Walmart water bladder

[Drew J]

Has anyone on here used the Walmart (Cyclone brand I think) water bladders? Are they durable? Does the bit valve work well? i guess overall I am wondering if it's worth spending the extra money on the Camelback system. Thanks!

[Mrpokey]

I've never tried the Cyclone System, but if it was me, I'd spend the extra few bucks and get a actual Camelback system. You won't be disappointed

[CowHead]

I bought one and I tried every trick in the book to get rid of the plastic taste and nothing would remove it.

[Homer&Marje]

Marje is still using one, the plastic taste does not go away completely. For the money I think the Platypus that I just bought is well worth a few extra dollars.

The Walmart ones work for sure....and they are cheap, but you get a funk taste for a while and it's much harder to get a good sip of water vs a platy or a camelback.

[Tennessee Viking]

I worked through 3 of them. They are ok. If you use Lemon Juice, you can get rid of the plastic taste.

If you are day hiking, then its ok but don't take them on any long trips. The screw-on cap can crack very easily. And there is no real seal, it leaks pretty bad when you have any weight against the bladder.

I would just spend the little extra money for a platypus.

[Grinder]

mine lasted about two years consisting of two weeks a year backpacking and two or three long motorcycle rides. (1000 mile plus).

I found the design a bit awkward since I never got the backpack (camelback type thing) to hold the bladder.

The hose outlet at the bottom of the bag cracked and broke this year.

I never particularly noticed a plastic taste.

HTH

[berninbush]

I've used these and thought they worked pretty well. "Plastic taste" never bothered me. For a while I was biking to work daily and using mine, and it seemed to hold up well. Unfortunately, I stored it not-quite-dry and it grew mold... but I'm pretty sure the fancier ones will do that too if you don't keep 'em clean.

Here's the question I have: if you buy two or more water bags with the intention of carrying extra water on the trail, how do you cap off the place where the hose attaches on the bags you're not currently using? Do you just keep hoses plugged in to all of them? I've never seen any kind of cap that fits the hose attachment point, on the Walmart ones or the platys.

[Tennessee Viking]

I've used these and thought they worked pretty well. "Plastic taste" never bothered me. For a while I was biking to work daily and using mine, and it seemed to hold up well. Unfortunately, I stored it not-quite-dry and it grew mold... but I'm pretty sure the fancier ones will do that too if you don't keep 'em clean.

Here's the question I have: if you buy two or more water bags with the intention of carrying extra water on the trail, how do you cap off the place where the hose attaches on the bags you're not currently using? Do you just keep hoses plugged in to all of them? I've never seen any kind of cap that fits the hose attachment point, on the Walmart ones or the platys.

I was looking to do the same thing. But I think the hose is the only accessory. I could never find a cap for it.

[Homer&Marje]

You could try and melt the hose near the screw in cap and just ditch the extra piece of hose....maybe try and get some small hose clamp and cut off most of the hose, rubber stopper...I dunno...you'd have to find something, obviously that fit perfect and could take some abuse in the pack without dislodging.

[Skidsteer]

REI carries a push/pull cap and a solid cap for the Platypus.

A few types of push/pull caps from water bottles will work also.

[brooklynkayak]

I would be weary of water containers that have any plastic taste as that could be a sign mild toxicity.
I find that most Walmat and Kmart gear to be poor quality. The tents i've seen won't hold up to weather, the hiking poles are soft aluminum and snap in half easily, ...
I guess there are some adequate items, but if an item doesn't last long or provide the funtion it is supposed to, you are wasting money.

But then if you are like me and loose things before they break, they can be cost affective:-)

[Johnny Thunder]

I'd be weary of buying/using any name-brand water bag or bladder that wasn't from the MSR Dromlite series. Over the past year I've seen every other brand (Camelback, Nalgene, and Platypus...platies for sure are the biggest let down) spring leaks or cracks. My MSR has almost 3K on it...I know of other people who have more miles with theirs. It's made to take the abuse and weighs a whopping 2 or 3 ounces more than the ones that are made to be broken and replaced.

[coldspring]

I bought two of the Wal-Mart brand bladders and one little field pack that had the same bladder inside. They all sprung leaks where the hose attaches. I'm not sure if they are the same kind as you're are referring to. I do remember a plastic taste. I also found the bite valve to be hard, if you are picky about twisting your teeth out of alignment, I would avoid it. It seemed like it dribbled to.

FWIW, the one Camelback bladder I've had (the one that came in an Unbottle) started leaking around the cap, but it got used a lot.

I then went to a Platypus Big Zip and liked it.

I just use Powerade bottles now though.

[Jonnycat]

I like the platypus bottles; the one I'm using for drinking sits on the top of my pack, right next to the filter. They are lightweight, and don't impart any taste to the water.

[CowHead]

I would be weary of water containers that have any plastic taste as that could be a sign mild toxicity.
I find that most Walmat and Kmart gear to be poor quality. The tents i've seen won't hold up to weather, the hiking poles are soft aluminum and snap in half easily, ...
I guess there are some adequate items, but if an item doesn't last long or provide the funtion it is supposed to, you are wasting money.

But then if you are like me and loose things before they break, they can be cost affective:-)

dang now I know where that 3rd leg came fromyes i am happy to see you and that is a banana in my pocket

[Tennessee Viking]

I am just glad my father invented the plastic for the new Camelback Tritan bottle. No taste. Froze it and it didn't crack. I love it. Thanks Dad.

[Graywolf]

Just my 2 cents, The first and only Platy I bought leaked the first day out. I had to use duck duct tape to stop the leak. Replaced it when I got the first chance, good ole water bottle.

But I am sure they are more rugged now. I am just leary of forking over 50 bucks for something that will leak the first day.

Just my 2 cents

[Father Dragon]

I would be weary of water containers that have any plastic taste as that could be a sign mild toxicity.

I agree here. If you taste the plastic then I'm guessing you are drinking the plastic.

[redseal]

I had two actually. The first one I got home, filled it, then found out the bit valve did not have an opening! Returned it and got another one. There was a plastic taste, but for $10 I could live with it. What I did not like about it was the non-standard size tubing. It does not work with the Katadyn Hike Pro quick disconnect system that I have. I upgraded to the Platypus Hoser with no complaints. Only $20, lightest of the bunch, and works with my filter. Many complain about the fill port, but I don't use that since I fill directly from the filter while the bladder is in my pack.

[Rainman]

Go with the Nalgene bladder. It is not that much more expensive, but is better even than the camelback and worth the price. I have used the same bladder for the last four years with no problem.

http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/store...?CategoryID=55

The new models are a little different than mine. The hose comes out of the middle instead of the side, but I would think they are just as durable.