Platypus Water Tank

2023-11-20T21:17:25

Brutally bad design.. doesn't stay closed

ZACH D.

2023-07-12T20:00:00

Apply a small amount of food grade silicone grease along the seal and you will not have anymore problems closing.

Ray M.

Originally posted at

2023-05-24T20:00:00

On my first night out, some raccoons (?) punctured a small hole in it and all the water drained out by the morning.

Michael M.

Originally posted at

2021-08-30T20:00:00

Purchased 2 Platy Water tanks to use when going on multi-day kayaking trips. Also used 15 on a large group trip recently. The good: 1) They barely have any taste to them which is amazing and very rare 2) The material is (or at least seems) durable and I'm comfortable putting them on the ground and not having to carefully baby them every step of the way 3) They are incredibly easy to dry (one of the downsides of every other water bladders I've used so far) The bad: 1) It is hard to close the zipper. My fingers hurt at the end and it's easy to get it wrong, so it's really important to double and triple check 2) They can open up under pressure. I double and triple checked that they were properly sealed, but when trying to take it out of the kayak it broken open and I lost half the water (yes, it was a slightly tight space, but still it was not any over the top shoving and squeezing) 3) While they have very little taste to them they do have some taste Summary: They have some pros and cons. If comparing them to an MSR dromedary bag for example I love how the Platy ones are way easier to dry and have less taste. But an MSR drom can be squeezed and squished without any risk. My favourite water carrying solution still is a wine bladder as they have zero taste, can be squished and are only $5. But they are a giant pain to dry. So decide what's important to you and choose what fits you and your needs and priorities.

Eva L.

Originally posted at

2021-08-30T20:00:00

Writing this in the midst of a 24-day mountain bike trip. I purchased on a whim hoping it would fill the void between a typical MSR dromedary and the ole Reliance water can. So far, the platy has performed flawlessly. I heeded the advice and pre-treated the zip with food grade mineral oil and we haven?t had an issue, easy to close and stays sealed. The flat bottom is great for picnic table convenience. Holds enough water that we aren?t making a million trips to the spigot (3 adults and 1 toddler). When we pack up to move on it rolls small and disappears into the kitchen box. A welcome addition to a car camping set up for a small crew.

Matthew J.

Originally posted at

2021-07-28T08:20:11

It would have 4 stars but we couldn?t keep it closed. I took it backpacking and there were very limited (1) water source. I filtered 4 liters and my friends made fun of me for filtering so much and lugging it to our next campsite until they all asked me for water to cook with! I purchased two and am glad I did! Great product.

Hilary W.

2020-03-01T19:00:00

I use this platypus mostly for trips in my sea kayak but also car camping. When kayaking I need something that carries an adequate volume but is storable. The water tank fits the bill perfectly. As with other users I have an issue with the zip closure. My work around is to just not use it. I fill the tank from the small opening only. Been using my 6L for over 10 years of trips and it's still going great. Also of note is that the water tastes fine, as opposed to other brands storage bags.

Bobbo

Originally posted at

2019-07-23T20:00:00

We bought this after our old camping water container developed an unrepairable leak. This tank is great - it's easy to carry, easy to fill, no-spill pouring, and it doesn't fall off of the table/bench/rock that we put it on (like some of our past water containers). It also folds down nice and small. The only drawback is that the ziploc-type opening is a bit finicky, takes several passes with strong fingers to pinch it closed properly. But now that we have it more or less figured out it's not been an issue.

Katie

Originally posted at

2019-04-29T17:28:50

This item is really sturdy and I had some friends use them on an 8 day trip. I think I would get the next size down if I ordered this again.

ADAM W.

2018-08-30T20:00:00

This is my second. The first was damaged in a move but was nearly wore out. I use the 4 liter for raw water pulled from puddles, streams or lakes. In camp, the raw water settles out, then is used for cooking and washing. The reminder is filtered for drinking. Very handy in spring silted streams or muddy puddles to allow the silt to fall out. I like being able to grab a bucket of water and get out view on lakes. I have friends you have the same practices and now have their own. The closure has been a pain since day one. My only real gripe.

Rangewalker

Originally posted at

2018-08-05T20:00:00

Bought this 15 years ago and use it every year for boating and camping. Easy to transport when full and easy to clean and store in the off-season. Took advice from seller to apply petroleum jelly to zipper when it becomes stiff and unzippable - works like new again!

LessLee

Originally posted at

2018-07-22T20:00:00

Have had a 4 liter water bottle for 8 years now and it's proven to be remarkably reliable. Old one still works well, just want to get a new one as I've beaten the old one pretty well. Zipper never an issue, just tough to close as it should be trying to contain 4 liters (8.8 lbs). When empty, it weighs very little and stows easily. It's a great product. 4 liters is more than enough for a most comfortable overnight/dinner/breakfast/cleaning. Great product and easy to clean after each trip.

Capn J.

Originally posted at

2018-05-16T20:00:00

I have used a 3L platypus for approximately 15 years now. I too had a minor inconvenience with the zip seal. I found that applying a very small amount of coconut oil to the zip seal removed the minor inconvenience. Unfortunately now it has developed a very tiny leak. After all these years of rough handling I could not expect it to remain perfect forever.

Glenn

Originally posted at

2017-08-10T20:00:00

This is my second Platy bulk carrier. My first was a six liter earlier version that was upright. This review is for rates the 4-liter version that has a larger base and is more stable but with a considerably longer zip closure. I use the carrier to deliver raw water back to camp or off-trail to filter, boil for cooking, settle out turbid glacier or silty run-off waters I love the lower profile, rolls up easy for stashing away, easy to clean and the visibility. The zip closure is a weak point. I do not have a better design in mind. I use MSR pump (Mini-works or Katadyn brand works too) grease on the tongue and groove, and it seals easier and stays closed longer under stress. The pump grease is food safe and doesn't have the gag factor of Vaseline.

Rangewalker

Originally posted at

2017-02-07T19:00:00

Love the handle but the closure system is a little tough to seal.

Hollywood

Originally posted at

2016-07-26T20:00:00

I bought this to carry ice in a cooler (and perhaps for backpacking and canoe tripping). Keeps the cooler contents dry and the ice water is available to drink. Will hold most, if not all, of a 10 lb bag of ice cubes (depends on the size of the cubes). I found the bag easy to open and close with my hands when both bag and hands were wet and ice cold. Much easier than my older Platy Big Zip bags where I have to use my teeth/jaw to close. Perhaps the design has changed (?) as I read the reviews before buying and was prepared for the closure to be difficult.

MikeInKC

Originally posted at

2015-10-06T20:00:00

I bought these bags to haul water from streams to my base/spike camps for water consumption needs in Colorado(washing dishes, filtration for drinking, cleaning, etc). They did the job, but rarely was I ever able to affectively seal the zip seams on these bags especially when my hand were wet and cold from filling them up with cold water. These bags are robust, foldable, and ultra light weight for back packing, but the seams are poorly designed for the practical hunter/camper. These bags require a significant amount of hand strength and dexterity to close in cold weather conditions, but they work really well IF and when you can seal them correctly

Wapiti

Originally posted at

2015-08-30T20:00:00

We've used the 6l version for a few years for car camping, and in the car for road trips to refill water bottles. We like it because it does not impart taste. Overall we have at least 50 days of use on it. We've never had it spill or leak. We even recently used it backpacking, but did not carry water in a backpack with it, only at camp. It is somewhat tricky to close, but I find that when the locking mechanism is wet it closes much easier. We'll be buying a second as 6l is not enough capacity for a desert trip we are taking soon.

Gilbz

Originally posted at

2015-07-24T20:00:00

10/10 doops. its better then mtn doop, would buy again for the rest of my family

mtndoop

Originally posted at

2015-06-20T20:00:00

I have used a 2L version of the Water Tank for many years. It has been completely reliable and one of the best pieces of gear I use backpacking. The tank never leaks from the zipper, weighs next to nothing and takes up virtually no space in my pack. I don't understand how so many others could list zipper failure as a problem unless, perhaps, the zipper is less reliable on newer products. Keep making them in America!

hiker57

Originally posted at

2015-01-14T19:00:00

I have been using this product for several months and I have not had any of the issues mentioned by the other reviewers. I take extra care to make sure the zip closure is securely sealed before picking it up. I love how it packs flat and fits into our cook box!

jeffwilder

Originally posted at

2011-06-09T20:00:00

I've used the 4L bladder on about 3 trips now including 2 kayak trips & hiking trip (each trip averaging 5 days). The first 2 trips, it has been a great asset. The bladder served as our main source of water at base camp for cooking, cleaning, etc. I would give it a 5, but on the last trip at some point the zip where it seals tore off kinda like zip-lock closures on food bags where the zipped part is actually zipped but tears at its seam so that even though it's zipped, the seal has failed.

Pedro

2011-02-06T19:00:00

it is good for camping.

Lily

2010-07-20T20:00:00

does what it says ...the top can be a little difficult to close but it will close

reddfisher13

2009-07-28T20:00:00

great product however the zippered top gets difficult to use after a while. Difficult to close after multiple uses.

Dr j.