Praise for the USGI Canteen


Hiwa

Hiwa

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I've used a lot of canteens and water bottles in my life , from old aluminum Boy Scout jobs with the wool covers to modern stainless Kleen Kanteens.

I mostly use the I lt. Nalgene bottles for the last few years as they don't dent , are really tough , and fit in a lot of bottle holders , but seem bulky.

Lately I've been thinking of going back to my old USGI canteens for a few reasons. For one , they hold the same amount of water in a better packable shape ; they cost less than Nalgenes , pretty tough plastic , and they don't give any perceivable odor to me. ( Nor do the newer Nalgene ones.)

I was thinking of getting the Maxpedition holder for mine , and was wondering how many of you folks prefer this style of canteen also ?
 
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Maxpedition makes some great stuff that tends to last, so i don't think you would go wrong if you wanted to grab that cover...but I've never had an issue with the issued covers.

That said, the USGI is a great canteen...proven in some of the harshest conditions, really quite reasonable in price and readily available. Don't see anything wrong with using one! If you like that i have also heard great things about the british military equivalent....i would imagine you could get one reasonably cheap on eBay if you were so inclined.
 
i bought the nalgene canteens when they had a 1/2 off sale a few years back - i use them and the USGE canteens. they just seem to fit better in my packs. i like the looks of the maxpedition covers - i guess i will have to get a couple now that i've seen them.
 
I just bought a wide mouth KK with a cup (nearly $60 total) and I distinctly remember hearing my conscience telling me that I could buy a whole lot of GI canteens and cups for that.

Sometimes you have to ask yourself if the increase in cost is outweighed by the increase in performance. When it comes to canteens, I have serious doubts. The GI model is a very good bargain.
 
Of course the great thing about the USGI canteen is that they fit surprisingly well into that other great American 20th Century invention - the canteen cup!

Before buying the Maxpedition canteen pouch you might want to take a look at the USGI MOLLE II canteen pouch. This is a very interesting re-design of the old canteen pouch that can also easily carry a Nalgene bottle and comes with a flap cover so you can use it as a general purpose pouch. A really neat design, and you can get them for just a few bucks.

And last, please do not buy used canteens! There are thousands of them out there for sale on the auction sites and in surplus stores. Who knows what the last person to suck on it was carrying around. Only buy new canteens and wash them in hot, soapy water before using them. They are also somewhat difficult to clean, so I recommend you only use them for water (no soup, fruit juice, etc.). In the Army we always just bought our own. I've been using mine for almost 30 years. Guess it's time to replace 'em...
 
I just got a 1 qt modular pouch from Condor. Very similar to the Maxpedition. It's not as spendy but looks like it will hold up for the day hikes and two day trips that I tend go on. I've got a canteen cup, Nalgene canteen and an Emberlit stove in the pouch. Nice thing about it is that it's easier to get the cup out than on some USGI covers I've had.
 
The Nalgene kidney style looks good but haven't seen them here ; only the regular green ones ( They retail about $5-8 around here)

I basically find the overall shape is easier to handle , and the smaller opening isn't a face splasher. I don't like the anti-splash inserts on round bottles.
 
I've always carried my GI canteen when I'm in the woods. Dad got it for me when I was 10 with a cover and canteen cup. It's lasted 18 years and counting. Good stuff.
 
Hiwa said:
The Nalgene kidney style looks good but haven't seen them here ... I don't like the anti-splash inserts on round bottles.
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The shape of the GI canteens is more comfortable for me than the round ones.

fivepieces.jpg



I would like one of the canteens below, but everytime I sent them an email over the past few years they either did not respond or told me they will be in stock soon.

http://www.dhki.com/Defense/p_solbotle-o.htm
 
No doubt that the military issue canteen is extremely durable. I carried 'em through intense military training schools to Vietnam where few things lasted for very long because of the harsh environment. There was a time, shortly after the war, that I couldn't put a USGI canteen to my mouth because of the memories associated with that canteen and nasty overseas water. Funny how those things work, sometimes. :)

Though we seem to have water bottles or vessels of every size, material, and configuration possible (leather, wood, copper, gourd, tin, plastic and metal ), I often use the newer USGI canteen or the Nalgene Oasis when out bushwhacking these days. What I like about the Oasis is, you can see into the canteen for cleaning and inspection. I don't use canteen or water bottle covers very often because I need to carry two or more (usually three) canteens at a time. Being next to the High Desert here at high altitudes, a body goes through water pretty quickly. I found that (if carrying a pack) the canteen covers add too much weight to my gear (I have Maxpedition covers). I guess 'environment' and 'activity' will best determine your needs.

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Hiwa, check out the Humangear "Capcaps" for the best of both worlds, narrow drinking mouth and wide-mouth access.

-Trevor
 
That website looks to have some nice items on it...and that price on the arctic canteen is VERY responsible given its a complete kit. I've seen the canteen alone go for 14 bucks!
 
TMedina said:
Hiwa, check out the Humangear "Capcaps" for the best of both worlds, narrow drinking mouth and wide-mouth access.

-Trevor
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A store I know had those but sold out. I'll get a couple when they come in for the ones I have already. Thanks for reminding me. :)
 
bharen said:
And last, please do not buy used canteens! There are thousands of them out there for sale on the auction sites and in surplus stores. Who knows what the last person to suck on it was carrying around. Only buy new canteens and wash them in hot, soapy water before using them. They are also somewhat difficult to clean, so I recommend you only use them for water (no soup, fruit juice, etc.). In the Army we always just bought our own. I've been using mine for almost 30 years. Guess it's time to replace 'em...
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Honestly who cares if its a used canteen or not. Just wash it and its good to go. If your really paranoid then boil it, rub it with alcohol or whatever you want lol. Really, whats the difference in using a washed used canteen and going to a restraunt and drinking out of a washed glass?

Almost all of my gear is used, and it saves a pretty penny too.
 
Most of my gear is Mil surplus. The canteen shaped nalgene bottles look just fine, but I'm cheap. Never had a problem with the old school ones.
 
I prefer to use the canteens as well, but still have a use for nalgenes also
DSC00493.jpg

Since the picture was taken I moved the canteens to the bottom and the first aid kit to the top but it carries well
 
Stitch said:
The shape of the GI canteens is more comfortable for me than the round ones.

fivepieces.jpg



I would like one of the canteens below, but everytime I sent them an email over the past few years they either did not respond or told me they will be in stock soon.

http://www.dhki.com/Defense/p_solbotle-o.htm
Click to expand...
Cool canteen. Im gonna give them a call. Ilike your knife in the pic. What kind is it?
 
While having a conversation with an active duty friend of mine. I mentioned how I liked the new canteen covers, and was thinking of buying one. His comment was, that with the new snap lok type buckle, it takes two hands or help from a buddy to reclose the buckle. If you look at it after hearing that. You would have to agree that it would be more difficult to handle one handed. I decided not to purchase it after that. I still have a few of the old style with the snaps.
 
Gotta love the tried and true USGI Canteen and it's accessories, I sure love mine:
MyKitToday25th2.jpg


It takes quite a bit of use for the Maxpedition pack to get it so that the canteen cup will come out easier but it is a good system.
 
I have two USGI canteens and canteen cups and LOVE them! My only complaint is that the new covers with a single snap don't fit as well as the double snap ones I had in the service. I could just be that they need to be broken in some more, but I don't think you can go wrong with a USGI canteen and matching cup.
 
I always use my canteens. I have a 2 qt. and the 1 qt. Another good site for those covers is www.canteenshop.com I use military issue though. On a hot summer day you can soak those lined covers in a cold river and it will keep your canteen cold for quite a while.
 
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