Best Camping Water Container: 7 Reliable & Leak-Proof Options

The Reliance Products Aqua-Tainer is as much of an ever-present around campsites across North America as laptops are in households. And there are several good reasons why this portable water container is so popular.

The Aqua-Tainer is made from rigid and ultra-durable polyethylene (PE plastic) that’s BPA-free and adds no scent or taste to your drinking water. Its 7-gallon capacity is large enough for long weekends at dry campsites, yet its unique design makes it more convenient to store than other plastic containers of similar size.

The AT’s spigot is reversible, so can be stored inside the container when not in use to prevent damage. The flow rate can also be tweaked so you have a lighter flow when refilling your bottles with fresh drinking water and a faster flow when washing your hands or cleaning dishes.

The main benefit of collapsible containers – their portability– is often overshadowed by their lack of robustness and poor durability as compared to their hard-sided cousins. If you want a model that bridges the gap between the two, look no further than the WaterStorageCube.

The WSC can hold 5.3 gallons (20 liters) of water but takes up far less space when empty owing to its collapsible design. Unlike other collapsible water storage containers, it has no seams (the most common point of leakage) and is made with BPA-free, food-grade LDPE plastic that is tough enough to withstand frequent use and moderate abuse.

The WSC is pretty user-friendly, too. There’s a wide opening for refilling, a handy, easy-to-use on/off spigot that makes filling bottles a cinch, and a comfortable, integrated carry handle. The WSC also collapses as the water level declines, so it’s kind of a “smart” container and far more convenient storage-wise than the competition.

The RP Jumbo-Tainer is, essentially, a jerry-can version of the RP Aqua-Tainer. While the difference between the two might appear negligible, there are a few reasons why this difference in design might make one or the other more suitable for your needs.

Firstly, as mentioned the Jumbo-Tainer is made in the jerry-can style. This gives it more structural stability and makes it more slender than the more cuboid Aqua-Tainer, and thus can more easily fit into a smaller space in your vehicle. On the downside, the narrower base does mean it’s very easy to topple over – worth noting if you’re prone to forget to close the spigot!

Secondly, the Jumbo has a duo of paw-friendly, molded carry handles that make transportation a little easier – you can use two hands instead of one or enlist the help of a camping cohort when necessary.

If you want a water container that’s built to survive the apocalypse, never mind a little bit of rough treatment at camp, the Scepter Military-Grade Jug is the container for you!

The Scepter jug is the priciest on our list, but its extra-burly construction will, for some, make it well worth the added expense. It’s made with rugged, puncture-resistant, military-specification, food-grade, BPA-free LDPE and HDPE plastic that adds no scent or taste to your water.

The Scepter’s jerry-can style and molded plastic handle make it easy to transport for such a large and rugged container.

But its main selling point, durability aside, is the versatility of the opening. The no-nonsense screw-lock cap is ultra-secure, and when refilling or pouring, you have the option of using the large opening or a smaller spout that’s ideal for filling narrow-mouth bottles.

If you’re looking for a lightweight, low-cost, high-capacity, collapsible water container, it’s hard to go wrong with the RP Fold-a-Carrier.

The Fold-a-Carrier is the collapsible version of our recommended favorite, the RP Aqua-Tainer. Despite its large, 19-liter (5-gallon) capacity, it weighs just over 13 ounces and collapses to a tiny size.

The Fold-a-Carrier is made with food-grade, BPA-free polyethylene plastic. The downside is that the plastic is far less robust than that used in models like the Aqua-Tainer or Scepter water container, both of which are far better options if you prioritize puncture resistance and durability.

The MSR Dromedary is the most versatile option on our list, with its soft-side design and light weight making it an equally great choice for car camping and backpacking.

The Dromedary is made with extra-rugged, puncture-resistant, 1,000D, polyurethane-laminated fabric. While not as tough as the hard plastics used on most of the hard-sided options we reviewed, this makes it more than hardy enough for the rough and tumble of camp life. It also has a BPA-free, food-grade lining and won’t freeze over in sub-zero temperatures.

The best part is that the Dromedary weighs a mere 10 ounces, which makes it the lightest option on our list. While its carrying capacity is a fairly meager 10 liters, this should be plenty for most campers as long as there’s a water supply or source nearby.

Two other features earn the Dromedary further brownie points. The first is a multi-functional cap that allows you to pour water at three different flow rates and the second is the assortment of straps that allow you to hang it wherever suits.

If you’re looking for a simple, no-nonsense, large-capacity water container that’s easy to use, the Igloo Blue is worth a second look.

All told, the Igloo Blue is a smaller, two-handled version of the RP Aqua-Tainer. It’s made with very similar, robust, rigid materials, but has two molded handles instead of one. This small add-on makes the Igloo Blue a fraction more expensive, but also makes life a little easier when pouring water into other containers.

The Igloo Blue comes with a screw-on cap and a pouring spout that stows away inside the opening when not in use, thus reducing the risk of accidentally damaging it and making it more portable. The only real downside is that the lack of a spigot makes it difficult to wash your hands one-handed.