Collaspsible Canteens

barber oregon · Feb 23, 2003

Has anyone ever used the new military collapsible canteens?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2161106250&category=588

I was thinking of getting some for the BOB but I have no idea how they perform when compared the the regular "hard-body" standard issue canteens.

Does the softer plastic absorb odours? How durable are they?

glocker21 · Feb 23, 2003

Hey there...

I have seen those collapsible canteens....but I wonder, why not just buy a Nalgene wide mouth bottle or wide mouth pakteen? The wide mouth bottle is hard but the pakteen is collapsible

Josh Feltman · Feb 24, 2003

I have a two-quart army canteen that looks to be made from the same type of plastic ( It's hard to tell from a picture). I've had it for two or three years now and it has held up quite well. I could see it getting punctured under certain conditions though, such as falling on a sharp rock.
--Josh

barber oregon · Feb 24, 2003

Hey there Glocker21,

The Nalgene bottles are great. I actually use them in the summer when I'm fishing. However, the military canteens can be more easily carried (IMHO) via the standard pistol belt. Plus the pouch can fit both the water purification tablets and the "mess-cup" all in a compact package--pretty useful in a BOB I think.

Josh, do you find that the plastic of your canteens leave any odours?

I appreciate the responses everyone

barber oregon · Feb 24, 2003

haneyk · Feb 24, 2003

I find that a dried buffalo or deer bladder works great as an emergency collapsible canteen. When dried, it can be folded away flat and when needed, rehydrated and used to hold water. Just wash it out very well before the first use. ;-)

Kevin Haney, Coordinator
Mid-Atlantic Primitive Skills Group
"Where 'primitive' is not a pejorative!"
www.mapsgroup.org

Josh Feltman · Feb 25, 2003

Originally posted by barber oregon

Josh, do you find that the plastic of your canteens leave any odours?

Yup. It makes the water taste like plastic. It's not too bad, but it's definitely noticeable, especially if the water warms up during the day. I think it has lessened a bit over time.
--Josh

Bhodisatva · Feb 28, 2003

I personally use Nalgene bottles or an MSR/NorthFace hydration system. I believe Nalgene and Platypus make collapsible hydration bladders that fold up and are probably fairly cheap. I would expect they are top notch in quality from my experience and niether leave a plastic taste in the water. Check out their websites or look on a search engine. I've never kept a deer bladder after gutting to attempt that one. If going minimalist why not just use a condom or rubber glove.