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Imported.
Item 767108
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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
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Reviewed by 21 customers
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Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Platypus Big Zip SL 3.0L Reservoir - 100 oz.:
Love the easy to fill top. Can fill it with ice straight from the ice maker on the fridge with ease. I also like how you can easily unhook the hose with the quick connection. That way the hose can be left weaved through your backpack while the reservoir is refilled and hooked back in when you are done. The on/off valve could be easier to use but it works just fine. Years with a camelbak but this is at least as good. No plastic taste either.
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Comments about Platypus Big Zip SL 3.0L Reservoir - 100 oz.:
I have used many hydration bladders. I'd settled on Platypus 3L Hosers with a quick release valve add-on for the best high capacity no leak reliability.
This blows those away.
The zip top allows for easy fill (incl. big ice blocks), cleaning, drying & carrying/hanging and is now secured to resist pack compression (previous worry with Big Zip).
The bladder easily mounts into all my packs - expedition/weekend/day/hydration only - it has good top attach options, the right dimensions & nicely rounded corners.
The quick release fittings are standard size (match Camelbak etc)and are molded smoothly to the bladder side. The bladder valve seals when disconneceted so you can carry a full extra bladder for a quick swap.
The bladder has easy to read fill lines (the "right way" up!).
The hose is a standard Platy type with their bite valve which I consider the industry's best for flow/no leak (and now they finally added an optional bite valve cover too!).
Its not the lightest option - though the plastic zip lock bar could be removed. The materials (like the new hosers) seems to be very strong/reliable (repairable even) more flexible than the old style hosers and imparts no taste issues at all.
...I'll just give away all my hosers and buy 2 more of these. For me this is perfection!
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Comments about Platypus Big Zip SL 3.0L Reservoir - 100 oz.:
If you are an ultralight backpacker the Platypus Big Zip SL 3 Liter Hydration System is deceptive. They claim that the hydrator is 4.5 ounces period, but when I received the system it was 6 ounces. I called Platypus and they said you have to take the top part off to get the 4.5 ounces. Take the top part off! Why don’t they say this! It would not have been worth the change from my Camelback. It seems like a great system, but ultralight backpackers be forewarned!
Pros
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Comments about Platypus Big Zip SL 3.0L Reservoir - 100 oz.:
The bladder and the hose are of good construction. The zip-loc top makes putting ice and re-filling the bladder easy. The quick disconnect on the hose makes it easy to detach the hose from the bladder. But if you are biking or using this bladder for some type of activity that you don't want to hassle with things, the bite valve is something to think about. You have to find just the right spot to get h20 to flow. Using this bladder when mountain biking was a hassle because of the bite valve. There was no plastic taste in the water when I did get h20, another bladder that I used was the osprey bladder which has no plastic taste but the bite valve is more forgiving and easier to get h20 quickly without having to fiddle with the bite valve. But when hiking or walking this product isn't to bad. I gave it 4 stars, would have been 5 stars if I didn't have to mess with the bite valve.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Platypus Big Zip SL 3.0L Reservoir - 100 oz.:
This product works great with both my backpack (Deuter Air Contact 65+10) and also with the Katadyn Pro filter.
The Platypus allows you to disconnect the hose to pull the bladder out of your pack and hook directly up to the Katadyn filter. The handle makes it the only bladder that easily fits the Deuter packs as well.
The plastic zip works great as a handle as well as for hanging it up anywhere. The large mouth is great for getting ice in for those extra hot days.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Platypus Big Zip SL 3.0L Reservoir - 100 oz.:
I've been through the gauntlet of Camelbaks, hydration packs and cheap imitations and always found I would have to compromise on either durability, weight, water flow or versatility. I stumbled upon the 3.0L Big Zip at REI, went home and researched it online before buying it and taking it out on the road.
Pack it with ice and water, zip the bag, clip the bag and then it's good to go---clips straight into our packs (REI Traverse 30, Kelty Coyote 4750): No hassle, no fuss. The detachable quick release valve makes removal, refilling and cleaning easy, because you don't have to unwind the hose through the bag each time. All pieces seem to be solidly constructed. The bag itself is pretty burly. Hasn't leaked yet––-and we're notoriously hard on all the products we use. As for the bite valve, it actually provides what I would call a pretty vigorous water flow. Takes a second to adjust to, but it's not rocket science. My favorite thing about this bladder? ...that I don't have to stick a brush or my fat hand into a tiny hole to clean the darn thing out. Water tastes great.
Not for the ultralight crowd, but it's been great on the trail for the wife and I. We normally carry anywhere from 10-40 pounds on single or multi-day hikes. In my mind, it is worth its weight in gold. 100oz is big, but I sweat like a pig and need to replenish frequently.
Pros
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Comments about Platypus Big Zip SL 3.0L Reservoir - 100 oz.:
Great bladder. Changed from camelbak to platypus due to leaking issues and haven't had a problem. Pretty standard weight for a bladder. Good product.
Pros
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Comments about Platypus Big Zip SL 3.0L Reservoir - 100 oz.:
I just returned from a 10 day backpacking trek at Philmont Scout Ranch in NM. The Platypus worked great on the trails and was easy to remove from by Deuter Air Contact (65+10) backpack. The detachable hose at the bottom of the bladder made removal and refilling of the bladder easy.
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Platypus Big Zip SL 3.0L Reservoir - 100 oz.:
I just got this hydration bladder for christmas and I love it! The big zip is great and it hasn't leaked on me yet. The bite valve is great and has a good flow rate. The size of this bladder is great and i would highly recommend it.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Platypus Big Zip SL 3.0L Reservoir - 100 oz.:
It seems that Platypus started acutally using hydration bladders and realized what needed to be done! The zip top is a tiny bit inelegant and a little heavy, but it works, straight up. Easy to fill, easy to clean, easy to DRY for goo-free storage. The quick-release hose is fantastic! I haven't had any good wrecks since using this bladder but it feels solid enough that i'm not worried about it busting under duress. The only place that i feel they missed the mark is on the bite valve retaining clip. After all these years they're still using that tired old snap-on strap with the weak clamp. Seriously guys?
The valve itself is otherwise fine -- just not ideal. I bought a Nalgene bite valve (with the magnetic chest clip and 90 degree on/off head) and retrofitted it onto the Platypus hose. Now THAT's perfect.
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