Platypus Hoser (Platypus Hoser)

Member Name: kknb2162

Product:	Platypus Hoser
Date:	06/02/02 (202 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: No bad taste, Likely to drink more because of the ease, A number of sizes available

Disadvantages: A hydration compatible sack would be useful, Cap looks a bit flimsy, A bit expensive for a plastic sack

The Platypus hoser is designed to remove that terrible chore of actually getting a water bottle out to have a drink. It is a tough plastic pouch attached to a tube with a bite valve on the end. You bite it, suck and water comes. Praise be!
The suprising thing was a lack of plasticy taste in the water. It came out tasting much the same way as it did when I put it in. Which is excellent. Previous experience has lead me to believe that plastic water bottles were always doomed to make water taste like the leftovers from a nuclear winter. Not so in this case. Strike one for the Platypus.
The bite valve was easy to use, and didn't leak at any point during testing. Its silicone type texture was pleasant and taste free, leaving me to concentrate on getting that much needed fluid into my system, rather than thinking how odd the thing jammed into my mouth was. Stike two.
The greatest thing was that my frequency of drinking was greatly increased due to the increased ease. This lead to me being more hydrated, and more able to enjoy the climbs and scrambles. As far as I can see, this is the biggest benefit of hydration systems.
The only cons are that the screw on cap looks a little flimsy, and as my rucksack does not have a hydration pocket, the 1.8l pack has to be jammed into a side pocket. Otherwise, this clean tasting and easy to use system deserves a look in, as it has alterered the way I look at hydration on the mountain (no more dented metal bottles for me ;-)

Summary: