Platypus Hoser Hydration Bladder Evaluation

Backside Line

Amongst people who we examined, the Platypus Hoser is the lightest of all the hydration bladders that include hoses. This low weight is achieved primarily by way of minimalist design, which will probably be value it for some hikers however not for others. 

The Hoser lacks usability options which are frequent in different fashions we examined. There is no such thing as a shutoff change on the chew valve, no deal with for straightforward filling, no sternum strap magnet, and no structural help on both the inside or exterior. Hikers searching for particular options ought to take into account different bladders, whereas those that recognize minimalist design will just like the Hoser. 

Platypus additionally claims the Hoser to be “taste-free,” and we truly agree. This straightforward bladder presents higher style proper out of the package deal than many of the extra featured and costly choices. The Hoser is a worthwhile buy for hikers looking for the lightest doable hydration system and keen to sacrifice options to attain that. For those who’re an ultralight backpacker or path runner, take into account exploring among the different choices on our listing.

And for more information, try a few of our different widespread gear guides:

How We Examined

We hiked with the Hoser on the Nature Path and Warren Peak Path within the Black Rock space of Joshua Tree Nationwide Park. We additionally took it on shorter walks round our neighborhood. Most testing occurred in the course of the winter within the Southern California desert, with daytime temperatures starting from 40 to 70 levels.

Weight & Packability

The Platypus Hoser’s minimalist design makes it the lightest and most packable of all of the bladders we examined that embrace a hose system. Weighing simply 3.6 ounces, it’s almost as mild because the VectoX, which doesn’t have a hose or chew valve. It additionally rolls up and packs all the way down to a compact dimension of 9 by 3.5 by 1.5 inches, together with the hose. 

It achieves its mild weight by way of a simplified design. The twist cap opening measures lower than an inch huge, whereas these on the Camelbak Crux or Cherainti Bladder may be as much as 4 inches in diameter. Its options are restricted to the water bag, hose, and chew valve.

Ease of Use

To attain its mild weight, the Hoser sacrifices many options. The one which impacted our testing probably the most was its lack of a shutoff change on the chew valve to stop leaks. Whereas driving to a trailhead, we packed the hose and chew valve inside our backpack, making certain that the uncovered mouthpiece wouldn’t contact the soiled flooring of our automobile. Positive sufficient, the chew valve leaked onto a down jacket in our backpack, soaking the insulation. This shouldn’t pose a serious difficulty whereas mountaineering, so long as nothing presses on the valve.

The hoser additionally omits options like a deal with for straightforward filling, inside baffles, or a inflexible backer to keep up its construction in a backpack. Nevertheless, it does embrace a small loop reduce into the reservoir, permitting it to be suspended in a backpack. Throughout our testing, these different options appeared much less vital than the chew valve shutoff change.

Ease of Cleansing

The Hoser proved to be the toughest to wash of all of the fashions we examined. It may’t be turned inside out, and the opening isn’t fairly large enough to suit a hand inside for scrubbing. Fortuitously, Platypus does promote a particular reservoir cleansing package, which features a lengthy brush for scrubbing hard-to-reach areas. 

With its small, twist-cap opening, the Hoser dried slowly. It took over seven hours to turn into moisture-free when hung up exterior within the desert. It can’t be turned inside out like some bladders that dry extra shortly.

Style

Apart from its light-weight, our favourite facet of the Platypus Hoser is its recent style. Platypus claims the Hoser to be “taste-free,” and we consider they obtain this higher than many of the different bladders we examined.

The Hoser tasted recent proper out of the package deal, in distinction to the Gregory 3D Hydro and the Osprey Hydraulics, which each have a definite iodine taste even after cleansing.

Sturdiness

Though we skilled some leaking from the chew valve, we didn’t observe any splitting alongside the seams or leaking from the twist cap threads. Over six weeks of testing, the Hoser has demonstrated sturdiness to date.

Ought to You Purchase the Platypus Hoser?

The Hoser’s light-weight design and inexpensive value will appeal to minimalist hikers and backpackers who aren’t specific about options. We additionally consider it tastes higher than among the pricier, feature-rich fashions just like the Gregory 3D Hydro and the Osprey Hydraulics. Whereas it’s barely extra susceptible to leaking as a result of absence of an on-off change on the chew valve, most leaks may be prevented with correct care.

What Different Hydration Bladders Ought to You Take into account?

If the Platypus Hoser doesn’t fairly suit your wants, try the remainder of our favourite hydration bladders from this season.

Hydrapak Contour Evaluation: The Contour retains its weight low whereas incorporating a number of further options. For one, its chew valve features a shutoff change that minimizes leaking. It’s also considerably simpler to wash and dry, because of its sliding closure and talent to show inside out. Runners could recognize the inside baffles, which assist stop water from sloshing round. The Contour achieves all these options whereas including solely two ounces to the Hoser’s weight.

Platypus Platy Evaluation: For those who recognize the minimalist design of the Hoser, you may also benefit from the even less complicated Platypus Platy. Designed and not using a hose, the Platy is our lightest possibility at simply 1.2 ounces. We notably favor this selection for multi-pitch mountain climbing or in a single day alpine climbs, the place light-weight gear is essential. Its essential downside is the absence of a hose, however some could desire that setup. It additionally presents the identical recent style because the Hoser.