Hi friends! I am working on an invention in the water bottle field. I'd love to hear your ideas on the current strengths and weaknesses of water bottles on the market today, as well as alternative uses for water bottles in the backcountry. Feel free to hijack the thread and take it any direction you like, so long as it is water bottle related.

Cheers

Too heavy, even drink bottles like Snapple and Gatorade, although they are nice at times. Trend for awhile now seems to be towards bladders, even I have a few bladders now. Used to be you needed a hard water bottle to easily use with a filter, but systems are out now that allow direct connection to the clean side bladder.
Good luck.
Duane

The first problem is that they aren't free. Although, I generally get free poweraid when I buy mine.

Generally, I use a poweraid bottle when I backpack. But, when I day hike, I like to take my kleen canteen. I like it's ruggedness, and extra security it gives me. But, it's too heavy. Vargo makes a titanium version that costs a lot. Someday I will probably buy one.

My water bottles are heavy! I use a bicycle water bottle, the kind that is taller with a nice "waist" part way down cuz I have an elastic band on my shoulder strap to hold it so I can drink as I walk...and not worry about it being in my pack leaking like a bladder....but, it is indeed heavy!

Why buy water bottles when you can get used ones for free? Actually, in Oregon they cost 5 cents (the deposit), but that's no big deal. Smart Water bottles last for a long time and, if you want a wide-mouth version, so do the Kroger "Simple Truth" organic juice bottles. Even if you count the cost of the original beverage (which presumably you will drink), they are still far, far cheaper than any commercial bottle, and lighter than most.

we use the Smart water bottles also. I like the cap with the snap lid better than the screw on cap. I also carry a 32 oz gatorade bottle with me.

What kind of invention? A better bottle, or some sort of piece that works with the bottle (like a purifier, pack belt holder, better cap, or something?

Glenn, at this stage of development I'd rather not say, but it would be useful for mountaineering and high altitude backpacking. Thanks for your interest!

I use a powerade bottle.

Pros: wide mouth, lightweight, fits my pack pocket easily, 20 oz is perfect volume (for me), free.

Cons: doesn't contain cold beer.

Wait a minute - are you working on freeze-dried water!?

That's pretty much every water bottle and hydration bladder out there...

We all know that's a dead end spur on the journey to freeze-dried beer!

Haha, you got me. I've been dreaming of "powdered" water for years.

True, Lori, but my particular invention, if it comes to production, will fill a need not currently met by other water bottles. A need specific to mountaineering and high altitude backpacking.

Cheers!

Since I"m not aware of any such need, that should be interesting...

I'm not aware of any such need, either. With the big variety of water, juice, other drink bottles available, I have no need to spend any more money on containers made specifically for water.

Maybe it's a self-propelled water container so you don't have to carry it? Unfortunately, that would be illegal in wilderness areas where most high altitude hiking/mountaineering takes place.