The 5 Best Survival Canteens in 2022 to Keep You Hydrated in the Outdoors

As you know, drinking water is an extremely crucial part of surviving when you are out in the wilderness – you need to make sure that you never run out. Whether you are out camping, hunting, or living off the grid for a while, you need a stellar survival canteen to help you in your adventures. The question is what type of canteen you should choose.

Nowadays, there are countless options to choose from so you need to consider a couple of factors to make sure that you choose the best survival canteen.

Although there is a wide range of canteens available on the market, you can reduce the number of choices you have by deducing what type of canteen will be perfect for the kind of outdoor trips you often embark on. Due to the fact that there is very limited space for drinking water in survival canteens, you obviously need one that allows you to boil water to make it safe for drinking in the wilderness.

#2 KLEAN KANTEEN WIDE MOUTH BOTTLE WITH STAINLESS LOOP CAP	#1 NALGENE STAINLESS BOTTLE	#3 GERBER BEAR GRYLLS CANTEEN AND COOKING CUP
1st Runner-Up	Best Overall	2st Runner-Up
4.5/5	5/5	4/5
Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now

You might find interesting to read our best water purification tablets article.

HOW TO CHOOSE A RELIABLE CANTEEN FOR SURVIVAL

Here is a look at a few things to consider to make sure that you choose the best canteen for your outdoor adventures:

Material: One of the first things to check out in a survival canteen is the material it is made of. A metal canteen is the best choice when you need one to carry one whether you are traveling for a day or even a couple of weeks. Materials like titanium and stainless steel are great – stay away from plastic survival canteens. Metal is tough and durable, so you never have to worry about a damaged canteen in the middle of nowhere.

Non-Insulated: Another factor to consider is whether your survival canteen is insulated or not. Keep in mind that you should choose a non-insulated one. One of the good things about having a stainless steel survival canteen is that you can boil water in it to purify water. A stainless steel canteen will not rust and resist breakage, plus it is efficient for boiling water from a stream, etc. You cannot do this with an insulated canteen as the double-walled construction creates a barrier between the inside and outside walls inside it, preventing you from heating water to a boil when you need to.

Compact and Lightweight: Whether you go off on long expeditions or short ones, your canteen should be compact and lightweight, making it easy for you to carry in your backpack. You do not want to lug a heavy water bottle that slows you down or makes you tired quickly. Picking a light and compact canteen is also good as it allows you to easily and conveniently pack it in our backpack, survival kit or bug out bag.

High Resistance: You should choose a canteen that has high resistance to extreme conditions and rough terrains in case you drop it. As mentioned earlier, you also need to make sure that the survival canteen you choose is resistant to rust. Choosing a metal canteen is also beneficial as it does not leak – at least if it is well made. It also does not leach any dangerous or toxic chemicals into your water the way that plastic canteens do, so it is safer for everyone.

Taste: Have you noticed how water tastes horrible in a plastic canteen or water bottle, especially when it has been inside for quite some time? That never happens with a stainless steel or titanium canteen. You can be sure that your water will always taste good when you pick a metal survival canteen over a plastic one. The last thing you need when you are out on your outdoor trips and need to quench your thirst is water that tastes rank.

That could dampen your morale some!

Check out our suggested LifeStraw vs Sawyer water filters comparison article.

BEST SURVIVAL CANTEENS

 #1 NALGENE STAINLESS BOTTLE

Pros:
(+) Rugged and durable
(+) 38-ounce storage
(+) Plastic lid does not leak
Cons:
(-) Lid a little difficult to open for some users
(-) Wide mouth makes it a tad hard to carry

Overview

Throughout the years, Nalgene has been improving their line of products, so the Nalgene Stainless Bottle is an innovative stainless steel canteen that you can use for survival in the wilderness or EDC. It has a 38-ounce interior so you always have enough water to keep you hydrated on the go.

The Nalgene Stainless Bottle is refillable and non-insulated so you can boil water to purify it anytime. The wide mouth allows you to fill or pour water easily and even put in some ice if you need to. It comes with a plastic lid so it closes tightly and you do not have to worry about leakage. It is not perfect, but the Nalgene Stainless Bottle is durable and one of the best canteens out there.

Conclusion

The Nalgene Stainless Bottle’s stainless steel construction makes it extremely durable and rugged – it is poignant for tough expeditions and everyday carry. It is non-insulated so you can boil water in it and have safe drinking water anywhere in the wilderness.

The wide mouth of the canteen makes it easy to fill and pour water. But this feature, although handy, makes it a little hard to carry around. Also, the plastic lid may be a tad tough to open for some. But all in all, the Nalgene Stainless Bottle is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a solid, durable survival canteen.

 #2 KLEAN KANTEEN WIDE MOUTH BOTTLE WITH STAINLESS LOOP CAP

Pros:
(+) BPA-free construction makes it safe
(+) Stainless steel makes it solid and durable
(+) Wide mouth
Cons:
(-) Color chips off quite easily
(-) Some users do not like that it is non-insulated

We also suggest checking out our article about the best survival water filters by clicking here.

Overview

This is a 64-ounce canteen with marvelous features that makes it a very good choice for anyone looking for a quality survival canteen for their outdoor trips or EDC.

The Klean Kanteen Wide Mouth Bottle is made from high-quality, safe, and durable materials. It features an electropolished interior that does not impart flavors or retain colors. It has a large opening for easy filling, pouring, and putting ice in. The Klean Kanteen Wide Mouth Bottle is another good option worth considering for outdoor enthusiasts, survival kits, bug out bags, and EDC.

Conclusion

Klean Kanteen is a salient survival canteen – it is well made, rugged, and durable. The Klean Kanteen Wide Mouth Bottle with Stainless Loop Cap has a BPA-free construction which means that it is 100% safe. The wide mouth feature makes it a handy bottle to have in the wilderness as it allows you to easily fill or pour water whenever you need to. Keep in mind that the paint might chip off after a few uses, but if it is not a big deal, you might find this canteen a nice addition to your survival kit or when you hit the outdoors.

 #3 GERBER BEAR GRYLLS CANTEEN AND COOKING CUP

Pros:
(+) BPA-free
(+) Cooking cup comes with 2 handles
(+) Textured surface offers good grip
Cons:
(-) Leaks a little, but can be fixed
(-) Not freezer-friendly

Overview

This is another fine survival canteen for the outdoor enthusiast. The Gerber Bear Grylls Canteen and Cooking Cup is a BPA-free water bottle with a food-grade aluminum cup.

The bottle has a textured surface that offers you a firm and secure grip, even in wet conditions. This 1-liter capacity survival canteen will make sure that you are well hydrated when you are out on your trips. Outstanding quality and construction makes the Gerber Bear Grylls Canteen and Cooking Cup a superb choice for anyone looking for a great survival canteen.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a large-capacity survival canteen, the Gerber Bear Grylls Canteen and Cooking Cup is for you. It is a nice product that is BPA-free so you always have safe drinking water. Another terrific feature about the canteen is the textured pattern – it does not slip even in wet conditions. Need a tough canteen for hiking, camping, hunting, etc.? You might want to give this one a look.

 #4 CO-Z G.I. STYLE 1 QUART STEEL STAINLESS CANTEEN CUP KIT

Pros:
(+) Good quality stainless steel
(+) Well constructed
(+) Great functionality
Cons:
(-) Carrying case could be improved
(-) Poor quality cap

Overview

This is a profound stainless steel survival canteen kit that comes with a cup and a highly durable nylon cover with convenient snaps. It also comes with an adjustable waist belt that makes it easy and convenient for you to carry the kit around.

The CO-Z G.I. Style 1 Quart Steel Stainless Canteen Cup Kit is perfect for cooking, heating water or just making a quick cup of coffee or tea. It is made of military-grade stainless steel which means that it is rugged and durable. If you want a long-lasting survival canteen with a cup, this might be the one for you.

Conclusion

The CO-Z G.I. Style 1 Quart Steel Stainless Canteen Cup Kit is a superb survival canteen kit for regular outdoorsmen. While it is not perfect, it still is a very good option to consider. The quality of the stainless steel is excellent, so you can be sure that you have a solid canteen to rely on. The carrying case is a little disappointing but you can replace it and the cover too. If you want a kit that works well in the wilderness, keep this one in mind.

 #5 VARGO TITANIUM WATER BOTTLE WITH TITANIUM LID

Pros:
(+) 100% titanium construction
(+) Solid and durable
(+) Looks sleek
Cons:
(-) Initial washing takes longer than expected
(-) Slightly expensive

Overview

If you need a state-of-the-art and sleek survival canteen, then the Vargo Titanium Water Bottle with Titanium Lid is excellent. Made of 100% titanium, you can be sure that this is a highly well-constructed and durable product. It can store about 22 ounces of water. The titanium lid and silicon O-ring ensures liquids stay sealed. Lightweight and compact, the Vargo Titanium Water Bottle with Titanium Lid is awesome for any outdoor enthusiast.

Conclusion

The Vargo Titanium Water Bottle with Titanium Lid is a superb purchase, although it is a little more expensive than most survival canteens out there – it is worth every dollar. As the name suggests, this canteen is made of 100% titanium, which means that you get one rugged and durable canteen. It is a salient addition to your camping or survival gear – a definite must-have.

FINAL SALIENT POINTS

Human beings need water. You do not have to watch Lawrence of Arabia to realize how precious water is. We all know this already. Even in the winter you have to hydrate! We also know you cannot store water in your pocket! You have to have a liquid carrying object and there is nothing better than a canteen. Any canteen or container above will do. Which one you choose is based on your proclivity.

Drink up!

Image by Michael Pollak