Your preference and why?

I have been using Nalgene bottles (3-4 years) with no ill effets such as leakage/breakage/bad taste/etc.

Are there any obvious advantages to aluminum? More durable? Ability to boil water in them (providing it didn't bugger the threads)?

Comments appreciated. Thanks.

I use the GI issue canteen/cup/stove set.
Cheap and durable.
I made a paracord strap for the cover and sling it over my sholder when hiking.

Mac,
I used to to do the same but switched to the taller (but thinner) 1 quart sized containers as I wanted to keep my water in a container that would fit inside my larger BOB/GHB. I ditched the stainless canteen cup for a large Sierra cup and replaced the cup stand/stove for a cheapie folding esbit type affair. Obviously a trade-off but avaialable space/weight was at a premium.

Now, I am waiting patiently for an OD EOD bag from county comm (like a few others here) and really want to get the most from the size/avaialble space of the bag vs. the water container(s).

of course, with all the MOLLE contact points on the EOD bag, I should easily be able to carry one filled water bottle and at least paracord/carabiner an empty second container to the exterior. One plastic and one aliminum may be the answer or at least a way to compare the virtues of each.

I would go with the stainless klean canteen then.
http://www.kleankanteen.com/

Thanks for the link, Macdog.

Definitely a cut above the assorted "China Mart" Ozark Trails 28-ounce bottles I presently have.

Of course, I couldn't pass up on these cheapies as they were close-out priced at $1.89 each!

Who would pass that deal up?

You are going to be able to find cool cheap aluminium bottles everywhere any day now just the way that for a while Nalgene bottles were cool ,expensive and usually found in upscale outdoor adventure stores and then after a while every big chinese chain store had them. Like everyone I want an snazy new aluminium bottle I can boil water in. I don't think I will chuck my nalgene ones though. There is no way on earth aluminuim can take the abuse that nalgene plastic can. I watched a kids science show that filled them right to the top ,froze it solid ,drove over it with halftons and threw them off buildings and only 1 of 20 bottles suffered a minor failure<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

It is probably a great time to replace your cheap fridge plastic with Nalgene wide mouth's. It is definitly better quality than the crap tupperware knock offs in my fridge.

If you have that disposable ziplock plsatic containers for more than 10 dishwashing cycles it is virtually mandatory.

Wouldn't it suck to have a warehouse full of that plastic?

Wasn't aluminium harmful once as well.

I saw a awesome looking red anodized SAK model aluminium canister.

I have also used a very small new plastic gas can for water because of it's big size 3$ and handle that can be strapped to a quad. Thank you LIL John.

My favourite set up though is the classic GI canteen ,metal cup with folding handle and leather or canvas insulated carry case with belt velcro. If you get the canvas damp it stays cool and you can cook I the canteen.
Here is a photo. All the pieces fit together like matroska dolls.

For the reason of plastics in Nalgenes being carcinogenic (<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />) many people are going to the company SIGG. Swiss made stainless steel bottles.

I'm thinking of getting one because they are pretty darn nice.

However plastics with a recycling number of 7 and above are actually carcinogenic, hence the <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> symbol. At least, I think that's right.

This is my choice as well. They are local to my area, so I feel like I'm supporting the community as well. I really like them and use them everyday. I have a ton of nalgene stuff laying around but I never use it.

I've converted to the SIGG bottles. I did notice that water left in Nalgene's started to taste kinda funky, but I never had complaints. If I'm every going back-country survival/backpacking for a long period of time, I'll probably take the plastic because if its durability and wide mouth. In general though, I'm very happy with my steel bottle. You can also use it to battle off bears heh heh

i recently picked up a sigg aluminum bottle. i'm very happy with it, although i do miss my camelbak bit valve. i also picked up a couple of the pba free camelbaks. will eventually try to pick up a cleen canteen and maybe a stainless steel one from guyot.