So, I don't really want to carry my water on my back or in a side pocket because it's not easy accessible to me… here's my really basic and not at all refined solution.
I took a mesh harness bag for my son's Black Diamond Whiz Kid, which weighs 1.2 oz, and two toy biners at .3 oz each. I just clip them where ever on my hip belt. I have room in it to keep my 2+ l platy and a trail guide and I still have room for more junk… It is still over an ounce lighter than a bladder. Here are a few pictures. Like I said very basic, but serves my purpose.
I only have to detach one biner to drink from the platy without removing it from the mesh bag.
