Nalgene "UL" bottles

Hi Sean,

If it works for you then go for it!  Hike your own hike they say.  Most here probably do not carry them but I am sure there are some advocates.  For winter camping some use them to put hot water into and inside their sleeping bags for extra warmth.

I like the “baby” sized 500ml version. Much easier to drink out of a ridgid container. I do carry the liter size UL one from time to time.

you can use a steripen ultra (possibly others?) with a smartwater bottle.

it fits perfectly in the mouth and makes a seal, so you can turn the bottle upside down and swirl to your hearts content.

That’s true Ben. But, the wide mouth is easier to fill. I went with the small one so I can pour boiling hot water in it and deform it. So many option and solutions. Pick what works for you and don’t sweat what people say, think, whatever. I do use the Smart Water bottles too with my Steripen Ultra.

I use these http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=34238&catid=661#informationassistance

Lighter than the UL nalgenes, and retain less odor.  But….I’m not exactly sure it’s food grade.  I should probably check that so I don’t end up with drain bramage.

hey dr sarcasm,

absolutely, whatever works.

i was just referring to the original posters statement that he needed a wider mouth to use a steripen, which he doesn’t necessarily (“I normally use evernew bags in conjunction with a Sawyer, but I’m now moving to a Steripen where I need a wide bottle”).

Thanks for the post…I hadn’t realized there were 50g Nalgenes available.  I use an AquaStar UV system for purification and it screws on top of a hard Nalgene.  I’ve always hated the weight penalty of the hard bottle but I think, for $6.95, you just saved me a couple of ounces.  I cannot remember the last time I shed a few ounces and spent less than $10.

The bottle, according to the linked REI page, weighs 3.5oz or 100g. I assume Sean was referring to the weight difference between the Nalgene and the Evernew when mentions a 50g penalty. A 50g hard sided botter would be nice! (But 100g isn’t bad, either).

Has anybody tried the 1L Hydrapak Stash (I have not)? A tiny bit ligheter at 3.2oz, and while it’s soft sided, it does stand up on its own. Probably not suitable for a hot water bottle in the winter, but an interesting alternative for other conditions. It’s pricey, though, at about three times the cost of the Nalgene.

Oh, don’t forget about the good ol’ Gatorade bottle if you’re looking for a light, cheap, and rigid water bottle.

the real reason to use nalgenes is hot/boiling water … anything else a lighter pop bottle can do better

the issue with the “UL” HDPE nalgene shown above is that with boiling water sometimes one does get a certain taste with it … if you brew tea in the morning then the fine tea might taste a bit funny …

the clear nalgenes avoid this problem at weight cost … but they are less durable as they can shatter

also dont use the lid holder as a clip in point, they can and will fail eventually … and enough dragging on rock can cause even HPDE nalgene failures …

;)

I love these. I have two of them that I’ve used for years in day-to-day life.

If you want to use them, I say go for it. I’ve used them before. I especially like them to carry GORP in; an easy-access gorp bottle outside of one’s pack is pretty amazing, and it’s incredibly easy to eat from it.

I was just going to write that Jonathan.

I use it that way too, I see it with other people doing overnight mountain fastpacks/runs.

Wide opening is good/necessary for refill and for when you are eating from it. Ziplock baggie is lighter, but a wide bottled container is easier/faster. I put whatever my light fuel is for the next couple of hours/the day. Refill from bigger food bag in my pack.

This lighter version looks nice for that.

Best water bottles made, all I use (save bladder/hose systems on occasion).  My current one has been in daily use for 4 years.  Gatorade bottles don’t do that.