Advice on water resevoirs?

"… and *all* of them leak"

Where?

Seams, lid, bite valve, body?

Which EMS store?

TIA

Hi Greg,

They have *all* leaked at the joint where the tube connects to the bag, down at the bottom where water can easily flow out. Sorry that I don't know more technical terms.

The Blackhawk also leaks at the bite valve- not as big a deal because I can hook that upright and the leaks stop. The Camelback also leaked at the seal around the opening where you pour water in.

As for the EMS store… is that important, which EMS store? It was in Arlington VA; I think it's closed now.

Thanks!
Nicole

While I've never had any of my reservoirs leak (including Camelback, Platypus, and MSR) I would suggest the MSR Dromedary/Hydromedary series of bladders. They aren't pliable plastics they are coated ballistic nylon. Mine came with me when I was thrown from a horse a couple of years ago and it survived without so much as a scratch. They're about as tough as you can find.

Sorry to hear you've had so much trouble, of my three bladders none are newer than 5 or 6 years old and I haven't lost so much as a drop from them.

Nicole,

Both my Deuter and Camelbak have a wide, almost triangular, reinforced hose barb attachment. (Mine are old, so things may be different now…)

Are the leaks occurring around the edge of that attachment, at the hose barb proper, or somewhere else?

Thanks.

I have three Platypus hydration bladders – the original Hoser (more than five years old), a 2 liter Big Zip (about three years old) and a 3 liter Big Zip (about a year and a half old). All have been used quite a bit, and are all three quite usable, even after each of them has been subjected to being jammed in sleeves in the frames of packs with a bear canister putting pressure on them. I kept the Hoser in the SAR pack, the 2 liter BZ in the day pack, and the 3 liter in my backpack.

I hike every weekend, anything from a half day to four days out, so my gear gets hammered. I have worn out a tent, several sleeping pads and a variety of clothing… I should probably be replacing the suspension on my hammock as it's looking frayed too…. Stuff sacks have worn through, I buy a pair of shoes every year as the mesh shreds and the lugs wear off, and I busticated the lid on a bear can. The Platys live on.

I had a North Face by Nalgene bladder leak pretty badly once and it soaked my sleeping bag. This was back in the day when I was still relying on a pack cover for waterproofing, so it soaked everything inside my pack including my down sleeping bag. Stupid, I know, and now I keep all liquids outside my pack liner or drybag or whatever else I'm using. Even still, I've never used a bladder since then except on day trips. I just don't trust them.

Never had any issues with my platypuses except once a fire ember landed on it and melted a good sized hole. A single patch of duct tape fixed it for the rest of the trip. No leaks at all. Made me more confident about not carrying a backup water container.

The usual brand names — Camelbak, Platypus, etc. are all pretty good, actually — although they ALL produce an occasional lemon or two. My two general advice:

1. If you use drinking hose and/or filter… consider all as a "system" — before you shop for any one piece. In other words, don't just shop for a bottle / bladder independently — and then regretting because the filter or hose you like won't fit well.

2. For anything longer than a day trip — consider multiple bladders rather than one big one.

All the years, I have yet to have a bottle/bladder leak. I use Platypus. I really like my 'system'. But of course, I have read enough reviews to know that Platypus (or any other brand) is not immune to mishaps.

Another vote for Platypus bladders. I've been using them for about a decade & found them to be very well-designed and durable. Only one failure out of 4 of these bladders (years ago with their old design; replaced for free @ local REI).
My fav is the 2L Big Zip hoser. It's easy to clean, I can easily add ice cubes or hydration tabs, the quick-disconnect hose fitting works like a charm, and it never tastes like plastic (unlike some Camelback bladders).

And…it works great as a gravity filter paired with a Saywer filter.