Backpacks

Platypus Duthie 15.0 Carbon Hydration Pack | Review

Whether you’re riding or walking, this supersized, super-versatile, hydration pack will do the job

Why We Chose The Platypus Duthie 15.0 Carbon Hydration Pack: Great storage solutions, perfect hydration pack for those long days in the mountains

“We are water geeks, laboratory technicians, researchers, designers, managers, worker bees, and people with useful degrees,” say Platypus on their official brand website, “… we also like to laugh, pull pranks on each on each other, get outdoors and ride, hike, run, paddle, climb, rip, rail and try to enjoy every sip of adventure we can get.”

“The Duthie AM 15.0 is Platypus’s biggest hydration pack to date”

Despite sounding like the type of business where the “work never starts,” it’s definitely worth saying in this intro that Platypus are genuinely very good at what they do. They play hard, sure, but the serious work they put in on their hydration solutions has seen them build up a loyal following over recent years.

The suspended mesh back system. Photo: Mike Brindley

The Duthie AM 15.0 is Platypus’s biggest hydration pack to date. Fully primed to keep you hydrated on long, tiring, days in the mountains, we’re really not pranking you when we say this thing is one of our 100 favourite products of the last year.

Who Is The Platypus Duthie AM 15.0 Backpack For?

Whether you’re a mountain biker, a hiker, or skier / snowboarder, there’ll be at least one feature on the Duthie AM 15.0 that’ll catch your eye and make you think “Yeah, OK. Stop the search. This, right here, is the backpack for me.”

Designed with full days on the hill very much in mind, this product is for the kind of multi-sport people who get out there at sunrise and refuse to call it quits until the sun is well and truly set.

A hardcore backpack for hardcore outdoor enthusiasts.

Materials

The main materials used here are 160D and 210 Water-Resistant Nylon (super tough then) with YKK zippers. There’s also that suspended mesh back system. More on that further down.

Features

First things first, let’s talk about the Duthie AM’s cavernous storage space. The bottom line gear capacity on it is 12 litres with an additional three litres worth of reservoir capacity, but that doesn’t necessarily tell the whole story. Yes, we know 12.0 + 3.0 = 15.0 but please bear with us here. There’s a point to what we’re saying. Promise.

Platypus’s Duthie AM 15.0 comes with full-face helmet and pad carry potential. The pack’s front stash pocket with adjustable straps, quick-release buckles, and stretch side pockets can securely stow a full-face helmet and protective pads. Sure to be appreciated by mountain bikers who’ve had to live the indignity of trying and failing to walk about with kit stuffed under their armpits.

“Platypus really have thought of everything”

What else? Well, on the storage front there’s the two-zippered pockets on the waist belt – ideal for stowing smaller riding essentials like energy foods. The positioning of them make them perfect for quick and easy, on-the-go, access.

The main compartment features a zip mesh pocket with key retainer and three mesh stash pockets to organise tools, repair kits, snacks and various other bits of gear. The two pump sleeves conveniently secure a shock pump and tyre pump, and underline the extent to which Platypus really have thought of everything.

This is Platypus's biggest hydration pack to date. Photo: Mike Brindley

Fully primed to keep you hydrated on long mountain days. Photo: Mike Brindley

The main materials used are 160D and 210 Water-Resistant Nylon. Photo: Mike Brindley

Located at the top of the pack for rapid access, the soft fleece lining pocket on the Duthie AM will protect your sunglasses, goggles, and / or phone from nasty scratches.

The smart hydration pocket is another really nice storage feature on the Duthie AM. Reservoir suspension hooks hold the bladder securely in place while you ride, stopping it moving about and getting contorted unnecessarily. The dedicated hydration pocket makes it dead easy to access the reservoir when you want to refill it or clean it.

Speaking of the 3.0L Big Zip LP reservoir, this premium, taste-free, and BPA-free water reservoir features a low-profile shape, a wide-mouth opening that seals securely, and a convenient quick-disconnect hose.

“Reservoir suspension hooks hold the reservoir securely in place”

Hopefully the amount we’ve had to say about the storage solutions offered by the Duthie AM has emphasised what an unbelievably practical product it is. Some bags are essentially just glorified sacks but this thing really has been properly, and thoughtfully, laid out to optimise the user experience.

Moving away from the storage solutions and onto other features of the backpack, let’s talk about the Duthie AM’s FloatAir back panel. A highly breathable mesh tensioned over a lightweight wire, the feature works by essentially “floating” the pack over your back – optimising that all-important cooling airflow.

The pack’s protective rainfly can be quickly deployed from its dedicated home on the bottom of the pack, and is great at providing on-the-go protection from rain and mud. It can be detached for easy post-mission drying and cleaning.

Finally, a word on the pack’s more illuminating features. The reflective detailing here enhances your visibility to others when you’re out and about on the hill, while the light loop is a great attachment for a rear blinky light if you’re riding / walking in the dark.

Conclusion

There’s plenty of good hiking backpacks out there, plenty in this year’s Outdoor 100 and plenty that didn’t make the cut, but what we love about the Duthie AM 15.0 from Platypus is its sheer versatility. It’s a bag for the outdoor enthusiast who does it all, a backpack for the person who loves mixing up their activities on a week by week basis.

At first glance, this is a classic mountain biking backpack but zoom out from the bike specific features on it and what you’re left looking at is essentially the ultimate all-rounder.

Tester’s Verdict

Ryan Van Kesteren, Outdoors Magic staff

“For me, the Platypus Duthie is a perfectly sized backpack with great functionality for mountain biking. As a 6’2” male, some lightweight hydrations bags can be uncomfortably small, whereas this strikes the perfect balance between being light and well-fitting.

“I’ve used this bag for running and mountain biking. In both situations I started with the 12 litre hydration bag full to the brim and even after a full day of riding in the Dean Forest during a heatwave, I had more than enough water to quench my thirst.

“It’s a great option if you’re looking for a hydration bag that can double up as a small day pack.”

“The bag is on the heavy side when fully laden, but the mesh back panel spreads the weight evenly, making it surprisingly comfortable to carry so much water. The additional pockets come in handy for storing the tools that you hope you won’t need.

“The full-face helmet carrier is a really useful feature, the front flap hooks through the inside of the helmet which can be secured with four clips to stop it from bouncing around while you’re riding. A normal bike helmet also fits snuggly inside the front flap, which is impressive for such a small bag.

“I’ve also taken the hydration system out and used the bag for a day of hiking and scrambling in Wales. At 15 litres it’s got just enough space for a day of travelling light. Which makes this a great option if you’re looking for a hydration bag that can double up as a small day pack.”