Military Canteen, Water Bladder, Reservoir...
The good weather is returning and the season for hikers and camping is approaching.
Beyond the purely material equipment needed, there is one single and unique element that is totally indispensable and essential that everyone must have in their possession, at all times, all hours, and on any occasion. This element is the basis of our survival: it is water. Whether you are an athlete, hiker, camper, military personnel, or survivalist, you are first and foremost human beings, and humans cannot survive without water. It indeed seems totally unthinkable, irresponsible, and impossible to organize a sports outing, a walk in the forest, or any other outdoor activity without having water available. The question we ask today is simple: water... yes, but how?
There are indeed several ways to carry water with you.
1) The good old military canteen: made of different materials, formats, capacities, and technologies, the canteen has always existed. Everyone has already owned or used one! Today, it is the simplest and most affordable way to carry a liquid. Because yes, unlike a plastic water bottle, the canteen will be more resistant (in case of a fall, a plastic bottle can burst) but also more hermetic to external elements (dust, sand...). Moreover, isothermal canteens (like those from the brand Stanley) allow you to keep your liquid hot or cold for several hours, whereas a plastic bottle will warm up/cool down very quickly if placed in a backpack, for example. There are also collapsible canteens (the SoftFlask or Stash models from Hydrapack), which retract as you drink. These products may appeal to athletes in motion or military personnel and hikers who need to save space in their gear. In short, there is something for every use and every budget!
2) The hydration reservoir and its bladder: a simple process that allows you to carry water like a backpack. The hydration reservoir generally allows you to carry a larger volume of liquid than a canteen and offers easy access to the fluid through a hydration tube. The reservoir is placed in a hydration bladder that sits on the user's back. This way, the user can easily drink by sucking through the tube. In our activity, there are 2 types of hydration bladder attachments: either like a classic backpack with straps or with MOLLE loops if the bladder needs to be attached to a plate carrier or tactical vest. Some brands, like Source or Camelback, even offer products with both types of attachments. Most modern hydration reservoirs, like those from Hydrapack, Camelback, Source, or Blackhawk, all of military quality, are treated against the proliferation of bacteria and microbes. Thus, the liquid can be carried and drunk over a long period without any risk. There are several sizes and shapes of reservoirs. Everyone can choose what suits them best depending on the activity.
3) The backpack including a hydration reservoir: this is the most practical solution as it allows you to carry, in addition to your equipment, a hydration reservoir already integrated into the backpack. It is generally the most popular solution among military professionals but also serious hikers or survivalists with quality equipment. This is a configuration often seen on high-volume backpacks like the Blackhawk Hydrastorm or the Camelback Motherlode. In these cases, the hydration reservoir is delivered directly with the backpack. However, some lower volume backpacks, like the Mil-Tec Assault or the Viper Recon, have a special compartment allowing you to add a reservoir that you will purchase separately.
Finally, remember that it is important to drink regularly. The "ideal" amount of water to ingest can vary depending on weather conditions, the intensity, and the duration of your effort. However, whether in winter or summer, do not wait until you are thirsty to drink! Indeed, when you start to feel thirsty, the dehydration process is already underway. If your body lacks water, your performance will suffer: you will feel tired, have headaches, muscle cramps, and in full sun, you risk heatstroke. Also, remember that you need to drink more than usual. If you are used to drinking 2 liters of water a day at the office (so at rest), you can imagine that you will need to ingest more during a walk or a bivouac, where your body is exerting itself. So do not neglect the quantities and always take more water than you need.
Happy hiking!
See our hydration items for military