Water bags vs. bottles

[Mellow]

Got my Motorcyclist mag today, cool little section on adventure touring and some stuff to buy.

Most of it was too expensive or not necessary in my opinion but one thing that caught my eye was the ordlieb 4 litre bag for $25 - looked like a pretty cool way to carry more than what a bottle handles and collapses once empty...

Any thoughts?

Which do you prefer?

http://www.motocampers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=571&stc=1&d=1168305802 (http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Ortlieb-Water-Bags-p-16433.html)

http://www.motocampers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=572&stc=1&d=1168305924 (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=13543&memberId=12500226)

[GoldWingGL]

I like the idea of the bag but have not tried one. This looks like a nice one also....

[motomac]

Got my mag also and saw those and wondered if they were worht it.

[Trekker]

While I like the bags ability to collapse when empty... seems to me it's just another big footprint on the picnic table. With all the gear we tend to bring out (more than one person per site) the table gets crowded with stuff fast.

So... If I don't need to take water with me on the bike then the bags are OK. But if I want to take water in my tank bag or pannier, I like the hard plastic bottle for durability and small footprint.

[Fat Monkey]

I have been using this one for a few months and it works pretty well. I especially like the wide mouth for adding ice and cleaning. It is normally empty on the bike and I fill it once at the campground, if there is potable water. If not I fill it before leaving and it has proven to be leak free so far.

http://preview.tinyurl.com/rok2k

Mike
STOC 870

[Aldawg]

Actually, I use both. Brita (http://www.brita.com/products/filtering-bottle/brita-bottle-aqua/)water bottle with filter for drinking, (I like this one because I can filter any tap water while on the road, and it always tastes good) MSR (http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/water-treatment-and-hydration/expedition-water-treatment-and-hydration/dromedary-bags/product) 6 liter bag for camp water to wash hands, dishes, etc. I hang mine on a tree with a carabiner. (bonus: if you leave it in the sun for a while you can use it to take a shower)

[drzcharlie]

I use a Giegerrig 700 like THIS ONE (http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&sugexp=frgbld&gs_nf=1&tok=WUwnjBZx0Y_vcPfBtAFWzw&cp=7&gs_id=0&xhr=t&q=geigerrig&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1280&bih=685&ion=1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=4668639068605594586&sa=X&ei=Ns1zT7bFIavE2QWdicTNDg&sqi=2&ved=0CI8BEPMCMAY) but I have the built in water filter.

I love this thing. I realize that I do a different kind of riding than most of you guys but it's basically a pressurized water bladder. You wear it as a backpack, and it has room inside for a few snacks and your MP3 player too. I have the optional water filtration system for mine so even the nastiest tasting water tastes good when you use it. The added advantage is that since it's pressurized I use it to cook with as well. I just squirt the amount of water I need into a pot and voila'

[ImRubicon]

I like the water camelbaks like packs as its a huge difference when it summer here in Texas

[Kimswang]

I like them, good idea and I will get one..

[bigTom]

The platypus that I use doesn't have a handle, but it is about 1/3 the price...oops, looks like they have gone up...http://www.aerostich.com/platy-bags.html

They work well, last well, and pack FLAT.

[DBrent]

I carry two or three stainless steel water bottles (800 ml), and they are always filled with water. When emptied, I refill when possible. I also carry an MSR Dromedary bag--the 6 ltr size. I carry this empty and fill at the campground or before hand if water is going to be an issue at my destination. It will hang. Other types of caps are available as accessories. I bought this one because of its flexibility. I watched my son use one like a Camelback on a hike in Zion National Park.

http://cascadedesigns.com/images/product/medium/msr_dromedary.jpg

http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/water-treatment-and-hydration/expedition-water-treatment-and-hydration/dromedary-bags/product

Brent


http://www.rei.com/pix/common/pixel.gif

[Dusty Boots]

I have a MSR 6 litre Dromedary and will use it on occasion, but dislike the taste it imparts to the water. :(

I use a Source 2 litre hydration bladder (http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Packs/HydrationPacks/PRD~5018-474/source-wxp-hydration-system.jsp) that has a wide opening across the top, which makes for easy cleaning, adding ice and filling. It imparts no taste to the water, or my choice of beverage inside. I also added an Camelbak tube extender kit, so I can pack my bladder either on my back seat, or inside my custom made gear bag on my back seat (keeps the contents cooler, longer) and can easily run the tube up to my mouth, keeping me hydrated while I ride and don't need to take my hands off of the bars to do so.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6047/6266998821_525b620f34_m.jpg (http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6047/6266998821_9e36d94429_o.jpg) http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2721/4319377674_e4a6265ac8_m.jpg (http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2721/4319377674_f42e056a14_o.jpg)


If I'm just on day rides, I use a water bottle holster (http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/HikingCamping/WaterBottles/WaterBottleAccessories/PRD~1699-537/mec-water-bottle-holster-1l.jsp), fastened around my wind wing mount, to keep a water bottle at hand.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7116/6880492682_e9e19743a6_m.jpg (http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7116/6880492682_e9e19743a6_c.jpg)

To keep hydrated in camp, I sometimes use a 1 litre Source Liquitainer Bottle (http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/HikingCamping/WaterBottles/WaterBottles/PRD~5024-689/source-liquitainer-bottle.jsp), which folds down to nothing when not in use.


For around camp, I use a Seattle Sports Pocket Bucket (http://www.motocampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4456) to haul and store water, for use as needed.

I also carry at times, a Katadyn Guides water filter (http://www.backcountry.com/katadyn-guide-water-filter), (now discontinued) if the water at camp is suspect.

Dusty