Hydration Setup

[JoeVandal174]

I have been in here almost two years and decided that it was time to ask a question. I have actively been trying to draw a sheep tag in Idaho for over a decade and while it hasn’t happened yet I was wondering what type of hydration set up people have or would recommend for sheep hunting

 

[45-70govt]

I run a Katadyn Hiker Pro for a filter. I like the ability to pump as you can draw from the smallest of sources without having to worry about submersing bottles or bags. Sure its extra weight but filtered water tastes great every time. Doesnt take all that long to fill up 2-4 litres worth of storage also. You will see alot of differing opinions on this based on the weight of a filter. Either way you should treat your water in some fashion, not worth risking a once a year (or less frequent) trip by spending the whole outing with significant gut issues from contaminated water.
Recently swapped over to a hip pocket for a Nalgene instead of the hassle a bladder and hose to drink from also. Simpler and easier to fill, and monitor how much water i have on hand.

 

[Bowehunter]

After trial and error I've found the Nalgene on a hip pocket works best for me. Then keeping either a large gravity filter filled back at camp. Or carry a couple small bladders with dirty water and filter with the Sawyer squeeze.

 

[shagles]

Has anyone tried one of the straw/hose adapters for nalgene bottles? Something like the Swig Rig or One-Bottle? I know swig rig has a filter you can put on the end of the straw part inside the bottle so you can just fill the bottle and drink/filter on the go.

 

[mtwarden]

Nalgene for me too. I use their original lightweight ones, not as light as Platypus or one of the reused water bottles folks use, but the confidence that it's not going to leak after being dropped or leak if I heat a water bottle to warm up my sleeping bag (one of the best "pro tips" ever!).

Not sure why, but Stone glacier made a Nalgene holder that hung in front of your shoulder that I love, but it's been discontinued. They still make one that is a belt holder though.

I use Aqua tabs for purification. I always one Nalgene ready to drink, when one goes dry it gets filled w/ a tab thrown in; when the other one goes dry it it's ready to go—rinse and repeat. I've used filters, they get clogged, I've used UV and had the electronics fail. Always carried tabs as a backup, now that's all I carry

If I'm in water stingy country, I'll throw in a 2 liter Platypus bottle if I need more water (in addition to the two Nalgenes.

Not a very good close up, but you can see the holder I'm talking about by my left shoulder—very handy to grab and put away.

 

[KYtoAK]

Nalgene for me too. I use their original lightweight ones, not as light as Platypus or one of the reused water bottles folks use, but the confidence that it's not going to leak after being dropped or leak if I heat a water bottle to warm up my sleeping bag (one of the best "pro tips" ever!).

Not sure why, but Stone glacier made a Nalgene holder that hung in front of your shoulder that I love, but it's been discontinued. They still make one that is a belt holder though.

I use Aqua tabs for purification. I always one Nalgene ready to drink, when one goes dry it gets filled w/ a tab thrown in; when the other one goes dry it it's ready to go—rinse and repeat. I've used filters, they get clogged, I've used UV and had the electronics fail. Always carried tabs as a backup, now that's all I carry

If I'm in water stingy country, I'll throw in a 2 liter Platypus bottle if I need more water (in addition to the two Nalgenes.

Not a very good close up, but you can see the holder I'm talking about by my left shoulder—very handy to grab and put away.

I’ve been debating ditching the Sawyer Squeeze and using the tabs now that I’m in Alaska, since overnight temps might freeze the filter and compromise it. Do you strain your water first with a cloth or anything before treating with the tabs?

 

[JoeVandal174]

I run a Katadyn Hiker Pro for a filter. I like the ability to pump as you can draw from the smallest of sources without having to worry about submersing bottles or bags. Sure its extra weight but filtered water tastes great every time. Doesnt take all that long to fill up 2-4 litres worth of storage also. You will see alot of differing opinions on this based on the weight of a filter. Either way you should treat your water in some fashion, not worth risking a once a year (or less frequent) trip by spending the whole outing with significant gut issues from contaminated water.
Recently swapped over to a hip pocket for a Nalgene instead of the hassle a bladder and hose to drink from also. Simpler and easier to fill, and monitor how much water i have on hand.

Thanks

 

[svivian]

Has anyone tried one of the straw/hose adapters for nalgene bottles? Something like the Swig Rig or One-Bottle? I know swig rig has a filter you can put on the end of the straw part inside the bottle so you can just fill the bottle and drink/filter on the go.

Hardside hydration has been the best for me. They just came out with a filter that you can put in your Nalgene and weighs next to nothing.

 

[mtwarden]

I’ve been debating ditching the Sawyer Squeeze and using the tabs now that I’m in Alaska, since overnight temps might freeze the filter and compromise it. Do you strain your water first with a cloth or anything before treating with the tabs?

I don't, but our water tends run pretty clear—possibly with heavy glaciation it might be worth it?

That's also the type of water that really clogs filters too

 

[cuerro viejo]

Hardside hydration has been the best for me. They just came out with a filter that you can put in your Nalgene and weighs next to nothing.

This is the way

 

[diamond10x]

Hydrapak 3L Seeker dirty bag w/ Hydrapak/Katadyn filter cap and Nalgene

 

[Skerhunter]

I use the lightweight Nalgene bottles (2), strainer and steripen (tabs for back up). I use a small zip lock to pour water through strainer, works good for small seeps. Big bladders/gravity filters work good for spike camps, but steripen is always in my pack.

 

[JoeVandal174]

Thank you everyone for the great insight I appreciate it

 

[Philotheos777]

Great feedback!

 

[chizelhead]

I'll second much of what has been said here.

From my experience on Idaho sheep hunts, water is often hard to come by. I've spent considerable time hunting in the Frank Church Wilderness—where many sheep hunts occur—and reliable water sources at higher elevations are a real challenge to find. Being prepared to carry extra water is essential.

Nalgene bottles and hydration packs have worked well for me.

I do get tired of just water so flavoring helps in one nalgene bottle and the other is kept without. Adding electrolytes are key as well. I use Salt sticks capsules but LMNT, Nuun, or others work well.

I also recommend water purification tablets over filters. I found filters often clog and can be more hassle than they’re worth. I've had good results with Katadyn Micropur tablets compared to AquaTabs or iodine (does anyone use these anymore?). I'm not sure how AquaTabs perform these days, but the Katadyn tablets leave very little aftertaste. Just remember, the colder the water, the longer tablets take to work.

I've never used a steripen or a sawyer squeeze. They sound interesting. I'd still take tablets as a back up. If so, I might as well just use them.