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Reviews > Hydration Systems > Buckets > Platypus Water Tank > Owner Review by Ray Estrella
Platypus Hydration Platy Water Tank
June 30, 2012
TESTER INFORMATION
I've been backpacking for over 30 years, all over California, Minnesota, and many western states. I hike year-round in all weather, and average 500+ miles (800+ km) per year. I make a point of using lightweight gear, and smaller volume packs. Doubting I can ever be truly ultralight, I try to be as light as I can yet still be comfortable. I start early and hike hard so as to enjoy the afternoons exploring/chilling. I usually take a freestanding tent and enjoy hot evening meals. If not hiking solo I am usually with my brother-in-law Dave or my twin children. The Product
Manufacturer: Cascade Designs Inc Product Description
The Platypus Hydration Platy Water Tank (hereafter referred to as the Tank) is a water storage container. The main body is made of clear plastic-like polyurethane/polyethylene material. Field Data
I have used the Playpus Water Tank on approximately ten two or three-day backpacking trips and two camping trips, all in Minnesota (MN). Locations have been along the Red River of the North, Paul Bunyan State Forest, Chippewa National Forest, Lake Bronson and Old Mill State Parks and on the Superior Hiking Trail along the Beaver River. Temperatures have ranged from lows of 34 F (1 C) to highs of 88 F (31 C) in conditions from sunny, hot and humid to stormy and raining. It has held clear eastern MN river water, not-so clear lake water, and absolutely filthy western MN river water. Here is a picture of it settling some water in the Paul Bunyan State Forest. Observations
I have been carrying a collapsible water bucket for many years. (See reviews of two styles). I use them hold and settle water for filtering and to transport water to camp from remote sources. I also use it later in camp for washing. I usually hang the bucket on a nearby broken branch and am good to go. Since I am using a gravity filter that has a Big Zip top itself I don't "have" to collect water to fill it from, but I found a good reason to do so anyway. This is to let it act as a settling device to let debris drop to the bottom so that I can then pour off the top 4 L. While our lakes are usually pretty clean on one trip I was there one day after a very large storm. The run-off into the lakes had created a lot of debris that was still in suspension from continuing bad weather and wind. By letting the Tank sit for just a few minutes I was able to get a lot of junk out that would have been going into my filter. Here is a picture of what was in the water at Halverson Lake one fine stormy day. The water from the Red River (and feeder rivers like Wild Rice, Shell etc.) have so much fine clay silt in suspension that it will not settle out completely, but a couple hours will allow some of it to drop, after which I carefully pour the top into my filter's bag. One of the best things about the Tank (and all Platypus products I have owned) is the fact that it is light-weight and folds flat for carrying in my pack. I have carried the collapsed Tank inside my packs, in the back shove-it pocket of my Exos 46 or 58, or in the side pocket of my 46. When in the side pocket I do need to make sure the side compression strap goes over it to keep it from flopping over and possibly falling out. Like all of their products in my experience the Tank is pretty durable. I see mine has accumulated a few dents where it has hit something sharp or poke-y. I have never had a leak from the seams although have from the Big Zip closure a couple times. That in fact is the only downside I can find of the Tank. I bought a couple of the Big Zips in the past but decided not to ever use them in my pack as I just did not trust the strength of the seal. (While writing this I was on their site checking facts and noticed that the Big Zip has a new locking system, maybe I need to check them out again.) On one of my last trips I found that I could not get to the river to collect water as I had planned. This meant going back to the lake where my car was parked at the trailhead to get water and bring back to camp. I was at the farthest campsite away from the trailhead but brought all my gear with me stopping at the closest site so as to have less distance to carry water back. Thank goodness I did so as I had to make the trip twice. I brought my filter, two 1 L Platy bottles, and the Tank back. I filled my drinking bottles, the 4 L filter dirty water reservoir and the Tank with a total of 12 L of water. (Now that I measured the actual volume of the Tank I see that it was over 13 L.) I put all of it in my mostly empty pack, but just could not trust placing the Tank in there knowing that it would have to sit on end and not knowing if it could handle the pressure. I did not want to have it blow open in my pack so I carried it back to camp with the handles or sometimes balanced on my shoulder. The reason I wanted so much water was it was a very hot and humid day. I had sweated heavily while hiking and wanted, no, needed to clean off before settling down for the evening. I set the Tank on a stump with a nice flat top and started finishing my camp prep. I have no idea what happened but somehow the Tank fell off the stump and popped open upon hitting the ground. I had no water left. Let's go back to the trailhead, yay… On my return to camp I placed the Tank on the picnic table (where I should have put it in the first place) and had no problems the rest of the trip. I really like the Tank and the only way I don't see myself using it in the future is if Platypus decides to make an 8 L version which I would prefer. Bigger is better, I always say. Hey, look at my gut. ;-) No, look at this picture of the Platy Water Tank by the South Branch of the Two Rivers. This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1.5 Copyright 2012. All rights reserved. Read more reviews of Platypus Hydration gear Read more gear reviews by Ray Estrella Reviews > Hydration Systems > Buckets > Platypus Water Tank > Owner Review by Ray Estrella |