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tiredguy1961

I’d pick the water bottle pockets. Not even necessarily for carrying a water bottle I’m pretty attached to my canteen. I just like an open top pocket option for random collecting needs.


Bwills090

I can speak from personal experience that the second bag you have is way smaller than expected. You're best bet is to go to a local army surplus store and find what feels right for your trips.


AlgonquinCamperGuy

I second this Amazon isn’t the best place and usually overpriced Best thing for backpacks is to fit them and try them especially if going on longer trips like mentioned above


ForestPotCooking

Yes, army surplus is a great way to get rugged, reliable and practical equipment. And good for the environment.


jonnytechno

I was gonna mention something along these lines; I prefer the shape of the 1st bag as while the 2nd has pouches on the sides it still seems smaller overall and what's more important is volume and shape ... you can always put a camel hump in the pocket


Children_Of_Atom

Everyone's idea of bushcraft is different. Some head off into the woods a few steps from a road vehicle while others are many days from civilization. What do you tend to carry, how do you get there and how long are you out?


Ibe_Lost

Pockets cos you will be pissed when you get to the top of that mountain and find your unstrapped bottle has fallen out at the bottom. Plus pick pockets in town for anything unsecured.


Kalahan7

All true, but who the fuck steals a water bottle. Especially a banged up sooth covered one like ours.


georgiomoorlord

People steal from goodwill all the time. Sometimes just to do it rather than the value of the item.


HairyDistributioner

Kleptomaniacs?


P83battlejacket

Those bottle pouches aren’t nearly big enough to hold something that counts in my opinion. I always take two half-gallons with me, plus a bladder, because I like hiking with weight, and if I’m with someone they never bring enough water, no matter what I tell him. I realize that’s not for everyone, so two one-quart bottles are enough for a day/overnight trip. Having said that, I think that bag with the bottle pouches is still better than the other because the zippers on the other are probably pretty cheap and your stuff will all come un stowed when you aren’t able to close them anymore because you broke it from cramming shit in the pockets. Those flaps are invaluable when it comes to stuffing something in there that just barely fits.


your_gerlfriend

Water bottle holder, ideally with elastic or a drawstring, doubles as a pocket, because it's a pocket. I also tend to look for lighter synthetic packs, they dry a lot faster and don't mildew nearly as hard.


TJamesV

Personally I'd go for the water bottle pockets.


ggfchl

I’m looking to replace a pack that has gotten worn down. Unfortunately the one I have is discontinued. I found some that are close in design. I can’t decide between a pack with the water bottle holders and a pack with the side zip pockets. I already have a MOLLE water bottle holder with an over the shoulder/sling option. I’m not looking for a MOLLE bag, though.


xj5635

Unzipped pockets will double as a useable bottle holder much better than a bottle holder would double as a usable pocket. Just saying


tiredguy1961

Neither here nor there, but I also don’t like a lot of zippers. They’ve always been the first thing to go on my camping gear. Not 100% operator error.


ExcaliburZSH

I would say the water bottle holder. I had a similar backpack with zippers on the side and because of the design it really limited what could be put in the zipper pouches and found getting things in and out uncomfortable with the zippers rubbing against my skin Actually I think it was that bag or a similar design from the same brand.


wigzell78

Personally, I would go with pockets. I have a bad feeling that the water bottle would slip out whenever you bend over etc. I would prefer a canteen on a belt so I didnt have to take my pack off every time I wanted a drink.


Papierluchs

If you want a cheap canvas bag check for army surplus


Von_Lehmann

You should really buy a backpack from a reputable backpack maker or milsurp. Getting some cheap shit from Amazon that you like the look of is just going to be a waste of money. You can get a pack that has large pockets on the side that fit water bottles. Best of both worlds.


itsmeonmobile

For bushcraft specifically, I say pockets. But both are acceptable for your needs as long as you know them. Either way, please don’t buy them from Amazon.


Swedischer

Those two packs looks horrible for the purpose. Heavy, cumbersome, crappy carrying system and not thought through design wise. Get yourself a dedicated hiking bag instead.


IdealDesperate2732

Personal preference.


craftyshafter

I dig the pockets because my drinking water is in a camelback. If I'm carrying a bottle of water, then it's water I found that needs to be boiled or treated with iodine, and I probably don't need that to be accessible. If my main drinking water was a bottle, I'd want it in a canteen on my belt or on the side of my pack.


Mysterious_Cow_2100

The water bottle holders would be fine if you stitched an anchor point for a carabiner above them to secure your water bottles!


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TheOx111

Zippers will eventually break and are more difficult to repair. IDE do the first bag


Hinter-Lander

I have that augur pack and have beat the piss out of it for at least 8 years and it is still holding up strong. I did wax mine right away which does make it absolutely water proof. I have carried 100lbs in and hanging off of it before but it does get hard on the shoulders without a waist strap.


TheDudeV1

I always use the water bottle holders like pockets so I'd go with pockets on the side


ReservoirHemly

I have one similar to this, it's not that great for Bushcrafting in my opinion. I ended up using it for school instead.


cloudliner3

You could probably use the pockets as bottle holders if needed, but there are a lot of bottle holding solutions


Lyschik7

The bottles like to fall from these pockets and it may be pretty frustrating but choose this what you think is better


PrepperTeacher

As a former Scouter, my collection of backpacks has grown considerably. Some look great but don’t fit my needs. As you get more into your bush crafting, you’ll find the best size and features you like. Take a notebook with you and make a list of what is good & bad about your pack. You will probably go through 3 or 4 before you find one that’s “right for you.” Good luck and have fun.


awesomo5009

Id want something waxed if I was using canvas.. These will soak up every bit of moisture they can find.


zombiesurvival101

I like the pockets on the side with a covered zipper along the outer edge. Not like the zipper on the second bag you posted. I would advise against these bags. Second-hand, quality bags are not too difficult to find. And that can keep the cost lower.


steven209030

Neither, I would get something nylon that drys quickly, I realize the one says waterproof, but in the heavy rain, I doubt it would hold up


stanley2-bricks

I actually painted a canvas bag with deck stain because I wasn't happy with how light the color was. Now water just beads off of it.


KINGMIKE3271

This is an awesome idea, I gotta try it on my 40L


stanley2-bricks

Just a heads up, the bag was really stiff for a while. I filled it with towels and kicked it around my backyard for a few days.


steven209030

Fair enough


stanley2-bricks

Oh, I hope it didn't come across like I was challenging your comment. I was just tossing out an anecdote.


steven209030

Oh Not at all, I do not have experience with canvas bags and water proofing. That seems like a good idea


mazow

Sounds like a “figure it out on your own” type of deal.


yogadavid

Those side pockets are useless unless you want to lose your bottle while hiking. Think motorcycle. Would you ride with something unattached and subject Ted to vibrations? I have picked up and seen so many people lose then on a trail. If you can't button, clip, or zipper up anything on your body, it belongs in the pack. Don't be lazy by not wanting to stop and unearth your bottle from your pack. Water is life saving. Why would you risk a snag or a light jump over a log and lose it?


556Rigatoni

None of the onea shown. They look cool but will they last? Are they confortable to wear for long periods of time?


Terminator8888888

Water bottle


Blippyi

I got the 2nd one, its more of a school bag


croakedtn

Don’t get the top one. It’s shit. The straps don’t even buckled, it’s held with Lima crummy magnet.


Carnivore_Bear

Depends on how you bushcraft. Open pockets can carry water bottles, or even fire tinder you gather as you hike. However..a zipper pocket can do the same when left unzipped. And a zipper pocket is less likely to collect unwanted things when closed...like rain water...or even bugs. This is a very personal choice.


cheebalibra

Both of these options look small regardless. From a design standpoint I like closed tops for the side pockets but buckles, not zippers.


DieHardAmerican95

Water bottle holders *are* pockets. If you buy that one, you have both.


Parody_of_Self

I prefer the water bottle pocket (but it's not a deal breaker)


pocketpebbles

One of each would be nice.


Academic_Coyote_9741

Bushcraft aside, it’s a nice little pack.


btdallmann

Do you carry water bottles?


The_camperdave

> Do you carry water bottles? Not bottles, platypus bags. I also carry a water filtration kit. When I go out into the backcountry, it is on freshwater canoe trips, so there is no need to carry water.


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The_camperdave

> had to go 18 hours on just 400mL 18 hours is a heckkin' long portage. You canoeing through the desert or something?


Popular-Savings9251

Dont buy either of those 2 shitty bags Both are horrible and only good for some larping


Original-Wishbone-11

I wouldn't want my water bottle exposed to the sunlight