That I have not found anyone else carrying.
I carry a metal cup. Such as this Cup with a Nalgene bottle in it.
I have found this to be a great carry item. Not only as a cup, but I can use it as a small cook pot, I can use it to boil/filter/collect water, I can use it to signal if need be since it is shiny, I can beat it flat and possible make a blade, also it can be used as the water holder for a solar still. Im sure there are plenty of other uses. I bought a few to put in my kits, bags, vehicles, ect. It is such a cheap and simple item, yet it can come in very handy. It is much better then trying to use tinfoil for boiling, a cup, bowl, ect. If you carry a Nalgene bottle it may be a good idea to put a metal cup on the bottom, especially if you don't carry a mess kit with you <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

I carry a cup with me when I go camping or out to the field, but it doesnt nest in my nalgene like I would like it to do. You are right. I usually only carry the one cup, and maybe a small pot with me when I go to the field to boil water for shaving or cooking, (not at the same time) I am in need of a cup that will nest over my nalgene bottle so I can use them in the same manner as a canteen and canteen cup, in a pouch on my gear.

Garrett

I carry a one quart military canteen, with 2 canteen cups (one inside the other - see below), and a cup stand/stove. The two cups gives you the option of heating water and still having cup for drinking or preparing eats (e.g. soup). What I did was get a surplus canteen cup - with the wire handles which are tack welded on - and had a friend of mine who works sheet metal pop off the handles and grind down the welds. Fits perfectly inside my first cup, which still has the handles. Put this rig inside of one of the new MOLLE II canteen/utility pouches (with the pockets on the sdes), put several Esvit tabs in one pocket and my SAK in another, and I have my cook kit and am covered in an emergency.

Hope this helps.

.....CLIFF
- Everyone is entitled to my opinion

I carry a Snowpeak titanium cup as part of a minimal emergency cookset (alcohol stove, gatorade powder container with screw top converted to a bowl + holder for everything). It all weighs under 6 oz. This goes with me for hiking, showshoeing, etc. Also nice to be able to quickly brew up a hot drink in the winter!

My "be-nighted" bag in the van has a GI canteen cup with fuel bars in a zip lock bag in it . I recently added a small square cook set ( pot and lid) that I filled with a little rice, dry onion, garlic , buillon powder, hot chocolate mix , etc and fuel/matches. At least if I get stuck somewhere I'll have a little hot food.

Hi Paul - I'd love to say "great minds think alike." <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
I've been carrying the same thing for about a year. I add a bandanna stuffed into the cup, under the bottle, with a very small corner peeking out above the lip of the cup so I can get it out - it wedges the bottle into the cup very tightly.
I recently got a small shoulder bag instead of my too-big daypack, and I then had to get a small pouch that I can attach to the shoulder bag to hold the bottle.
I'm less likely to need to cook in a daily commute/walk, but I like having that as a possibility. Mainly, I think of it as a way to share the water if, for instance, I'm stuck on a subway train for quite a while and someone needs a drink - I can control how much they get, and we're not all drinking out of the same bottle...and if someone doesn't give it back, I've still got the water.
Dave

I have seent hat done before and it is a good idea! I like the ideas of having nested mugs like that because they dont take up too much space. I want to go with a Nalgene style mug system though, becuase I like the wide mouth better than the narrow mouth of the issue canteen. I actually dont even use them at all most of the time. I use my nalgene bottle more often than not, but I usually carry my camelbak for water. I use the water bottle to have a rapid source (for lack of a better term) of water for cooking and hygene. They work out better in colder environment as well.

I am getting very excited about getting a mug now. I cant wait to get out and get one.

Didn't suppose I was the first to think of it - seemed too obvious. Several others in my old unit did it, too, after they saw mine.

In a fit of optimism several years ago, I sent the idea to Brigade Quartermasters. Never heard from them. <img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Another mod I am going to do after some experience: Cut the curved lip off of the handleless cup - saves a bit of weight, and you can turn it upside down and put it on top of your first cup, as a cover, when boiling water. Makes the boil time drop.

.....CLIFF
"Measure twice; cut once."

Hey, I carry a metal cup too. And the darned thing has come in handy quite a few times! The ability to COOK in it has been helpful a few times!

Paul,

I was inspired! Great post. I picked up the cup with the foldable handles to go under my nalgene bottle a few days ago. I cant wait to take it afield and test it with the Esbit stove.

I was wonering, any tips about how to keep the handles closed and keep the cup on the bottle? I thought about tape, but I'd like to avoid the residue. Thoughts?....

My minimal kit is becoming more and more fun to carry and use, afield and EDC.

Thanks for you thoughts.

--Luke