Why Standardization Matters
Backcountry water setups often mix parts that weren’t designed to work together. Igneous builds around the 28-410 bottle thread standard, so one interface covers drinking, hygiene, and gravity use across many containers. That means fewer adapters, fewer failure points, and easy field replacements almost anywhere you can buy a bottle (including the NOBO Bottle when it’s available).
Flat Gasketed Seal > Internal-Lip Seals
Many trail caps and bidets try to seal on the inner bevel/edge of a bottle mouth or rely on internal O-rings wedged inside the neck. That approach is sensitive to neck finish variations, bevel quality, and mold flash, and can loosen with wear. Igneous uses a flat silicone gasket that sits on the bottle’s lip and compresses against a flat sealing surface. This geometry tolerates wider neck-finish tolerances, resists minor ovality and surface wear, and maintains a predictable seal at normal hand torque.
Cap & Tether — Material-First Reliability
- Materials: PA12 cap body, silicone flat gasket, TPU 95A tether
- Gasket spec: 2 mm thick; 18 mm ID × 28 mm OD; mechanically captured (no adhesives)
- Mass: 7 g (assembled)
- Compatibility: Smartwater 1 L / 700 mL, LifeWTR 1 L, NOBO Bottle, and other 28-410 bottles
The Cap & Tether pairs a light, rigid PA12 body with a resilient silicone washer to create a 360° flat-gasket seal. The TPU 95A tether keeps the cap attached during use without adding meaningful weight, solving the classic “lost cap” failure while preserving one-handed operation. With the flat gasket taking the seal (not the inner neck edge), the cap remains dependable across the normal variation seen in mass-market bottle necks.
Care (Cap & Tether): Clean with mild soap and water; for tougher jobs, a dilute, unscented household bleach solution is acceptable. Avoid strong solvents (e.g., acetone, MEK) that can attack elastomers; isopropyl alcohol is generally fine for quick wipe-downs. Air-dry before storage.
Bottle Cap Bidet — Threaded, Secure, Minimal
- Materials: All-PA12 body/nozzle with silicone gasket
- Jet: Single-jet outlet for focused, efficient rinsing
- Compatibility: Threads onto all 28-410 bottles
The bidet uses the same 28-410 thread and flat-gasket seal, but with a compact single-jet outlet. Because it threads on and seals via a flat gasket, it sits more securely than designs that rely on internal O-rings or friction inside the bottle neck. The very small nozzle geometry naturally resists buildup; if needed, it tolerates harsh cleaners (dilute bleach/peroxide/alcohol) thanks to the PA12 body and silicone seal.
Care (Bidet): Rinse after use; if contamination is suspected, flush with dilute bleach or 3% hydrogen peroxide, then with clean water. No special tools or disassembly required.
Hang System — Bladder-First Gravity Setup
- Cleat: PA12 cleat with ergonomic handle for one-handed adjustment
- Cord: Nylon, 1.8 mm diameter, 1 yard length
- Strengths: ~250 lb tensile cord; 100 lb recommended working load
- Mass: 7 g (total)
- Compatibility model: Attaches to any water bladder with a loop; that bladder then connects to your filter
- Examples: CNOC Vecto, Platypus, HydraPak (and similar looped bladders)
This system doesn’t try to mate directly to a filter. Instead, it securely suspends the bladder (which already interfaces with your filter of choice), keeping the setup modular and brand-agnostic. The PA12 cleat’s handle makes it easy to tension or release the 1.8 mm nylon line with one hand, even with cold fingers. Keeping the load path bladder-first reduces adapter clutter and keeps you within each manufacturer’s intended filter connection.
How the System Works Together
- Day hikes: Run Cap & Tether only for simplicity and cap security.
- Overnights & thru-hikes: Carry all three. Fill a bladder at source, hang it in camp, and thread on the bidet as needed for personal hygiene—without changing bottle standards or juggling specialty adapters.
- Travel & resupply: With 28-410, you can buy a compatible replacement bottle almost anywhere. Calling this out on your packing list reduces the number of spares you need to carry.
Why the Flat Gasket Pays Off in the Field
- Broader tolerance window: Works across normal neck-finish variance, including minor bevel imperfections.
- Reduced wear sensitivity: Maintains seal even as inner neck surfaces pick up micro-nicks over time.
- Predictable torque: Seals at typical hand torque without relying on precise inner-edge geometry.
- Easy inspection: Flat gaskets are visible and replaceable if ever damaged.
Cleaning & Maintenance Summary
- Cap & Tether: Soap & water for routine cleaning; dilute bleach if needed; avoid aggressive solvents. Isopropyl alcohol is fine for quick wipe-downs.
- Bidet: Rinse; when necessary, disinfect with dilute bleach / peroxide / alcohol, then flush with clean water.
- Hang System: Wipe the cleat and line as needed; let the nylon cord dry before long-term storage.
