Reddit mentions of Osprey Hydraulics Quick Connect Kit

I have used two systems in my time spent hiking. One was a 96oz [Nalgene wide mouth canteen] (https://www.amazon.com/Nalgene-96-Ounce-Mouth-Canteen-Bottle/dp/B000BS0AR4/ref=pd_sim_468_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000BS0AR4&pd_rd_r=6G5N7XE6N68GYYMSM1ZB&pd_rd_w=IB7cI&pd_rd_wg=6zKwz&psc=1&refRID=6G5N7XE6N68GYYMSM1ZB) with a [Source Convertube] (https://www.amazon.com/Source-Outdoor-Convertube-Bottle-Adapter/dp/B004QMF0U8). The second is a [Osprey 3L bag] (https://www.amazon.com/OSPREY-Hydraulics-Reservoir-Liter-Color/dp/B01JSSNKRO/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1498454724&sr=1-2&keywords=osprey+3l+hydration+bladder).

I loved my Nalgene/Source convertube combo. Easy to fill and clean. I had an unfortunate situation with hot water tasting like scalded onions being put into the bag(not my mistake but I paid a heavy price for it). After cleaning it with bleach twice, the water tasted normal but the bag smelled like the onion water for a little while. After 4 bleach cleanings it smelled fine. The Nalgene ended up busting when I had to break hard in my car. It fell from the passenger seat into the floor. I e-mailed Nalgene about but didn't get a reply. I was interested in finding out if they thought the bleach or the hot water might have compromised the bag. The hot liquid warning was for 212 degrees and the water was not boiling when placed into the bag. The Source hydration kit was great. It worked flawlessly. No taste or smells. Easily cleaned. The rubber washer that I lost didn't seem to be a standard size and was impossible to replace. Otherwise I would still use it.

With the Osprey I found that the throughput of water was higher than the Nalgene/Source combo. The water has a slight plastic taste. I have used it less than 5 times and the plastic taste has lessened with subsequent uses. So I am hoping that it will go away completely. The hard side of the bag helps a lot. It would be harder to place it into my Osprey bag without it. The quick connect tubing is a good idea. The bite valve is harder to clean than the Source one I had. The Osprey bag itself was as easy to clean if not more so than the Nalgene wide mouth canteen. The tubing is stiff and makes it difficult to connect the [Osprey quick connect kit] (https://www.amazon.com/Osprey-Hydraulics-Quick-Connect-Kit/dp/B00IO06L92/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1498455360&sr=1-3-fkmr0&keywords=osprey+adapter+kit). I think a nice touch is that the plastic clip that holds the flap shut is attached to the bag so it will not be lost. I love the magnetic chest strap clip that came with the bag. A thing to note is that when I purchased the my hydration bag, it listed that the bag under normal use should last a year. The description was vague as to how much use it was tested for in a year. I have a feeling the upper seal will eventually fail but it has not leaked on me yet.

Overall, I have not been disappointed in either of my choices. Both of the choices I have had will perform quite well. I would substitute a Platypus bag for the Nalgene if I had a do over.