It is one of the less glamorous parts of camping, but having a good supply of fresh water on your pitch is absolutely essential. You need it for drinking, cooking, washing up, and brushing your teeth. I have seen countless first time campers making endless trips back and forth to the tap with a single two litre bottle. It is a soul destroying task.
A proper water carrier, one that holds at least ten litres, is a must have. It means you only have to visit the tap once or twice a day, leaving you more time to relax. Modern carriers are cleverly designed, with easy to use taps and space saving features. Here are my top picks for every type of camper.
Quick Jump to My Recommendations
My Detailed Water Carrier Reviews
- Type: Collapsible Bucket
- Capacity: 8 Litres
- Features: Doubles as bucket/watering can
My Top Pick
Colapz 2-in-1 Water Carrier
This is a brilliantly clever bit of British design. It is a collapsible 8 litre container that functions as both a water carrier and a bucket. It comes with two lids: a standard sealed lid, and another lid with a tap for dispensing water. The whole thing collapses down almost flat, saving a huge amount of space in the car. It is made from a really tough, durable material and the tap gives a good, controllable flow. I love multi purpose bits of kit, and this is one of the best. It is a fantastic, space saving solution for any car camper.
My Verdict
A superb, innovative water carrier that is perfect for space conscious campers. The multi purpose design is genuinely useful and the quality is excellent.
Best on a Budget
Classic 10L Jerry Can
You cannot go wrong with a classic. This is a simple, no frills, rigid water carrier that does the job perfectly for a very low price. The 10 litre capacity is a good size for a couple or small family for a day, and the built in handle makes it easy to carry. The simple screw on tap is reliable and easy to use. It is not fancy, it does not collapse down, but it is made from tough food grade plastic and it is completely dependable. It is the cheapest and easiest way to get a proper water supply to your pitch.
My Verdict
A brilliant, no nonsense budget choice. It does exactly what you need it to do for a rock bottom price. A perfect first water carrier.
- Type: Collapsible Container
- Capacity: 12 Litres
- Features: Collapsible body, sturdy base
Best CollapsibleOutwell Collaps Water Carrier
Outwell are masters of clever, space saving design, and this water carrier is a great example. It has a large 12 litre capacity, but the main body is made from a tough, flexible material that concertinas down into the rigid top and base. This means it packs down incredibly flat, which is a huge bonus for anyone tight on car space. It has a good sized handle and a simple but effective tap. It combines the large capacity of a rigid carrier with a much more convenient packed size.
My Verdict
A superb space saving option for families. It gives you a generous 12 litre capacity without taking up a huge amount of precious space in your car.
- Type: Water Bladder
- Capacity: 8 Litres
- Features: Lightweight, hangable, dispenser tap
Best for PortabilityHydrapak Expedition 8L
For backpackers, wild campers, or anyone where weight and packed size are the absolute priority, this is the solution. The Hydrapak is a super tough, flexible water bladder that rolls up to a tiny size when empty. It has a wide opening for easy filling and cleaning, and it comes with a dispenser tap that is great for using at camp. You can hang it from a tree or the side of your car for an easy, gravity fed water source. It is much more durable than cheaper water bags and is a fantastic piece of kit for off grid adventures.
My Verdict
The ultimate in portable water storage. For anyone carrying their gear on their back, this is by far the best and most practical option available.
Buyer's Guide: What I Look For
Rigid vs. Collapsible
Rigid carriers, like a classic jerry can, are very durable, cheap, and easy to clean. Their only downside is that they are bulky and take up the same amount of space whether they are full or empty. They are a great, simple choice for car campers with plenty of space.
Collapsible carriers are the smart choice for anyone tight on packing space. They come in various designs, from concertina styles to simple bladders, but they all pack down much smaller when empty. They can be slightly harder to clean and are often more expensive, but the space saving is a huge advantage.
The Tap is Important
Look for a carrier with a well designed tap that is easy to turn on and off, and gives a good, controllable flow. A simple push button or lever tap is often much easier to use with one hand than a screw top tap, especially when you are trying to fill a kettle.
About the Author
Adam
For the last ten years, I've been enthusiastically getting rained on in fields from the Cornish coast to the Lake District. My passion for finding gear that actually works was born from one too many 'easy-pitch' tents that required an engineering degree and a marriage counsellor to assemble. I created Top Listed Products to provide honest, straightforward reviews for fellow UK campers, so you can spend less time worrying about your kit and more time enjoying that well-earned bacon butty.