There are a few pieces of gear that become absolutely essential on every adventure, no matter the season, distance, or terrain. For hikers, runners, and travellers alike, water tops that list. Staying hydrated keeps you moving—and having a system you can trust makes all the difference. That’s where Platypus comes in.

From Simple Idea to Trail Essential 

For more than two decades, Platypus has been designing lightweight, packable hydration gear that redefines convenience on the trail. Born under the Cascade Designs umbrella—the same Seattle-based innovators behind Therm-a-Rest, MSR, and SealLine—Platypus has carved out its place as a leader in hydration solutions that combine durability, simplicity, and taste-free performance.

Their mission was clear from the start:  offer the finest taste-free and adventure-ready hydration and water filtration products on the planet. The result was a line of collapsible bottles and reservoirs that quickly became a favourite among thru-hikers, climbers, and endurance athletes.

Designed for the Demands of Adventure

Platypus products stand out for their ultralight packability. Bottles and reservoirs collapse flat when empty, sliding easily into side pockets or packs without adding bulk. For multi-day missions, this means you can carry extra capacity without sacrificing space.

Then there’s the taste-free guarantee. Every Platypus product is built from BPA-, BPS-, and phthalate-free materials, engineered to keep your water crisp and clean—just as it should be. Their in-house water laboratory in the Pacific Northwest runs every product through rigorous testing, ensuring reliability no matter where you’re drawing from: alpine streams, desert seeps, or tap water before a flight.

Quality Designs Built to Last

One of the unique things about Platypus is how much of their production happens right in their own factory in the USA. By keeping manufacturing close to home, they’re able to maintain strict quality control and continuously refine their designs. It also means less waste and leaner production runs—a philosophy that fits well with the lightweight ethos of their products.