Hey, it's Ernest from Trip Astute. In this video, we're going to be reviewing the
Platypus SoftBottle and telling you why it might be one of the best ways to
carry water when traveling.
(light chiming music)
As some of you know, I'm a big fan of S'well water
bottles and I've used one from many trips. The bottles are insulated so your
water temperature is preserved even when you're in places with extreme
temperatures, like our trip to Joshua Tree last year. However, I sometimes
struggle with carrying a water bottle especially when I'm short on space.
Sometimes it's just easier to buy bottled water, especially when traveling
in places where it's so cheap. Though I hate buying water unnecessarily and the
thought of generating more plastic waste just doesn't feel good. We had heard
great things about Platypus SoftBottles so we thought we'd see if they wanted to
send over a few bottles for us to test out. As with every product we review, we
promise to only ever share our honest opinions. We're never influenced or
pressured to review something a certain way, even if it's given to us for free.
Saying that, we are incredibly grateful to Platypus for generously sending us
bottles to test out. Platypus is a company based in the US with a mission
of offering taste-free and adventure ready hydration products to their
customers. They've been around for over 20 years and offer innovative products
that are geared for both everyday activities and extreme adventures. I love
the fact that they're committed to creating sustainable, practical, and
reusable products. Also, based on the reviews online,
it looks like the bottles seem to last a long time and are able to endure the
wear and tear of travel and outdoor activities. So, here are some key features
and highlights of the Platypus SoftBottles. Number 1: Lightweight and easy
to pack. We've taken the bottles on a couple of recent trips and love how
travel-friendly they are. When empty, the bottles can be rolled up or flattened
out to fit easily into carry-on luggage. They are very compact and save a lot of
space compared to harder plastic or stainless steel bottles. Number 2:
Taste-free. I have to admit I was skeptical of the taste-free claim by
Platypus. I've tried several plastic water bottles in the past and they
usually have a weird plastic aftertaste. Though I can confidently say that
I've been really impressed with the Platypus bottles. I've only used them for
water, but there's definitely no plastic flavor or aftertaste in the water. The
SoftBottles are designed to be BPA, BPS, and phthalate-free. Hopefully, I pronounced
that right. Which means that there is no taste interference. Number 3: Simple
packaging and efficient design. I like the simple packaging of the bottles.
Their branding is noticeable but it really is discreet and the design the
bottles makes them very easy to hold. Once filled, they also sit upright
without support and fit easily into cup holders and pockets. Number 4:
Environmentally-friendly. One of my main gripes with plastic water bottles is the
amount of waste they cause, so I always try to opt for the reusable option
whenever possible. Whether you opt for a Platypus SoftBottle or a different type
of reusable bottle, it's definitely always more environmentally-friendly
than bottled water that you can buy from the store. Number 5: Easy to clean. The
bottles are easy to clean and can be rinsed out between uses. The cleaning
doesn't require any specific cleaning products which makes it easy when
traveling. Platypus recommends using a hot soapy water and rinsing thoroughly.
If you need a more deeper cleaning, they recommend rinsing with baking soda and
lemon juice to disinfect the bottle. You can check their website for more
detailed instructions. Number 6: Varying size options and colors. The SoftBottles
come in two sizes: half a liter and one liter, and various designs and colors. The
smaller option is best for a daily commute or shorter trip, while the larger
one is really great for the longer plane rides or hiking trips. You'll just need
to plan accordingly based on the type of activity you're doing. Platypus also
offers hydration systems that are suited for more hardcore adventure activities.
These systems integrate into bags with water reservoirs. And finally, number
7: Customizable caps. The bottles are easily customizable with the option of a
closure or push-pull cap. We tried both and found the push-pull cap to be better
suited when you're on the go. However, it definite comes down to personal
preference. We recommend that if you decide to go
for a couple of different sizes, pick different caps for each design as they
can be used interchangeably. This way, you'll have the option of
mixing and matching depending on your travel needs. In my testing, there really
are only two drawbacks to this sort of bottle. One is that they're not as
durable as a metal or thick plastic bottle. Also, you're not going to have the
benefits of an insulated water bottle. But then again, it makes perfect sense
for a lot of folks that might prefer portability over insulation. The Platypus
SoftBottle is actually a better solution for me when traveling abroad
because I'm usually struggling with space. I like to carry it in my carry-on
bag or day pack, and fill it up at the water station after I pass through the
security checkpoints. That way, I'm avoiding having to pay the crazy prices
on bottled water at the airport. I still use my S'well water bottle for many
things. It's my daily water bottle and I also like to use it for outdoor
activities and road trips. So again, it really depends on what you're doing and
where you're going. Having both types of water bottles is great so you can adjust
based on your needs. The SoftBottles cost under $10 and are available through
Platypus, Amazon, and other outdoor stores like REI. At that price, they're
definitely worth having around, especially if you're like me and looking
for ways to lighten your day pack load when traveling.
Lastly, Platypus sent us an extra set of bottles, so we're going to include them
in another summer giveaway soon along with some other travel items. Stay tuned
for more details in the coming weeks. Have you tried the Platypus SoftBottle,
or do you have any questions? Please let us know in the comments section below.
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Until next time, travel safe and travel smart.