Platypus Hoser Evaluate | CleverHiker

Backside Line

Amongst those 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 might be value it for some hikers however not for others. 

The Hoser lacks usability options which might be widespread in different fashions we examined. There is no such thing as a shutoff change on the chew valve, no deal with for simple filling, no sternum strap magnet, and no structural assist on both the inside or exterior. Hikers in search of particular options ought to contemplate different bladders, whereas those that admire 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 a lot of the extra featured and costly choices. The Hoser is a worthwhile buy for hikers in search of the lightest doable hydration system and keen to sacrifice options to attain that. When you’re an ultralight backpacker or path runner, contemplate exploring a few of the different choices on our listing.

And for more information, try a few of our different in style 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 through 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 embody a hose system. Weighing simply 3.6 ounces, it’s practically 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 measurement 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 vast, whereas these on the Camelbak Crux or Cherainti Bladder will be as much as 4 inches in diameter. Its options are restricted to the water bag, hose, and chew valve.

Ease of Use

To realize 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, guaranteeing that the uncovered mouthpiece wouldn’t contact the soiled ground of our automotive. Certain sufficient, the chew valve leaked onto a down jacket in our backpack, soaking the insulation. This shouldn’t pose a serious subject whereas mountain climbing, so long as nothing presses on the valve.

The hoser additionally omits options like a deal with for simple filling, inside baffles, or a inflexible backer to take care of its construction in a backpack. Nonetheless, it does embody a small loop minimize 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 scrub of all of the fashions we examined. It could possibly’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 develop 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 contemporary style. Platypus claims the Hoser to be “taste-free,” and we consider they obtain this higher than a lot of the different bladders we examined.

The Hoser tasted contemporary 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 up to now.

Ought to You Purchase the Platypus Hoser?

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

What Different Hydration Bladders Ought to You Contemplate?

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

Hydrapak Contour Evaluate: 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. Additionally it is considerably simpler to scrub and dry, due to its sliding closure and talent to show inside out. Runners could admire the inside baffles, which assist forestall water from sloshing round. The Contour achieves all these options whereas including solely two ounces to the Hoser’s weight.

Platypus Platy Evaluate: When you admire the minimalist design of the Hoser, you may also benefit from the even less complicated Platypus Platy. Designed with no hose, the Platy is our lightest choice at simply 1.2 ounces. We significantly favor this alternative for multi-pitch mountaineering or in a single day alpine climbs, the place light-weight gear is essential. Its primary disadvantage is the absence of a hose, however some could choose that setup. It additionally presents the identical contemporary style because the Hoser.