Thanks You everyone for the information on the bladder type water carrier packs, I can see me getting one for spring/summer/fall use but I usually run a snowmobile in the winter and I do not think the tube system would work well under the helmet or in the cold.

I can carry a lot of stuff on the work snowmobile (Ski-doo widetrack Expedition 600cc) so I usually bring a steel thermos of hot water from home; I make instant soup with the first cup of water and turn the rest into tea.

I think I am going to contain my new mid-sized hiking kit in a metal container (army mug or heavy tin can) which will then be placed in a small pack that has room for 500ml waterbottles to be added to it. The goal is to keep this kit small and light (so I will not be tempted to leave it behind) but still cover all the survival component groups.

Mike