Nalgene VS CamelBak VS PET bottle
Which hydration system for hiking?
Different drinking systems all have their advantages and disadvantages. On longer hikes most people use a generic 1.5-2 L PET bottle from the supermarket. Even if the Nalgene drinking bottle is highly stable, it is almost as difficult to destroy a standard PET bottle.
A sports bottle cap helps for easier handling.
Below is a list of the advantages and disadvantages of the different systems.
PET bottle
Advantages:
- Inexpensive
- Light
- Availability
Disadvantages:
- Needs to be replaced from time to time
- Cumbersome to fill
Nalgene
Advantages:
- Highly stable
- Wide water inlet
Disadvantages:
- Price
- Weight
CamelBak:
Advantages:
- Quick access to drinking
Disadvantages:
- Expensive
- Cumbersome to clean
- Cumbersome to fill and stow away
- Heavy