Here are some tips to know which water carrier is right for your next adventure.
I know this seems like a lot of questions to answer, but keep in mind that the body needs water to survive. Lack of water can have severe affects on your body and it's performance. It is always important to drink a lot of water and have it with you when you need it. Depending on your resources and how you will be traveling, if you are able to drive into your campsite, I recommend taking a 5-gallon water can with you. Throw a bag or two of ice in with it and it will stay cold for an entire weekend of camping. You could also pack a cooler full of bottled water too.
Lets say that you're going on a back packing trip for two or three days though, what do you do then? You have a couple of options here. You could pack a few bottles of water in your pack, but then you're cutting down on your cargo space for other items you may need. You could get a canteen of some sort, but they are usually not easily accessible while your walking and can be a pain to carry. Some clip onto your belt, but that may seem like a good idea until you try to fasten your kidney pad which also goes around your waist. Most packs have this pad because of the added comfort they provide.
Another option is the old school canteen with a long carrying lanyard, which can be slung over one shoulder. Ever walked very far with one of those? It's not fun! The water inside tends to build up momentum while your walking and starts swinging back and forth, slamming into your side as you walk. This tends to get old rather quickly. I recommend something even better, it's called the Camelbak. These carriers are a little pricy at $40 and up, but they are well worth it. They strap on to your back just like a little backpack and hold about 2 liters of water. They are hardly noticeable when worn and some even have packs built around them. One of the best features they offer is the ability to drink while your walking. A small drinking hose is attached to your drinking system and runs under your left or right arm, which ever you prefer and reaches up to your mouth easily It has a small easy to use valve that controls the water flow and can be attached to your clothing almost anywhere for easy access while on the move. They can be worn under your existing pack if you like and add an extra layer of padding if you do so. They are easy to clean and refill and have removable bladders that are very inexpensive to replace should you damage yours. They come in a variety of colors and are adjustable to fit most anyone from children to adults.
So now you have a little better understanding of how to carry the water your body needs. Remember, based on your situation, you will have to decide what method will work best for you. Good luck and enjoy our outdoors.
