Backpacking with Ultralite Nalgene Bottles

Ultralite Nalgene Bottles are 40% lighter weight than Clear Nalgene Bottles which makes them much more enticing to make use of for backpacking. Within the one-liter measurement, a wide-mouth Ultralite Nalgene, such because the one above, weighs 3.75 oz, whereas a clear wide-mouth bottle weighs 6.25 oz. That 2.5 ouncesdifference will increase should you carry two or three bottles on the similar time. The Ultralite Nalgene bottles are made with high-density polyethylene, whereas the clear ones are made with a lot heavier polycarbonate plastic, which explains the load distinction.

Whereas many backpackers and hikers carry 1L Smartwater bottles (1.4 oz) or different PET bottles as an alternative of Nalgenes as a result of they’re lighter weight and suitable with fashionable water filters, there’s nonetheless an argument to be made for carrying these white Ultralite Nalgene Bottles as an alternative. Whereas they do weigh extra, they’re far superior when it comes to useful capabilities, together with:

• They’ve a lot better sturdiness over the long run (they final for years)
• You may put boiling sizzling water in them for drinks
• You may put boiling sizzling water in them to heat a sleeping bag/quilt
• The caps are hooked up to the bottles and might’t be misplaced
• The quantity measurements printed on the perimeters are useful when rehydrating dinners
• The extensive mouth is healthier for scooping water out of ponds and lakes than a narrow-necked bottle
• Huge-mouth bottles don’t freeze as shortly as narrow-necked ones in freezing climate
• Huge-mouth bottles are simple to hold the wrong way up in winter to forestall freezing across the cap
• 1L Nalgene bottles are a lot tougher to tip over in camp
• 1L Nalgene bottles are suitable with all backpack bottle pockets. Smartwater bottles aren’t.

I switched to utilizing the 1L wide-mouth Ultralite Nalgene bottles a number of years in the past for a special purpose, though I do discover the explanations above to be compelling too. I stored shedding Smartwater bottles saved within the aspect pockets of my pack on off-trail hikes as a result of the vegetation would rip them out. That stopped after I switched to the shorter and squatter Ultralite Nalgenes and I’ve caught with them ever since.

Don’t Ditch Your Nalgene Bottles

A few years in the past, I wrote an article titled Go Mild – Ditch Your Nalgene Bottles, which in hindsight was somewhat idiotic, as a result of I used to be over-enthusiastic about dropping my gear weight. It was primarily based on the belief that each one Nalgene bottles weighed 6.25 ouncesbecause I didn’t know that these 1L Ultralite Nalgenes weigh 3.75 oz. Whereas I nonetheless consider in retaining my gear weight low, I’ve discovered that I want the performance of those Ultralite Nalgenes over Smartwater bottles and their ilk. Strive pouring sizzling water right into a Smartwater bottle someday and also you’ll shortly see why.

I nonetheless carry Platypus or CNOC smooth bottles with me after I’m mountaineering so I can carry additional water when crucial or squeeze it by a hole fiber filter like a Sawyer or a Befree. However carrying these wide-mouth Ultralite Nalgenes is an improve over PET bottles and properly value a number of ounces of added weight.