Canteen, Bota, Nalgene, Camelbak. . . . .

J

Jamesh Bond

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Jan 14, 2007
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(the things people think about when they can't sleep. . . )

When I go out on day hikes, I sometimes carry a Camelback Hawg, or usually some other daypack with Nalgene bottle and other simple things inside. It all depends on how gearheaded I'm feeling. On long backpacking trips, it's usually a Nalgene or two.

Lately, I've been more drawn to the over the shoulder approach, like a bota bag or canteen. I'd like to think of some idea (not just a piece of paracord)
to adapt to my Nalgene.

Goofy question, I know, but what do you carry for hydration, and how do you carry it?
 
I have a couple of USGI 1qt canteen sets and used to carry one everywhere. Then I got a nalgene and carried it for awhile. Now I'm carrying one of the 2qt USGI canteens. Comfortable to carry and enough water for a day trip in mild weather.
 
$11 should be saved for another knife or donated to a radical environmental group to keep your favourite stomping grounds unstomped. Paracord will cut your shoulder in two after @ 15 minutes- BTDT. Get yourself some lampwicking (great emergency tinder) or some used webbing and duct tape it to your container.
 
I don't know about you guys, but when I carry anything over the shoulder style or bandolier style across the chest for more than a mile or so, it gets annoying, and, if it's heavy, it gets uncomfortable. With my daypack/hydration reservoir combo, I can carry more stuff, and be comfortable all day through many miles.
 
For most active situations I really like Camelbacks. For robustness, I still can't do away with a good USGI canteen or Nalgene water bottle. Plus, it's a heck of a lot easier to filter water into a bottle and then transfer to a bladder (or at least it is for me...but I haven't used a bladder adapter yet either).

Lastly, I typically keep a USGI 2qt canteen with a modular HSGI shoulder pouch and accessory pouches that contain Polar Plus, small PSK, flashlight and a small multi-tool. It will attach to most of my packs, but can be removed as a stand alone for day hikes.

If you're dead set on the Nalgene 1qt bottle, there's plenty of modular carries and small D-ring adapters that will accept a should strap.

ROCK6
 
I flashed on the idea of making a Nalgene sling using paracord in the same weave as a survival bracelete and weaving up a simple net on the bottle end.

There are all kinds of holsters made for Nalgene bottles. I have one made by Lowepro to go with their modular photo gear line. They work best on a backpack waist strap or a seperate belt like a pistol belt, as a full Nalgene is a bit much to hand on your pants belt-- I would have my pants around my knees in a few steps with that much weight.

To answer your question, I use a Platypus Mega hydration pack for day hiking. It has a "beavertail" -- the outer flap has open sides so a waterproof stuff sack can be strapped in for bad weather, or it can be used to hold a fleece sweater or rain gear with easy access. The main pack has enough room for a good PSK and snacks.

My overnight pack is a GoLite Jam that can hold up to a 3 liter bladder. I use the Platypus bladders as they give the best volume per weight and cost too. You can haul a couple Platypus bladders for the same weight as a one liter Nalgene. I include a one liter Platypus as my backup water container in my PSK.
 
I looked into that Nalgene carrier, but it didn't seem that durable. I also thought of the braided paracord idea. Platypi are awesome containers for backup, cuz they roll so small.
 
I carry a HAWG with 3L of water in bladder. I have the Extreme (military Molle version) so I have added a bunch of external molle magazine pouches to hold more stuff than I probably need for most of my dayhikes. I dont think there is any better way to carry water than the bladder hydration systems.
 
DaleW said:
I flashed on the idea of making a Nalgene sling using paracord in the same weave as a survival bracelete and weaving up a simple net on the bottle end.
Click to expand...

Could you please elaborate on what a paracord survival bracelete is? Any links/photos would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
These are merely woven braceletes to wear as a at hand ( literally) source of emergency cordage. EBAY often has several for sale. There is also a braided paracord belt, a 6 string game carrier and probably anything else your imagtination comes up with. These are fun projects when your stuck in the asphalt jungle vs the real one. They have a cool factor, like the lance Armstrong courage bracelets before counterfeits appeared. The practical disadvantage I see is like people found dead in the desert with saved water. Someday you may have to use that paracord to ford a river to safety, look at all that work and say no way!:D
 
I usually carry 2 nalgenes in a fanny pack with other gear...When in the city I carry a shoulder bag but years of contact sports have left me wit a few herniated disks (at 31 yrs old it's pretty lame) so carrying anything over 1 shoulder for 2 long starts too hurt pretty quick sometimes if i have a fanny pack on I wear a fixed blade on para cord Badoliero style "sot of a shoulder holster makes for easy access and it is not ver visible when my arms are at my sides...
 
I vote for a platypus, when it is empty you can fold it up and put it in your pocket. :thumbup: Chris
 
Camelbak, I really love them, I drink more and feel less dehydrated especially in summer.

I carry a nalgene on similar in my pack for an easy fill or to mix gatorade, juice, etc. (plus a cup for boiling purposes)
 
To and from work I carry two Nalgene bottles. I drink iced tea at work, so I usually toss one bottle in the freezer and retrieve it later partially frozen.

For day hikes, kayak outings, skiing, and whatever else, my Camelbak Honcho in my primary hydration pack. It isn't unusual for my to carry a Nalgene bottle in the Camelbak pack. When I'm on the move, a bladder-type hydration pack of one sort or another is with me all the time.
 
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