96 oz Nalgene wide mouth collapsible canteen review.

[Woods Walker]

Not too long ago there was a 50% off sale on Nalgene products. The shipping was slow but finally had a chance to put some of the new gear to the test. During a recent hike on the AT with my uncle I took along the MSR mini works filter and my normal complement of canteens and the Platy hydration system. This time I carried my new 96 oz wide mouth collapsible Nalgene canteen for testing.

Here we are on the AT.



Loaned out my Osprey pack and used the Kifaru EMR. These white markers stop in Georgia but we got a late start and hoped to make the next lean-to before dark. Some 8.4 miles away.



At about 5 pm after looking at the numerous cut backs on the map, a sure indication of increased elevation and hard terrain I decided to find a camp site off the trail. Got lucky and found a perfect sheltered area that even had a semi dried up stream. The nearest water according to the map was about 4-5 miles or 3 hours away from this location.

I Used the Nalgene 96 oz bag with the MSR as it screwed right on the bottom of the filter. The small frog in the little pool did not like me messing around its living room.

Here is the canteen.

http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/store/detail.aspx?ID=86



For proper scale here it is next to a Trailstove, small Ti cup and spoon/fork/knife combo.



Things I liked about the 96 oz Nalgene.

1. Works well with my water filter.
2. Holds lots of water
3. The carry hole allows for easy transport and water dispensing when filled.
4. Very light weight.
5. Stood upright when filled. That is an OCD thing.

My dislikes.

1. The wide shape of the canteen does not fit pack hydration sleeves.
2. The wide mouth and carry hole does not allow the canteen to roll up super tinny like a Platy bag.

Other than those issues I couldn’t find any faults with this product. A fine hydration accessory.

[Hanuman110]

Nice write up! That looks like something I'd like to have for a basecamp water carrier. I like the Platy bags because they roll up nice and small and as of right now, I dont have an MSR filter to attach a widemouth bottle to, but I like the feature.

[Gunny]

Woods I wish you'd look into writing posts like this one up for ZSS feed articles, they're damn good.

[Tetra Grammaton Cleric]

+1 Gunny! I usually don't post comments in Wood's threads because I pretty much don't have anything to add to the dialogue, but they are always of the highest standard and I go straight to them when a new one pops up.

So thanks Woods Walker!
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[ironraven]

Woods, have you tried the larger Platypus bladders? If you have, given your druthers, which of the two would you go with?

I'm looking at something like this to store empty in BOB.

[Woods Walker]

No just the 70 oz Platy. I would go with the Platy for summer as it packs down to nothing. If you live in a colder area than a wide mouth canteen or reservoir is preferred during winter.

[Famine]

If you live in a colder area than a wide mouth canteen or reservoir is preferred during winter.

Why? I really don't understand.

Kevin

[Woods Walker]

If you live in a colder area than a wide mouth canteen or reservoir is preferred during winter.

Why? I really don't understand.

Kevin

The narrow mouth canteens and water bladders are more susceptible to being frozen shut. True water freezes at the same temp regardless of mouth size on any canteen but it is far easier to open a wide mouth in the winter.

[Famine]

I see. Thanks for the schoolin'!

Kevin

[crypto]

yeah, it's just a matter of getting a lot better leverage on the cap when its big Imagine trying to unscrew a bottle of coke with the lid frozen on, for comparison.

[ironraven]

It is also much easier to shove snow in through a wide mouth container than a small one.

WW, I was wondering more if you'd seen any quality issues. I trust Nalgene for rigid items, but seeing as how I don't entrust ANY bladder yet and they are newer to the field than Platypus and Camelback are, I'm mainly thinking about fit and finish issues.

[canuck]

Woods is that an atmos or an aether? If it's an atmos i'm surprised at the amount of weight you're putting in it seemingly.

Great post.

[Woods Walker]

Woods is that an atmos or an aether? If it's an atmos i'm surprised at the amount of weight you're putting in it seemingly.

Great post.

That’s an Atmos 65. Yea the pack is being pushed. But still comfortable. A friend has the Ariel (women's Aether). I do think something like an Aether would have been better for this trip. Was looking at the Stratos, Atmos and Aether. Went with the Atmos for a UL daypack that can be expanded to a larger pack if needed. My logic worked out. Has enough room for a larger 72-BOB but don't think the Airspeed frame and mesh back would hold up to a blood and mud bugout. But oh man is it nice during summer.

[canuck]

I'm sure the venting makes it comfortable as hell, but the load is so far from your back man. I would have gone the aether route (and still want one). For UL atmos can't be beat, but you have an argument for the summer pack, and I guess that your Kifaru replaces the need for the aether anyway.

Well played senor.

[Woods Walker]

It is also much easier to shove snow in through a wide mouth container than a small one.

WW, I was wondering more if you'd seen any quality issues. I trust Nalgene for rigid items, but seeing as how I don't entrust ANY bladder yet and they are newer to the field than Platypus and Camelback are, I'm mainly thinking about fit and finish issues.

The Nalgenes look good and others have told me they hold up great. But it will take some time before I really trust them. The Platy bags have worked for years. But I never just use any bladder without at least one rigid canteen.

[Woods Walker]

I'm sure the venting makes it comfortable as hell, but the load is so far from your back man. I would have gone the aether route (and still want one). For UL atmos can't be beat, but you have an argument for the summer pack, and I guess that your Kifaru replaces the need for the aether anyway.

Well played senor.

The Aether is a great pack. If I didn't have the Kifaru Pointman and EMR I would go with an Aether for a 72-hour bugout and a Crescent for the INCH bag. Maybe toss in a few side orders too.

http://www.ospreypacks.com/Packs/SideOrders/

[Icemancometh]

I am surprised to hear the shipping was slow. I ordered the same 96er along with some new 32oz bottles, 2 Oasis canteens and got them in 3 days. BTW one of the caps on a 32oz bottle was defective, I emailed CS and they sent me 2 replacements, got those in 2 days. Couldn't beat the 1/2 off, I got $62 worth of Nalgene for $31 and free shipping to boot.

[joekaveh]

I am surprised to hear the shipping was slow. I ordered the same 96er along with some new 32oz bottles, 2 Oasis canteens and got them in 3 days. BTW one of the caps on a 32oz bottle was defective, I emailed CS and they sent me 2 replacements, got those in 2 days. Couldn't beat the 1/2 off, I got $62 worth of Nalgene for $31 and free shipping to boot.

This post is 3 years old sir

[Icemancometh]

I am surprised to hear the shipping was slow. I ordered the same 96er along with some new 32oz bottles, 2 Oasis canteens and got them in 3 days. BTW one of the caps on a 32oz bottle was defective, I emailed CS and they sent me 2 replacements, got those in 2 days. Couldn't beat the 1/2 off, I got $62 worth of Nalgene for $31 and free shipping to boot.

This post is 3 years old sir

I guess I should read a little closer. Didn't even think to look at the date.

[aa1pr]

So hard to see you hiking in November and no snow there on the ground like we have there. That must be nice.