I received my order from Survival Resources late last week and carried two Aqua Pouches (AP) on a strenuous 8.5 mile dayhike on Saturday. The APs seem sturdy: the grommets are backed up by thicker plastic rings and the zip closure seems stout. The 1-liter fill line is well marked and there is a couple inches of free space above the line. The AP is very flat and is easily the most compact water carrier I can imagine. I stored them flat in the water reservoir pouch area of my daypack. I didn't weigh the AP but I can't imagine it weighing more than an ounce or so.
On the hike I filled the APs from a beautiful mountain stream and treated the water with
Katadyn Micropur tablets. Once the tablet in each AP was dissolved I shook the AP well to mix the water treatment thoroughly; the extra slack space in the AP above the 1-liter fill line made this easy. I also took care to slosh the now-treated water onto the (opened) zipper closure and beyond. The APs were freestanding once filled. I set my watch's timer and let the APs ride in the exterior side pockets of my daypack.
I found the APs to work as advertised. They are easy to deal with while kneeling on the rocks next to a stream. I took a 6 inch piece of 550 cord and made small grab handles using the grommetted holes. This makes it easy to tote multiple APs without them slipping out of my hands. Carrying the APs in the external pack pockets would make them vulnerable to getting pinholes from briars or crashing through deadfall, but that goes for any collapsible water carrier.
I believe the AP to be as well made and durable as the related products by
Platypus. I favor the AP though because 1) it stores truly flat, without Platy's bulky cap and 2) it is a little cheaper. The Platy designs would work just fine when bulk & space are not big issues, but few products would challenge the AP when every cubic centimeter counts.
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