I have always used a canteen, but now I'm considering other options. What would be some of the advantages/disadvantages of canteens, bota bags, nalgene bottles, etc.? I started thinking about this because the canteens always bounce awkwardly around when I'm portaging. I was thinking a bota bag might be more comfortable to carry. What does everyone else do?

There is a good post going in the General Discussion section currently Water Container

Currently for backpacking I use 1 liter Nalgenes and a 3 Liter Camel backs

We use the personal nalgene bottle our outfitter provides. Easy & light weight.

One of the advantages of a canteen is that my Boy Scout canteen has a canvas cover. get the canvas wet and it has a cooling effect as the water evaporates.

I use these, Camelbak

butthead

1 Liter Nalgene and a base camp filter.

Nalgene bottles are really nice. PBA free and never leak. Strong and hold a good amount of fluid.

Here is a link to remedy your canteen with the canvas covering, a Nalgene bottle fitted with a canvas cover. This is what I use... Nalgene canvas covering.

I normally take two nalgenes, but sometimes I'll take a couple empty pop bottles. I like the wide mouth of the nalgenes and my water filter has a filling attachment that fits the nalgene. The nalgenes fit in a holster or side pack pocket.

One pack I have, the side pockets are too small for nalgene bottles so I use 24 oz pop bottles instead plus one nalgene in a holster.

I'm going to try one of these collapsable 96oz canteen. http://www.rei.com/product/626195. When portaging in and out I can empty it and fill it at camp.

I use a nalgene bottle, with a neoprene sleeve. The sleeve was found at Gander Mtn for about $10.

Two Nalgene bottles and a Base Camp Filter (group) or Platypus bottle (solo).

I take two wide mouth Nalgene bottles per person. We use Bottle Belts on ours. I clip mine to my GG thwart bag, which in turn I clip to the front of my shoulder straps. Handy on th trail and any swinging about is not a problem.

I like to put SplashGuards in mine.

i agree that nalgene bottles are the easiest and most versatile containers. not only are they good for water, but they can be useful for food storage (especially good for crushables), supplies, etc.

i have always hated the un-canteenness of nalgene bottles that does not give them an easy way to be toted about (a carabiner on the lid loop allows too much swing for me). so i really like this bottle carrier. it provides a secure and adjustable fit that allows you to sling your bottle for a jaunt in the woods or across a portage with the canoe.

We use soda bottles, usually 2 liter. They have many advantages over nalgene. They are free, they are nearly indestructible (ever seen one break?), they are the perfect size to mix one packet of Crystal Lite, and after the trip there is no need to clean -- just dispose. I also find the smaller opening easier to drink from. We attach a loop cord to the top for carrying purposes using a bottle knot.
Try it. It won't cost you anything.

CanoeKev, Good point. I use a nalgene for water and a pop bottle for Crystal Light.

BTW - Speaking of free containers, I use empty vitamin bottles for cooking oil and syrup.

Nalgene bottles for me. Different colored lids for each persons own bottle and a couple of extra thrown in for camp use.

3 nalgenes for me. 1 for water, 1 for booze and 1 for leaches. The leach bottle has the top quarter drilled out with tiny holes big enough to let water in yet small enough to keep them from sliding out. Next trip I will have a strip of duct tape around it for traveling days as getting leach water spilled on me throughout portages was a PITA.

Last trip I took 3-4 nalgenes with bottle belts. Cliped in to the front of my pack. 1-2 w/ water, one w/ jack, One w/ lemonade. Yummy

I like the 96 oz. REI soft naglene canteens... one for water, one for scotch.

I use a Nalgene bottle with a Firefly Lantern top. With this setup I get two for one. Anytime you get more than one use for an object it lightens the load.

Here is a link where I ordered my Firefly Lantern from

Firefly Lantern

The firefly lantern is a great idea. Another thing for my wishlist...

Leaving for my first trip in a week.

I am planning on bringing a GI canteen w/ canteen cup in a Maxpedition Canteen pouch http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/1-QT-USGI-CANTEEN-POUCH-7p999.htm and a one liter Kleen Kanteen in a Maxpedition 12" x 5" bottle holder http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/12-x-5-Bottle-Holder-7p568.htm