3 Platypus Hoser Review

Reviewer: Thom Milburn, Willington   (3-9-2011)

My first hydration pack and about the cheapest available, not the best but by no means the worst.

The clear material does mean mould loves to grow in it quite easily, and it is very difficult to clean as you cant open the top up, however if cared for properly this shouldn’t be a problem! I have managed to puncture two of these though as the material isn’t the most durable but as a first try of a bladder this is a good bag!

5 Platypus Hoser Review

Reviewer: Eliot, South Wales   (22-4-2011)

Brilliantly useful piece, which will always go in my bag for a few days trip, especially in the summer months. When its hot, its more important than ever to be drinking regularly, so having one of these solves that problem of having to delve back into a rucksack every 5 minutes.

The only downside to these is if left unwashed, mould can form in them, but if you ensure to take care of them, they will last you a lifetime, and ensure you stay hydrated on the hill.

The features on this one put it above the rest in my mind, its cheap, its simple, its effective. and that’s what I always look for!

4 Platypus Hoser Review

Reviewer: Owain Davies, Neath   (28-12-2010)

What a piece of kit! Much easier than taking your bag off and taking a drink, allowing drinking with ease while walking. The clip attached to the hose gives a freedom on where to clip and where to place on the bag/ kit. Only had to replace it because the dog chewed it! Never popped and easy to clean. An essential bit of kit that everybody should have, whether this one or something similar. 4 stars because the plastic isn't as flexible as it could be.

2 Platypus Hoser Review

Reviewer: Nick Smith, Sheffield   (5-10-2010)

Not a fan of the Platypus bladders - I've had 3 of them fail over the years :( Having a 'lifetime guarantee' sounds great, but it doesn't help when all your water has emptied itself inside your rucksack and you have nothing left to drink for hours out on the hill!

Personally I now use rigid bottles, like those from Nalgene, which can take a real battering inside a rucksack, as well as being clipped to a climbing harness when on long routes.

4 Platypus Hoser Review

Reviewer: Simon Cox, Oxford   (12-1-2010)

I bought the Hoser after becoming fed up with taking my rucksack off when walking in order to drink from a bottle. The Hoser solves that problem with its drinking tube, meaning that you can drink on the move and cut out unnecessary stops.
I've owned one now for a year and a half, in which time it has seen plenty of action. It is of robust construction and has never leaked. The fact it has only one hole (for attaching the drinking tube) means there is less chance of a leak, unlike the Platypus design which has two. Also, there are several additional components like a clip you can buy to make the Hoser more useable.
The drawbacks I have noticed are that it is difficult to dry the drinking tube for storage, which can led to a build up of algae. Also, in cold weather, the water in the tube can freeze, if you do not insulate it. However, insulation for the Hoser can be bought.
Overall, this is a great drinking system: tough, simple to use and at a good price.

3 Platypus Hoser Review

Reviewer: Graham D, Winchester   (11-9-2009)

We've had the Hoser for a couple of weeks now. It does pretty what you would expect it to, but overall we have been a little disappointed:
1. despite washing through several times with soapy water, there is still a distinct plastic taste.
2. the metal clip on the tube for clipping the mouthpiece to your rucksack has already started to go a little rusty.
Otherwise, the plastics seem to be good quality and durable. The pack is easy to fill and sits neatly in the purpose-made pocket in the rucksack - it is very handy not to have to stop and take the rucksack off to get a drink.

4 Platypus Hoser Review

Reviewer: Ben, london   (25-1-2009)

This is a really good product which I would recommend to anyone that goes on long hikes. It makes it easy to access your water. The product may be rather costly however it is worth its money.