- Joined
- Jul 22, 2005
- Messages
- 4,360
The need of water. Normally we transport it with some kind of container, probably of the nalgene, clean canteen, or guyot assortment. The problem is not the actual design of the water bottle itself, but what to put it in. Ive seen integrated pockets on packs (such as the Gregory Shasta), but these are often blocked by some form of gear the woods junky has. Other backpacks pay no heed to the water bottle at all, they normally expect the user to take off their pack, and unzip the top to get the hydration needed. Ive seen paracord bottle holders too, these are pretty cool and a fun project, but they often dont allow the space needed to fit your mug cup and your water bottle together. The problem is that despite the many bottle holder designs, no company has really paid attention to the needs of the tactician and woodsbummer alike. The placement, the ease of getting to the water, and the means of securely holding the heavy water bottle are points that must be focused on. I can remember when I was on the Appalachian trail, near Mt. Leconte. I almost stumbled on a water bottle to the side of the trail. I caught up to the owner later, who didnt even know she had lost her bottle from the holder yet. See where security can be an issue?
I have also had many problems integrating the guyot into my smaller MOLLE style pouches and packs such as my camelbak mule. I dont like to use hydration bladders much myself, so long has it been that the waterbottle location has vexed my pack configuration. I like to keep my pack smart, keeping in mind the streamline shape that makes it easy to go about woods romping in the manner I do.
I could never figure out how to mount the bottle onto the pack. I've tried different items such as velcro all around it. I was never able to get it right. Maxpedition, I think, was able to sense Joes anguish, and presented and interesting solution. They made a cover that mounts on the pack. I got the bottle holder, and was intrigued and eager to use the design. So much so, that I decided to base my whole kit on it.
Easy to do, considering that this was the first MOLLE compatible water bottle holder that I had yet to see. The integrated clips on the side make it so I can attach a carrying strap to it. Gratuitous MOLLE straps all around make it easy to attach other maxpedition products, my favorite being a cocoon and a maxpedition m-2 waist pack. My Pentagon MOLLE light does well on there too. There is a 4X6 pouch on the front, compatible with MOLLE and Velcro, perfect for a mini kit.
Did I mention the pack is insulated? But how much? I conducted a very simple test to find out. Taking two plastic nalgene bottles, I froze them overnight in the freezer. I then took one bottle and put it in the insulated water bottle holder. The other I left open to the elements. I started a timer and noted the changes in the melting process. The standard room temperature was about 70 degrees. The uninsulated frozen nalgenes began to thaw out rapidly. 8 hours had passed, and the open nalgene had completely unfroze. The bottle insulated by the maxpedition water bottle holder had remained frozen, almost completely! 15 hours later half of it insulated bottle was still frozen when the other nalgene was room temperature liquid, not even cold. It doesnt take much imagination to think about how this would hold a guyot water bottle with warm soup in it, during the winter. Also, with consistent repeated research, I also found that all brands of the 40 oz liquor bottles and beer bottles are also insulate and able to fit into the pack. Of course, one cannot zip up the zipper with a 40 in it, but who would want to? It is one heck of a party accessory at any southern pig pickin. They make a 12X5 bottle holder that might be expedient for such a task. Cant wait to check one of those out in person.
I have also had many problems integrating the guyot into my smaller MOLLE style pouches and packs such as my camelbak mule. I dont like to use hydration bladders much myself, so long has it been that the waterbottle location has vexed my pack configuration. I like to keep my pack smart, keeping in mind the streamline shape that makes it easy to go about woods romping in the manner I do.
I could never figure out how to mount the bottle onto the pack. I've tried different items such as velcro all around it. I was never able to get it right. Maxpedition, I think, was able to sense Joes anguish, and presented and interesting solution. They made a cover that mounts on the pack. I got the bottle holder, and was intrigued and eager to use the design. So much so, that I decided to base my whole kit on it.
Easy to do, considering that this was the first MOLLE compatible water bottle holder that I had yet to see. The integrated clips on the side make it so I can attach a carrying strap to it. Gratuitous MOLLE straps all around make it easy to attach other maxpedition products, my favorite being a cocoon and a maxpedition m-2 waist pack. My Pentagon MOLLE light does well on there too. There is a 4X6 pouch on the front, compatible with MOLLE and Velcro, perfect for a mini kit.
Did I mention the pack is insulated? But how much? I conducted a very simple test to find out. Taking two plastic nalgene bottles, I froze them overnight in the freezer. I then took one bottle and put it in the insulated water bottle holder. The other I left open to the elements. I started a timer and noted the changes in the melting process. The standard room temperature was about 70 degrees. The uninsulated frozen nalgenes began to thaw out rapidly. 8 hours had passed, and the open nalgene had completely unfroze. The bottle insulated by the maxpedition water bottle holder had remained frozen, almost completely! 15 hours later half of it insulated bottle was still frozen when the other nalgene was room temperature liquid, not even cold. It doesnt take much imagination to think about how this would hold a guyot water bottle with warm soup in it, during the winter. Also, with consistent repeated research, I also found that all brands of the 40 oz liquor bottles and beer bottles are also insulate and able to fit into the pack. Of course, one cannot zip up the zipper with a 40 in it, but who would want to? It is one heck of a party accessory at any southern pig pickin. They make a 12X5 bottle holder that might be expedient for such a task. Cant wait to check one of those out in person.
