These days, the pull of the wild intensifies as we’re forced to live our mundane life day by day. We’re longing for the time to be alone with nature under the giant trees, lively wildlife, and the simplicity to just get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. If you often go hiking, camping, or bushcraft camping, you understand the importance of keeping your body hydrated. Keep your water accessible with the help from the best canteen for survival you can get! Read on to find the perfect match for your adventure!
How To Choose The Best Canteen for Survival
Water is crucial for survival so it’s important to have a reservoir ready at all times to contain it. The best canteen for survival should be able to contain water for some time before you find another source of water. Some canteens take it a little bit further where you can use the canteen to purify the water over a fire. Which type suits you the most? Follow the following pointers to get you started!
Material
The best canteens for hiking, especially the uninsulated ones, are made especially light so it doesn’t add too much weight to your carry since water weighs significant already. They are usually made of durable plastics or certain types of metal for the reservoir due to their lightweight nature. Some people opt for plastic canteens because they never rust and are collapsible so they don’t take much space. The drawback, however, is that they can’t purify the water. Therefore, the best canteens for hiking usually come in a kit that provides a metal boil to cook the water.
This is where the metal canteen is superior since they’re usually made of stainless steel or titanium. You can always use these canteens to boil water over a fire without the hassle. They’re almost like a plastic canteen and its bowl in one item. Even though it’s more durable against puncture, it’s vulnerable to dents. The best canteen for survival for you is the one that supports your activity the best.
Design
Not all canteens are the same. Depending on your preferences and usage direction, there are few things to consider before getting the best canteen for water suitable for you. There are mainly 2 designs of canteens: flask design and cylindrical bottle design. Flask design sits well on your waist with a help of a belt. Flask canteens are easily accessible without having to be hooked on something, while the bottle canteens are usually equipped with a hook/loop to attach the canteen to a carrier.
However, flask canteen tends to have limited size of mouth since they tend to have a slim body. This creates incompatibility to survival water filters if you often use them when you’re outing. While not all, metal canteens can have a wider mouth that’s especially useful if you want to add ice or water filter. In conclusion, get the flask design for extra mobility, but get the bottle canteen for attachment compatibility.
Longevity and Durability
Canteens are indeed built to be durable and lightweight, but the true question is if a canteen can stay durable for a long time or not. Titanium makes the best canteens. These canteens are mostly fire, corrosion, and puncture-resistant. They’re also incredibly lightweight and more durable against impact. To top it up, any human bodily liquid doesn’t affect titanium-made canteen so they can keep water fresh for weeks. You’d want these when you have extra bucks to spare!
How long is water good in a canteen?
Under the best conditions (minimal opening, UV-protected, clean reservoir) water can stay fresh for up to 6 months.
Can you get sick from drinking out of the same water bottle?
Though the bacteria build-up doesn’t usually hurt you, yes, you can get sick from it. Plastic canteens are more susceptible to bacteria build-up when not cleaned properly or let under the sun for a long time
Should you wash your water bottle every day?
Just like your utensils, it’s best to clean the best canteens for hiking regularly – especially if you use them every day.
Rothco 3 Piece Canteen Kit
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Rothco 3 Piece Canteen Kit is a great kit consisting of 3 items: a rugged plastic canteen, an aluminum cup, and a felt-lined polyester cover. It holds a quart of water that’s enough for complete hydration of the day. The canteen is similar to a military-issued canteen with some upgrades on the snap buttons and color. There are 2 color options available which are army green and black. Both options are ISO certified and made of BPA-free plastic.
This kit contains a canteen that qualifies as the best canteen for survival. It’s rugged and lightweight for outdoor purposes. This canteen also has an aluminum bowl as a companion. It holds 24oz of content and is fire-proof so you can purify water or cook your ration on an open fire. You may use the butterfly handle to hold the bowl. It’s the standard canteen for everyone and a great starter product!
What We Love
A military-style canteen made of durable but light materials.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Made of BPA-free material
- Felt-lined cover
- Including aluminum cup
Cons:
- The cover is a little oversized
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Source Hydration Pack
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Looking for a light, hands-free canteen? Get yourself a Source Hydration Pack. It’s one of the best canteens for hiking with a perk: making water continuously accessible. It’s built for you who are actively mobile while venturing the outdoors. This product works by storing your water in its reservoir. You can put the reservoir in your carrier or use the MOLLE-compatible bag to carry the pack separately. To drink, you simply sip the water out of a drinking tube without stopping on your track.
The water is contained in a durable hydration bladder that’s easy to refill and clean. This hydration bladder has a glass-like property that makes bacteria growth impossible; leaving you with fresh water for a long time. To complete the build a drinking tube with a high-flow valve is attached to the reservoir. It’s a no-bite valve so all you need to do is just suck!
What We Love
A mobile hydration pack perfect for hiking or surveying.
Pros:
- Keep water fresh for weeks
- Anti-microbial
- Tasteless and odorless
- A weave-covered high-flow drinking tube
Cons:
- Cleaning can be bothersome
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Nalgene Stainless Bottle
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Nalgene Stainless Bottle is a strong candidate to be the best canteen for hiking for its durability and lightweight property. This bottle holds 38oz of liquid that’s more than enough to cater to your hydration needs. It’s a single-walled bottle so you can use it to boil water over a fire. The lid, however, isn’t made of stainless steel so you might want to detach the lid before putting it in over fire.
The lid is tethered to the body via a nylon paracord that you can untie when you need to. If you’re willing to go the extra mile, you can weave your own paracord hoops to attach so you have a length of paracord ready in an emergency. We kept water in this canteen for weeks and we didn’t find any funny smells or taste when we drink it. It’s a little more expensive than the rest but you’ll only need to buy one for a very long time!
What We Love
A highly durable stainless steel canteen that will last forever.
Pros:
- Wide-mouthed
- Rope loop for the lid
- Extremely durable
- Rust-proof
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- It’s a little pricey
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BlueStraw Collapsible Military Water Bottle (CU)
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Who says a canteen should be bulky and heavy? Meet BlueStraw Collapsible Military Water Bottle, a revolutionary durable canteen that doesn’t take much space when not in use. This collapsible canteen is considerably light and can be packed into 1.9 x 8.2 inches after you empty its 580ml content. We can picture this canteen dangling on your carrier as the best canteen for hiking.
The body consists of 3 parts: a silicon bladder, a strong aluminum frame, and a lid with a leak-proof seal. Although the bladder is made of soft silicone, you’d be surprised by how durable it is. It can withstand high and low temperatures just like those plastic competitors. It’s also puncture-resistant so it can take some beatings. Prep yourself for some emergency with this canteen by making use of its removable compass!
What We Love
An expandable canteen for emergency water reservoir.
Pros:
- No metal smell
- Collapsible
- Food grade silicone
- Great for hot or cold liquid
- Bonus compass and carabiner
Cons:
- The carabiner is a bit flimsy
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BeGrit Outdoor Kettle Canteen
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BeGrit Outdoor Kettle Canteen is the best canteen for survival if you love to pack light. This plastic canteen is lightweight and durable to take on the weather. Be it hiking, camping, or bushcraft, this is the standard kit you’ll ever need. The kit is comprised of 4 items that you can fit into its nylon pouch that’s equipped with a MOLLE clip at the back. Attach the pouch onto your belt and you’re ready to go!
The canteen is made of BPA-free plastic with some degree of UV protection. Though you can’t put the canteen over a fire, you can use the included aluminum can purify water or cook your ration. The aluminum bowl has foldable handles that won’t get in the way when stored. The foldable spork is a nice extra to the kit since you don’t have to carry some extra utensils to eat decently.
What We Love
A lightweight canteen for a seasoned survivalist.
Pros:
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Including bowl with foldable handles
- Leak-free
- Including a spork
Cons:
- The MOLLE clip design on the cover is outdated
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Stanley Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle (CU)
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Does the name ring any bell for you? If yes, there’s a great chance that your father or your grandfather has one of the company’s legendary thermos. Stanley Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle is an upgraded product that’s built with outdoorsmen in mind. It’s arguably the best canteen for hiking to date thanks to its outstanding durability and longevity.
But robust durability isn’t the only thing that makes this canteen worthy. This insulated canteen is made of 18/8 stainless that’s completely rust-free. It has powerful vacuum insulation to keep your water stay cold/hot for at least a day. It also has two-stage lid fills that are easy to clean. This lid is secured by a durable tether to prevent you from losing it. Take this canteen on your next hiking trip for a constant flow of fresh, cold drinks!
What We Love
The size and durability are great for the avid hiker or casual survivalist.
Pros:
- Super durable (bullet, hurricane, and drop-tested)
- BPA-free stainless steel
- Lightweight as an insulated bottle
- Leak-proof
- Strong cap connector
Cons:
- Adds a little weight to your carry
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Triple Tree Stainless Steel Water Bottle
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Looking for an investment in your bushcraft camping gear? Triple Tree Stainless Steel Water Bottle best canteen for survival you can depend on. The brushed 18/8 stainless steel looks beautiful and is robust at the same time. Designed to keep your drink uncontaminated while you’re on the move, this water bottle is also lightweight and leak-proof so you have one fewer thing to worry about. Put this bottle in your cooler for travel and it will stay cold for hours!
The canteen is almost completely made of stainless steel from the lid to the body apart from the silicone that keeps liquid from spilling. You can hook the lid onto a convenient spot using a carabiner included in the purchase. This canteen has a wide opening that’s very useful when you want to add ice into your canteen or attaching a water filter. If a water filter isn’t your way, put this canteen over a fire to purify the water you’ve gathered.
What We Love
The perfect companion for hikers, campers, and any outdoor enthusiasts out there.
Pros:
- Premium 304 stainless steel
- Leak-proof steel cap
- Durable
- Lifetime warranty
- Boil over water
Cons:
- The lid squeaks on first uses
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Pinty G.I. Army Stainless Steel Canteen
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Pinty G.I. Army Stainless Steel Canteen is a military-grade kit consisting of a stainless steel canteen, an aluminum bowl, and a carry pouch you can attach to your belt. This canteen may look like any other canteen, but it’s actually better than most army-style canteen kits we found. In fact, it could be the best canteen for water out there!
The canteen is built by the sturdy 304 stainless steel resistant to rust and weather. It has a plastic, leak-proof scree cap attached to a chain so it won’t accidentally get lost. The bowl that comes with it is lightweight and durable for boiling or cooking. It has a detachable handle to help you when cooking over fire. The kit packs neatly into a heavy-duty nylon pouch that you can wear on your belt.
What We Love
A heavy-duty canteen kit for those who call nature their home.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Anti-rust
- Cap chain
- Including belted pouch
- 304 Stainless steel
Cons:
- The cap could have been made of better plastic
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Military issue 2 Quart Water Canteen
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We get why Military issue 2 Quart Water Canteen is chosen by many customers as the best canteen for survival you can always choose without a doubt. This canteen isn’t only incredibly lightweight and collapsible, but also durable and holds plenty of liquid in one go (2 quarts). The canteen can be crushed onto a vacuumed form to save some space in your carrier, making it one a great canteen for light packers.
This canteen can handle the rumble and tumble of even the most extreme outdoor activity. It has a leak-proof, tethered screw cap to avoid any unwanted spillage. You will get a packing pouch in your purchase. This pouch can be used as a sling bag so it won’t get in the way of your carrier, or attached to your belt for maximum accessibility and mobility. You simply can’t go wrong with this canteen!
What We Love
The product that becomes the standard for the survival canteen industry!
Pros:
- Super lightweight
- Comes with a sling bag (with insulation)
- Collapsible plastic canteen
- Perfect for an all-day outing
Cons:
- Non-boilable
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Klean Kanteen (CU)
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Do you think an environmentally aware company can build the best canteen for survival? Klean Kanteen is the perfect model of how it’s possible to be done. These well-made water bottles are efficient in design and effective in function. It comes in different colors and sizes but our favorite is the Brushed Steel variant because of its ability to purify water over fire (remove the cap first).
The canteen is made of 18/8 brushed steel that’s completely BPA-free. Never worry your drink smells or tastes funny with this canteen even though it’s been in the chamber for some time. This can be avoided thanks to the electropolished interior that repels flavor and odor. The 18oz canteen is perfect for active kids because the size is small enough to fit in their swim bags. If you’re a camper, you’ll find the 64oz variant more suitable for your activity.
What We Love
A practical water bottle you can carry anywhere.
Pros:
- Durable
- Odor-free
- Easy cleaning interior
- Leak-proof cap
Cons:
- Be careful not to boil the painted variants over a fire!
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Vargo Titanium Water Bottle
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Vargo Titanium Water Bottle is one of the lightest canteen s out there. It weighs a lot less than stainless steel but it has way better durability. It’s the best canteen for survival when you often go for an impromptu bushcraft camping since it only holds 22oz liquid at the moment. We’d love to see different capacity variants in the future because we love this canteen so much!
The canteen is made of 100% titanium from the lid to the body. You can definitely put this canteen over a fire after removing its silicone ring. Since it’s built from titanium, rest assured that it will never rust or make your water smell funny. When stored properly, this canteen can keep water fresh for weeks. The opening is wide enough so you can add ice into your canteen or put a water filter tube on it.
What We Love
A water bottle with an all-titanium build – including the screw cap!
Pros:
- Odor-free
- Ultralight
- Rust-free
- Keep water taste fresh for a long time
- Boil over fire
Cons:
- The lid squeaks on first uses
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Goetland Stainless Steel Military Canteen
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Goetland Stainless Steel Military Canteen may look old-school or ‘vintage’ – and we think it’s for a reason. The design for the canteen, bowl, and pouch is the one that’s been proven through uses in different situations as the best for portability and protection. It’s the best canteen for water for its ability to keep water drinkable for months.
The canteen fits the bowl snuggly so you won’t worry it will slip away when you’re using the canteen. The canteen and the bowl are made of premium stainless steel, including the chain that connects the canteen body to the plastic cap. On every purchase, you’ll get a durable nylon pouch to neatly pack everything together.
What We Love
A durable and long-lasting canteen kit with handle options.
Pros:
- Food-grade stainless steel
- Cap chain
- Comes in butterfly or grab handle
- Lightweight
- Nylon carry pouch
Cons:
- Needs a better pouch design
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Keith Titanium Ti3060 Canteen Mess Kit
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Keith Titanium Ti3060 Canteen Mess Kit is hands down the best canteen for survival we’ve ever reviewed. It contains the canteen that took the internet by storm in 2012 for its durability and superpower we’re going to explain in the next bit. The kit is comprised of a titanium canteen, a titanium bowl with a lid, and a durable pouch to store them all. Get ready to spend some dime on this bad boy, but it makes a lot of sense because this canteen kit can virtually last forever!
Avid campers and outdoorsmen love this kit because it weighs almost half of its stainless steel competitors. It has a sturdy pouch that works either as a sling bag or a belt pouch. The canteen and bowl are made of 100% titanium. Titanium never rusts and completely non-toxic, but the best part about it is that it doesn’t react to biological matter. This is why the canteen interior will never smell or taste weird even though it keeps its content for weeks! Get them now because they run out fast!
What We Love
The only premium canteen kit you need to purchase in your lifetime!
Pros:
- Ultralight
- No odor
- Keep water fresh for a long time
- Corrosion-resistant
- Grade-1 titanium
- Boil over fire
Cons:
- Quality comes with a price!
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