Shoulder strap water bottle holders?

the hack

WKR
Joined
Oct 2, 2019
Messages
468
I want to move my water bottle(s) to my shoulder straps. My current system is a 3L CNOC dirty water bag with Katadyn BeFree filter. I use lot of water hiking and sweat like an addict. Was thinking about one or two bottles on the shoulder straps of my SG Terminus but am weary about putting too much weight up on my shoulders. I am open to 1 or 2 bottles, Nalgene, Smart Water and soft bottles. What has worked well for you (bottles and bottle holders)?

Thanks!
 

EdP

WKR
Joined
Jun 18, 2020
Messages
1,440
Location
Southwest Va
I don't think on the straps is a good idea. Too much weight wagging around with every step, but it might work for you. Both my daypack and backpacking pack have elastic pockets on the outside bottom that hold 1/2 liter water bottles and I can reach them w/o taking off the pack. I sweat like crazy when working too so I like having water at hand and I don't like the bags. The pockets work for me.
 

mtwarden

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 18, 2016
Messages
10,525
Location
Montana
I like a 16 oz Nalgene on a shoulder strap. Not too heavy (32 oz would probably be too heavy).

The best one I’ve used is from Mountain Laurel Designs.

Not truly on the shoulder strap, but close, is the older bottle holder from Stone Glacier. It holds a 32 oz Nalgene comfortably.

I go back and forth between the two depending.
 
OP
the hack

the hack

WKR
Joined
Oct 2, 2019
Messages
468
Thank you kindly. I came across them too, nice fella manning the mails!
 

mtwarden

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 18, 2016
Messages
10,525
Location
Montana
I like a 16 oz Nalgene on a shoulder strap. Not too heavy (32 oz would probably be too heavy).

The best one I’ve used is from Mountain Laurel Designs.

Not truly on the shoulder strap, but close, is the older bottle holder from Stone Glacier. It holds a 32 oz Nalgene comfortably.

I go back and forth between the two depending.

16 oz MLD on my Tokeen pack

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Joined
Aug 3, 2024
Messages
6
I like bottles, too. Water bladders aren’t good. Too difficult to fill up, can spill over everything.
I haven’t found a good/ideal way to carry the bottles. I put a 48 ounce in the side pocket of my bag, carabiner securing it to a strap, and a smaller 32 ounce in the other side pocket. I’ll have to check out Mountain Laurel Designs. I’ve always felt there’s a better way, and my shoulders get stiff—it sucks reaching to the side every time I need a drink.
I also feel there has to be a better bottle than Nalgene, but that’s what I use.
 

Jayhat

FNG
Joined
Aug 20, 2022
Messages
95
As mostly a backpacker (not usually hunting), I love running a smart water (or Life water) bottle in a shoulder pocket. Carries very easy and kind of is a counterweight to the pack. On small packs I've recently been using running vest style bottles with straws and I really like them.
 

Grady.J

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 29, 2014
Messages
254
Location
Coquitlam, BC
A 500ml nalgene fits about perfect in the SG large hip belt pocket. I was using a 2L bladder in the lid for plain water, and the small nalgene filled with tang and a bit of salt in the belt pocket to keep some quick sugars handy while hiking. I would like to try a shoulder strap mount, but wouldn't go bigger than 5-700ml.
 

GMann

FNG
Joined
Jun 17, 2022
Messages
40
Location
San Diego
I like bottles, too. Water bladders aren’t good. Too difficult to fill up, can spill over everything.
I haven’t found a good/ideal way to carry the bottles. I put a 48 ounce in the side pocket of my bag, carabiner securing it to a strap, and a smaller 32 ounce in the other side pocket. I’ll have to check out Mountain Laurel Designs. I’ve always felt there’s a better way, and my shoulders get stiff—it sucks reaching to the side every time I need a drink.
I also feel there has to be a better bottle than Nalgene, but that’s what I use.
I prefer bottles over water bladders, too but also hate reaching all the time. I found the swig rig so I can run a hydration bladders style hose from them. Pretty cool


Sent from my SM-S711U using Tapatalk
 

Moof

FNG
Joined
Apr 28, 2024
Messages
13
Location
WI
JustinsUL Water bottle straps. Been using them for many years. They don't swing or slosh around and fit 700 and 1L Smart water bottles. With sport caps it's the easiest water carry/drinking system. Bottle Holder
+1 on the JustinsUL water bottle carriers. No issues with flopping around while backpacking - with either the 700mL and 1L bottles. The elastic bands wore out on mine eventually after a couple years of use, but doesn't affect use.
 
Joined
Sep 25, 2016
Messages
452
Location
VT
Hydrapak flasks worked best in shoulder strap pocket. As you drink the air sucked out so there is no water moving around in them. I still prefer smart water bottles in a side pocket .
 
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