Platypus Hoser Review

The Hoser offers lightweight performance at an unbeatable price. Loaded with versatile functionality and great flow on the go, it's one of the most affordable bladders we've had the pleasure of testing.

Ease of Use

This lightweight bladder offers plenty of different use opportunities. Its lightweight design is simple to carry in any backpack. The bite valve is simple and offers excellent flow, but it lacks the sophistication of other options on the market. Unfortunately, it does leak if accidentally squeezed and does not have a locking mechanism. As a result of this issue, it earns a lower score in this metric than most of the competition.

We love to use this bladder while hiking, running, climbing, and backpacking. Unlike other bladders, the tube screws into a bottle-sized cap at the bottom of the bag. The sizing makes it functional with some water filtration systems, and it can easily be converted into a gravity filter if additional functionality is needed. Unfortunately, this type of attachment is not compatible with other hydration bladders, so you're stuck with the tube you get.

The bite valve is new and features improved flow compared to the previous version. When we received ours, the bite valve was actually sealed (which must have been a manufacturer's defect). However, when we cut a little slit through it, it worked just fine. The tube has a larger diameter, which facilitates ample water flow. Bite softly, and water will flow readily.

The valve itself does not have a lock on the bite valve, which was a bummer for some of our testers. We offered this bladder to use for a tester, and they declined as the bladder would be stored in their pack on an approach to a climb. Since the valve couldn't lock, we both feared the contents of his climbing bag would get wet.

When our main author opted to use it on a multi-pitch climb and hike in the Red Rocks of Nevada, the tube leaked and spat water on her when she accidentally squeezed the tube or nozzles. As a result, we weren't impressed with its lockless nature, even though we otherwise found it simple to slide into a pack and access the water when needed. Additionally, the tube can't be switched out, so you're stuck with it.

Ease of Care

While you can easily keep this bladder clean with careful and routine care, it's not as easy to care for as other options with a wide top or screw-top construction.

During our testing period, we used this bladder with plain water and electrolyte mixes. Throughout it all, we had to take special care to ensure that we didn't forget to empty and clean it. While this may not be a significant issue for other bladders that can be easily flipped inside out or scrubbed with a brush, the Hoser incurs a couple of demerits for making this process more challenging.

On a daily basis, we would simply empty the bladder, rinse it with regular water, and dry it on our drying rack to ensure the water drains out. All the parts that connect on the hose can disconnect, so if any of those parts get grimy, you can use a hose cleaner kit to wash them out.

Unfortunately, if you forget about a little sugary substance in your bladder and leave it alone for a week, you'll come back to a bacterial colony, and washing it out will be tough. The bottle-top opening does not allow larger cleaning wands or other instruments to scrub it out. Additionally, it cannot be flipped inside out to scrub, unlike bladders with a wide-mouth opening. While swishing it around with a cleaning tablet can help, when the bacterial build-up is heavy, you might find yourself tossing this reservoir. That said, if you are diligent in your clean-up practices with this bladder or stick to just water inside, you shouldn't have any problems.

Playtpus has added an embedded silver-ion layer that is supposed to protect from bacterial build-up. During our testing, we didn't notice any problems with bacterial build-up, so this material embedded inside is potentially doing a fine job. Overall, this isn't the easiest product to clean (in comparison to others), but regular practices will keep it bacteria-free for many years of use.

Ease of Filling

This hydration bladder is easy to fill at any water tap, lake, or river, keeping you hydrated and happy.

The only way to fill this bladder is through the screw-top on its bottom. The opening is relatively small, but it is simple to fill at the taps. While shallow sinks force you to crumple the bladder into a bunch at the bottom, we could still fill it quite easily. In deeper water sources, such as lakes, or when faced with a running source like a river, we still found it is easy to fill.

Like most bladders, it struggles with super shallow puddles that have no flow. The smaller opening makes it harder to capture water than those with a larger opening. Bladders with large handles and wider openings perform better in this metric.

On a camping trip, we discovered that when trying to scoop up water, we could only collect a tiny amount from our water source. There was also a lot of silt in the water. In the end, we ended up scooping the puddle with a smaller cup we had on hand, then filling the bladder manually and using a water filter.

Quality and Durability

We took our time tugging at the seams and testing the durability of this bladder. We loaded it into climbing and running packs, we left it out in the car, and we let our dog lie all over it. We appreciate the durable and high-quality design that'll last for many years.

The polyurethane and polyethylene combine in the plastic film used to construct this bladder. The material is thick, protecting from punctures that may occur when backpacking or camping. All the seams are welded, which provides security from leaks over the years.

Our only caveat is the mouthpiece, which came without a slit for drinking water (weird!). This probably isn't the 'norm' for each Hoser that ships out. If you get one like this, simply just cut a hole and start sippin'!

While we've only tested this product for a few months, we've tried our hardest to break it. We've put it in the freezer, exposed it to warm temperatures, and pulled at the seams. We assess the quality to be among the top performers. We'd expect this bladder to last for many years. No leaks or issues so far!

Weight and Packability

Weighing only 4.2 oz, this bladder is incredibly lightweight and works with a variety of different backpacks and bags. Of the competition, it's the lightest and most packable option we've seen, making it great for travel and lightweight carry.

The slim profile is longer than most bladders and fits nicely into even the narrowest of hydration sleeves. We tested it in running packs, backpacking bags, and climbing fastpacks. The larger hanger at the top worked with most packs to help suspend them in the bags.

We also appreciate that this bladder rolls up into itself for easy packability when it's not in use. We found this incredibly helpful on trips where packing space was limited. Its lightweight nature makes it seem as if it's not even there. Overall, one of the most packable and lightweight hydration bladders that we've tested so far.

Should You Buy the Platypus Hoser?

This is an excellent option for shoppers who demand the lowest weight possible from their hydration bladders. If weight isn't a priority, there isn't as much value in the Hoser due to its less-than-ideal performance in terms of ease of use and care. In that case, we recommend considering an alternative model.

What Other Hydration Bladders Should You Consider?

The MSR Dromlite is an exceptional alternative with a minimalist and lightweight design. If you're wanting a more featured model, the Hydrapak Contour has many bells and whistles despite its low weight.