I was nearly complete with Hike 21 of my 52 Hike Challenge, hiking along the ridge in Jenny Jump State Park, when I saw something shiny in the rocks along the side of the trail. I thought it was a soda can at first and crouched down to check it out. After closer examination I picked up the pin backed  button that had likely fallen off of a child’s backpack, stuck it in the side pocket of my backpack and finished my hike. I didn’t think much of it – and neglected to take it out of the pocket when I got home.

exhibit A

A few weeks later while packing my gear for hike 26, I discovered a small pinhole in my hydration bladder as a stream of ice cold water soaked my shirt. I quickly poured the remaining water into a Hydroflask and removed the culprit from the mesh side pocked of my backpack. I had a grand time on Hike 26 despite the pre-hike bladder poking and headed to REI a few days later to pick up a replacement.I didn’t have a lot of time to research bladders and when I got to REI there weren’t a lot of options to chose from – I selected the Platypus based on the fact that it was the only one in stock. Being familiar with the brand name, I assumed a certain level of quality and brought the 2 liter Hoser Hydration Bladder home.The bite valve is different than the bladder that I had been using, but was easy and comfortable to use. I like the rigidity of the Platypus bag more than the rubbery feel of my last bladder – but the wide mouth opening was a bit easier to fill than the small corner located filler spout on the Platypus.

I’ve had the hydration pack out on several hikes and am really enjoying it so far – no leaks and it fits in my TetonSports Oasis 1100 day-pack very well. I look forward to many more hikes quenching my thirst from the Platypus pouch on my back!