Top 3 Water Storage Bags for Van Life & Car Camping

Water Storage Challenges for Nomads

• 💧 Carrying sufficient water is a major issue for nomads living in cars, vans, or RVs, especially when boondocking far from town.
• 🚗 In smaller vehicles like a Subaru Forester, limited space makes carrying traditional water jugs impractical, requiring solutions that fit into odd-shaped corners.

Alternative Water Container Options

• 🥤 While Arizona Tea jugs are durable and practical for their size, they are not ideal for maximizing space in a compact vehicle.
• 🧊 Small 32oz Nalgene bottles, including indestructible stainless steel options, are an option but require carrying many to reach a useful volume.
• 📦 The 64oz Nalgene rectangular plastic bottle is a more space-efficient choice due to its square shape, making it a viable option for vehicle water storage.

Review of Top Water Bladder Bags

• 🎒 The MSR Dromedary bag, though incredibly well-made, is a 10L (2.5 gallon) bladder that lies flat and is difficult to stand on its own.
• ✨ The Sea to Summit bag, also 10L, offers superior quality and a better shape, allowing it to stand with some support, but its cap is less desirable.
• 🏆 The HydraPak bag, an 8L (2 gallon) capacity bladder, is well-built with good handles and a simple, leak-proof plug system, making it a preferred option.

Practical Water Storage Solutions for Small Vehicles

• 🧩 The primary advantage of bladders is their ability to tuck into tight spaces and conform to available areas, which is crucial for maximizing storage in cars.
• 🗄️ Utilizing cubby holes and corners in the vehicle with multiple bladders and smaller containers allows for carrying a significant amount of water.
• ⚠️ While collapsible 5-gallon containers are cheap, they have a history of failure and are not recommended despite their popularity with some users.
• 🚗 For small car dwellers, a combination of bladders and durable one-gallon jugs can effectively provide sufficient water storage, offering peace of mind.