Platypus Platy Bottle

An essential piece of my gear and I never leave home for the backcountry without it. This simple water container has good capacity, is compact, and has proven to be reliable. It is also compatible with other gear like my Sawyer Squeeze water filter.

Why write a review about a water bottle? Well, for me, these Platypus 2 liter water bottles are some essential pieces of my gear that I never leave home for the backcountry without. I like to stay hydrated.

These container come in various sizes from 1L to 3L. If find the 2L size ideal for my needs. If I need to carry more water, I just bring two 2L containers. The bottle has clear markings on the side so that it is easy to see how much liquid you are carrying at any time.

The Platy is easy to use with a simple screw on cap. If you lose the cap, you can replace it with a water bottle cap from a SmartWater bottle. The opening is a little small for easy filling, but with patience it is not real biggie. When filled and in use the bottle can stand up. When empty and not in use it can be rolled up into a compact form.

The bottle is clear and see through. This makes it easy to notice if there is debris inside or if it needs to be cleaned. There are convenient volume markings on the side.

Also, I use these water bottles with my Sawyer Squeeze water filter. The nozzle fits the filter perfect. There are other attachments that work well with these bottles like hydration tubes and spouts. I tend to just keep it simple and use to to hold and haul water.

I've owned two of these bottle for over five years and have probably used them over 200 hours outdoors. They are constructed well and have never punctured, cracked or leaked.  

I don't give out 5 star ratings to every piece of gear that I own. I try to be realistic. This piece of gear gets a solid 5.

Lightest, most durable bottle on the market!

I first started using a Platypus bottle in my caving pack. Anything that goes caving gets BEAT UP. I have squished this thing through tight holes, kicked it ahead of me, dragged it behind me. I've mistakenly sat on it. I've even fallen on it. It's taken all that abuse and more.

As I've looked for ways to move into ultralight packing, the Platypus made perfect sense. It weighs less than half as much as a Nalgene bottle. It fits better into those tight external pockets on packs. I can fold it up when empty and slip it into my pocket.

And it can double as a pillow at night!

One drawback is it doesn't fit some filters very well. Many of the UV filters on the market are incompatible with the narrow opening.

Also, it takes some work to fill it in shallower water. In streams where I'd normally just scoop with my Nalgene, I found I had to hold my Platys at a steep angle to get them to fill...and forget using any kind of netting as a strainer. It seems no water will go in that way.

Still, my Platys have become my "go to" waterbottle on any trip.

OH! One more drawback...I can't stick my Trailspace stickers on 'em. (I tried!)

(This photo doesn't show it, but I'm pushing my cave pack, with a Platy, through a typical crawl space. I've never had one break on me.)

And here is one of my Platys in a cave...

Sooner or later backpackers will encounter "dry days" where there is no natural water source available during the day or perhaps not until the following day. The Platypus folding water bottles are perfect for just these situations.

I live in the Desert Southwest and often encounter times both in the desert and even in Western mountain ranges when my 2 liter hydration bladder and 3/4 liter bike bottle will not be enough for a "dry day" with no water sources other than what I carry.

Plus your dry day may extend through the next morning's breakfast. This is when you likely will need at least two extra water bottles. Platypus has the perfect answer to this problem, namely their folding water bottles.

They are great for carrying folded and stowed when your backpack trip will occasionally require you to carry extra water. They take up very little space and are light, the 1 liter bottle weighing just 0.8 oz. (24 grams).

When needed you open the Platypus, fill it and stow it in your pack's mesh side pocket. Carrying one or two Platypus folding water bottles will be the best way to solve this "dry day" problem. No more carrying empty plastic milk jugs bouncing around on your pack's exterior.

In fact I gave a folding Platy bottle to a friend and trip leader because he was a "milk jug victim". He liked it so well he bought another.

Folding Platypus bottles may not be needed on every backpacking trip but when you do need them they are a crucial item of gear.

Lightweight, durable, and folds down to nothing.

A great bottle for your water needs when in camp or when moving.  A lighter option to the hard bottles and less bulky...barely takes up any pack space when not in use.  Price wise, it's inexpensive and in my opinion, a good investment if you're looking to lighten your pack weight.

Manufacturer Specs:

• Capacity: 70 fl. oz / 2 liters
• Weight: 1.3 oz / 36 g (per my scale, 1.2 oz.)
• Width: 7.5 in / 19 cm
• Length: 13.8 in / 35 cm
• Film: Nylon / Polyethylene
• Spout material: Polyethylene
• Cap material: Polypropylene
• Country of Origin: Made in Seattle, USA

I would recommend this piece of gear often overlooked for your water carrying needs. It's definitely lighter than a hard bottle container plus it can fold flat and stowed away in your pack without taking up much space.  

Excellent water storage for in camp.

This particular bottle, the Platy 2L model, is my favorite for backpacking. It rolls up and fits easily into the pouch for the Katadyn Hiker filter when empty, weighs a little over an ounce, and is a great supplement to the filtering system.

I typically fill it once I stop for the night, and it provides sufficient capacity for meals and drinking for the night and the next morning, meaning I only need to filter water once a day. I've also used it as supplemental storage while hiking if I'm in an area where there is a good distance between water sources.

I have had this item for a few years now, getting a few weeks use each year, and it has been durable and flawless.

A great idea! Would recommend.

Had a rather hot, humid weekend. Decided that another water bottle would be in order. However...  I was slack-packing with a fanny pack. One Nalgene bottle was already earmarked to go in. Saw the Platy Bottle and decided it would work. 

Filled it half full of water and laid it down in the freezer.  Topped it off before I left in the morning, (I use this trick a lot), and into the cooler it went. 

The bottle performed wonderfully! Drank out of this one first. Still had ice in it 2+ hours later. Rolled it up when it was finished. Will be using it again. This weekend!

Well made, lightweight, and easy to clean. Sorry I didn't find this bottle sooner.

Used to carry water bottles. Then I ran across the Platypus PlatyBottle. Advantage is that as the water is consumed, the bottle gets smaller. I can put it in my pack and it takes up less room.

Also, I carry four of these, so when I camp far from a stream, I can fill them and be able to cook and do cleanup without having to make three more trips down to the water source.

Best thing of all, is that these container add very little extra weight empty, unlike the hard plastic bottles. 

Perfect for day trips!! Great for our family scouting adventures.

I love how lightweight this is and when it's not being used you can roll it up and it takes up very little space.
I like to fill it half way with water and freeze it before a day hike then fill the rest with water. Then as it melts my water is still cold and refreshing.

Awesome for long hikes where no water is available except what you carry.

The Platy Bottle holds plenty of water for long hikes. It's extremely easy to use, is held in my backpack and clips the straw to my backpack front straps for easy use. 

Allow me to hydrate more often and is well made.

Would highly recommend this product for long hikes.

Great bottle! Simple, light and very practical! I used a lot of Nalgene bottles, but it far surpassed my expectations.

You can use as a reserve to store water for the camp because it is stored rolled in the backpack, occupying very little space. It leaves no taste in water and is very durable and resistant.

I have used many different kinds of water bottles these are by far the best. There is no excess with this design. They quite simple work great and are durable. I still have the firs one that I purchased 6 years ago and it has never leaked.

Winston