This group sure does seem pretty on top of things as far as finding quality gear. I was wondering, what do you have set up to carry your water in for your "go bag, get home bag, BOB, whatever you call yours".

First, I was thinking that a simple Camel Bak would be ideal for *me* because I have so many of them laying around since hubby is military. Lately, tho, I have been thinking it might be a good idea to consider something that is multi use. A container that I could also heat water and maybe even cook in. I try to keep my go bag as light as possible, so what kind of gear would you intelligent folks recommend? Is it safe to heat stainless steel water bottles?

I really like the idea of a container that I can use to collect water, heat water (yes, my go bag has a couple packets of instant coffee, that vice has high priority for me, morale is important too!).

Maybe there is even some sort of equipment that is like an all in one combo set? Something with a water container and maybe a small cup or pot that can be used in a fire to heat food items? So, basically, what do you use? Links and personal reviews are appreciated.

Camelbaks, steel water bottles. Sometimes multiples

For my kits I like to use a standard 32oz waterbottle with a stainless steel cup that fis snugly on the bottom of the bottle. You can carry water and heat it up in the cup over any small stove or fire. You can also purify any water you find by boiling it in the cup and storing boiled water in the bottle.

I also like a cup that fits on the bottom of my water container; there are several variations available. A Snow Peak 700 (titanium) is the lightest, toughest, and most expensive, but it cuddles nicely around a 1 L Nalgene or a lighter variation, a 32 oz recycled Gatorade bottle. Somewhat heavier, but considerably cheaper is a stainless steel cup (Olicamp is one maker). A very good water container is a collapsible water jug of which the most common brand is Platypus. Their one L version will fit in the cups mentioned above.

I have assembled a complete kit for coffee, tea, or boil in the bag meals by adding a Trangia alcohol stove, fuel, and the ingredients for that nice cup of tea (or Starbucks Via) to the above.

I do pay attention to container weight, because I am usually backpacking or hinking, and water is almost always the heaviest thing I am packing. Container weights of items like Nalgene containers can add up pretty significantly - I really like Gatorade or Powerade, etc. bottles for that reason - ust wish I could get something that has a full liter capacity.

I you are transporting by vehicle, you have much more latitude, but I don't bother with containers of more than about two gallons capacity. They are jsut too heavy and awkward - usually.

Hydration bladders or hydration "systems" are just too darn fiddly for me. KISS applies here.

There is always the Vargo Titanium BOT Bottle.

http://www.vargooutdoors.com/Titanium-BOT-Bottle-Pot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNW4ZzPlaGM

Water is heavy and carrying it on your back with the rest of the gear can be quite uncomfortable. I'm currently using a PLCE belt webbing set with 2 double PLCE ammunition front pouches and hippo pad which gives space for 3 Lifeventure 650ml Tritan Flask bottles (Nalgene compatible) and a Katadyn Ceramic Mini Filter Pump with a Nalgene Active Charcoal adapter. Having 6-7 lbs on the front/side of the body helps with the load distribution (i.e. not having an additional 6-7 lbs on the back and shoulders) and it makes filtering and refilling the flasks quick and simple as well without having to remove the back pack and put it back on!

http://www.lifeventure.co.uk/htm/cookware/tritan-flasks.html

http://www.strikeforcesupplies.co.uk/index.php?method=stock&id=9012&from=48

I own a variety of Camelbaks, and they work very well for me. As long as I only put water in them and get them hung up to dry at the end of the trip cleaning isn't a big deal.

I sure wish that my dumb dog hadn't peed on the bladder for my Camelbak lumbar pack. It was just the right size for bike rides and they don't make that bladder any more.

Living in the desert means I carry water in practically every container possible.

I always have, at a minimum, a small pilots flask. About 500ml. Being flat, it fits easily in my pocket or bag. Good for about one good drink. Only use this when I am within easy "refill" range. Oh, all the plastic containers I mention here are food grade.

Nearby I keep several plastic GI canteens. One quart, kidney shaped standard item. Cheap, usually under $2. I have a bunch of them. Still small enough to easily carry. Usually have two on my molle vest. In my bag, I have one pocket with the standard GI cup. Stainless steel, heavy but indestructible. Been carrying the same one for many years. Doubles as a shovel, pot, parts holder and numerous other uses. It makes a good "place holder" for the canteen. Easy to replace the canteen in the bag. Snapped to the bottom of the cup is the standard GI canteen stove. Small gel pack of fuel is elsewhere in bag.

Also have several larger military containers. They hold about 3/4 gallon. Very rugged plastic. 4 of these are strapped into the truck. I rotate the water occasionally, but they are for emergency use only. They can be carried in a pack if needed and are rugged enough to bet my life on.

I removed the back seat from the truck/camper and keep 4, 3 gallon (standard blue cube type) water jugs. 3 gallons is a manageable size.

I seldom use hydration bladders. Had one leak and lost my water supply. I had the foresight to also carry one GI canteen and my partners shared their water supply so no harm done. But I no longer put all my water in one container.

The truck camper has a 30 gallon fresh water tank. All of the above are filled and checked prior to every trip.

Camper has several water purification systems as well.

Many years ago I ran out of water. Had a very very bad day. Could have been worse though. Kinda had an effect on my water storage habits.

Nomad

This is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for... I just wish it had some kind of handle or clip or something. Maybe I could use paracord and a carabiner to make something...



Agreed. I've even seen a lot of the Alice style packs that have a hydration bladder built in... this might be something I check into as an extra source in addition to whatever else I end up using.



I like them a lot for hiking and walking too. I'm not a cyclist, but these are great for day tripping. And what a bad dog, lol!



Nomad, I have to say that your water storage habits both humble and awe me. I hope to get to your level of preparedness! I also have several of the GI canteens laying around, I should make use of those too, thanks for sharing that!

For now, what I've learned that I think is most important is to not rely on just ONE water source. I think that is great advice, and I plan to incorporate it into my plans.

Thanks everyone.

Izzy, Source is a great reservoir system. Highly recommend. Be sure to include the faucet tap or whatever they call it for universal filling from the mouthpiece. Speaking of which the mouthpiece area; bite valve, dust cover, attachment linkage is a massive set up. It is easily 75% larger than a camelbak set up. Doesn't detract in any way, its just a lot bigger than the photos make it to be.

Though I will admit last week I bought the Camelbak Thermobak AB carrier, a Source holder would have been slick though.

my "bag" is a Blackhawk I picked off the prize table at a Ft Benning 3gun match, so has a bladder and pouch built in... a Sawyer filter bottle with nested cup in one outside pouch, and in the other side the aluminum bottle from the Swiss Ranger stove set...I maintain a 1/2 flat of 500ml bottles of water in the Explorer

I carry one or two 32 oz. (1 liter) wide-mouth Nalgene bottles and use a Black Diamond carabiner to clip them to stuff, as needed.

A few years back I switch the entire family to the non-BPA versions.

Carrying much more than that is too heavy for me.

Perhaps I am hopelessly old school, but I've never really gotten into the Camelback fad. While they are no doubt handy for some things (endurance races, combat infantry) I don't see that many big advantages for day to day hiking. So I just carry one or more ordinary nalgene type bottles in my pack. I'm getting to be an old fart, and I don't mind stopping from time to time to take off my pack, catch my breath, eat a snack, and take a drink.

Note that the bladders have some disadvantages. Cleaning has been mentioned. Another issue is that the tubes tend to freeze in cold weather. I've seen some that attempt to insulate the tube, but in real cold weather even that doesn't work all that well. When backcountry skiing I carry my water bottle inside a cover with about a half inch of foam insulation, which goes in my pack. Even with that, my water will sometimes start to freeze during the day when out in serious cold.

I should mention that lately when hiking in hot weather I have started using collapsable water bottles for some of my extra supply. Mine is a Platypus Softbottle. It works just like an ordinary bottle, but stows flat as I empty it.

Aksar, do you blow the water out of the tube back into the bladder when it's really cold outside?

I don't know how cold you're talking about but I've used mine below 0F by filling the tube with air. I believe I learned this many moons ago on Camelbak's website.

For the original question I have and love using Camelbak bladders for the outdoors. I have them with and without the insulated tube.

I first used one bicycle riding and found it so much easier to drink while moving. I frequently leave PLAIN water in it for a week+ , =lazy, and only once had it go funky. Soap and water fixed it. I find them easy to leave unfilled in a backpack and fill when needed. I always keep my bags in the same location as my water so I can throw some bottles in the bag and fill on the way if I have to grab and go.

For street use I EDC a S.S. Camelbak bottle. You can clip a carabiner to it to fasten it onto almost anything.
I had previously used three other manufactures S.S. bottles but I liked the ease of the bite valve the best.
(You can't heat it but I EDC a Steripen and ClO2 tablets.)

One reason I have stayed with Camelbak was that I had a bladder that was at least 5 yrs old when it developed a small hole. I sent them the old one and they sent me a free new one.
Companies that stand behind their product are important to me.

Standard disclaimer, no affiliation except as a happy customer.

Our family BOB resembles this set up - stainless steel water bottles, nested in cans, nested in stainless or aluminum cups. we also have some empty platypus bags, MicroPUR tabs and a katadyn pocket filter.

Our daypacks house the nesting bottle/can/cup, microPUR tabs and a Frontier straw filter, except for our 9 yo's. He often chooses a GI canteen and mess cup.

My edc set-up is slightly lighter, with a nalgene and a camp cup, along with some microPUR tabs.

Many years back when at a campout with my son's Boy Scout Troop there was a parent visiting that was wearing some kind of water bladder backpack. She plopped down in a chair and then quickly sprang back up.

It turned out that she'd put ice in her bladder, and the bladder burst open when she sat down - flooding her back and rear end with ice water.

I've always been under the assumption that it was a cheap imitation and that the good brands would not have failed so violently (so to speak).

I'm with AKSAR, after trying various Camelbak type water bladders/packs, I still use water bottles regardless of the activity as I find them a lot more versatile and also find that I use less water as they are not as convenient to sip out as compared to a Camelbak.

The bladder is pretty impervious, and a long term soak in solutions of clorox, baking soda, or vinegar should effectively cleanse it in both the microbiological and ritual aspects. That said, one could drink a lot of dog urine without experiencing any physical injury, and it would probably would be no more esthetically displeasing than one of the less expensive domestic chardonnays...

I threw it out. If nothing else my wife would never, ever stop teasing me if I drank out of the bladder that the dog peed on.

Bwahahahaaa!!

Tell you what.... if you'll drink it, I'll put in on my tab. Lol

I carry a Nalgene "On the Fly" water bottle with me always... It has the cap that actually has a metal clip as a safety to keep it closed, as I have electronics in my bag as well.

I tried the Nalgene Tritan, but it tried to drown my stuff too many times.

The "lips that touch dog pee shall never touch mine" ethic is common among non-dog owners, but dog people treat dog hair as a condiment, and are exposed to dog...essence...with every canine kiss, nuzzle and sneeze.

But I understand. Men exhibit all kinds of odd behavior in the sincere belief that it will improve their chances of success with the fairer sex. Pitching a perfectly serviceable hydration bladder is in no way more reprehensible than growing a goatee, wearing a polyester leisure suit, or driving a miata, all widely acknowledged chick magnets.

ROFLMAO

Huh.. I worked with a guy who wore a lot of polyester and drove a Miata...

But I don't think he was doing it for the "girls".... Don't ask.. don't tell...

It must have been a cheaper one. I have used Camelbaks for years (since they first came out) and have put ice in them in the summer with no problems. I wore them under body armor, in vehicles and have abused them thoroughly. I have never had a problem except with the older lids, the ones that did not screw on, occasionally they would pop open.

My Camelbak filling technique for warmer days is to fill the bladder completely with ice, and then fill it with cold water. I've never had even a tiny leak.

I like the nalgene due to it's compatibility with my water filter, and its ruggedness. Water bladders do have their uses and advantages, but so far this combo has never let me down.

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Or it could have been a Camelbak and ice got stuck on the lip when she screwed it on or maybe she didn't screw it on flush and the lid popped off when it became pressurized. I'll be honest my reservoir leaked last week when a piece of ice got stuck on my lid and it didn't screw on straight.

I do both. I use reservoirs for longer runs and for paramilitary events where I can not take off my pack to get a bottle. Every day I may have a half filled reservoir in my daypack but I also EDC a Nalgene Oasis (GI canteen version) with a canteen cup and Alice canteen pouch. Today I had both PLUS a 1L wide mouth Nalgene full of water and Chia seeds.

For public gatherings I tend to use a 1L Nalgene. Which I will also nest with a GSI cup for when I carry it normally.

I have never, ever, had a external freezing problem with my drink tube, down to below freezing. I do have a neoprene cover over the tube. I do have a dust cap on my reservoirs of which I own maybe a half dozen.

Camelbak is not the only option of course. Source is a great hydration company. Their design is made for soldiering abuse. it has anti-microbial properties. They have an ingenious cap that fits onto the mouthpiece area to recharge the bladder without having to take it off and open the lid. Platypus makes a reservoir very similar to Camelbak. They have a ziptop lid that is much larger than others already mentioned. And its never leaked on me from that closure system.

TL;DR- I use it all. 1L Nalgene wide mouths, reservoirs, Nalgene GI canteens. I have never had a reservoir freeze on me.

I have two different rigs depending on what I am doing, how much gear I need. If I am traveling light I use a Nalgene Canteen & cup combo from the Canteen shop. But if I have a bag with gear, I like my Stainless bottle and cup from the Pathfinder Store. On Extended treks I bring both for a complete cook set. I have the stove options for both as well. I highly recomend the stove ring for the pathfinder bottle, as it helps it nest much tighter (quieter)
Pathfinder bottle set
Canteen shop kits

In the OP the question referred to what container would fit best in a BOB. A good water bottle stored empty or full makes sense to me for a kit that mostly sits around. But I do use a variety of hydration bladders. I keep an empty one in my Maxpedition Gearslinger bag that I carry on business trips just in case I need to bug out and want to carry more water than my .75L Camelbak bottle.

I also recently picked up a bladder from Geigerrig. This is a pressurized bladder that uses air to force the water out thru the mouthpiece. This solved the problem I had getting my dog to drink while out walking. He didn't like the collapsible bowl nor would he use the special pet bottle with the rolling ball feed. But with the Geigerrig I just squirt water into his mouth and he laps it on down.

You can also use the stream to rinse off, irrigate a wound, or give water to someone else without them chomping on your bite valve.

It also has a fold down, flap-type, opening for easy cleaning and filling. The company web site claims you turn it inside out and run it through the dishwasher.

Just a satisfied customer.