Interesting comment. The price of the canteen is quite irrelevant. What is of concern is the value of the water. On occasion, water may be common, or even overabundant (like the recent burst water main at UCLA), but all too often in n outdoor setting, especially in the western US, the amount of water a person can access will determine life or death. Twenty five bucks spent on a carrier that is an organized system (good point, phaedrus!) is money well spent.

Many of my water containers are much cheaper than $2 since they are recycled plastic bottles. However, the liquid they contain is more precious than rubies or gold.

Ever been so thirsty that you were trying to catch raindrops on your tongue from an approaching storm? In a situation like that the value of a quart of water soars....