Cascade Design Platypus Big Zip

Pros: Cheap, durable, easy to add ice and mix drinks, lifetime warranty
Cons: Hose will freeze if you're not careful

-The Big Zip Platypus, Get Hydrated- ~Introduction- The Platypus Big Zip is cheap, durable, and better yet, comes with a lifetime warranty. I was concerned about buying a Platypus and buying one with a zipper made me even more ...

Pros: durable, well designed, easy to clean
Cons: Probably wouldn't survive a nuclear attack

I used this bladder during a cross country bike trek last summer and it never failed me once. I started the trip with another brand name bladder, and it broke very early on.
The main attractive features of these bladders are durability (the seams...

Pros: holds a lot of water, keeps you hydrated
Cons: bite valve gets a little gamey on a long trip

It holds water, is light weight, and packs easier than a bottle. Staying hydrated is very important, and the fact that I can drink out of a hydration bladder while on the move is a big plus. With a nalgene bottle, I have to stop, pull it out of my pack, open it up and drink. When I'm using my Platypus, I just pull the tube up to my mouth and gulp down water. The fact that it is easier to drink fluid means I drink more than I did when using only bottles, which is a definitely good thing.
The top has a very heavy duty ziplock seal, making it very easy to clean out the inside. Don't worry about the ziplock seal bursting over under pressure; I have used mine countless times without problem.
I worry a lot about keeping the tube clean. Before and after every trip I flush it with lots of water and hang it to dry. The bite valve holds up well, but it does get a little gross after a few days use.