Dear Editors,

It's been so blasted hot here that I've actually been avoiding physical
activity in the great outdoors, however, I have been wearing this hat any
time I need to walk more than a short distance in the blazing sun. Which
reminded me to finish this OR.

Great hat! Text is below and HTML is at: http://tinyurl.com/72l2kdt

Ready for your edits and comments.

Stay cool!
Kathy
__________________________________________
KAKADU SOAKA HAT
BY KATHLEEN WATERS
July 1, 2012
OWNER REVIEW

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Kathleen Waters
EMAIL: kathy at backpackgeartest dot com
AGE: 61
LOCATION: Canon City, Colorado, USA
GENDER: F
HEIGHT: 5' 4" (1.60 m)
WEIGHT: 125 lb (56.70 kg)

Living in Colorado and being self-employed, I have ample opportunities to
backpack. There are over 700,000 acres/280,000 hectares of public land
bordering my 71-acre/29-hectare "backyard" in addition to all the other
gorgeous locations which abound in Colorado. Over the past 15 years, my
husband John and I have also had the good fortune to hike/snowshoe glaciers,
rain forests, mountains and deserts in exotic locations, including New
Zealand, Iceland, Costa Rica, Slovenia and Death Valley. My hiking style is
comfortable, aiming for lightweight. I use a tent (rainfly if needed).
Current pack averages 25 lb (11 kg) excluding food and water.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Manufacturer: Kakadu Traders Australia
Year of Manufacture: 2011
Manufacturer's Website: http://www.kakaduaustralia.com
MSRP: US $34.99
Listed Weight: Less than 5 oz (150 g)
Measured Weight: 3.5 oz (99 g)
Colors Available: Black, Brown, Cherry, Grey, Khaki, Lilac, Mushroom, Olive,
Pale Blue, Pink, Red, Rust & Sand
Color Reviews: Red
Sizes Available: Small to XXL (21.5 to 24.6 in/55 to 63 cm)
Size Reviewed: Medium (22.3 in/57 cm)

Other details:

Fabric Type: Soaka micro-suede (100% polyester)
Developed in Australia.
Made in China
Photo Courtesy of Kakadu

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The Kakadu Soaka hat is an Australian cowboy style hat with a flat top and
brim. The brim is just shy of 3 inches (7.6 cm) wide and the crown is 3.5
inches (9 cm) high. The front of the crown comes to a well-defined point.
The Soaka is made from 100% polyester in a soft brushed micro-suede which is
smooth to the touch.

There is a three-strand thin braided hatband which loops through itself and
ends in a 3 inch (7.6 cm) "tail" at the back of the hat.

A soft woven (feels like cotton to me) chin strap is looped around the front
of the hat's crown, is fed through two eyelets on the alternate sides of the
crown and then is tied together at the ends. There are clear aglets to
prevent unraveling. The two sides of the chin strap are threaded through a
small wooden bead that slides up and down the two straps. Sliding the bead
upwards tightens the straps so as to secure the Soaka against the wind.

There are 3 eyelets in a triangular shape on each side of the crown for
ventilation.

While there isn't a full, all-around the hat sweatband, there is an extra
layer of micro-suede in the interior front of the crown where the hat rests
against the forehead.

FIELD USE AND PERFORMANCE

Yellowstone National Park
I have to confess. When I first spotted the red Kakadu Soaka hat on display
I just had to try it on. I certainly wasn't thinking about backpacking at
all - just how attractive it looked. Hats are my guilty pleasure and with
this bright red beauty, that guilty pleasure certainly isn't a secret one!

After I stopped ooo-ing and aaah-ing, I found out that "Soaka" wasn't some
odd Aussie style name but that "Soaka" had a built-in feature making it a
perfect backpacking hat. I can "soak" this hat in water and then wear it to
cool off when I'm on the trail baking under the sun. Neat! This I had to
try, so I took the Soaka home.

Before I actually tried the cooling action of the Soaka I had worn it on
numerous occasions "dry". In addition to lots of casual wear, the hat
accompanied me on several backpacks, including day hikes in Yellowstone
National Park, an overnight in Grand Teton National Park and two days in
Dinosaur National Monument in October 2011. It also kept me warm while
snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park In December and Utah's Solitude
State Park in January. During my October backpacks, the weather was damp,
drizzling much of the time and I was very pleased with how the Soaka kept me
from getting chilled. Even in a light drizzle, the hat didn't wet out.

Hmmm. If a drizzle didn't wet the hat how would the Soaka work in the heat?
I decided to experiment by soaking the hat at home where a possible failure
would not pose any problem. When I put the top of the Soaka under the
kitchen faucet water initially rolled right off but within a half minute or
so, the color started to darken and I could tell the fabric was getting,
well, soaked. I continued to let water run over the Soaka until the color
was uniform. Now I had a dripping hat in my hands! At this point I
remembered I was told to just "flick" the hat to remove the excess liquid. I
did that and a spray of water was released from the hat. The Soaka was now
ready for use so I jammed it on my head and was pleased to immediately feel
cooler. Neat!

The very next opportunity to wear the Soaka on a backpack came up in early
March when Colorado started to have some warm spells - which certainly
haven't abated yet. My husband and I packed up for an overnight just north
of where we live in the Cooper Mountain range near Canon City and wearing my
Soaka hat, we headed for the hills. Shortly into our uphill climb as is
usually the case, I started to get hot. Unlike most people, I can't just
abandon wearing a hat when I heat up. I have eye challenges that require me
to keep my eyes shaded. A brimmed hat is mandatory almost always. So as the
sweat started to bead up on my forehead, I took off the hat and poured half
of a 1 L bottle of water into the upturned hat, making sure to run the
stream of water down the sides of the crown. Voila! Cool relief!

Using a bottle of water isn't the most ideal way to soak the hat, a stream
or lake works much better when in the backcountry, but sometimes (most of
the time) there isn't that option, so I've gotten quite adept at pouring the
water into the hat in the most efficient manner so as not to waste my water.
And if it is hot when I start my trekking, I'll soak the hat before I even
set out.

In the high desert, evaporation causes the Soaka to dry out in a matter of
90 minutes to 2 hours or so depending on the temperature. When the
temperatures top 90 F (32 C) - like today - the hat is dry within an hour.

The Soaka fits nice and snug around my 22 inch (56 cm) forehead, so if I
keep my head down a bit I can keep it on my head in all but the windiest
conditions. When the cruel winds blow though, the chin straps have been a
real boon. Most of the times, I flip the cord up and over the brim where it
rests nicely out of my way, but when it really starts a 'blowing, I quickly
pull them down and cinch up the adjuster. Then I can go about my hiking
holding onto my trekking poles and not my hat. The Soaka's chin straps
remind me of my childhood cowboy hats.

All this wetting and drying hasn't affected the look, shape or fit of the
Soaka hat. The brim is still straight and properly stiff and the crown
hasn't gotten lumpy, stretched or shrunken. It hasn't developed any musty
odor either. And while I have had my 11-year-old, 55 lb (25 kg)
granddaughter accidently sit on it, I haven't ever crushed it up and stuffed
it in the corner of a backpack. Oh, and thankfully, the Soaka color hasn't
faded or worse yet, run!

When I am not wearing it on the trail, I let it rest on my back with the
chin straps around my neck, but mostly I've got it on and I plan to continue
to do so for a long time.

STARRING ATTRACTIONS

1.) Keeps me warmer in winter, cooler in the heat.
2.) Chin strap can withstand windy conditions.
3.) Good-looking!

MINOR DISTRACTIONS

1.) When worn wet, I get a serious case of "hat head"!

SUMMARY

I love hats! I particularly love the look of cowboy-style brimmed hats. The
Kakadu Soaka hat sports that western look I adore - with an Australian
flavor - and it has function above and beyond that of all my other headwear.
Not only does the Soaka keep my noggin warm when it's cold outside, but it
cools me down when Old Sol is a' blazing hot! One quick dunk in a stream or
lake and the Soaka is ready to go no matter what the mercury reads (and so
am I)! This versatility makes the Soaka a valuable backpacking hat for me.

The Soaka is not my only Kakadu hat; I have another style as well. But it
certainly is my favorite! I just might have to get me another one. I'm kinda
hankerin' for a lilac hat. Or maybe pink. But I like the pale blue as well.
Maybe...

Kathleen (Kathy) Waters

• New Members 4

Whew, this is a first. Back when, I had a couple calls that I got a hat trick but four OR's in 3 days is a new best. And one I don't want to do again. My eyeballs hurt.

HTML may be found here:

http://tinyurl.com/7p6omxa

Platypus Hydration plusBottle
By Raymond Estrella
OWNER REVIEW

July 01, 2012

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Raymond Estrella
EMAIL: rayestrellaAThotmailDOTcom
AGE: 51
LOCATION: North Western Minnesota, USA
GENDER: M
HEIGHT: 6' 3" (1.91 m)
WEIGHT: 225 lb (102.00 kg)
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
Web site: www.cascadedesigns.com
Product: plusBottle
Years manufactured: 2009
MSRP: N/A
Size: 1 L (34 fl oz)
Listed weight: 1.3 oz (38 g)
Actual weight: 1.2 oz (35 g)
Dimensions listed: 6 x 11.5 in (15.5 x 30 cm)
Dimensions verified accurate
Actual full volume: 1.03 L (35 fl oz)
Diameter when full: roughly 3.4 in (8.6 cm)
Photo courtesy of Cascade Designs

Product Description

The Platypus Hydration plusBottle (hereafter referred to as the plusBottle) is a light weight collapsible bottle made for carrying liquids. I believe it was the second major design change for their bottles (along with the SoftBottles which I shall review separately) and they say that this one has been upgraded, "to make it the finest one-liter vessel on the planet".

The plusBottles are made of a new type of film, different from any of my past or present bottles. It is a polyurethane/polyethylene blend that they claim is softer and more flexible than the old styles. (And it definitely is.) It also has received a silver-ion based anti-microbial treatment that they call SlimeGuard. Being a huge fan of silver as a anti-microbial, I was very intrigued by this.

The plusBottle's body is made by welding the edges of the film together creating a 0.18 in (4.5 mm) seam around the body, the smallest of any Platy bottle in my experience; it is a little thicker at the top around the handle. It is made with a pleated construction that allows the bottom to swell open under pressure from the water. When full this creates a somewhat stable base to keep the bottle sitting upright.

The threaded polypropylene spout has an opening roughly the size of most pop bottles and comes with either the standard white polypropylene Platypus Closure Cap found on most of the company's products or a Push-Pull Cap depending on model. The common Platy size means that it works with the dual-valve HyperFlow Cap, Hoser tubes and Gravity Works filter tubes also. This cross-platform ability is what has made me switch at least 90% of my water-related products to the Platypus brand.

Another first for any of my Platypus bottles is the handle found to the right of the spout (when viewing the Platypus logo). The oblong handle opening is roughly 1.45 x 0.6 in (37 x 15 mm).

The plusBottle has been made with a slight hour-glass shape to allow for a more comfortable and secure grip when using it. It also has measurement marks at quarter-liter increments.

Field Data

Most use of the Platypus plusBottles has occurred in Minnesota. They have been used in Itasca, Maplewood, Lake Bronson (seen above), and Old Mill State Parks, and in the Chippewa National Forest and Paul Bunyan State Forest. Temperatures have been between 34 and 90 F (1 to 32 C). Elevations very low, from 800 to 1100 ft (240-335 m), and conditions are usually raining, getting ready to rain, or sunny.

My children also used them at San Jacinto State Park in California where hiked to Round Valley at an elevation of 9200' (2800 m), the weather was great, sunny and a high of 78 F (26 C), there the plusBottles are the base of the hydration systems I made for them. Actually anytime they have their hydration tubes there is a plusBottle at the other end. Here is a shot of them in Itasca State park on a bug-infested, drink-challenged backpacking trip.

Observations

I first saw the Platypus plusBottles when ordering the companies SoftBottles for my kids. I decided to try one and later got a couple more. I really like the feel of the new film they use for the body. I like the fact that they are using silver-ion technology to keep the microscopic critters at bay, although to tell the truth I have only had a problem with one Platypus product ever getting funky. And that was because I left a Hoser that had contained Gatorade in my pack for about 5 weeks in a hot warehouse. Oops, maybe if I had less packs…

To be honest I wasn't as "wow-ed" as I thought I would be. I have lots of friends that love handles on water bottles but I have never cared about them. I hate anything swinging around from my pack, shoulder strap or hip belt so this aspect has never been used except when I walk back from the filter spot.

I found that they are the worst of all my Platy bottles at staying upright when stood up after filling. The flange created by the seams and the envelope at the bottom isn't very wide and it turns easily. I tried to take a picture showing what happens, seen here to the right. This is when I carefully set it down, if I hurriedly set it down and hit that edge it is an "always over" deal.

Of course there is a silver lining to this storm cloud. That same narrow edge makes it easier getting into a pack's side pocket.

What has happened for us is that the plusBottles have become kind of specialized. I mostly carry one rolled up in my pack to use in camp or at night for drinking water. Because of the silver-ion treatment I also think that it is a better option for water that may sit in the container for a long time, since water filtered in the backcountry has no chlorine or the like to keep it "fresh". So I use the plusBottles as the container for my children's custom-Dad-made hydration systems. I paired the plusBottles with Platypus Hoser tubes that I shortened to fit their packs better.

Lately I have been coming back from a very bad ankle/lower leg accident and have been trying to keep my weights down as much as possible. Since my distances are curtailed too I found that I don't really need to carry as much water as I normally do. While I can just use a bottle in the side pocket, some trips work better with a hose and thinking of the kids' systems I have been using a plusBottle with a very short Hoser tube. I just lay the plusBottle on the very top of my load, right under the pack's lid. This puts the weight in a good spot and lets gravity help me draw the water. Here is a picture of it in my Exos 46 while packing for a three-day trip.

I don't use drink mixes of any kind in my plusBottle, but the kids have. (Only because their cousin did I am sure In the picture above Emma has raspberry-lemonade and Raymond has fruit punch in their plusBottle-based hydration bags. The plusBottles clean very easily. Usually all I do is rinse well with city water once I get home and let it air dry. Only when a drink mix is used do I even need to use soap.

Drying the plusBottles is like drying all Platy bottles in my experience. A long process, even longer now that I am in humid Minnesota. Ha, as I write this I look in the kitchen to see a Hoser (from the trip before last!), four assorted Platy bottles and a Big Zip from my filter system in various stages of drying. Yeah, call us a Platy Family…

I'll close with a picture of a plusBottle on the side of my quilt, ready to quench a night-time thirst.

• New Members 4

Next up,

HTML may be found here:

http://tinyurl.com/73lopc2

Ray

Platypus Hydration SoftBottle
By Raymond Estrella
OWNER REVIEW

July 01, 2012

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Raymond Estrella
EMAIL: rayestrellaAThotmailDOTcom
AGE: 51
LOCATION: North Western Minnesota, USA
GENDER: M
HEIGHT: 6' 3" (1.91 m)
WEIGHT: 225 lb (102.00 kg)
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
Web site: www.cascadedesigns.com
Product: SoftBottle
Years manufactured: 2009
MSRP: N/A
Sizes reviewed: 1 L (34 fl oz) & 0.5 L (17 fl oz)
Listed weight: 0.9 oz (24 g) and 0.8 oz (22 g)
Actual weights: 0.92 oz (26 g) and 0.71 oz (20 g)
Dimensions listed: 6 x 13 in (15 x 33 cm) 5 x 12 in (12 x 29 cm) Verified accurate
Actual full volumes: 1 L; 1.05 L, 0.5 L: dead on accurate
Weight of dual-valve HyperFlow Cap: 0.46 oz (13 g)
Colors owned: Blueberry, Gray, and Raspberry, as seen below.
(I made the graphic with pictures from Cascade Designs.)

Quick & Dirty, Nitty Gritty

The Platypus Hydration SoftBottles are a colorful addition to my Platypus collection. They have the most stable base of any Platy bottles I have used to date and fit the hand better than any others too. While they don't really work that well in a pack's side pockets my kids like them better than anything else so we use them a lot. Please read on for the details.

Product Description

The Platypus Hydration SoftBottles (hereafter referred to as the SoftBottle) are light weight collapsible bottles made for carrying liquids. It is the first major redesign of their products that I can remember and they say that this one "fits in a drink holder, a round pocket, a flat pocket, or any hand." (I am going to assume they are talking about the 0.5 L, but it is not clear.)

The SoftBottle's bodies are made of clear plastic-like nylon/polyethylene film, with a hard polyethylene spout centered on the top.

The SoftBottles are made by welding the edges of the film together creating a 0.2 in (5.1 mm) seam around the body; it is a little thicker at the top and around the opening. It is made with a pleated construction that allows the bottom to swell open under pressure from the water. When full this, in combination with the hour-shaped design, creates a very stable base to keep the bottle sitting upright.

The threaded spout has an opening roughly the size of most pop bottles and comes with either the standard white polypropylene Platypus Closure Cap found on most of the company's products or, in the case of my Grey 1 L, a stylish black cap (the same as my PlatyPreserve comes with). The common Platy size means that it works with the Push-Pull Caps, Hoser tubes and Gravity Works filter tubes also. It also works with, or may be ordered with, the dual-valve HyperFlow Cap. This cap works like the bite valve on my Hoser hydration systems. I bought two of these caps, one for each of my children.

The 1 L SoftBottle has measurement marks at quarter-liter increments. The 0.5 L version does not have any marks. Both sizes have a fun swooping design, adding some color and attitude for the first time on my Platypus bottles. (Of course blah Dad opted for the most subtle color. Bah humbug…)

While already made in an hourglass shape once filled the SoftBottles really become waspish. The 0.5 L SoftBottle is about 2.75 in (7 cm) in diameter at the base when filled and does fit my cup-holders. The 1 L has an ovoid shape that is roughly 3 x 4 in (8 x 10 cm) and does not fit my standard cup-holders.

Field Data

All use of the Platypus SoftBottles has occurred in Minnesota. They have been used in the following State Parks, Maplewood, Itasca, Lake Bronson, Old Mill, Judge C.R. Magney, Temperance River, and Tettagouche (where the break-time picture above was taken). They have also been used in the Chippewa and the Superior National Forests, along with Paul Bunyan, Mississippi Headwaters, and Welsh Lake State forests. Temperatures have been between 34 and 90 F (1 to 32 C). Elevations very low, from 800 to 1400 ft (240-400 m), and conditions are usually raining, getting ready to rain, or sunny. Here is a shot of one at a remote fisherman's camp site on Halverson Lake.

Observations

I bought my first three Platypus SoftBottles in December of 2009 as I used the kids' as stocking stuffers. Up to that point I had been carrying 0.5 L waters from the store for them to use in camp as they like having the little drink mix tubes that are made for that size of container. When I saw the new shape I was sure the kids would like them, and sure enough they did. They also wanted the HyperFlow Caps for theirs after I showed it to them. I picked myself up the 1 L as even when I use drink mixes I dilute them to half strength to cut the sweet factor down.

As I said my children loved the SoftBottles. On short-distance hikes they will just carry the bottles in their pack's side pockets. When this is the case I have to put them back for them after taking a drink as the edge at the bottom of the bottle grabs the material of the pocket making it difficult to get back in. It is especially hard if the pocket is made of mesh as many of mine are. For this reason I tend to carry mine upside-down which makes it much easier to get back in. Needless to say I do not use a HyperFlow cap. Here is a picture of one that way on the Red River of the North, just north of Halstad.

I really think I would use them more often if not for the fact that most of my packs have pockets like that above. I have sat in camp and stared at my 1 L wondering if it would be feasible to make a version with a smooth bottom, doing away with the freestanding aspect, just for use while hiking. Maybe I will sacrifice my only 1 L (we have four of the 0.5 L size) to try it out. Where'd I put those scissors?

When the kids are on a longer hike they take water in their hydration systems (kind of custom ones I made from 1 L Platypus plusBottles and shortened Hoser tubes). On those trips they carry their SoftBottles in their packs and fill them as soon as I get the filter set up so that they can make their flavor of the moment. Here is a picture taken on the Superior Hiking Trail on the Beaver River of the kids doing so. Raymond is filling his and Emma is back by the Water Tank as she dropped her SoftBottle in the dirt right after filling it so needed to wash it off.

One thing that pleasantly surprised me about the SoftBottles was how well they stand up. I am pretty sure that I have owned ever kind/size of Platypus bottle they have made since I "discovered" them in 2005. None have been as stable when filled as the SoftBottles. That's a big deal to me. Having my limited electrolyte drink mix wasted when my bottle falls over bad. Having it fall when it is mixed with my only 3 fl oz (89 ml) of rum can be catastrophic. Here is a shot of my alcohol-free dinner drink standing nicely at camp on the South Branch of the Two Rivers. (Man, they give rivers long names here.)

The shape of the SoftBottles is another plus as it makes them the easiest to hold and drink from of all my other Platy bottles. While I don't have all that much use with these (compared to the thousands of trail miles/km with the older styles) the durability has been good and since they are made of the same film as the Platy Bottle I have tons of use with I have to expect that they will last a long time. Probably the only negative thing I can say about them is that they take a loooong time to dry after getting home from a trip. But other than that the SoftBottles are winners in our book, and are a great addition to our drinking repertoire.

• New Members 4

Braggart! <g> And I was proud of myself with 4 in 5 days. Guess I'd better hurry up and finish the next 2 quickly, eh?

Kathy

----- Original Message -----
From: Ray
To: BackpackGearTest-hHKSG33TihhbjbujkaE4pw@public.gmane.org
Sent: Sunday, July 01, 2012 3:39 PM
Subject: [BackpackGearTest] OR - Platypus Hydration plusBottle - Ray Estrella

Whew, this is a first. Back when, I had a couple calls that I got a hat trick but four OR's in 3 days is a new best. And one I don't want to do again. My eyeballs hurt.

HTML may be found here:

http://tinyurl.com/7p6omxa

Platypus Hydration plusBottle
By Raymond Estrella
OWNER REVIEW

July 01, 2012

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Raymond Estrella
EMAIL: rayestrellaAThotmailDOTcom
AGE: 51
LOCATION: North Western Minnesota, USA
GENDER: M
HEIGHT: 6' 3" (1.91 m)
WEIGHT: 225 lb (102.00 kg)
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
Web site: www.cascadedesigns.com
Product: plusBottle
Years manufactured: 2009
MSRP: N/A
Size: 1 L (34 fl oz)
Listed weight: 1.3 oz (38 g)
Actual weight: 1.2 oz (35 g)
Dimensions listed: 6 x 11.5 in (15.5 x 30 cm)
Dimensions verified accurate
Actual full volume: 1.03 L (35 fl oz)
Diameter when full: roughly 3.4 in (8.6 cm)
Photo courtesy of Cascade Designs

Product Description

The Platypus Hydration plusBottle (hereafter referred to as the plusBottle) is a light weight collapsible bottle made for carrying liquids. I believe it was the second major design change for their bottles (along with the SoftBottles which I shall review separately) and they say that this one has been upgraded, "to make it the finest one-liter vessel on the planet".

The plusBottles are made of a new type of film, different from any of my past or present bottles. It is a polyurethane/polyethylene blend that they claim is softer and more flexible than the old styles. (And it definitely is.) It also has received a silver-ion based anti-microbial treatment that they call SlimeGuard. Being a huge fan of silver as a anti-microbial, I was very intrigued by this.

The plusBottle's body is made by welding the edges of the film together creating a 0.18 in (4.5 mm) seam around the body, the smallest of any Platy bottle in my experience; it is a little thicker at the top around the handle. It is made with a pleated construction that allows the bottom to swell open under pressure from the water. When full this creates a somewhat stable base to keep the bottle sitting upright.

The threaded polypropylene spout has an opening roughly the size of most pop bottles and comes with either the standard white polypropylene Platypus Closure Cap found on most of the company's products or a Push-Pull Cap depending on model. The common Platy size means that it works with the dual-valve HyperFlow Cap, Hoser tubes and Gravity Works filter tubes also. This cross-platform ability is what has made me switch at least 90% of my water-related products to the Platypus brand.

Another first for any of my Platypus bottles is the handle found to the right of the spout (when viewing the Platypus logo). The oblong handle opening is roughly 1.45 x 0.6 in (37 x 15 mm).

The plusBottle has been made with a slight hour-glass shape to allow for a more comfortable and secure grip when using it. It also has measurement marks at quarter-liter increments.

Field Data

Most use of the Platypus plusBottles has occurred in Minnesota. They have been used in Itasca, Maplewood, Lake Bronson (seen above), and Old Mill State Parks, and in the Chippewa National Forest and Paul Bunyan State Forest. Temperatures have been between 34 and 90 F (1 to 32 C). Elevations very low, from 800 to 1100 ft (240-335 m), and conditions are usually raining, getting ready to rain, or sunny.

My children also used them at San Jacinto State Park in California where hiked to Round Valley at an elevation of 9200' (2800 m), the weather was great, sunny and a high of 78 F (26 C), there the plusBottles are the base of the hydration systems I made for them. Actually anytime they have their hydration tubes there is a plusBottle at the other end. Here is a shot of them in Itasca State park on a bug-infested, drink-challenged backpacking trip.

Observations

I first saw the Platypus plusBottles when ordering the companies SoftBottles for my kids. I decided to try one and later got a couple more. I really like the feel of the new film they use for the body. I like the fact that they are using silver-ion technology to keep the microscopic critters at bay, although to tell the truth I have only had a problem with one Platypus product ever getting funky. And that was because I left a Hoser that had contained Gatorade in my pack for about 5 weeks in a hot warehouse. Oops, maybe if I had less packs.

To be honest I wasn't as "wow-ed" as I thought I would be. I have lots of friends that love handles on water bottles but I have never cared about them. I hate anything swinging around from my pack, shoulder strap or hip belt so this aspect has never been used except when I walk back from the filter spot.

I found that they are the worst of all my Platy bottles at staying upright when stood up after filling. The flange created by the seams and the envelope at the bottom isn't very wide and it turns easily. I tried to take a picture showing what happens, seen here to the right. This is when I carefully set it down, if I hurriedly set it down and hit that edge it is an "always over" deal.

Of course there is a silver lining to this storm cloud. That same narrow edge makes it easier getting into a pack's side pocket.

What has happened for us is that the plusBottles have become kind of specialized. I mostly carry one rolled up in my pack to use in camp or at night for drinking water. Because of the silver-ion treatment I also think that it is a better option for water that may sit in the container for a long time, since water filtered in the backcountry has no chlorine or the like to keep it "fresh". So I use the plusBottles as the container for my children's custom-Dad-made hydration systems. I paired the plusBottles with Platypus Hoser tubes that I shortened to fit their packs better.

Lately I have been coming back from a very bad ankle/lower leg accident and have been trying to keep my weights down as much as possible. Since my distances are curtailed too I found that I don't really need to carry as much water as I normally do. While I can just use a bottle in the side pocket, some trips work better with a hose and thinking of the kids' systems I have been using a plusBottle with a very short Hoser tube. I just lay the plusBottle on the very top of my load, right under the pack's lid. This puts the weight in a good spot and lets gravity help me draw the water. Here is a picture of it in my Exos 46 while packing for a three-day trip.

I don't use drink mixes of any kind in my plusBottle, but the kids have. (Only because their cousin did I am sure In the picture above Emma has raspberry-lemonade and Raymond has fruit punch in their plusBottle-based hydration bags. The plusBottles clean very easily. Usually all I do is rinse well with city water once I get home and let it air dry. Only when a drink mix is used do I even need to use soap.

Drying the plusBottles is like drying all Platy bottles in my experience. A long process, even longer now that I am in humid Minnesota. Ha, as I write this I look in the kitchen to see a Hoser (from the trip before last!), four assorted Platy bottles and a Big Zip from my filter system in various stages of drying. Yeah, call us a Platy Family.

I'll close with a picture of a plusBottle on the side of my quilt, ready to quench a night-time thirst.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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