Water carrying location in pack

Water is heavy, and you can't get around it much. I've had to carry as much as four gallons of water on one trip, so I know.
One thing is the actual water container. You can buy some really durable containers, but they get heavy. Metal ones, especially. One group really advocates using plastic Gatorade bottles as a good compromise of plastic durability and light weight. I use different sizes of Platypus containers, since they roll up nicely when empty. Also, you can compress the empty volume so that the remaining fluid does not slosh around and change your center of gravity. Think about what happens if a water container leaks.
I don't think that the position in your pack will be that tough to figure out. Keep at least one in an easily-accessible pocket so that you will drink it. The bulk of the water can be stashed in the pack and accessed once every 5-10 miles.
–B.G.–

"cause me to lean forward to counterbalance the weight more"
This is where the Aarn front pockets work particularly well..
On a standard pack I used to carry one 1.25 /1.5L bottle on each side pocket and the rest (4-6 liters) in the middle of the pack, at the back (against my back) in 2L bottles and or a Nalgene Cantene
Franco

I usually carry one liter in each side pocket and the rest as high and forward as I can. Recently I carried a total of 6 liters on a trip. In the pack I used a 2L bottle and two 1 Liter bottles so it would be easier to pack.

My total pack weight was 25 lbs, with a little over 13 lbs of water. The pack was a Mariposa Plus. So the pack handled the weight well. It was just a little heavier than I wanted it to be, and of course got lighter everyday.

I have never really liked hydration systems for a variety of reasons. But I am going to try a 3L bladder, just from the easier packing point of view. I often do hikes with my Murmur carrying 4 liters of water, but a base weight of 4 – 5 lbs. Now we talking about a pack weight usually in the 17 lb range, which is a little uncomfortable in a Murmur, but on these trips, it is usually just for one day, and at the end of the day I am nearly out of water, and have a reliable water sources along the trail for the next few days, with the exception of my route back which requires starting out with 4 liters.

I all of the above situations, I just want to make sure the water is evenly distributed from side to side, and no more than two lites on each side. I did try two liters in the side pockets of the Mariposa. A 2L Platy in the big side pocket, and two 1L in the other (had to put one in upside down), and this did make the pack feel ackward.

Ocassionally I do trips that require 2 – 3 gallons of water, and I just switch to my Gregory Whitney 95 internal frame or my Kelty Serac external. But to be honest, I am just shying away from these trips anymore, because the UL hiking is just plain more fun. And I am finding that I travel much further, requiring less water with the UL set up. So I can do some of those 2 gallon trips with 6 liters or even less.

Rectangular 2 liter plastic juice bottles are light and fit well in the mesh side pockets of my pack. I can also carry 1 liter on each shoulder strap with a simple bungee arrangement similar to the ULA bottle holder.

I would think that distributing the weight around would be better than loading it all up high. I've never had to load up all that much though.

My pack has a spot for a hydration blatter and hose. I don't use the hose, but I put my platypus in there. This puts the water weight right next to my back, a bit below my shoulders. I think this is the ideal location (except for maybe the Aarn approach) as it minimizes torque.

The two times we have hiked to Thunder River we each carried three gallons. One of the group found a source of bottled water that came in 1.5 liter plastic bottles that were triangular in section, instead of round. They packed better than the round shapes and we put them in the middle (top to bottom middle) and tight to our backs.

The trip was six days and was in the days before we got lightweight religion. Each of us carried over seventy pounds. When a pack weighs that much I don't think you'll notice whether the weight is carried high or low.

The hikes in and out were two days each and we needed to leave a gallon half way down for our return trip.

Water will be most comfortable being carried low and close to your body and worst is high and away. The higher it is may make things feel top heavy when moving around. Worse is away from body say in the front zip pocket of a golite jam (how would I know? ; )).

I carry water in that front jam pocket sometimes and it hurts my shoulders because it is pulling backwards the entire day.

One thing I might suggest is not only carrying a larger bladder high and close to your body within your pack, but also getting 2 bottle pockets for your pack straps. I recently switched to using bottle pockets (have both the Simblissity versions on my Mariposa and the MLD versions on my Prophet) and can say this is a remarkable way to "even out" water weight.
Say you have two bottle pockets, one one each shoulder strap. Fill them each with a full aquafina 1L bottle, then fill a 2 or 3L Platypus and pack it high and against your back inside your pack (for a total of 4-5L).
The weight of the 2 Litres up front is going to, albeit somewhat, counterbalance the total weight of your pack. In my opinion this really does help and goes a long way on long days and long trips in general. Plus, you have 2L of water accessible immediately.
I can highly recomend the bottle pocket offering from both MLD and Simblissity.
Hope this helps!

I always carry my 3L water bladder with me. I don't have to ever fill it all the way but I love the knowledge that I have a potential reservoir with me. It fits in my internal bladder pocket which is located close to my back and runs along side the bag. This is definitely the best place to carry water as far as weight balance is concerened.

I try to put my 10-liter bag in the small of my pack. Anywhere else makes it feel like my pack is trying to yank me around. I hate carrying that much water, but sometimes it's necessary. I've used it all before on a tough overnighter. I'll probably use it all and more during my thru-hike this year if the water supplies are sketchy. Part of me is hoping I can find a shopping cart with knobby tires to use for those sections.

I find a 3L bladder stored in the hydration sleeve/pouch of my backpack is a really good way to go. I also carry two more liters in 1L Gatorade in water bottle pouches affixed directly to the hip belt of my pack. With the above set up, I've got 5L, all in places I can reach w/o taking my pack off, which is nice if you want to put in some miles.

I also have a couple of Nalgene Cantenes. On hikes where I really need water, I'll take the Nalgenes and put them as far forward as I can (closest to my back) from right between my shoulder blades to the bottom of the pack.

HJ