Whether you are hunting, hiking, backpacking, bicycling, or bugging out, the ability to carry water is important. In this video from Modern Tactical Shooting, the host describes what he and fellow Special Operations soldiers did for carrying water during the Global War on Terror--everything from the collapsible canteens to Nalgene water bottles, water bladders, and the disposable water bottles that most of us use--and the pros and cons of each method. Then he finishes by reviewing a relatively new product--the Qore Performance Ice Flask and its carrier--and why he believes it will supplant other methods that Special Forces use to carry water. Be sure to check out the comments for other ideas and experiences from other soldiers.
My standard hiking kit is a 3 liter water bladder with extra disposable water bottles in the backpack or pockets for myself or my sons to use. For a soldier, the issues with the disposable water bottles was that they were fragile (i.e., easily ruptured) and were noisy (i.e., the crinkly noise they can make after being opened) and seemed to be the main impetus for using the Nalgene bottles. I've not had that be an issue for me when hiking; but the noise might be an issue for hunters or wildlife photographers. I recently picked up a Grayl GeoPress filter and am excited to try it out once the weather gets warmer.
I would note that some military canteens have caps with adapters for drinking in an NBC environment while wearing a gas mask, if that is something important to you.
VIDEO: "How Special Forces carried water in GWOT. Why the ICEFLASK will become the new go to way in kit."
Modern Tactical Shooting (15 min.)
Self Reliance Outfitters (Dave Canterbury's shop) sells some flexible plastic canteens (1 and 2 quart versions) and a filter that fits into them (M01, it says). I keep wanting to get the 2 quart version but they're always out of stock, so I may have to settle for 1 quart if I actually want to try it.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing I've seen is people making their own custom water bags (such as this LARPer using mylar as the internals of a faux water-skin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds3whw_DmIM ). That might also be good, although I don't know if they'd be as durable as that Ice Flask.
I see that Self Reliance Outfitters sells the cap and filter as a separate item, so you might want to check out your local Army Navy store for the 2 liter canteen and just order the cap and filter from Caternbury's store. The one near me generally has the 2 liter flexible canteens available and for a reasonable price.
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