Got a questions for the thur-hikers…Do you need a bladder for your days supply of water or can you get by on a couple of bottles and a filter system?..I guess what I’m saying,is there enough water sources. So you don’t have to carry so much water?..thanks…
Chairman
Chairman,
I have used both a Platy and the plastic bottles. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.
My hydration system allows me to get water without having to go digging through my pack to get to it or even having to take it off to get to those tight spots, so whenever I want a drink, I have a plastic tube right beside me. My pack even has a special pocket for the hydration system. However, trying to get water out without spilling a great deal can be difficult at times.
Small Bottles can fit in side pockets, but usually anything more than a liter bottle forces you to carry water on the inside of the pack, forcing you to stop and go rooting around to get it. I know that on my last hike I used every sip of water in my 2-liter Platy and all in my Nalgene in one day of hiking, so I don’t really recommend two or three 20 oz bottles. You could get very dehydrated if not carrying enough water, which of course we all know can cause serious health problems.
Furthermore, “reliable” water sources may not always be abundant. An example is the AT in New Jersey where reliable water sources are a long ways in between. I would hate the thought that I would have to get by with only a couple of Pepsi or Coke bottles of water for an entire day carrying a full pack.
Additionally, if it has been even a moderately dry season wherever you are hiking, you are less likely to have reliable water sources than you would say at a different time of year. Case in point: the Southeast right now.
All in all, go with the hydration system (I recommend Platypus) and use the plastic bottles for other items like alcohol for an alcohol stove.
Trekking Trav
I personally no longer use bladders, because of once running out by accident (you can’t see how much you have left), and once having a leak soak my pack. My pack (ULA Catalyst) has a side pocket that will hold 2 1-liter water bottles. I have never found a need to carry more than that, although I have a small platy at the bottom of my pack just in case. Also, I can get the bottle out of the side pocket and back in without taking my pack off.
Duffy
I’m with Duffy. While I love the convienance of the Platy when I long distance hike I use two 1 liter wide-mouth soda bottles and carry a bladder for use if I think I’m hitting a long dry stretch. I have a water bottle holster on my pack belt so the water is within easy reach and I can constantly be drinking.
Big B
I could always tell how much water I had in my Platypus by how how hard it was to such water through the hose.
You’ll want minimum 3 liters of water capacity. There’s a handful of longer waterless stretches, plus you can’t trust your guidebook that there’s necessarily going to be water ahead (or it might be gross and you’d rather pass by). You hit the heat of summer and sources can dry up pretty easily. I hiked in a hot year and all of New York State was bone dry.
but whatever you decide to carry that 3 liters in doesn’t matter much.
0101
I used a Grnite Gear Vapor Trail pack which was set up with an internal pocket for a bladder so I used a platypus. I had a problem with the bladder developing a leak. I went thru 3 bladders in 4 months. I used iodine crystals to treat the water. I think the iodine may have caused the problem. Platypus replaced the faulty packs. I liked the platypus just not getting a leak that got my pack all wet and I lost all my water.
steady on
I’ve used Platapus’s for years but I have fianlly got fed up with them leaking or getting full of grunge - even though I only use water in them and clean them regularly. And the hose keeps getting torn loose by vegetation. So I’ve now gone back to bottles; but I do miss the convenience of Platapus + hose.
Weka
I use a bikers hydration pack. It mounts easly on the out side of my pack and if it ever does get a leak all the water is on the outside of my backpack and gear.
Cost a little more but works really well.
With the extra protection I’ve never have had any problems.
Try it
Cloudseeker
My husband and I use the MSR dromlite (light version of the dromedary). Never leaked once in 4 years of use, and our MSR filter fits the opening of the bag.
latte