Can't wait to see what Sarabelle has to say.

“TOPIC: Hydration bladder

PROBLEM: Whenever I slip the hydration bladder into my pack's pocket, I find that the darn thing leaks all over creation. I have tried filling only half-full, inverting the bladder, replacing the bite valve, putting the bladder on the top/fanny pack pocket, duct tape on all tube joints, etc. Nothing works!! Could my problem be that the bladder that came with my pack (Lowe) is stamped with Lowe's name--proprietary bladder? It looks 'zactly like a Platypus bladder; I've used Platys before (quart-size) and love 'em--I've got 6 or 7.
BTW, my Camelback works great; it's too big to go in the Lowe's bladder pocket, though.

SOLUTION??”

“where is it leaking from? If it is coming out of the top(or where the hose connector is) than your pack is probably too full and is putting pressure on the bladder.

Maybe don't fill your pack so full?”

“Have you been able to pin point where the leak is? How old is it? COuld you return it under the warranty? Take a look at the Platypus bladders, they come in a whole range of sizes 1/2L, 1L, 2L. Maybe one of these will work?

Personal tirade - I've never bought any Lowe equipment after seeing the main zipper blow out on my brothers new Lowe pack. First time he used, in the middle of Alaskan canoe trip.”

“Leaks from the bitevalve. Full or half-full, doesn't matter. Pack fullness wouldn't matter if it's riding on the top. . .”

“Yeah, Mr. Acid, I am not totally keen on my pack. But, hey--I own it and I'm not going to go out and drop $250 on a new one until this one is good-n-dead. What do you think 'bout Mountainsmith? I got one for my wife (a Bugaboo) and was amazed with the fit adjustments.

Of course, there's always McHale packs. I just don't have $800 to drop on a gearbag. . .”

“I love Mountainsmith packs, especially the Mountain Light series. Did you get the Bugaboo on sale?”

“Got the Bug for $90. We can both use it--I used it skiing at Winter Park for a snack bag. I'm about 6' and 185#, so it's a little small for me. She used it when we went backpacking at Mt. Evans in CO and it worked great (of course, all she had to pack was her clothes--I carried the food, fuel, tent, bags, etc. etc. etc.

check out our trip pics at http://wadeandalice.hypermart.net”

“BT,
I also have several Platy's but I'm looking for a new brand. The bite valves allow for great amounts of water to pass through, but I've always had problems with them dripping. The bags are great because they don't make the water taste like plastic no matter how long you store it, and you can feeze them, but I've found them to be less than durable. I have several patches on my current Platy but it still leaks at some creases.
Anybody know anything about MSR water bladders?”

“hey burnt toast!

great pictures! y'all make a great looking couple. the donkey pictures are freaking hilarious!! LOL!!!!”

“Do these bladders work good? I haven't used one and still depend on canteens and a boda bag although the boda bag may not always contain water. I to cannot wait to hear what Sarabelle has to say, she is incredible in her wisdom and her daddy wouldn't know how to funtion without her. It makes my day to read her thoughts on any subject and her daddy must have a real demented mind like myself and everyone else here to enjoy the wisdom bestowed upon us.”

“wolf: what bladders? I like the Platys (they never leak on me--the ones with the screw/pop lid, that is). My only problem is the hydration line that whizzes itself all over my pack, my back, etc.

Pick up a 1qt Platy ($5) and be amazed--light, tough and compact.”

“Lobo, are you drinking from your boTa right now? I thought so. Now, get off the bulldozer and go sleep it off ;)”

“I know this doesn't relate, but I was pretty amazed to wake up a few days ago to find my Nalgene Canteen had leaked at the seams. I thought those suckers would survive a ten-story drop.”

“I always use my platys and pack 'em scrupulously along the framesheet: Never a major leak that couldn't be solved w/ platy patches (carry a few in your first-aid kit). I've never had a problem sleepin' w/'em in cold weather, either. For bad creases, it's simply time to go out n' buy some more (frequently inspect). Treat 'em delicately and they last longer!”

“I think there is rats in yer pakpak.
You need to get the rats and put them in yer mouf and bite with yer teeth and make them ded.

If you lay down and close yer eylips a leetle and tend you are sleepy the rats will think you are sleepy and come out to pee. When they come out to pee grab them in yer mouf and make them ded then they will not bite no more holes in yer waterpus.

Let me kno if you need more help about gettin rats so me and Skinny Kenny can get a good plan for gettin the rats. Skinny Kenny is a GOOD rat getter.

Know what? The nother day I skeerd a rat out of the back of the freezerater and he runned to the dirty close room and Skinny Kenny seen him and Skinny Kenny JUMPED ALL THE WAY CROSS THE ROOM IN THE AIR on the rat but the rat was gone. Skinny Kenny dont miss much, tho. We will get that rat soon, I promiss!

<:3 heheheee!”

“FINALLY! The Expert has arrived! I'll set out some D-Con in my platypus tonight! Uh, should I drink out of it after I do that??”

“Guess this is a WWBD thread: What Would Belle Do?”

“Guess the answer is SYB: Sniff Yer Butt”

“REPTILES - MSR bladders are great. I have 2 Dromlites that are very durable. Both have the wide mouth that my MSR Waterworks screws onto. Makes filtering very easy. The bite valve is also very good with no leaking. Although the flow rate is kinda slow. I keep a flip top spout on the other one For when I need lots of water fast. I've put 'em in an overstuffed pack before with no leaks.

burnt toast - I too have the Lowe bladder that came with my Contour IV. The paperwork says it was made by Platypus for Lowe. It sucks! I've tried everything I could think of, but it still leaks constantly from the bite valve. The other problem with it, it has a plasticy odor and gives the water a really BAD taste. I have used it when I needed to carry more water, with the cap not the tube, on it. Then I only use the water for boiling and cooking. It has never leaked from the bladder itself, only from the bite valve.”

“Try a "Big Gulp" bitevalve by Blackburn I think? Spring loaded closure on the valve. Works on mine.”

“my new blacburn bag leaks.

none of my platypus bags have ever leaked.”

“Dear Dog:...

I'm so sorry that you were sent to the pound for the broken lamp that you did not break, for the fish that you did not eat, for the carpet that you did not wet.

Things here at the house are a lot calmer now; just to show you that I have no hard feelings, I am sending you a picture, so you'll always remember me.

Your Friend, The Cat




”

“ROTFLMAO!
That's great!”

“how do you slap a pic in the string? I keep on trying to cut-n-paste to no avail!!”

“Don't do it or Matt will exact his revenge. If you don't believe me, ask Nigal....he is only allowed to post once a week now.”

“I've used the platys and love 'em. Two weekends ago I stepped on it with snowshoes. Thought it was toast for sure but it survived. I also have an MSR Dromedary. It's certainly durable but does have a plastic taste.

Oh, and I have a Lowe Alpine pack that I've used for years. I've yet to experience any problems with durability or fit.”