Water Storage Containers
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Top Picks
How we choose: The best water storage containers highlighted here were selected based on 17 reviews of 14 products. Our top picks are those that are readily-available in the United States and have received the highest overall ratings from reviewers.
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Vapur Incognito Flexible Flask
Convenient, light, flexible, and covert way to carry drinks into the backcountry. Recommended for those looking for a way to bring adult beverages into the woods.
Reasons to Buy
- Lightweight
- Flexible
- Self-standing
Reasons to Avoid
- Tough to fill
- Hard to clean
I have used Vapur bottles in the past and enjoyed the opportunity to test a version of the bottles designed for adult beverages. Features I received two different Vapur bottles to test. One was the Vintage Flexible Wine Carrier and the other was this Incognito Flexible Flask. My review of the Flexible Wine Carrier can be found by clicking on the link. Both bottles came with a bottle pourer to help transfer wine or liquor from there store bought bottles to the Vapur bottle. Also both bottles are freezable, BPA-free, and stand when filled.
Read more: Vapur Incognito Flexible Flask review (1)
Vapur Vintage Wine Carrier
Convenient, light, and flexible way to carry drinks into the backcountry. Recommended for anyone looking to bring some of the comforts of home into the woods.
Reasons to Buy
- Lightweight
- Flexible
- Self-standing
- Came with bottle pourer
Reasons to Avoid
- Somewhat difficult to clean
I have used Vapur bottles in the past and enjoyed the opportunity to test a version of the bottles designed for adult beverages. Features: I received two different Vapur bottles to test. One was this Vintage Flexible Wine Carrier and the other was the Incognito Flexible Flask. Both bottles came with a bottle pourer to help transfer wine or liquor from store bought bottles to the Vapur bottle. Also both bottles are freezable, BPA-free, and stand when filled. I really liked the freezable feature of traditional Vapur bottles and am glad these versions are capable of freezing as well with breaking.
Read more: Vapur Vintage Wine Carrier review (1)
Miir Howler
This double-insulated, 18/8 medical grade stainless steel growler (Miir describes its 64 oz. model as a growler and 32 oz. as howler, but it's the same construction) is phenomenal for maintaining cold temperature and carbonation. Miir claims both are maintained 24+ hours. I've not tested the limits of my Howler, but have observed temperature and carbonation maintained at 36 hours.
Reasons to Buy
- Maintains cold and carbonation
- No sweat/condensation — keeps pack dry
- Excellent seal — no spills
Reasons to Avoid
- Heavy
While this growler may treat all liquids equal, my focus is solely on how it treats beer. I want the option of packing a cold beer on the trail and enjoying the same quality experience as if I was sipping this beverage straight from the tap. This Howler passed my "tests", with one minor hiccup. Test 1: Filled the growler and left it on my back porch for 24 and 36 hours, during daytime temperatures reaching the mid-80's. No sweat formed on the outside, the beer's temperature and carbonation were not diminished.
Read more: Miir Howler review (1)
Maxam Trailblazer 1-Quart Aluminum Canteen Kit
I was asked from viewers to do more reviews here. Not to worry, "I Got Your Six". So time to "Bite the Bullet" and get to the review "Geronimo" ! Yes, we are saying Army phrases for a reason, as I would like to introduce you to the Maxam Trailblazer 1 Quart Aluminum Canteen Kit. For many of you out there, this is your water container, drinking cup, container to boil water in, and a cup to cook food in. An all-in-one mess kit. This kind of water storage and cooking setup may not be for everyone, but those that do use this system have done so for decades. It is a military minimalist way of hauling water and purifying it and heating up their food or coffee. I personally love this setup and although I do not use this for every outdoor adventure, I surely wasn't ever FUBAR'd from only having this system in my backpack.
Reasons to Buy
- Durable
- Compact
- Can be used to purify water
- Can cook food in canteen cup
- Everything fits in enclosure
- Can be attached to belt or hung
Reasons to Avoid
- Weight
- Only holds 1 quart / 32 ounces
- Doesn't have M.O.L.L.E. attachment
The canteen kit The Maxam Trailblazer 1-Quart Aluminum Canteen Kit In August I made a review of the Rothco Stainless Steel Canteen Lid and it received such high praise that I thought why not make a review of the canteen itself since it meant enough to me to buy that lid for it. Those of us whose parents and grandparents were in the armed forces have been influenced by the gear of our military. We have been given hand-me-downs of this gear and have used it for most of our lives. I am here to influence my readers to also consider these military options for camping. The Maxam canteen cup, canteen, and carrying sack and the Rothco canteen lid One of the reasons I love this canteen combo is that that it is made of metal so that one can...
Read more: Maxam Trailblazer 1-Quart Aluminum Canteen Kit review (1)
Seattle Sports Puffer Jug
Packs down fairly flat, doesn't take up much room in my pack. Has holes at three corners good for hanging when you have nothing handy to set it on or tying to outside of pack. Handy spout, same as large hard containers, for cleaning, cooking, filling.
Reasons to Buy
- Light
- Compact
- Good spout
Reasons to Avoid
- See none so far
Have used in my base camp for three different outings. Works great, and has not punctured yet. I use the three holes to hang the container from limbs, when I don't have something handy to set it on, for a handy elevated position. I fill the container after I set up camp from springs or creeks that I camp near. I use it for my cooking, water bottle refill, and cleaning. Holds around 2.5 gallons, if I remember correctly. I get a couple days out of it between fillings and that includes personal hygiene cleaning.
Read more: Seattle Sports Puffer Jug review (1)
Reliance Nylon Collapsible Water Container
Very durable, easy to pack and use, with none of the fuss of rigid containers. Non-sloshing water storage without having to deal with bulky rigid containers. Built in HD handle. Can be hung anywhere.
Reasons to Buy
- Non-rigid. Can be used in multiple configurations (hanging, table top, etc.)
- Collapsible. Can be rolled up when empty.
- Very durable, heavy duty nylon construction
- Up to 5-gallon capacity
- Can fill with less water for shorter trips without sloshing
Reasons to Avoid
- Spigot has a rather slow flow rate
- Very heavy when full (1 Gal. water= 8.34 lbs)
- Top does not open. Can only be filled by removing spigot.
- Handle not padded
I love to go camping with my son. We'll take off at the drop of a hat and spend 3-5 days in the Great Outdoors and between us have enough gear to almost consider it "glamping." We rabidly adhere to the Leave No Trace philosophy and often leave our campsites in better shape than when we arrived. So on a recent trip to a location where we know there is no potable water (It's BLM land), the question arose of how to port in enough water for two grown men for four days of activity. I have several Platypus 4- and 6-liter Water Tanks, and we both have 1-liter S/S water bottles, but that would be too many items to carry and would still not meet our "gallon per day, per person" needs.
Read more: Reliance Nylon Collapsible Water Container review (1)
Innate Aqueduct Water Systems
This is a useful water storage collapsable container for alpine climbers, backpackers, rafters, surfers, or large group campling trips.
Reasons to Buy
- Easy to read gauge for purification
- Large volume and collapsibility
- Easy to clean
- Fast to fill
Reasons to Avoid
- Non-intuitive valve
- Danger of getting really wet while transporting
Disclaimer: Although I received this product for free from Innate, this review is independently written. I have used the Innate Aqueduct Water Transporter on a number of camping, climbing, and river trips in the last year. It is very well made and the only durability concerns I have seen are the glued/welded seam on the bottom. I haven’t had any leaks, however I added seam grip to the bottom as preventative maintenance. This product is very useful to aid in melting snow for drinking/cooking.
Read more: Innate Aqueduct Water Systems review (1)
More Reviews of Water Storage Containers
Trailspace reviewers have shared 17 reviews of 14 different water storage containers.
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Other Types of Water Storage
Find more water storage reviewed in these related categories:
Water Bottles
Hydration Reservoirs
Buckets and Sinks
+2 more types
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