CamelBak bottle vs Nalgene polycarbonate

Warning/Request - we have beat the snot out of the BPA "issue" over the last several years and I have zero interest in re-visiting that; my mind is firmly made up based on hard science; facts; my personal usage patterns; hardheaded factor - take your pick (all apply).

Don't hijack my thread with that (BPA) topic - start yer own.

Getting to the subject - 1 liter poly carbonate bottles:

I've been using Nalgenes for so long that I've had HDPE ones crumble to dust from age. I switched to polycarbonate a long time ago.

In stores and on line, the CamelBak style 1 liter bottles draw me like a magnet.

I am indifferent to using cups that nest on a Nalgene; I have them, I have used them (work fine), and I have/use other gear I like better. Purely personal preference - I recommend them to folks when it seems appropriate.

Any experiences / opinions on the CamelBak (non - sipping) vs the Nalgene? I guess I would be interested in same for the bite valve cap version of the CamelBak as well, but that's almost a separate topic.

The price difference (favors Nalgene) is unimportant to me.

Since I am very fond of products by both companies, I might have some brand conflict resolution to do, LoL.

I'm pretty much disinterested in the smaller volume bottles - comment if you wish, but my focus is on the 1 liter size.

Please feel free to toss in any comments about bottle bags, pouches, and carriers. I have a few up coming adventures this year that are pushing me temporarily back to water bottles as primary instead of water bladders and there is a lot more available now than when I last used bottles as my sole water transport vehicle.

Edit: I am asking about first or second hand opinions about the CamelBak "Better Bottle" with "Classic Cap" in the 1 liter size. It uses a cap that specifically is stated as fitting Nalgene wide mouth bottles (and they sell bite tube caps so one may retrofit a Nalgene). It is BPA free. It is "easy to clean" and "dishwasher safe" (top rack). I would be interested in comments about the bite valve version as well, but that is not the focus of my question. End Edit

Thanks in advance for any experience / opinions!

Tom

Question: Will my MSR mini-Works water filter attach to a Camelbak bottle the way it attaches to a Nalgene? That compatibility is important to me.

My criteria for a water bottle is that it should be leak resistant and reasonably light weight. I prefer wide mouth containers. Thus my all time favorite is the recycled beverage (usually Gatorade) bottle. Slaking my thirst and saving the planet by recycling - such a deal! I have plenty of one liter Nalgenes that I have acquired over the years, and I could care less about their chemical composition. This concern diminishes even more dramatically the more thirsty I get. I do like the tethered cap - a very fine feature.

As the saying goes, the best water container is the one that you have with you, especially if it still contains water or a reasonable facsimile.

I've got a Camelbak "unbottle." I think that's the right name; it's the one that comes insulated. I like it because it really does keep the water cooler on a hot day. The insulation also helps prevent punctures, which is important if some of your packs are older and don't have a hydration pocket. It does of course fit in a hydration pocket as well.

I like its versatility:
-I can use it in the "usual way" in a hydration pocket.
-Because it's protected, I can also put it in packs w/o a hydration pocket.
-It has clips, so I can run run straps through the clips and secure it on the back of my pack if I need more room inside the pack.
-Also with the clips, I can put climbing webbing or similar straps through the clips and wear it directly on my pack. If I'm doing some kind of a "fast and light" outing in dependable, good weather, I can wear just a fanny pack and still have a good supply of water (comes in 2L or 3L size) when I add my Camelbak. A lot of the time (pre-Camelbak) when I was out with just a fanny pack, even a good sized one, I had trouble carrying sufficient water for the hot dry weather we often have here in California.

I to am intrigued by the Camel bottle, but have not purchased one for only one reason, they look to me to be harder to clean than a widemouth Nalgene.

Why do you think that? They have the same size mouth/cap as a Nalgene and less/no shoulder. Actually, should be easier to clean.

Cap is supposed to fit Nalgenes, so I would say "Yes". Machts Nichts to me; I use CamelBak bladders and my filters connect via a quick disconnect at the bite valve. My filter does have a "nalgene" adaptor that I never carry - just stick the output hose in the bottle and fill.

It took me a little while to warm to the Camelbak bottles, the primary reason is that hardheadedness you mentioned. I just couldn't get used to the straw setup. I like the shape and the look, it was just that one thing that kept me from using them.

I thought I would try some of the 750mL bottles for wildland firefighting last season. No complaints... they held up like Nalgene bottles and I found I liked the sip feature more and more. I replaced the bite valves and straw but the old ones could have lasted another season but my OCD kicked in... The sip feature isn't perfect for all applications but when spill prevention is an issue they are very nice.

Alan - Thank you for the report!

Tom

I should have been more specific. It's not that the bottle would be harder to clean, but with the straw setup there would be more parts to clean, and I've cleaned enough kid cups to know I don't want to clean any more straws ;-)

I agree. However, my main question is about the classic cap version, not the sipper. One of the reasons I carry a bottle is for mixing hydration salts - I don't want to gunk up a bladder (not interested in CamelBak's fizzy flavored tablets or others - only water in the bladder!).

Regards,

Tom

Denture cleaning tabs

Seriously, I can understand where you are coming from. Until recently (relatively) I always carried a nalgene bottle for that reason. Since I discovered Nuun... it isn't an issue anymore!

"Nuun?" What is Nuun?

I have had the Camelbak "sipper" bottles leak a little when put on their side or shaken vigorously. When I'm carrying the weight on my back I don't like the weight of the bottle or the sipper lid as compared to a simple widemouth 1L AquaFina bottle.

I find the Camelbak sipper to be excellent, however, for use in the office & classroom. When delivering a lecture or working at my desk it is nice to be able to take a sip without opening & closing a screwcap, but still have some spill protection.

http://www.nuun.com/index.php

Ah. I thought it was a cleaning agent or a disinfectant.

It turns out it was Nuun of the above ...

For the last several months, I have been working in a full body safety harness and safety lines. It has been extremely convient to use the Camelbak sip bottle. I can easily with one gloved hand, via a small carabiner, snap the Camelbak on and off my harness whenever I need a drink. With the Camelbak's hard loop top, I can also place the bottle on fairly steep roofs and be assured it will not roll off when I must cram myself into tight quarters to work.

The down side is you must pay attention when cleaning the bite valve and straw. You don't just place it into the dishwasher. The Camelbak does not hold as much liquid as the Nalgene bottle, 750 ml verses 1000 ml. Also, I don't think that the Camelbak will survive a thirty foot fall on to concrete as well as the Nalgene bottle. I don't know for sure since I have not dropped a bottle yet, only hammers and chisels. Ah, the joys of tuckpointing.

For one handed use, I highly recommend the Camelbak bottle.

Camelbak makes a 1000mL version of their bottle now.