottled" water. This water is virtually devoid of anything that nourishes life (because of reverse-osmosis and deionization), so nothing grows in the bags. The plus is that it serves as emergency water (when we have "The Big One" out here in Cal). YMMV, since I use my Platys at least once a month. As with the previous storage method, a dark place is preferred since light just -might- result in algae growth.
Posted by: hootyhoo

Re: Water bladder? - 01/30/08 04:01 PM

Quote:
Am I worrying needlessly or is something more durable available? Having only one liter readily available is not a problem since I would be stopping often enough to refill the external bag. Thoughts?


I think you are worrying needlessly. I went throught the same thing and asked basically the same question. My bladder rides on the side (sometimes two bladders). I use a platy 2 liter hoser. So far so good, and i do some bushwhackin' from time to time. Try it and take a backup rolled up in the pack.
Posted by: altadude

Re: Water bladder? - 01/30/08 05:09 PM

Quote:
Quote:
1. Can you put boiling water directly into them?


Platypus bags are food-grade polyethelene. They can be boiled themselves, so I doubt that pouring boiling water into them will hurt one bit. However, this leaves the water tasting...well...like boiled water. If you let it cool then whip it a bit to re-aerate, it'll taste better.

Quote:
2. How do you get them dried completely to avoid mildew when they are stored?


I have used several methods to store Platy's. To dry one, take a bottle brush and put it inside the bag - it holds it open enough to dry. You can speed it up in the oven on "Warm". Lay it on a cookie rack on a cookie sheet to avoid hot spots that might damage the bag.

You can freeze the almost dry bag. Roll it up and use a rubber band. Then put them in a tupperware to protect the bag from being smashed, which could lead to holes. Much easier than drying.

You can store it wet if you use a dose of Aqua Mira or a chlorine dioxide tablet. Just mix a batch according to the product directions. Then portion it out into each bag you own. This has the advantage of preventing any "slime" from growing on the inside of the bag. Store in a dark place. You can rinse before next use, but it's not required.

Now I just wash the bag and fill it with "bottled" water. This water is virtually devoid of anything that nourishes life (because of reverse-osmosis and deionization), so nothing grows in the bags. The plus is that it serves as emergency water (when we have "The Big One" out here in Cal). YMMV, since I use my Platys at least once a month. As with the previous storage method, a dark place is preferred since light just -might- result in algae growth.


Great ideas!!!

Thanks
Posted by: Ben2World

Re: Water bladder? - 01/30/08 05:22 PM

Altadude:

How anal are you about drying your Platy's?

Here in relatively dry southern Cal -- a 1L platy will take 2-3 days to dry and a hydration tube a lot longer still.

But if you are the type that likes to clean and put away things... then you can shorten the dry time significantly by buying an el cheapo aquarium pump and tubes at Wally World ($5). Connect tube to pump and insert the other end to your Platy. Get "T" connector so you can dry two Platy's together. Of course, if you use hydration tube, make that part of the connection between pump and Platy and you can dry everything together. Drying time is overnight -- as compared to 2, 3, 4 days or longer.
Posted by: finallyME

Re: Water bladder? - 01/31/08 10:58 AM

I usually put a drop of bleach in mine. Then when I want to use it, I mix water and a drop of bleach, and then rinse out thoroughly.
Posted by: BarryP

Re: Water bladder? - 01/31/08 11:54 AM

“The plus is that it serves as emergency water”

I 2nd storing the bladder with water in it (after cleaned with a bleach solution). It’s there for the emergency. Right before a backpacking trip, I dump the water into my wash machine and refill with fresh water.

-Barry
Posted by: Berserker

Re: Water bladder? - 03/27/08 10:01 AM

I just wanted to resurrect this thread to mention that this is why I love this forum. I have been trying for quite some time to get rid of a Camelbak Unbottle. I read this thread back when it was active, and the light bulb finally lit up in my head. I bought two 1 liter Platy Hosers, and they fit perfectly in the external bottle holders of my McHale pack. Now I not only have easy access to my water containers (I was using the Camelbak inside my pack), but I can also see how much water I have left, am not worried about them leaking inside my pack, and the new system dropped about 4 oz of weight. Thanks guys <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />