Osprey Nato 58 canteen doesn't fit SS mug

My Osprey Nato 58 canteen does not fit in my Crusader stainless steel mug, in that the canteen is too large to nest in this SS mug. Either the canteen is too large in diameter or the mug is too small. Its a shame because if they fit, this would be an excellent system.

Also, I have another Osprey Nato 58 canteen where the Osprey Nato plastic cup is much too loose to positively snap on to the canteen.

My guess is the Osprey Nato 58 canteens are not even close to being uniform in specs. There's about an 8% difference as to how much water my two Nato Osprey 58 canteens hold. Others have commented on this as well. The Osprey label info that's printed on the side of these two canteens is precisely the same.

Does Nato accept all the non-standard capacities and sizes? or are these Osprey 58 canteens the Nato rejects?

Dare I suggest swapping the canteens so that each has a cup that fits?

To put it another way, I have two Nato Osprey canteens and only one Nato Osprey canteen fits a Crusader SS mug. As to it, the Nato plastic cup will not snap on top (as it was designed to).

My underlying question pertained to why there are size non-uniformities as to this otherwise "high-end" item, to the extent that people are purchasing relatively expensive water/cooking systems that do not, in my view, work.

You might consider returning the defective item. I am afraid that until now I was blissfully unaware of this issue. I can tell you something that does work - my recycled Gatorade bottle easily fits my SnowPeak 700 mug.

Another alternative solution: use an old tin can for a nesting cup. No handles but they're cheap, plentiful and they boil water well.

This is what I sometimes take when canoeing. The can serves double duty as a backup water boiler and as a backup bailer for the canoe.

Although you cannot see it, on the the other side of the can, I drilled a small hole at the top to slip some brass wire through and tied into a loop. The wire has a length of nylon rope attached which is then secured to the bow thwart on the canoe.

If I ever had the need, the can could be pressed into service for backpack uses also.

For what its worth, picture No. 2 on the following website shows that the Nato 58 canteen (at least the one pictured) does not nest in the Crusader stainless steel mug. http://www.cardinalgear.com/crusader-cup-canteen.html

However, other pictures on this same website show other Osprey 58 canteens do nest in the Crusader SS mug.

Had I been to this website before I purchased the Nato canteens, at least I would have known what questions to ask.

Can anyone suggest a forum where this type of issue is discussed? Obvious interloper here.

When it comes to survival gear, keep in mind that there is a lot of knock off import gear out there. Many times there is no sure way of knowing that what you purchased is the real thing or not...

For what it is worth, there are readily available stainless steel mugs that fit neatly on Nalgene bottles and energy bottles (like Gatorade) that are much cheaper, just as functional, and no heavier. If you want to spend a lot more for less weight, a Snow peak 700 mug will work in the same manner.

Because the build quality is exceptionally high as to all of the components, I'm satisfied they are OEM. However, I now suspect that because of the size and capacity non-uniformities, something else is going on. Alternatively, Nato might just be this careless in procurement.

Yes thanks I have seen the Snow Peaks previously and know a few people who own them. If I were to replace my existing SS mug then I would probably go for the Snow Peak. However with the tin can being only used for an emergency backup, (and not had to be used for a few years), the price point on the tin can as compared to the Snow Peak cannot be beat!

That is so often the case with this stuff. Very often, you can get 90% of the utility for 5% of the price (or less). I always liked the contrast between a recycled Gatorade canteen and an $82 titanium water bottle. Of course, cactus or mesquite spines will never pierce titanium, but just think what you could get for the extra eighty bucks - that is a good start on a PLB.

I do the same thing Teslin. In the summer I use a stainless steel water bottle in a tin can, and in the winter I swap out the canteen and add a stainless steel thermos. I carry a GI canteen and mess cup as well on longer hikes and in my GHB for additional water and so I can use the can to boil water and the mess cup to heat food.

FWIW, I have gotten tired of the wide round shape of Gatorade bottles and 'normal' Nalgene bottles. I had a couple GI canteen cups in my gear box and when I needed a new container I bought the Nalgene Oasis, their version of the GI Canteen. I love it. I love the fit in my canteen cup. I love that I can also use my old Canteen cover off my LBE to attach it to a wider assortment of my carry options. YMMV