Easy access to water bottle?

[Prentiss Riddle]

Seems like a simple thing but I haven’t found a solution I like:

How do you carry a water bottle (not a hydration pouch) so it is readily accessible while walking? The bottle holder on my pack is unreachable when the pack is on my back.

Does anybody have an easy way to hang it from your shoulder strap or belt? Hopefully without dangling, sloshing or getting in the way of your arm motion?

Thanks!

 

[stratophile]

You can get water bottle holders that attach to your belt from any hiking supply store. They sit snug to your hip.

 

[spursfan]

There's no need - I stop for a minute or two every half hour - plenty of time to take my pack off my back and drink from my water bottle in either side pocket of my pack - also time to confirm that my feet are fine

 

[Prentiss Riddle]

You can get water bottle holders that attach to your belt from any hiking supply store. They sit snug to your hip.

Can you link to one you like?

 

[stratophile]

I've used the same one for about 8 years. I think it is this one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ATNHOV6/?tag=casaivar02-20

It has a velcro strap that makes it easy to add / remove the tote without having to remove your belt. Durable and easy-to-clean. Should fit most 1 L / 32 oz water bottles.

 

[Givesome]

I attach my water bottles on the waste band of my backpack.

 

[Piero Frustascarpe]

You can look for this kind of bottle holder.

 

[Vacajoe]

Aqua Clips! VERY inexpensive (3 for $10), trail-proven, and most importantly: my wife LOVES hers! No more asking me to get her bottle every ten minutes. With easy access, she drinks more, too. Clips to most recyclable water bottles, so you can use them if you buy other drinks on the Camino.

Www.aquaclip.com

 

[Hiawatha]

These are cheap , light and well made , they also have multiple attachment options that make it easier to fit to convenient parts of your pack .
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Tactica...hash=item1a3a96e99f:m:m2Fb4agqGKzwtZUuc0Uzq7w

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Seems like a simple thing but I haven’t found a solution I like:

How do you carry a water bottle (not a hydration pouch) so it is readily accessible while walking? The bottle holder on my pack is unreachable when the pack is on my back.

Does anybody have an easy way to hang it from your shoulder strap or belt? Hopefully without dangling, sloshing or getting in the way of your arm motion?

Thanks!

Two thinner gauge bungee cords with a cord tighteners. Put one bungee at the top of the shoulder strap, connected to the webbing that tightens the pack straps; then put the second bungee low on the shoulder strap, again threading it under the web that tightens the shoulder strap. The neck of the bottle is held in place by the upper cord, the bottom of the bottle is held by the lower cord. It is easy to access the water bottle. Look at the yellow bungees on the shoulder harness of this ULA Pack for a picture example:


Watch this video starting at the 36 second mark, to see the water bottle holder with a bottle attached.

If you want, you can order the actual part at https://www.ula-equipment.com/product/water-bottleholders/
But it looks simple enough to buy the cord and cordlock to make your own.

 

[Introibo]

OR..... you can attach a drinking tube to your bottle and feed that through to your shoulder strap. " I'm assuming you're not going to get a bottle each day and through it away " The tubes are long enough to give access to a bottle in any storage pocket on your pack. It replace the bite part on the water bottle.
This gives you the best of both worlds. You can drink as you walk any time you like. The bottle is on the outside of your pack and has a wide neck so you can fill up easily at any convenient fountain. Plus the bottles
don't taste plasticky

Pax et bonum

 

[HedaP]

Or just buy some parachute cord and knot a couple of loops to the shoulder strap of your backpack. Served me well for 800 km.

 

[Introibo]

After a struggle, I remembered it's called a Camelback Water Bottle Hands Free Adaptor

 

[Deleted member 29041]

Try looking at ebay <--- link
Dead simple, dead cheap (incl. international mail).

If the dangling bottle annoys you, then just add a loop of (elastic)string at the bottom.

Apart from that, I'm enough of a contortionist to grab my own bottle from the side pocket on my pack - and to put it back. Took some practice, though The other side pocket holds my poncho and my rain legs.

 

[hel&scott]

Or just strap a camel to your pack and be done with it.

We used to use water bottles but groping around for them was a pain, and you need to drink a lot more on the hot Camino then a Kiwi bush walk. With the convenience of the tube right where you need it means you can sip and walk. Having run out if water on the Vdlp, I'd never start a walk with out a full camel and a back up bottle of juice.

 

[LesBrass]

Seems like a simple thing but I haven’t found a solution I like:

How do you carry a water bottle (not a hydration pouch) so it is readily accessible while walking? The bottle holder on my pack is unreachable when the pack is on my back.

Does anybody have an easy way to hang it from your shoulder strap or belt? Hopefully without dangling, sloshing or getting in the way of your arm motion?

Thanks!

OOOH Thank you for asking this question! I've tried a bladder and a tube in the bottle and I have no idea why but I just don't like them. I like to drink from my bottle so I'm going to study all these answers!

 

[Latecomer]

I am glad to see I am not the only one to think (actually in my case obsess) about stuff like this!

On the VdlP, I used the Blue Desert SmarTube Hydration System, and was very happy with it (generally using a 2 litre Nalgene bottle, and and sometimes a one litre backup).

For my upcoming Camino Frances, I wanted something smaller, lighter, and simpler. I considered Outdoor Research Water Bottle Tote 1L, Black, 1size based on a Lindsey Cowie Packing List video.

But believe I have settled on just using a Bison Design Bottle Bandit and the pole retaining strap on my Osprey Kestrel 38. I have not field tested this very much yet, but limited testing has proven successful. If it does not work out it won't be the end of the world.

I considered using the tube from my SmarTube system based on this YouTube video (Miyagi's DIY Smart Water Bottle Hack) but it seems I can easily tilt the bottle and drink from it (with less weight an complexity).

Okay... Bring on the comments about ~It's not rocket science, don't over plan stuff, just show up and walk~.

¡Buen Camino! Latecomer

 

[mariam88]

I saw a bottle-holder online that attached to the rucksack strap but couldn't find one to buy so I cannibalised an old (bright yellow) bag and cobbled together my own version - it attaches around the strap with velcro ties. It survived the Camino and is still going strong. The guy in the hiking shop in Pamplona was quite impressed with it!

 

[Deleted member 67185]

OR..... you can attach a drinking tube to your bottle and feed that through to your shoulder strap. " I'm assuming you're not going to get a bottle each day and through it away " The tubes are long enough to give access to a bottle in any storage pocket on your pack. It replace the bite part on the water bottle.
This gives you the best of both worlds. You can drink as you walk any time you like. The bottle is on the outside of your pack and has a wide neck so you can fill up easily at any convenient fountain. Plus the bottles
don't taste plasticky

Pax et bonum

It takes me all of about 30 to 40 seconds to refill a 2 liter water reservoir (though I usually only fill it one liter at a time), and it doesn't need to be removed from my pack... heck, I don't even have to take my pack off if I don't want to. A cheap and easily installed quick connect valve installed on the drinking tube is all that is needed. At the end of the day, since I am accessing the contents of my pack anyway, it is simple to remove the reservoir and easy to wash and rinse it out.

I'm not suggesting that one should ditch water bottles on a grudging basis. If someone is comfortable with a water bottle, that's all the justification one needs; they do not have to feel obligated to support their subjective preferences. I only mention the above so that those who don't know, have the information that water bottles have no real advantage when it comes to either sanitation or refilling.

Water bottlers and water reservoirists can all live in harmony on Camino. Just please, use plastic that will not crinkle and crackle up a storm in the night during sleep time.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

@davebugg, that Ula pack is the exact one my son has used on his three Caminos, even same color, and he's loved it. Nice idea regarding the bungees. I don't think he ever held his water bottles that way, but he really likes the straps in front for lifting his arms ocassionally to rest them as he doesn't use hiking poles.

 

[hieudovan]

I found these to be the most efficient and simple solution. I can drink anytime while walking. Refilling the bottles is just as easy. Make sure you sew or attach the bottle holders to the front straps of your backpack, especially if you use the bottles that come with the holders. Filled with water they are quite heavy. The company is us.raidlight.com. I actually use 1 holder for bananas or fruits that are easily bruised. Buen camino.

 

[Malachiuri]

Im a big fan of climbers chalk bags. I hang one from the chest strap on my pack so it sits down at the point the strap attaches to the pack near my waist. Most are big enough for a water bottle and an orange, apple etc.
Also super handy for holding your hat and gloves for chilly days.

I like the cheaper Black Diamond chalk bags. They have plenty of room and a cinch cord to close them off.

 

[Theresa Brandon]

I've been considering these: https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/shoulder-strap-pouches/

• 

SHOULDER POUCHES
$16.00
Extra Space You Didn't Know You Had
WEIGHT: 0.6 – 0.7 oz | 17 -20 gm
With our Shoulder Strap Pouches you can easily add small gear and water bottle storage to your pack straps to keep it super handy. It's the perfect use of extra space you didn't know you had!

 

[Deleted member 67185]

@davebugg, that Ula pack is the exact one my son has used on his three Caminos, even same color, and he's loved it. Nice idea regarding the bungees. I don't think he ever held his water bottles that way, but he really likes the straps in front for lifting his arms ocassionally to rest them as he doesn't use hiking poles.

I still have my ULA Catalyst and Ohm. Even though I love my Gossamer Gear Mariposa, ULA makes great equipment. I have visited their facility in Logan, Utah several times as I was passing through while going to and from Denver to Washington State. They are great people and stand behind their product 150%.

 

[Seabird]

I tried shoulder pouches and clips of various sorts. I preferred a waist pack with dual water holders. It also made my snacks, money, tablet (with my guidebook on it), etc. very handy.

 

[Robo]

Seems like a simple thing but I haven’t found a solution I like:

How do you carry a water bottle (not a hydration pouch) so it is readily accessible while walking? The bottle holder on my pack is unreachable when the pack is on my back.

Does anybody have an easy way to hang it from your shoulder strap or belt? Hopefully without dangling, sloshing or getting in the way of your arm motion?

Thanks!

Lots of options.

This is one that I use.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/bottle-vs-hydropack.52823/#post-584327

 

[Former member 49149]

I saw a pouch bag that converts into a daysack, but in the end chose one with a net pouch for a bottle.

 

[HeidiL]

This is my solution - light, flexible, stretches to fit most bottles. (It's calles "Bishi" on Ravelry...)

 

[Jami Gray]

Seems like a simple thing but I haven’t found a solution I like:

How do you carry a water bottle (not a hydration pouch) so it is readily accessible while walking? The bottle holder on my pack is unreachable when the pack is on my back.

Does anybody have an easy way to hang it from your shoulder strap or belt? Hopefully without dangling, sloshing or getting in the way of your arm motion?

Thanks!

Best thing i had with me! https://www.backcountry.com/camelbak-hands-free-adapter.

 

[gloria lowe]

I just bought these and they are great. They weigh just about nothing. I put H2O in one and my sunglasses in the other.

 

[gloria lowe]

 

[rsmith0000]

Here is the simplest, cheapest solution I've found: Bison Designs Bottle Bandit Carabiner Clip. It's a gripping rubber ring with attached clip that fits snugly over a standard-sized, disposable water bottle. It sells for $6.50 at REI and comes in a variety of fun colors. It functions like a handle when your bottle is in your pack's side pocket. Makes it easy to pull out and put back in. It also allows you to use the lightest weight, refillable water bottles. One of my favorite pieces of equipment since I can't reach my bottles without it, when I've got my pack on!

Here are a link and a picture:

https://www.rei.com/product/813734/bison-designs-bottle-bandit-carabiner-clip

 

[kdespot]

Like Jami Gray said, the tube was the best thing I carried. There are plenty of designs besides the CamelBak. Just visit your local REI or other camping store. The shop across from the Pilgrim's Office in St Jean even carries them. For me, I didn't want one more thing hanging off the front of me and the idea of a bladder that I couldn't clean out gave me the creeps. I just hooked my hose up to a disposable water bottle that sat in the pack holder off my rear end.

 

[Jun Meng]

Seems like a simple thing but I haven’t found a solution I like:

How do you carry a water bottle (not a hydration pouch) so it is readily accessible while walking? The bottle holder on my pack is unreachable when the pack is on my back.

Does anybody have an easy way to hang it from your shoulder strap or belt? Hopefully without dangling, sloshing or getting in the way of your arm motion?

Thanks!

Me also Had this problem before. Afterwards I Took few mins to take a break. Find a Good spot, take off your backpack, Rest a bit, some water and snacks. It's Good to you. Buen Camino!

 

[Rhysmike]

Seems like a simple thing but I haven’t found a solution I like:

How do you carry a water bottle (not a hydration pouch) so it is readily accessible while walking? The bottle holder on my pack is unreachable when the pack is on my back.

Does anybody have an easy way to hang it from your shoulder strap or belt? Hopefully without dangling, sloshing or getting in the way of your arm motion?

Thanks!

You can hang the bottle from the top of the strap and a velcro strip on your strap stops the bottle from bouncing.

 

[Africa]

Hi
I will be leaving to walk the Camino Frances on 5 April this year and my pack doesn't have the option for a water bladder. I did some research and found this https://sourceoutdoor.com/en/bottles/22-convertube-hydration-system"Convertube - Water Bottle Adaptor" which I have been using while leading up to my walk. It works really well and I use small Carabiners to attach around my pack shoulder straps. The good thing is that it has multiple attachments for different size water bottles so you can use it on a normal hiking water bottle or a PET bottle bought along the Way.
Hope this helps

 

[cgard3]

Seems like a simple thing but I haven’t found a solution I like:

How do you carry a water bottle (not a hydration pouch) so it is readily accessible while walking? The bottle holder on my pack is unreachable when the pack is on my back.

Does anybody have an easy way to hang it from your shoulder strap or belt? Hopefully without dangling, sloshing or getting in the way of your arm motion?

Thanks!

I am using a runners vest that has water bottles in the front... not only are they accessible, it helps to distribute the weight I am carrying....

 

[Kev]

I am glad to see I am not the only one to think (actually in my case obsess) about stuff like this!

On the VdlP, I used the Blue Desert SmarTube Hydration System, and was very happy with it (generally using a 2 litre Nalgene bottle, and and sometimes a one litre backup).
. . . .
Okay... Bring on the comments about ~It's not rocket science, don't over plan stuff, just show up and walk~.

¡Buen Camino! Latecomer

I also used the Blue Desert SmarTube on the Camino Frances and found it to be a perfect solution as I had the convienence of a hydration tube while walking and the versitility of a water bottle at other times. When the bottle started to get a little iffy, I just bought a new bottle of water.

 

[HikingGeo]

Best thing i had with me! https://www.backcountry.com/camelbak-hands-free-adapter.
View attachment 40123

I second the CamelBak Handsfree Adapter. I think it is designed for the CamelBak Eddy bottle, but it was incredibly easy and handy. The bottle stays in your backpack pouch and the tube is there to use whenever needed. Best option I found and it works like a charm.

 

[Doodle99]

I used this (mentioned earlier by someone) ..... perfect if using walking poles.... easy to fill. https://ca.raidlight.com/bottle-hol...lder-750ml-raid-bottle.html#/colour-dark_grey

 

[t2andreo]

I just obtained several Aqua Clips for use on my next Camino. They came direct from www.aquaclip.com and were 3 for USD 10. I was even able to get them in my signature 'frog green' color...

As soon as I got them I went to my local supermarket to test fit the clip on various size water bottles. The clip fits .5 liter, 1 liter and 1.5 liter round bottles just fine and appears to hold well. I also tried it on both European and US sourced water bottles. It snaps into place firmly on all bottlenecks

The 'arm' or the clip is longer to accommodate various size bottles, so the 'gap' from the vertical part to the bottle is wider on smaller bottles and almost flush on a 1.5 liter bottle.

I am doing Camino from 13 April from Ponferrada and will field test them at that time. I hope they work.

Hope this helps.

 

[NomadJMJ]

I used this one. A water bottle corset. http://milspecmonkey.com/store/pouches-panels/340-msm-bottle-corset.html#/

 

[hieudovan]

I used this (mentioned earlier by someone) ..... perfect if using walking poles.... easy to fill. https://ca.raidlight.com/bottle-hol...lder-750ml-raid-bottle.html#/colour-dark_grey

Yes, I had recommended this. Somehow mine came as a pair for the same price. I don't know why.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Or just strap a camel to your pack and be done with it.

We used to use water bottles but groping around for them was a pain, and you need to drink a lot more on the hot Camino then a Kiwi bush walk. With the convenience of the tube right where you need it means you can sip and walk. Having run out if water on the Vdlp, I'd never start a walk with out a full camel and a back up bottle of juice.

The camel might get the hump though (sorry, couldn't resist)

 

[Deleted member 78467]

I tried shoulder pouches and clips of various sorts. I preferred a waist pack with dual water holders. It also made my snacks, money, tablet (with my guidebook on it), etc. very handy.

Have you a suggestion of a waist pack please?

 

[KariC]

I'd bought an insulated pouch with a neck strap that I ended up not taking; rather, I took my late father's water bottle, which was big - about 24 oz - and came in its own lightweight but slightly insulated sleeve with a neck strap. Worked great, and this coming from someone who ALWAYS uses a hydration pouch hiking at home.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I keep mine in the front right pocket of my macabi skirt!

 

[Kanga]

I have an Aarn pack with front balance pockets that are cleverly held away from the body so that air circulates. Looks weird but they are very comfortable and makes carrying water bottles a breeze. Here's a photo.

 

[Sunbun]

Ca

Seems like a simple thing but I haven’t found a solution I like:

How do you carry a water bottle (not a hydration pouch) so it is readily accessible while walking? The bottle holder on my pack is unreachable when the pack is on my back.

Does anybody have an easy way to hang it from your shoulder strap or belt? Hopefully without dangling, sloshing or getting in the way of your arm motion?

Thanks!

melbsk hands free Eddy tu

Best thing i had with me! https://www.backcountry.com/camelbak-hands-free-adapter.
View attachment 40123

Yes, I used this with. 1 liter Camelbak water bottle. Perfect, and so easy to fill at fountains, much better than water bladder. Do take duct tape and fasten tube to bottle. I lost the tube once and had to backtrack.

 

[tpmchugh]

Seems like a simple thing but I haven’t found a solution I like:

How do you carry a water bottle (not a hydration pouch) so it is readily accessible while walking? The bottle holder on my pack is unreachable when the pack is on my back.

Does anybody have an easy way to hang it from your shoulder strap or belt? Hopefully without dangling, sloshing or getting in the way of your arm motion?

Thanks!

I have a pouch or holster that my bottle fits into. It has a choice of strap to hang round your neck or a loop on the back to fit onto your belt. For the life of me, I have no memory of purchasing it or where I got it. In fact, I got two but left one, including bottle, in a bar in Portomarín a couple of years ago. Another solution I use is two pieces of elastic cord around my shoulder strap of the back pack. I put one of those little gizmos that you get on jackets, for tightening hood and waistbands, on each cord. Put any old plastic bottle through the cords and tighten and it is always there ready for use. There is a video on youtube on how to make it

 

[Thriftydrifter]

Seems like a simple thing but I haven’t found a solution I like:

How do you carry a water bottle (not a hydration pouch) so it is readily accessible while walking? The bottle holder on my pack is unreachable when the pack is on my back.

Does anybody have an easy way to hang it from your shoulder strap or belt? Hopefully without dangling, sloshing or getting in the way of your arm motion?

Thanks!

Pocket plus. Is what I use (not the ones on amazon)

 

[jhea57]

I made a couple of these...

their great to attached to the strap on the backpack and can attached any size water bottle.

 

[hel&scott]

I have an Aarn pack with front balance pockets that are cleverly held away from the body so that air circulates. Looks weird but they are very comfortable and makes carrying water bottles a breeze. Here's a photo.

View attachment 40265

The combination of this image and your name leads me to expect a pair of joeys jumping out of your front packs any minute.

 

[Al Daly]

Seems like a simple thing but I haven’t found a solution I like:

How do you carry a water bottle (not a hydration pouch) so it is readily accessible while walking? The bottle holder on my pack is unreachable when the pack is on my back.

Does anybody have an easy way to hang it from your shoulder strap or belt? Hopefully without dangling, sloshing or getting in the way of your arm motion?

Thanks!

I had the same problem and finally found one at RaidLight which I sewed to my pack strap so I can access it any time.

 

[JillGat]

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/water-bottle-holder-for-backpack-straps.53915/
(see my profile pic)

 

[Ballari]

I too have the Aarn pack. And yes, to begin with, I felt funny having two extra bags in front. However, they were great! They fit a 750ml bottle in each side, as well as fruit, bars and other snacks. My phone and tissues fitted in the outside mesh section for quick photos.

 

[spreadsheetdirtbags]

I walked for over 30 days with this solution.
It's a mesh bottle holder that clips to your backpack strap.
I found lots of different options like this while searching, but most were very heavy themselves, which was a non-starter for me. I was trying to pack super light, so a bottle holder that weighed 400g itself was too much!
My pack isn't designed for backpacking, so it didn't have any water-holding-specific design elements and I was still able to find a spot to clip the pouch. With any normal pack, there should be a spot! You can see it in use in a lot the pictures on my blog section of that same site.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

I walked for over 30 days with this solution.
It's a mesh bottle holder that clips to your backpack strap.
I found lots of different options like this while searching, but most were very heavy themselves, which was a non-starter for me. I was trying to pack super light, so a bottle holder that weighed 400g itself was too much!
My pack isn't designed for backpacking, so it didn't have any water-holding-specific design elements and I was still able to find a spot to clip the pouch. With any normal pack, there should be a spot! You can see it in use in a lot the pictures on my blog section of that same site.

Nice website - now you've got to do one for the guys

 

[Susan Peacock]

Aqua Clips! VERY inexpensive (3 for $10), trail-proven, and most importantly: my wife LOVES hers! No more asking me to get her bottle every ten minutes. With easy access, she drinks more, too. Clips to most recyclable water bottles, so you can use them if you buy other drinks on the Camino.

Www.aquaclip.com
View attachment 40103View attachment 40104

Thats what I use and love them....easy and light