Platypus Platy Reservoir

[Brett .]

I purchased the 2L version of the reservoir, and the optional drinking tube. When I filled the reservoir and inverted it, it immediately leaked at the location where the diamond shaped plastic insert joins the neck of the bottle. This was a substantial leak which would drain the bottle in a few minutes. Evidently the plug was not sealed into the bag properly. I emailed Platypus about the problem.

I have a few of the 'Platy Bottles' which do not leak when inverted, but this is a review of the Reservoir, and therefore this product gets a '1' because it is unsuable for its intended purpose.

Edit. I returned the 2L reservoir, and purchased an identical replacement. When I inverted it, the bottle with the OEM cap did not leak. However, it leaked when I connected the OEM hydration tube to the mouth of the reservoir. I seated the cap carefully and tightly, but not too tight so as to distort the plastic threads. Inverted it in my pack and left it for a few hours. When I returned the bladder had leaked about 100ml. Not acceptable in my opinion.
I use Platypus bladders only in the upright position now, and carry a Nalgene soft canteen for my second bottle.
I am continuing my search for a light weight hydration tube system.

[Benjamin Smith]

I use the 4L Big Zip as my in camp water supply and for carting extra water through dry stretches (here in south Texas, the whole hike is typically a "dry stretch"). While I find the cap angle (the diamond-shaped plug described above) a little annoying and bulky when the tank is collapsed and stored, I've never had a leak. I don't see the opening as a failure point as much as any creases formed by repeated folding.

I don't personally use the tank with a hydration tube, but one of my hiking buddies (my uncle, actually) has done so for several years and has never experienced a failure or a leak.

[kevin davidson]

The dedicated hydration systems by Platypus are more reliable than the "retrofit" of the resevoir into one. The Big Zip is far better to the purpose.

[Margaret Snyder]

I use platypuses (platypi?) every day. I have a 1L and 2L, both reservoir types (I had a 0.5L, but left it in the Honolulu airport. Congrats to whomever found it). The BgZip scares me too much. I can just picture a 2L deluge inside my pack. With or without the hoser attachment they are awesome. I like the shutoff valve end, since I lean on my pack a lot and don't need a firehose at work very often. Usually at home I freeze 8-10 oz in the bladder then fill up in the morning to have ice water all day. I tossed my camelbak bladders cuz they had a tendency to get funky and were difficult to clean. Platypus systems come apart at each connection for east cleaning.

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