During my time in the German Army and also during hiking holidays I met a lot of people with damaged camelbaks. Especially the cheap knock-offs.

I don't trust them anymore for longer trips.


If you want one then buy a brand. Not the no-name stuff.
And on longer trips have a back-up cantene with you like the 1 liter / 32 oz Nalgene bottles. You can store some other stuff in them (waterproof storage for batteries etc.) until you need the bottle.

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:
Camelback: Water is always available, whenever you want. Half full camel back is completely silent while walking/hunting/stalking.

Canteen: When you want water, you have to stop, take off the pack, dig out the canteen, etc. Half full canteen is noisy while walking/hunting/stalking.

No comparison IMO. Camelback!

Far easier to drink from a camelback on horseback, assuming the hose isn't frozen solid (been there).

Last year, after a long hard day elk hunting, I tried to drink out of my Nalgene bottle while riding- it would have been comical had I not been so thirsty.

I use both for backpack hunting. I use a 2 liter Camelback and a 32 oz nalgene bottle. In cold weather, the nalgene bottle stays in my sleeping bag overnight to avoid freezing and I use it until my Camelback hose thaws. When freezing temps are not a concern, I've got a good supply of water that lasts for a full day of hunting. Also, I keep the bottle on the opposite side of my pack for balance.

I have had the same issues with Camelbacks as everyone else so I prefer to avoid them but they are the most efficient. If you hunt when it is way below freezing the tube doesn't work even insulated.

My favorite water carrier for utility is an idea I stole from some creative person on the web - an aluminum bottle wrapped in paracord and duct tape. It deadens the sound and is a handy way to carry enough cord to hang up an Elk and tape for anything that comes up.

Aluminum water bottle.

I don't want to be 10 miles from the trailhead with a busted water bottle/camelback.

I personally use a large glass bottle distributed by Jack Daniels
Or occasionally Jim Beam

I've watched so many guys fighting with frozen hoses that I'd never own a Camelbak. A couple Nalgene bottles do me just fine. They are super easy to fill in a creek and virtually indestructible. If I need to carry more water, I'll use an MSR bladder.