I look forward to going on them! I should have been coming home from one today but my son ended up staying home from school sick yesterday. Hope to be out the first weekend in February though!
Just got a chance to watch this video. Love the new look by the way. I don't have a lot of hiking experience, but when I began backpacking about six years ago I used the Sawyer Squeeze system and smart water bottles. The only change I've made is getting a CNOC bag a couple of years ago because, as you said, the sawyer bags suck. I love the cnoc. Enjoyed the video and look forward to watching your adventures.
Hi Cameron, looking forward to hear where you are going. I kept returning platypus bags cause the rocky Sierra terrain was rough on them. I switched cause Darwin told me hahahaha. Great vid
Oh wow, it must be rough. I've never had any of them give out on me. Hoping the new bottles work out well. I've let everyone test it out for years now before I switched.
Welcome to the Smart side. I'll suggest a couple spare flip tops, a pull top or duck tape for when the hinge breaks. Ask how I know haha. I upgraded to (2) 1.5L Smart bottles to minimize my filtering; Especially around herbicide & pesticide runoff. Looking forward to hear how you like the new system.
I've still got 4 of the 1 liter Platypus from Dicks in Cedar Hill I bought years ago and have held up well when I was hiking but I used a mixed system. I usually used Smart bottles in the side pockets and Platypus in my pack in low to no water on the trail situations and your right, the Sawyer will not fit those threads. Best if luck with your 2023 plans.
Thanks Tony. All my Platypus bladders are still in great shape. Except 1 that I've used with hot water to stay warm at night several times. I like that the Platypus can handle hot water. I doubt the smart waterbottles can. But that's not something I do often so it isn't a huge deal.
interesting to see all these details. we dont backpack that much but when we do we fortunately are hiking near water/ for me what matters most because we are so worn out from hiking is to not have to pump or squeeze, and we like to have a lot of water so i use a katadyn gravity bag it is like the playpus system, very nice but Way heavy, no good for ultralight stuff. It is nice how the sawyer filter attaches to bottles but it also keeps that awful cycle of buying water in bottles going to some extent... frustrating no one offers a better bottle than smartwater...
Hey, great video. I love the sawyer system and use them in NZ with a brand called "Pump", water bottles that fit with it. If I have to carry a lot a use the here available 2.25l bottles Coca Cola that are really light weight. I just had a look on the us Walmart page and the bottles there look very different. So try out what you can find.
Very interesting. I looked up the Pump bottles. Looks like that would work nicely. We have 2L Coke bottles here but I've never seen anyone use them for backpacking. You'd need a huge side pocket or have to put it in the inside of your pack. I know it would work. It'd be cheap. I just never thought about it. Thanks for watching. Really neat to have a viewer from the other side of the world.
You’ll like that new system! I moved to the same in 2022 and It’s been great. I’ve also recently incorporated 2 - 1.5 liter smart bottles for those longer water carries. I also use the bottom of a cut off smart bottle to scoop water into the Cnoc bag when the water source is too shallow to scoop up with the bag.
I prefer drinking out of a bottle because I have a tendency to drink less if I can't see how much water I have left. I don't like refilling from a bladder, but they pack so much better than bottles that I usually use them. As you eluded to, each have their own "place".
In all of my time I've never spilled while refilling from a bladder. Though, especially in the desert, that is a huge fear of mine. I like the convenience of the bladder with a drinking hose, but like to be able to see exactly what I have left in a bottle.
Awesome. I'm glad to hear it. I know several people who use this or something very similar. Trying it out on a trip for the first time in a couple days. Thanks for watching!
I definitely prefer bottles over bladders for my purposes. I find it easier to regulate my intake while knowing how much water I have left. I’m curious to see how you like it! The CNOC has worked well for me also. A new backpack eh? I am intrigued, when’s the last time you got a new one? Im totally playing guessing games on the brand based on the wait time you gave haha.
My last new backpack was 5 or 6 years ago. I actually haven't made a final decision on what I want. I've gone back and forth between a few different packs. I've actually considered upgrading my zpacks zero but I'm not sure if it's worth it at this point. I've used the smart bottles on a couple dayhikes so far. But that's not much different than using any other bottles. I'll be using the CNOC bag with them and the filter on my first overnight of the year next week. We're going to have to plan a trip or two together at some point this year.
@@CameronHall88 If you're still shopping for packs and want suggestions, I have a ULA Ohm 2.0 and a Palante V2 and highly recommend both. I'm happy to answer any questions about either.
I just carry 2 smart water bottles and then take a Evernew 2L for the times I need to Camel up before camp. If I'm going into someplace where I need more than that I'll take a CNOC 2L on top of that. You can probably take just 1 or 2 liters at a time if you're by water. Being out of the desert you probably only need 1 liter per 3-5 miles.
Hey Alex, that's kind of my plan. I think almost everywhere I go this year I'll only need 1 - 2 L at a time. I'm planning to use the CNOC bag for water at camp and if I do need more than a couple liters. But I did get a few extra bottles in case I end up doing a West Texas trip later on.
I'm not liking your new system. Cnok bags are heavy , cumbersome to close and will get pinhole leaks. I really like my Evernew 2 liter bags. They've never failed and will thread the Sawyer filters. No problem either with filling them with a cut off water bottle.
Hey Justin, I really appreciate your feedback. I haven't had any experience at all with the CNOC bag but am excited about the fully opening end. I hope I don't end up with leaks in mine, but if so, I'll definitely have to move on to something else. Thanks for the heads up on it. It'll definitely take care to be delicate with it and then I guess I'll see how long it lasts.
Looking forward to seeing your upcoming trips.✌
I look forward to going on them! I should have been coming home from one today but my son ended up staying home from school sick yesterday. Hope to be out the first weekend in February though!
Just got a chance to watch this video. Love the new look by the way. I don't have a lot of hiking experience, but when I began backpacking about six years ago I used the Sawyer Squeeze system and smart water bottles. The only change I've made is getting a CNOC bag a couple of years ago because, as you said, the sawyer bags suck. I love the cnoc. Enjoyed the video and look forward to watching your adventures.
Thanks Paul. Good to hear from you! I hope you're still getting a chance to get out on trail. Miss seeing your videos each week.
Hi Cameron, looking forward to hear where you are going. I kept returning platypus bags cause the rocky Sierra terrain was rough on them. I switched cause Darwin told me hahahaha. Great vid
Oh wow, it must be rough. I've never had any of them give out on me. Hoping the new bottles work out well. I've let everyone test it out for years now before I switched.
Welcome to the Smart side. I'll suggest a couple spare flip tops, a pull top or duck tape for when the hinge breaks. Ask how I know haha. I upgraded to (2) 1.5L Smart bottles to minimize my filtering; Especially around herbicide & pesticide runoff. Looking forward to hear how you like the new system.
Thanks for the added tips! Smart side .. 😄
I've still got 4 of the 1 liter Platypus from Dicks in Cedar Hill I bought years ago and have held up well when I was hiking but I used a mixed system. I usually used Smart bottles in the side pockets and Platypus in my pack in low to no water on the trail situations and your right, the Sawyer will not fit those threads. Best if luck with your 2023 plans.
Thanks Tony. All my Platypus bladders are still in great shape. Except 1 that I've used with hot water to stay warm at night several times. I like that the Platypus can handle hot water. I doubt the smart waterbottles can. But that's not something I do often so it isn't a huge deal.
Great video, like the new look!
Good luck!
Thanks! I appreciate it.
interesting to see all these details. we dont backpack that much but when we do we fortunately are hiking near water/ for me what matters most because we are so worn out from hiking is to not have to pump or squeeze, and we like to have a lot of water so i use a katadyn gravity bag it is like the playpus system, very nice but Way heavy, no good for ultralight stuff. It is nice how the sawyer filter attaches to bottles but it also keeps that awful cycle of buying water in bottles going to some extent... frustrating no one offers a better bottle than smartwater...
Yeah, I get what you're saying. I'm hoping the smart bottles will last me a long time without needing to be replaced.
Hey, great video.
I love the sawyer system and use them in NZ with a brand called "Pump", water bottles that fit with it. If I have to carry a lot a use the here available 2.25l bottles Coca Cola that are really light weight.
I just had a look on the us Walmart page and the bottles there look very different. So try out what you can find.
Very interesting. I looked up the Pump bottles. Looks like that would work nicely. We have 2L Coke bottles here but I've never seen anyone use them for backpacking. You'd need a huge side pocket or have to put it in the inside of your pack. I know it would work. It'd be cheap. I just never thought about it.
Thanks for watching. Really neat to have a viewer from the other side of the world.
You’ll like that new system! I moved to the same in 2022 and It’s been great. I’ve also recently incorporated 2 - 1.5 liter smart bottles for those longer water carries. I also use the bottom of a cut off smart bottle to scoop water into the Cnoc bag when the water source is too shallow to scoop up with the bag.
I'm glad I got a closer look at your setup at the grasslands. I appreciate the inspiration.
I prefer drinking out of a bottle because I have a tendency to drink less if I can't see how much water I have left. I don't like refilling from a bladder, but they pack so much better than bottles that I usually use them. As you eluded to, each have their own "place".
In all of my time I've never spilled while refilling from a bladder. Though, especially in the desert, that is a huge fear of mine. I like the convenience of the bladder with a drinking hose, but like to be able to see exactly what I have left in a bottle.
My exact water system and it’s worked great.
Awesome. I'm glad to hear it. I know several people who use this or something very similar. Trying it out on a trip for the first time in a couple days. Thanks for watching!
I definitely prefer bottles over bladders for my purposes. I find it easier to regulate my intake while knowing how much water I have left. I’m curious to see how you like it!
The CNOC has worked well for me also.
A new backpack eh? I am intrigued, when’s the last time you got a new one? Im totally playing guessing games on the brand based on the wait time you gave haha.
My last new backpack was 5 or 6 years ago. I actually haven't made a final decision on what I want. I've gone back and forth between a few different packs. I've actually considered upgrading my zpacks zero but I'm not sure if it's worth it at this point.
I've used the smart bottles on a couple dayhikes so far. But that's not much different than using any other bottles. I'll be using the CNOC bag with them and the filter on my first overnight of the year next week.
We're going to have to plan a trip or two together at some point this year.
@@CameronHall88 So many packs to choose from, good luck heh-heh!
I’m always down for a trip! And my Achilles is finally feeling good again 👍👍
@@CameronHall88 If you're still shopping for packs and want suggestions, I have a ULA Ohm 2.0 and a Palante V2 and highly recommend both. I'm happy to answer any questions about either.
Great video, Cameron.
Thanks Kirby. I appreciate you watching as always. Any interesting trips planned for this year?
@@CameronHall88 I am thinking about doing Devil’s River down by Del Rio.
@@CameronHall88 I do something similar to you. I use the same bottles, but I pour them into my Air Force plastic water bottle / flask.
@@kirbyhill3411 oh nice! Such a beautiful place from everything I've seen. I hope to make it out that way one day.
I just carry 2 smart water bottles and then take a Evernew 2L for the times I need to Camel up before camp. If I'm going into someplace where I need more than that I'll take a CNOC 2L on top of that. You can probably take just 1 or 2 liters at a time if you're by water. Being out of the desert you probably only need 1 liter per 3-5 miles.
Hey Alex, that's kind of my plan. I think almost everywhere I go this year I'll only need 1 - 2 L at a time. I'm planning to use the CNOC bag for water at camp and if I do need more than a couple liters. But I did get a few extra bottles in case I end up doing a West Texas trip later on.
I'm not liking your new system. Cnok bags are heavy , cumbersome to close and will get pinhole leaks. I really like my Evernew 2 liter bags. They've never failed and will thread the Sawyer filters. No problem either with filling them with a cut off water bottle.
Hey Justin, I really appreciate your feedback. I haven't had any experience at all with the CNOC bag but am excited about the fully opening end. I hope I don't end up with leaks in mine, but if so, I'll definitely have to move on to something else. Thanks for the heads up on it. It'll definitely take care to be delicate with it and then I guess I'll see how long it lasts.