My experience with "Juice Box" containers for long term water storage has been disappointing from a "backpack storage" perspective. The constant movement of items against the "Juice Box" containers cause leakage. I store all my backpack items in ziplock bags so water damage to contents is kept to a minimum. I have had much better results of Water Blox storage in fixed containers such as a rigid cooler. When packed with other types of water containers (prepackaged bottles of water or other beverages), the stiffness factor around the Water Blox containers goes up dramatically, thus no leakage and a substantial increase in shelf life. I have resorted to carrying the aluminized packets in backpacks (also in ziplocks). I have Never had an aluminized water packet break no matter where it was stored. They Are Tough, and hard to open sometimes. I have no experience with the freeze/thaw cycle since I reside in Florida and have no long term freezing weather (thank goodness!!).