Water Containers And Storage For Camping – BPA-free

Carrying your own water supply is essential for wild camping, and very handy for campsites too. So, we’ve been looking for the best water containers.

Our wishlist? BPA-free, won’t leak, split or spill; easy to fill, and preferably with a tap. 

Here’s what we found.

Latest update: September 2021

All our reviews at Campfire Magazine are independent and honest.

In a hurry? If you don’t have much time using the links below to quickly find our favourite water carriers for you on Amazon. You can be assured we only choose the best products…

We’ve tested a LOT of water carriers. Disposables are out because there’s way too much plastic rubbish already. But we have found some real winners.

OUR TOP PICK

Sea To Summit Packtap - Green, Small, 4L

In a four- or 10-litre option, this is a perfectly flat water container with a one-hand operated tap. The inside bladders are mylar (the stuff they make wine bladders out of) and the outside is rip-top nylon, so it’s durable and won’t taint your water.

Although we weren’t keen at first that it didn’t stand up, it’s turned out to be the one we use most. The 10-litre version hangs nicely on the side of our van or in a tree and the tap is easy to use with one hand while you hold a water bottle or kettle with the other. 10 litres is also a decent quantity for a two-day trip.

The only downside is that the fabric can get wet when you fill it. Dries quickly, though. Great for minimal packing and for avoiding any chance of plastic-y water.

EDITORS CHOICE

Colapz 8L Premium 2 in 1 Collapsible Water Container - BPA Free Camping Water Carrier with Handle -...

While they don’t look as if they’d be OK for drinking water, David at Colapz tells us thes are absolutely food-safe, UV and frost resistant and BPA-free.

The Colapz buckets fold virtually flat (with a nifty stretch cord to keep them closed, have a lid and a tap that can be replaced with a cover for easier storage. They hold eight litres too.

We use ours with the brilliant Colapz rechargeable shower (have a look at our camping shower feature), and there’s also a 3-in-1 folding bucket with a detachable watering can nozzle. Plus a mains water kit for caravans and campervans which we've used to clean out our camping toilets (there's a handy hint there!)


Hydration Bladder, 3 L 2 L 1.5 L Water Bladder BPA Free, 3 Liter Large Opening Water Reservoir, Leak...

The Hydration Bladder is great for refilling drinking bottles and it’s proved very handy on the campsite and wild camping.

Its downside is that it’s a bit small at three litres, but just take two. We like it for its foldability and the fact it also stands up. BPA- and phthalate-free, wide top for easy filling (you can get ice into it too). It uses a material that inhibits bacteria build-up.


Platypus Platy Flexible Water Tank

Clever water storage that comes in two-, four- and six-litre options. The wide-mouth, press-close opening is easy to fill and clean. It’s BPA-free and even has a technology to stop the tank getting mouldy or contaminated by bacteria.

It stands more or less stable on rough surfaces and has a comfortable handle. A pouring spout rather than a tap, but nice to pour and water comes out quickly, which can be an advantage (use as a watering can at home!).

Store it away empty for travel because the press seal on the top isn’t absolutely trustworthy.


3L Slim Fridge Water Dispenser with Tap - by Bar Amigos Plastic PETG Travel Desktop Container...

There are a few of these and most seem to be BPA-free. You may want to sterilise the inside now and again, though, as the plastic can be hard to clean out thoroughly. Not great for carrying around on a campsite because they don’t have handles.

The slim fridge water dispenser (above) holds 3 litres and gets a good rating. To get a decent flow from the tap, you need to allow a little air inside through the bung.

BRITA Flow XXL fridge water filter tank for reduction of chlorine, limescale and impurities, 8.2...

We also like the Brita Flow Maxtra (8 litres) with tap and filter cartridges.

JERRY CANS

Large Water Carrier Plastic Jerry Can Water Storage Container With Tap (10 Litre)

As simple and sturdy as it gets, but bulky. These come in a wide range of sizes and with taps in various positions. Very practical. Whether they’re BPA-free is questionable in some cases.

RIDGE MONKEY HEAVY DUTY WATER CARRIER (5 Litre)

The Ridgemonkey jerry can (recommended to us by an experienced van camper) is a little rough around the edges, but it’s made of HDPE and comes in three sizes. If you want to know a little about which plastics are deemed safe, check out this article

Avoid the squashy jerry cans

Yellowstone Pack Away Outdoor Water Carrier available in Multicolore - 15 Litres

One to avoid. These tend to make water taste unpleasant no matter how well you rinse them out. Made of nasty PVC.

Igloo Legend 1 Qt. Cooler - Aqua Blue Thermos, Water Hydration Canteen

An insulated water container with a top handle and sturdy build. Available in three sizes. Doesn’t pack away neatly, but an option if you have the space.

MSR Dromedary

MSR Dromedary Bag Water Reservoir, 6-Liter, Black

VERY robust and very packable, though needs to be laid flat, these are water bags with a screw-off cap and a nozzle. The Dromedary comes in four- and 10-litre versions.

Prices vary depending on size. Drop it out of a plane and it survives, apparently.

Ortlieb water bags

Ortlieb Water Bag - Black, 44 x 36 cm/10 Litre

Ortlieb make good drybags, so they’ve turned that idea inside-out to make bags that keep the water on the inside.

They carry 10-litres and have handles for carrying or hanging. No tap, though. Instead there’s a nozzle system that can be adapted for a drinking pipe or for pouring. 

Kampa Keg

Kampa Keg Collapsible Concertina Water Carrier - Choice of Sizes (3.5 Litre)

People seem like this camping water storage keg but, as with many folding plastic options, they easily puncture or develop leaks where the folds weaken the plastic. Two sizes available.

What to avoid unless budget is VERY tight

Roll-up water carriers

By brands such as Eurohike and Mountain Warehouse, these are usually made of PVC, which can give water an unpleasant taste.

They often have a tap, and are basically roll-up bags, so super-small when not in use. Won’t stand up and the top isn’t all that secure. Still, they’re very cheap, but I’d prefer to get something long-lasting.

Plastic water bags

From as little as £1, these are the most basic option for camping water. Simply a bag with a handle and tap. Made of polyethylene (PE), they tend to come as five- or 10-litre options. You’ll need to hold them while filling as they don’t stand up very well. Won’t last, so you’ll end up adding more plastic to the waste mountain. A bit rubbish.

Concertina water carriers

We’re not all that keen on this Concertina water carrier type (which is a more basic form of the Kampa Keg). Again, the folds are a weak area. We also wonder whether they are actually BPA-free…who would know! Guaranteed not to last, so more plastic waste. Cheap, but buy something that will last instead.

And to avoid plastic altogether for your water storage?


La Nuova Sansone Stainless steel tank/container

Gorgeous, eh? This is a fusti – a dispenser for olive oil, honey or water. These are made by Nuova Sansone. Sizes range from three to 50 litres.


Kilner 8 Litre Drinks Dispenser

Heavy, breakable and with no carrying handle, but this glass eight-litre Kilner drinks dispenser would definitely be taste-free and not leach anything nasty into your water.

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