Best Survival Canteens

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Do you know what the single most important thing you do when in the wilderness is? Keeping yourself hydrated and ensuring you never run out of liquid refreshment. Whether living off the grid, camping or hunting, it is imperative you have a survival canteen to store it in.

The following review is about the 5 best survival canteens currently available on the market. There are so many options out there for canteens. It can be difficult deciding which is best. Hopefully, this review will help make the choice for the right one and easy one.

In a Rush? The Winner after 19 hours of testing is:

Editors Choice icon

Goetland Stainless Steel WWII US Military Canteen Kit

99/100our score
Goetland Stainless Steel WWII US Military Canteen Kit
Why is it better?
  • WWII Retro style
  • Constructed of food-grade stainless steel
  • New packaging to reduce shipping damage
  • Great return/placement policy
  • Made to last
Our Top Rated
  1. Goetland Stainless Steel WWII US Military Canteen Kit
  2. Keith Titanium Ti3060 Canteen Mess Kit
  3. Pinty G.I. Army Stainless Steel Canteen
  4. BeGrit Outdoor Kettle Canteen
  5. Gerber Bear Grylls Canteen and Cooking Cup
Table Of Contents

Quick Comparison

RANK
Survival Canteens
Features
Rating
#1

Goetland Stainless Steel WWII US Military Canteen Kit

Goetland Stainless Steel WWII US Military Canteen Kit

  • WWII Retro style
  • Constructed of food-grade stainless steel
  • New packaging to reduce shipping damage
  • Great return/placement policy
  • Made to last

Capacity: 99
Materials: 99
Insulation: 99
Size: 99
Use: 99
Our Rating: 99

#2

Keith Titanium Ti3060 Canteen Mess Kit

Keith Titanium Ti3060 Canteen Mess Kit

  • Constructed of grade 1 titanium
  • Keith Company certified ISO 9001:2015
  • Super light and strong
  • Custom carrying pouch included
  • Lifetime warranty

Capacity: 98
Materials: 98
Insulation: 97.5
Size: 97
Use: 97.5
Our Rating: 97.6

#3

Pinty G.I. Army Stainless Steel Canteen

Pinty G.I. Army Stainless Steel Canteen

  • Heavy-duty military-grade product
  • The cover is a tough nylon material
  • Includes a cup and belt
  • Largemouth, helical design
  • Can handle up to one quart of liquid

Capacity: 97
Materials: 96
Insulation: 97
Size: 96.5
Use: 95.5
Our Rating: 96.4

#4

BeGrit Outdoor Kettle Canteen

BeGrit Outdoor Kettle Canteen

  • The lid is flip-top and sipping feature
  • The cup is aluminum with handles
  • Cover has a storage pocket
  • Stainless steel Spork included
  • Ideal for all outdoor activities

Capacity: 96
Materials: 95.5
Insulation: 96
Size: 96
Use: 95
Our Rating: 95.7

#5

Gerber Bear Grylls Canteen and Cooking Cup

Gerber Bear Grylls Canteen and Cooking Cup

  • Cup is food-grade aluminum
  • Water bottle BPA free
  • Nylon sheath fits canteen snuggly
  • The exterior is textured for easy gripping
  • The top is leak-proof and locks

Capacity: 95
Materials: 94.5
Insulation: 95
Size: 95
Use: 94
Our Rating: 94.7

Our Reviews

1 Goetland Stainless Steel WWII US Military Canteen Kit

Goetland Stainless Steel WWII US Military Canteen Kit

Capacity 99%
Materials 99%
Insulation 99%
Size 99%
Use 99%
Our Rating 99%

This is a stainless steel WWII US military canteen kit made by Goetland. Its size is 1 quart and has a 0.5-quart nylon cover for the cup.

Ideal for Camping 

The Goetland canteen is a retroactive style canteen. This is the ideal survival canteen for all your outdoor activities. Including climbing, hiking, and backpacking, it also makes a great gift for a WWI Army veteran.

Constructed of Food-Grade Stainless Steel 

It has a nylon constructed cover that is made to be durable. The handles are perfect, they are folding and in a grab style fashion. This canteen is made to easily transport from place to place with dimensions: 5.1 x 3 inches,1×7.3 inches for the canteen and the cup is 5.2×3 inches, 1×3.9 inches.

Cost & Value 

The cost of this product is perfect for almost any budget type. As far as the value goes, it will far exceed your expectations. It is built to last a very long time, even the packaging has been upgraded to prevent damage while shipping.

Pros
  • WWII Retro style
  • Constructed of food-grade stainless steel
  • New packaging to reduce shipping damage
  • Great return/placement policy
  • Made to last
Cons
  • Belt clips are too low

2 Keith Titanium Ti3060 Canteen Mess Kit

Keith Titanium Ti3060 Canteen Mess Kit

Capacity 98%
Materials 98%
Insulation 97.5%
Size 97%
Use 97.5%
Our Rating 97.6%

This is a Titanium canteen mess kit made by Keith that comes complete with a carry kit that is super lightweight. It has a capacity of 37.2 + 23.6 fluid ounces/1100+700 ml. The weight is 5.6 + 4.5 ounces/ 160 + 128 grams; and dimensions are 8.0 x 5.4 x 3.3 inches/ 203 x 138 x 85 mm.

Best Sought after Brand 

Since its introduction in 2012, the Keith Titanium Ti3060 has been the most sought out brand of a canteen. It is a desirable canteen for both the experienced and new outdoors person. It is constructed of a grade 1 titanium grade that is pure. It is non-toxic, odorless and tasteless, and can be cleaned in the dishwasher.

Super Light and Durable 

The titanium this canteen is made from is hypoallergenic, eco-friendly, extra strong and lightweight. It is also made to have superior resistance against any corrosion or rust.

Cost & Value 

The cost of this titanium Keith product may appear a bit pricey at first. However, you get a lifetime warranty and the guarantee of a quality made item. You get the guarantee the Keith will replace and/or repair any item that has a manufacturing or workmanship defect.

Pros
  • Constructed of grade 1 titanium
  • Keith Company certified ISO 9001:2015
  • Super light and strong
  • Custom carrying pouch included
  • Lifetime warranty
Cons
  • The topper is coarse thread
  • Difficult to get the canteen into the pouch

3 Pinty G.I. Army Stainless Steel Canteen

Pinty G.I. Army Stainless Steel Canteen

Capacity 97%
Materials 96%
Insulation 97%
Size 96.5%
Use 95.5%
Our Rating 96.4%

This stainless steel canteen made by Pinty is a G.I. Army military issue product. It comes with a green waist belt and covers made of nylon to enable easy transport when camping or hiking.

Military Grade 

Pinty makes this strong, heavy-duty canteen from stainless steel. It is a military-grade issue and constructed to last even the harshest of elements.

Cover that is Army Green 

The cover is made from a strong nylon material that includes a buckle to permit easy attaching to a backpack or belt. This is the ideal canteen for hiking, backpacking, or any other outdoor activity you partake in.

Cost & Value

You will be pleasantly surprised when you see how little this product costs. It won’t damage even the tightest of budgets. Besides the low cost, the value of this canteen is that it is military-grade and extra durable.

Pros
  • Heavy-duty military-grade product
  • The cover is a tough nylon material
  • Includes a cup and belt
  • Largemouth, helical design
  • Can handle up to one quart of liquid
Cons
  • Hard to take the lid off

4 BeGrit Outdoor Kettle Canteen

BeGrit Outdoor Kettle Canteen

Capacity 96%
Materials 95.5%
Insulation 96%
Size 96%
Use 95%
Our Rating 95.7%

This survival canteen made by BeGrit is an Aluminum cup kit that comes with a stainless steel spoon-fork that is foldable. This is the ideal tool for camping or other outdoor sporting events. It holds up to one quart of liquid, which ensures you will stay hydrated when on those long hiking trips.

Flip-Top Lid 

The canteen is designed with a sipping feature built-in. The lid is activated which gives it added security when it is sealed shut during transport.

Aluminum Canteen Cup 

The canteen cup has handles and is integrated to allow for cooking right on the campfire. The handle folds which enables it ideal for using separately. There are pockets on the sides of the cover which permits storing items such as the spoon-fork.

Cost & Value 

You will love the cost of this Kettle Canteen by BeGrit, it will not put a damper in your wallet at all. Additionally, the value is superb with the portable flatware that comes included in the form of a “spork”. This is the ideal tool every outdoors person requires.

Pros
  • The lid is flip-top and sipping feature
  • The cup is aluminum with handles
  • Cover has a storage pocket
  • Stainless steel Spork included
  • Ideal for all outdoor activities
Cons
  • The pouch is thin feeling
  • Snaps on canteen cover aren’t durable

5 Gerber Bear Grylls Canteen and Cooking Cup

Gerber Bear Grylls Canteen and Cooking Cup

Capacity 95%
Materials 94.5%
Insulation 95%
Size 95%
Use 94%
Our Rating 94.7%

This Gerber Canteen and Cooking cup are inspired by the ultimate survivalist, Bear Grylls. It is a water bottle that is BPA-free. It has a sheath that is made of nylon and snug-fitting as well as a cap that prevents leakage.

Great for Outdoor Activities 

The ideal canteen and cooking cup for the most extreme conditions to a friendly campfire on a camping trip. The two-handled cup is crafted out of food-grade aluminum which allows you to boil water in it.

One-liter Capacity 

The Gerber Bear Grylls Canteen and Cooking cup has the capacity to handle up to one liter of water. It is 10 x 6 x 3 inches and weighs 12.5 ounces, the ideal size to fit nicely in one’s backpack or carrying case.

Cost & Value 

This product is a bit pricier than other canteens; however, you get the quality of Gerber and Bear Grylls to back it. There are over 70s years of experience since the founding of the Gerber company in 1939. All of this brings extreme value to this product.

Pros
  • Cup is food-grade aluminum
  • Water bottle BPA free
  • Nylon sheath fits canteen snuggly
  • The exterior is textured for easy gripping
  • The top is leak-proof and locks
Cons
  • The cooking cup may crack

Buying Guide

Capacity

This feature is similar to the size. The canteen you purchase should have the capacity to hold plenty of water to sustain you for as long as you need it to. If you are hiking, you want to have enough water in your canteen to hold you over until you reach the next stream to refill it.

Materials

The material a survival canteen is made from is another important feature. The best decision you can make is to buy one that is metal. the single most important thing you do when in the wilderness is will work efficiently whether you are traveling for a day or several weeks. Some of the best canteens are made from titanium or stainless steel–ensure to avoid canteens made of plastic. If you have a metal canteen there will be no worries about it becoming damaged. A metal canteen will always prove to be reliable, sturdy, and long-lasting.

Insulation

The survival canteen you buy should have good insulation. It should have the capacity to keep your hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. Canteens also have a single wall of insulation, this is so that you can use it for cooking in.

On the other hand, some canteens are non-insulated. The best thing about having this type of stainless steel canteen is so you can boil water in it. A canteen made of stainless steel is rust-free and will not break. Unlike an insulated canteen, you can boil stream water in it to cook instant noodles or eggs in. You cannot do this with a double-walled insulated canteen that forms a barrier that prevents water from heating to a boil.

Size

The size of the survival canteen you purchase is an important feature. Having a canteen that is big is a good idea because it holds more water. However, a larger canteen is going to weigh more. Thus, you should look for one of the lightweight models so as not to be too cumbersome to carry.

Use

There are a number of uses for a survival canteen. There are several reasons why this tool is important in your life. Not only is a canteen an efficient way to store water when in the wilderness you can use the water in it for cooking. You can cook eggs and instant noodles in the water after you heat it over a campfire.

Another use for your survival canteen–should you put reflective stickers on it or it came with a bright body–is a signaling device should you need help in an emergency situation.

Other Factors to Consider 

Durability

This is a good feature to look for when shopping for a survival canteen. When in the outdoors you never know what you might come across. Therefore, you want to ensure your water supply is protected in a container that cannot be damaged easily.

The durability of a canteen also includes the materials it is made from. You want to ensure your canteen will withstand the elements and be resistant to rust and other corrosion,

Expert Tips/Advice

A Survival Canteen or Water Bottle?

The first thing to make clear is that a water bottle is not the same thing as a survival canteen. It can be agreed that the two objects are both used as a way to store water/liquid for later consumption. However, there is much more involved in the makeup of a canteen than a water bottle.

An obvious difference is that a canteen is much more of a survival item than a water bottle is. You can use a canteen to boil water and cook certain foods. A survival canteen is made of a material that is fire-friendly, for this reason, you can put it on the campfire and heat is permitted to pass through it to cook.

In an effort to familiarize you with the difference between the two water-holding items, even though they appear alike, they are very different. A survival canteen is intended for use outdoors during extreme conditions or while hiking, backpacking, or camping.

In addition, a survival canteen comes with a cup with handles, has a flask-like appearance and includes a sheath to store it in. So even though they look alike and function in somewhat the same manner, these two items are very much different.

Different Ways to Use a Survival Canteen

This next section will show you all the ways a survival canteen is a good investment as well as the many ways it can be used. This section is certain to be convincing enough as to why you need one of these items in your life.

  • A survival canteen is so much more than a water bottle. You can use it for cooking eggs and instant noodles when out camping.
  • It can be used as a device to signal for help. You need to ensure your canteen has a bright body or reflecting stickers on it.
  • You can use your canteen as a heat pack when in extremely cold atmospheres. Just fill it with warm to hot water, put it next to your skin and you will suddenly become warmer. Because of the single insulating wall lining a canteen, it can easily emit heat when feeling the outside.
  • Another creative way to use a canteen is for storing dry supplies. It makes a great place to store matches if it suddenly becomes rainy. In addition, you can discard the water in it and store your smartphone to keep from getting wet when in the rain.

As you can see there are several ideas that a survival canteen can be used when in an emergency situation. Now, you can see why it is such an imperative item to have in your survival kit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are canteens made of?

A: Early canteens were constructed from gourds that had been hollowed out, or they were leather bags. A while later, canteens started being made from glass bottles placed in a basket that had been woven. This type of canteen often had a cork as its stopper.

Q: Can a canteen keep water cold?

A: Some types of canteens can indeed keep water cold inside them for up to 24 hours at a time.

Q: What is a canteen cup?

A: This is a metal cup that is placed either on the top or underneath the canteen.

Q: How much water is in a canteen?

A: However, most canteens can hold one to two liters at a time when filled.

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Jim Parson
Jim Parson
Let me introduce myself briefly, I am Jim Parson – the founder of Savvy Survivor. I am 29 years old and have always had a strong passion for all things outdoors. These activities include climbing, hiking, and camping.

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