I’ve been mountain climbing for about 10 years now, and ever since I started, there’s an item I’ve loved and used every single day, from my daily life to my outdoor adventures.
That item is the Nalgene bottle. Did you know that Nalgene bottles come in a huge variety of sizes and shapes, and can be used for so much more than just drinks—like storing food, depending on how you use them?
[NALGENE] Tritan 32oz Wide Mouth Bottle
Fluid Capacity: Approx. 1.1 liters (full capacity)
Weight: 180g
Color: Purple, Blue, Spring Green, Glow Green, Melon Ball, Aubergine
Price: ¥1,850 (excl. tax)
What’s so great about NALGENE BOTTLES
• BPA-free, making them safe and secure for both people and the environment.
• With heat/cold resistance from -20°C to 100°C, they are excellent for both freezing and holding boiling water.
• The threads on the bottle body and cap fit together perfectly, so they won't leak even if you turn them upside down or shake them.
• They are sturdy enough not to break, no matter how many times you drop them or how scratched they get.
They have disadvantages, not just advantages...
• They cannot keep drinks hot or cold.
• They will develop condensation.
While there are downsides, I believe the real beauty of Nalgene bottles is that you can use them for so many different purposes that you won't even mind those minor issues.
How I use them in the mountains
Out of the many items in the lineup, I often use the Tritan 32oz Wide Mouth Bottle as a drink bottle, but I also use it in many other ways.
*For food storage
Sometimes I bring pasta to the mountains, and by keeping it in a Nalgene bottle, I don't have to worry about it snapping into tiny pieces.
I also use it to mix my favorite dried fruits, nuts, and cereals to make trail mix.
I’ve also decanted my favorite shochu or sake into one to bring along, and you can even place the whole bottle in a pot of hot water to warm up your sake.
*As an ice pack
When I bring meat to the mountains, I fill my Nalgene bottle with water and freeze it the night before so it can double as an ice pack. Once it melts, I have water for drinking or cooking.
*When cooking
The measurement markings on the side of the bottle are very handy when making soups or ramen.
And, if I happen to make too much and have leftover soup, I’ve used the bottle to carry it back home.
*Using it as a hot water bottle in winter
It gets incredibly cold in the mountains during winter, especially your feet, which can make it hard to get to sleep. Filling a Nalgene bottle with hot water and using it like a hot water bottle helps me drift off instantly.
Once, when I was at Oku-Hotaka during the late snow season, one of my companions suffered from hypothermia. Despite dressing them in down gear and wrapping them in a sleeping bag, their body temperature wouldn’t return and they remained in a semi-conscious state. We prepared several Nalgene bottles filled with hot water and kept them against their body to keep them warm, which eventually helped restore their temperature and brought them back to consciousness.
I truly feel grateful for these bottles, from my outdoor life to my everyday routine. They can be used for various purposes depending on your ingenuity, and their sturdiness—no matter how many times you drop or knock them against something—makes me feel truly confident bringing them into the mountains.
I’ve been talking mostly about the mountains, but of course, I use them when I'm riding my bike too!
They are great for daily rides, but also for those who go bikepacking or embark on big tours lasting several days, for people who ride on roads where there are no places to resupply, or simply for those who drink a lot of water. It’s one item I highly recommend carrying with you.
However, standard bottle cages won't fit a bottle of this size. But! There is actually a reliable cage that works perfectly for those situations!
[WIDEFOOT] Liter Cage
Weight: 170g
Color: Silver, Black, Seafoam, Olive, Red
Price: ¥3,700 – ¥4,200 (excl. tax)
The Liter Cage, made by WIDEFOOT in Nebraska, USA, is used by big tourers across America and is an excellent piece of gear capable of holding 3.5-inch diameter bottles that won't fit in standard cages. By using it in combination with Pack It Right Straps, you can secure even a heavy, full bottle firmly, allowing you to ride over rough terrain without a worry.
And good news, the previously out-of-stock Pack It Right Straps are now back in stock.
[RAL] Pack It Right Straps
Size: 20″ / 50.8cm with Nylon Buckle
32″ / 81.3cm with XL Aluminum Buckle
Color: 20″ / Black, Orange, Green
32″ / Black
Price: 20″ / ¥1,100 (excl. tax)
32″ / ¥1,500 (excl. tax)
The Pack It Right Straps are made by VOILE, based in Utah, USA, a company that supports backcountry and telemark skiing winter sports. They are simple straps originally invented to keep skis bound together.
They are excellent items that can be used for anything, depending on your ideas—like strapping luggage to a bike carrier. They come in two lengths, so please choose the one that fits your cargo size and needs.
The XL version is thicker and wider for added strength. It is recommended for strapping down larger items or for those who plan on using them hard.
Both Nalgene bottles and the Liter Cage come in a wide variety of colors. Choosing colors to match your Pack It Right Straps is part of the fun! Please enjoy coming up with your favorite combination!
