Our Verdict
Backpackers, adventurers, and hikers need a water bottle, and there is no doubt about it. However, which bottle will be a good choice remains a question for the adventurers. My personal favorite is the Platypus Platy 2.0L Water Bottle, which is a desirable choice for backpackers. This bottle is a lightweight, collapsible solution for hydration.
The design of this bottle is adjustable and allows it to fold flat when empty. The bottle lacks insulation that makes it not a suitable choice for temperature-sensitive beverages; however, its portability and ease of handling make it a preferable option for adventurers.
Related: Best Collapsible Water Bottles
Performance Insights: Our Hands-On Testing
Value for Money
Starting with the price, this bottle is an affordable choice for the adventurers. It offers outstanding value for the price point.
The construction of this bottle offers longevity and durability. Its versatile and collapsible shape makes it a better choice than the rigid bottles.
Additionally, its space-saving design also adds to the affordability and suitability. All these features make it a cost-effective and practical solution for hydration in outdoor situations.
Closure Design
The design of this bottle is the real deal, which makes all the difference. It offers a collapsible shape that is foldable when empty.
Starting from the lid, this bottle offers a screw cap that has a tight seal to prevent leakages. Imagine a foldable bottle that inflates when filled with liquids and makes a wonderful water bottle when filled. Platypus is that desirable design that helps you carry it around with style and pride.
Personally, I prefer the screw-on cap design, which doesn’t leak compared to other lid closure designs. It’s difficult to put in my daypack’s side pocket when full, so I pack it inside the daypack. I’ve never noticed it leaking, even a tiny drop.
The designers use artificial fibers of nylon, polyethylene, and polypropylene to make this masterpiece. These fibers make the bottle flexible and durable.
Quality and Durability
The question of its endurance becomes null as the bottle offers durability as one of the most revered features in its design.
Its design provides BPA-free material as the outermost cover, which helps withstand rigorous use. People have used this bottle for over six years, and it still remains their top priority. My experience with this bottle is really amazing.
Material looks much more durable and soft, which is highly unlikely to crack. When I compared it with my Vapur soft bottle, Platypus Platy’s construction quality is superior. In my past few years of using Platypus Platy, I never felt that it would crack while folding and packing.
I have found this a trustworthy companion in my hikes. What I like the most about this bottle is its foldable yet resilient structure, which has helped me keep it with me when I go from place to place.
Insulation Capabilities
The incredible Platypus Platy 2.0L water bottle lacks insulation, which makes it a bit problematic. Lack of insulation implies that this bottle lacks the ability to withstand the temperatures of its contents.
When I used this bottle, I kept liquids with ambient temperatures to make sure there were no regrets. While it has a desirable and lovely design, this bottle lacks the feature of insulation to attain perfection.
Taste and Odor
As I have to travel extensively, I need something really credible and clean. Sometimes, bottles retain odor and become unbearable. The BPA-free plastic composition of this bottle makes it odor-free. I never felt any unpleasant smell in it after prolonged use.
Additionally, when I switched liquids in the bottle, it never retained the odor, taste, or an iota of the flavor of previous drinks. This neutrality enhances the drinking experience and ensures that my water tastes as pure as it should.
Ease of Use
As a hiker, I must consider the lightweight material for almost all the everyday usable items. An adventurer seeks options that are easy to carry around, and I recommend the Platypus Platy 2.0L water bottle as one of the most desirable options that offer all the above features. Your backpack stays lightweight, and the addition of this bottle does not affect its weight at all.
However, the lid is not attached to the bottle, which is a bit of a concern for me. I have lost the lid a couple of times in the backcountry and was lucky to find it.
Additionally, I don’t like holding the lid in one hand and the bottle in the other when drinking. Since it’s a flexible bottle, you need both hands to drink from it. I wish Cascade Designs would focus on improving this design.
While it is handy to carry around, the collapsible structure demands careful handling while it is filled. Holding with both hands is advisable while filling.
Pros and Cons
The Platypus Platy 2.0L water bottle has the following desirable features to consider:
- It is lightweight, collapsible, and spacious.
- It has a tight seal that keeps the liquids from leaking.
- Its nylon-cum-polyethylene structure adds to the durability and long-term use.
- It never retains taste, odor, or any flavor in the contents.
- Its price is affordable and reasonable.
Considering all the positive options, here are some cons to this bottle:
- Platypus lacks insulation, which reminds you that you must expect ambient temperatures.
- It requires handling with both hands while refilling.
Comparison with Similar Bottles
Some of the competitors to the Platypus Platy 2.0L water bottle are as follows:
- Vapur Wide Mouth Anti-Bottle
The Vapur Anti-Bottle is a collapsible option for the backpackers that gives excellent competition to the Platypus Platy 2.0L. The design of this bottle helps it to stand when it is full and collapse when it is empty. The BPA-free structure retains no odor or taste like the Platypus Platy 2.0L. However, as per my experience, it is not as durable as the Platypus. This shortcoming makes it less preferable compared to the platypus.
- Hydro Flask Wide Mouth insulated Bottle
The positive feature of this bottle, on top of every other feature it holds, is its double-layered insulation. This insulation keeps the high temperatures up to 12 hours and cold temperatures intact for up to 24 hours. Adding to it, the stainless-steel structure adds to its strength and durability. It has a wide-open mouth for easy refill, which Platypus lacks. What makes it less desirable for the hikers is its weight. It is bulkier and heavier than the Platypus, making it less ideal for hikers like me.
Conclusion: Is the Platypus Platy 2.0L Worth It?
To sum it up, Platypus Platy 2.0L is a recommendable water bottle for the hikers. The reasons are multiple, starting from its lightweight, durability, and affordability to its resilient structure and BPA-free design. What I like the most about it is its neutral taste profile, which allows the user to switch its contents without fear of any odor mix-ups. To keep it from attaining perfection, Platypus Platy 2.0L lacks insulation, which makes it a bottle that keeps ambient temperatures. Overall, the features-to-price value collectively makes this bottle a recommendable case for hikers and backpackers.
Related: Best Water Bottles for Hiking
