Ozark Trails Wally World Leather Bota Bag

Triquetra

Triquetra

Joined
Mar 7, 2002
Messages
759
My very well meaning 11 yr old just gave me a leather bota bag from Wally World. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with them and if they were worth taking into the woods. For her feelings, I will probably carry it no matter what but I was just trying to find out if I would still be well advised to take something else as a backup. I'm wondering about taste, leaking, sanitation, etc.
 
Ive seen them but never used them. Im sure they would be fine to use. It was nice of your little one to give it to you. So use it just for his or her sake.
 
Those traditional Botas were originally intended for wine, and have to be cured. I grew up in Spain, and the Bota was an everyday item for us. My dad Still has one that is over 35 years old, as well as several newer ones. They have Never leaked, and once you cure it properly, will serve you for many years. I dont think these were originally designed for water, and certainly NOT designed to just fill it and go... hence the crappy taste. I will call my dad later today and try to get information on curing it. (I believe it has to be cured with wine, but once its cured can be cleaned out and made to carry any liquid)

Here is a link on care and curing of the traditional Bota bag...

http://www.tienda.com/reference/botacare.html

Now, this info is for the TRADITIONAL bota bag...the "newer" ones with a latex liner I have no experience with...

Is yours traditional (pitch lined) or modern (latex lined)?
 
Last edited:
cocomen69 said:
Is yours traditional (pitch lined) or modern (latex lined)?
Click to expand...


This one is is just one of the ones from Wal Mart. The package says heavy poly lining. It looks neat but I never would have bought one myself. Looks like when I hike with my daughter, I'll have to get used to the taste of rubber. It's worth it. My kids get reward dollars at their Wed church program that they get to buy things with. Last time my daughter overheard me talking to my wife about needing a new tent. That night instead of getting something for herself she showed up with a brand new tent for me. Now the leather bota canteen. I'm pretty blessed. Can't wait until she's old enough to look for the Bark Rivers and Rangers.
 
You may be able to get rid of the taste by putting some baking soda in water in it. Helps with my Camelbacks.
 
I've had a few of the latex ones, not from WalMart666 but I'm sure they are the same thing. The taste goes away after a while. The ones I had didn't last long though.

Not traditional in any sense, but I have one now that is a "new age" sort of bota from boulder bota

http://www.botaofboulder.com/
 
hollowdweller said:
I've had a few of the latex ones, not from WalMart666 but I'm sure they are the same thing. The taste goes away after a while. The ones I had didn't last long though.

Not traditional in any sense, but I have one now that is a "new age" sort of bota from boulder bota

http://www.botaofboulder.com/
Click to expand...

I went to the link and I really like these. What has your experience with them been?
 
I just wanted to 'second' adding some baking soda to the bag, that ought to help a lot with getting it clean and removing some of that bad taste.
 
I own one. It's really not that bad. Your water will taste like rubber at first but after a while the rubber taste will go away. The baking soda trick will allow the taste to go away faster. Sanitation is similar to cleaning a camelbak bladder. I have never had a problem with leaking.

It wouldn't be my first choice for water/fluid carry but it will work.
 
Used these a good bit as a kid. They seemed to last a season or two then disappear or begin to leak around the tied "seal" at the top.
Haha, memories are coming back - the no touch drink method of squeezing the water into your mouth.
That was very thoughtful of your child to get you that:thumbup:

J.
 
Sometimes i use it and it leaks, but other times it wont leak at all, so i dont depend on mine. i prefer them to water bottles because when they are empty they take up very little room.
 
I carried one in California on a week long camping trip. I bought it to supplement my Nalgene at the time. Worked great.
 
I got one a while back for fun. I washed it out a few times and filled it with a bottle of wine. Worked fine on the trail with no leaks. I did tie it to the outside of the pack just in case it started to leak.
 
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