My backpacking friend uses a nalgene water bladder as a hot water bottle for sleeping. He boils up water for it almost every night.

Is this safe? Is there a risk of it leaking? It would be terrible to wake up with a soaked down bag.

Safe? In terms of the bottle itself, yes, it is safe. Boiling water won't hurt the plastic any. As for leaks, I think it is safe as well -- as long as people are extra careful about screwing the bottle tight. I like to tip mine sideways and upside down just to be doubly sure. And yes, a hot water bottle sure keeps the foot end nice and warm! :)

Nalgene claims their cantene soft bottles can handle boiling water, and they have wide mouths . . . I've read on BPL that some people use the platapus bags without issue, although the narrow mouth may be a bit awkward to poor boiling water into.

I use a wide mouth nalgene polyethylene bottle, BUT, boiling water is darn hot and an uninsulated bottle cools down pretty fast. Many people use a cozy for their hot water bottle that keeps it from being so hot it burns, AND keeps it warm much longer into the night than an uninsulated bottle would.

I'd love to know how the nalgene cantenes hold up to boiling water over time.

I use a hard plastic Nalgene, just to be safe. Make sure whatever you're using is BPA-Free, since the BPA chemical is activated by hot water (if it isn't all hokum).

They'll soon find other chemicals that leach out of plastic when you put hot water in.

Easier to put socks on as a cosy on the bottles.

Platypus reports that their bladders can be frozen and will handle boiling hot water:

"Tough enough to handle temperatures from freezing to boiling" in the REI listing.

There is risk of leaking with any water container. Get the cap on right and watch for sharp stuff and damage. Platy's and Nalgenes work fine with common sense and reasonable caution.

> They'll soon find other chemicals that leach out of plastic when you put hot water in.
Could be a bit difficult if there are no additives or plasticisers in the plastic to start with. Try PET.

Cheers

Would it be worth putting the bottle in to a dry bag as extra security.

Edited by stephenm on 02/07/2013 06:26:01 MST.

the trick is trying to pour boiling water safely in the bladder ... much easier with a nalgene IMO

The nalgene has a huge mouth to it, so it's not too hard. Not like the tiny platypuses.