Plastic Taste

Is there a way to reduce or neutralize the plastic taste from the hydration bladder?

Yes. Use a Nalgene bottle.

I'm sorry; it's early Monday morning where I am, and I needed a little kick-start to my week. The only bladder I use is an MSR Dromlite, and I only use that for carrying filtered water to a dry camp. I've never detected any plastic taste, even in water that's been sitting overnight.

However, I did (a couple years ago) buy the hose and fitting to turn it into a hydration system, just to see if I might want to make the switch. I did notice a slight plastic taste after attaching the hose. Could it be that the taste is coming from the tube, not the bladder?

You could add your own flavoring to cover it over, or rinse eternally, or buy a different brand and try that.

People seem to have problems with this - I use Platypus, never tasted anything but the chlorine in the tap water I start out with, others say there's aftertaste with theirs. Same with Camelbak; people swear they don't leave a taste, I've had one that did.

I'm wondering if it's the hose, too. I've used Platypus bottles for years and never had an aftertaste. I have had an aftertaste from the old-style Nalgenes (the cloudy ones made with #2 plastic).