Bladder or Canteen

[Silent Bob]

Morning all! Hope to get some rain today...so I thought I might start this discussion off on preference over water bladder or canteen.

Here are the five preferences that I was tooling around in my head during a discussion at a disaster prep meeting that I attended.

1) Old school: 1 quart canteen on the belt.
2) Version of old school with the use of Molle gear: 1 or 2 quart canteen attached to Molle Gear
3) Hiker version using plastic water bottles
4) Trend of using bladders attached to the day pack or Large ACU, MARPAT (Like Marines are doing now), or the Army ACU pack
5) Combination of what I use, 1 quart canteen on Combat Vest, 2 Quart on MARPAT and a bladder for ruck marches or patrol.

I know many discussion will come from time, water source, tactical (patrol versus building entry) etc...so go ahead and comment on that too, as you would like. So what are your thoughts on the subject? I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts.

Have a blessed day and enjoy what is left of the weekend.

 

[jimLE]

if the weather forecast is correct..we'll be getting more rain then i care for in one day by this evening...

i have 9 -32 ounce bottles with screw on lids/caps..i been waiting till i have the money to buy a pack n all that'll work with those..(if i can find one)...on account that'll give me 2 1/4 gallons at a time..

 

[Silent Bob]

That's a ton of water of water to be carrying Jim, My max load was the 3 qts and that bladder, which isn't much more than a qt. I've got some of those really nice qt size ones for my wife and daughter. Son like the 2 qt military and has a bladder attached to his BOB.

 

[jontte]

old-school here,canteen for me,never got accustomed with those bladder things and I'm not saying that who wants a bladder is wrong,no no,I'm just old-school in some things

 

[jimLE]

i figured we're gonna need the water if we have to bug out for whatever reason(s).plus,my mom can only carry so much..even then for a limited time.i already have 8 of the 32 ounce bottles filled with water.and their in a box,and loaded up in the van...i also keep a travel sewing kit,and a mini screw driver set in same box..i also have 12-1 gallon milk jugs filled with water.thats just in case the van starts to overheat and all..plus i had gotten a 8-pack of 12 ounce bottles for my mom.idea size bottles for her to handle..

 

[psalm 7]

I use the 1 qt canteens and 2 qt canteens on my A.L.I.C.E web gear and I have some old German canteens I use with back packs . I don't have anything aginst the bladders other than you better keep them clean or your going to be aful sick . I

 

[Gazrok]

I just use two metal water bottles. They fit in the pockets made for such things in the backpack well, and have carabiner clips to be sure they don't fall out. Better to have the weight on my back than my waist.

Being metal, I can boil the water in them (for purification and/or use in freeze-dried meals).

I have a bladder (use it when playing paintball), but wouldn't rely on it in a survival situation (too much of a pain to keep clean).

 

[Silent Bob]

I just use two metal water bottles. They fit in the pockets made for such things in the backpack well, and have carabiner clips to be sure they don't fall out. Better to have the weight on my back than my waist.

Being metal, I can boil the water in them (for purification and/or use in freeze-dried meals).

I have a bladder (use it when playing paintball), but wouldn't rely on it in a survival situation (too much of a pain to keep clean).

Great feedback by all! Keep it coming, I am keeping a separate tally of those that have written and will do a final tally and explanation. Thanks Gazrok and Psalm 7, on the input

 

[DrHenley]

Short term I use Thermos backpack hydration bottles (double wall steel). They will keep ice water cold for close to 24 hours. Long term, of course, there is no point in insulated bottles if you don't have access to refrigeration, but they have another feature that is nice - a lock to keep them from popping open in your backpack. I had one pop open in a backpack when I did not engage the lock.

They are too bulky and heavy to carry a large amount of water.

 

[Myrrph]

i agree with Gaz, I carry 1 metal water bottle, 2 plastic ones and multiple ways to filter and boil water...

Boiling is almost always my no. 1 prefered method

 

[Silent Bob]

All,

As of 20 April, 2014, we had 64 visitors read the thread, a total of six votes and eight comments. Based on the feedback, most agree that the best water carrier is the metal type water container. Pretty much all agree the metal container affords the ability to heat and treat water. Thank you to those who weighed in on the thread. I hope this will help new prepper's decide on their decisions on water carriers. Thanks again.