For water jug capacity, about 10L is the guide for a family, and No. 1 is Captain Stag's Pour to the Last Drop! Water Jug 10L. Among the three that keep cold, it has the lowest price per liter, and it lists numbers for both cold-keeping and heat-keeping. If you only carry water, No. 2, the 16L, about 400g LOGOS Antibacterial Wide-Mouth Shoulder Water Container 16, is enough.
The Gear Nerd's Pick
A jug is a tool you carry by its weight after filling, not its empty weight. At 10L the water alone is about 10kg, and the roughly 400g body difference between 8L and 10L is only about 3% of the full weight of about 12.2kg. So before agonizing over body lightness, I decide capacity and whether it keeps cold.
Key points
- The cold-keeping listings are not on equal conditions. Snow Peak's number is measured at a room temperature of about 20°C and a starting water temperature of about 4°C
- Full weight is about 9.8kg for the 8L, about 12.2kg for the 10L insulated jug and about 16.4kg for the 16L water tank. First check the load capacity of the stand you put it on
- Price per liter for uninsulated water tanks is JPY 136 to JPY 720. The 3 that keep cold start at JPY 1,002, and between the lowest of each the gap is about 7x
What is in this article (16 items)
- Even at the same 10L, a water jug costs JPY 562 more per liter if it keeps cold
- How I chose
- Quick table of 3 water jugs that keep cold
- 4 uninsulated water jugs (water tanks)
- Why this order
- No. 1 Captain Stag Pour to the Last Drop! Water Jug 10L
- No. 2 LOGOS Antibacterial Wide-Mouth Shoulder Water Container 16
- No. 3 Captain Stag Pour to the Last Drop! Water Jug 8L
- No. 4 DOD Jiminy Tank
- No. 5 Snow Peak Soft Water Jug
- No. 6 Uniflame Field Tank
- No. 7 Snow Peak Thermo Tank 4700
- Water jug cold-keeping: urethane and vacuum stop heat differently
- For reference: insulated jugs from non-camp brands
- Who is it for?
- FAQ
Even at the same 10L, a water jug costs JPY 562 more per liter if it keeps cold
Captain Stag's insulated 10L jug is JPY 1,002 per liter when you divide the official price by capacity. DOD's 10L water tank is JPY 440. To hold the same amount of water, you pay JPY 562 per liter for an insulated wall (1,002 − 440).
I compared 7 that camp brands sell now: 3 that keep cold and 4 uninsulated water tanks.
How I chose
The first thing I looked at was whether it is something to keep things cold or just to carry water. Next I calculated price per liter.
When you spend half the year camping, fetching water is a daily job. So I calculated full weight before empty weight, and put on top about 10L, which one person can carry and which holds a family's day of water.
Quick table of 3 water jugs that keep cold
Scroll the table sideways →
| Model | Capacity and weight | Cold-keeping figure | Official price | Per liter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Captain Stag Pour to the Last Drop! Water Jug 10L | About 10.1L, about 2.1kg | 11°C or below (8 hours) | JPY 10,120 | JPY 1,002 |
| No. 3 Captain Stag Pour to the Last Drop! Water Jug 8L | About 8.1L, about 1.7kg | 15°C or below (8 hours) | JPY 9,020 | JPY 1,114 |
| No. 7 Snow Peak Thermo Tank 4700 | 4.7L, 2.45kg | 5.8°C or below (10 hours) | JPY 36,960 | JPY 7,864 |
| For reference: Peacock Keeper 8.1L (INP-80) | 8.1L, about 1.66kg | 9°C or below (6 hours) | JPY 6,578 | JPY 812 |
| For reference: Peacock Stainless Keeper 8.1L (INJ-80) | 8.1L, about 2.02kg | 9°C or below (6 hours) | JPY 8,228 | JPY 1,016 |
Snow Peak writes the conditions it measured under: a room temperature of about 20°C and a starting water temperature of about 4°C. The conditions are not equal, so I do not line up 5.8°C and 11°C side by side to decide which is better.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Captain Stag Pour to the Last Drop! Water Jug 10L (UE-2034)
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 5,130 (as of 10/14). Prices vary by up to JPY 9,228 between shops. Prices change daily.
4 uninsulated water jugs (water tanks)
Scroll the table sideways →
| Model | Capacity | Weight | Official price | Price per liter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 2 LOGOS Antibacterial Wide-Mouth Shoulder Water Container 16 | About 16L | About 400g | JPY 2,178 | JPY 136 |
| No. 4 DOD Jiminy Tank | About 10L | About 850g | JPY 4,400 (reference price) | JPY 440 |
| No. 5 Snow Peak Soft Water Jug | 14L | 460g | JPY 8,690 | JPY 621 |
| No. 6 Uniflame Field Tank | About 5.5L | About 550g | JPY 3,960 | JPY 720 |
Drop the insulation and the price per liter falls to about one seventh of No. 1 (1,002 ÷ 136 = 7.4).
Why this order
| Rank | Model | Why it ranks here |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Captain Stag 10L | The lowest at JPY 1,002 per liter of the 3 that keep cold, and it lists heat-keeping too |
| 2 | LOGOS Antibacterial Wide-Mouth Shoulder Water Container 16 | JPY 136 per liter and 25g are the lowest of the 7, suited to carrying water |
| 3 | Captain Stag 8L | About 65mm lower and about 400g lighter than the 10L, but the cold-keeping listing is 4°C higher |
| 4 | DOD Jiminy Tank | A hard tank with an opening of about 7.5cm, but the price per liter is about 3.2 times No. 2's |
| 5 | Snow Peak Soft Water Jug | Light at 460g for 14L, but JPY 621 per liter is about 4.6 times No. 2's |
| 6 | Uniflame Field Tank | It lines up 3 on the maker's own rack, but at 5.5L the price per liter becomes JPY 720 |
| 7 | Snow Peak Thermo Tank 4700 | Listed at 5.8°C or below with conditions stated, but at 4.7L the price per liter is JPY 7,864 |
No. 1 Captain Stag Pour to the Last Drop! Water Jug 10L
Here is what I am excited about. It has the lowest price per liter of the three that keep cold, and it also lists heat-keeping of 73°C or above (6 hours). This part is a weak point. The height in use is about 495mm, and full it weighs about 12.2kg (2.1 + 10.1).
It suits families who want to keep cold water and hot tea for 3 to 5 people for a day. I wrote the comparison with the 6L of the same series in the 10L review.
No. 2 LOGOS Antibacterial Wide-Mouth Shoulder Water Container 16
It holds 16L at about 400g, 25g per liter (400 ÷ 16). Folded it is about 14cm high. This part is a weak point. Full it is about 16.4kg, and a caution says not to use it hung from a strap.
It suits people who want to carry water for washing up and hand washing from the kitchen area in one trip.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
LOGOS Antibacterial Wide-Mouth Shoulder Water Container 16
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 1,875 (as of 10/14). Prices vary by up to JPY 8,712 between shops. Prices change daily.
No. 3 Captain Stag Pour to the Last Drop! Water Jug 8L
Built the same as No. 1, with a height in use of about 430mm. It is about 65mm lower than the 10L (495 − 430) and only about 9.8kg full (1.7 + 8.1). Watch the cold-keeping listing: 15°C or below after 8 hours, a number 4°C higher than the 10L.
It suits people with a car that has little trunk height, and families of 2 to 3.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Captain Stag Pour to the Last Drop! Water Jug 8L (UE-2027)
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 4,880 (as of 10/14). Prices vary by up to JPY 18,100 between shops. Prices change daily.
No. 4 DOD Jiminy Tank
A hard polyethylene tank, 85g per liter (850 ÷ 10). The opening is about 7.5cm across, and with the faucet's lever fixed downward it keeps running water. This part is a weak point. It is for water only, so do not put in hot water or juice.
It is for people who want a tank with a faucet that keeps its shape in the car.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
DOD Jiminy Tank 10L (WT3-863)
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 3,740 (as of 10/14). Prices vary by up to JPY 7,330 between shops. Prices change daily.
No. 5 Snow Peak Soft Water Jug
It holds 14L at 460g, and folded it is 160 × 420 × 105mm thick. Watch the price: JPY 485 more per liter than the foldable LOGOS tank (621 − 136). The official store showed out of stock as of Oct 14.
It suits people who want a light, foldable one and are matching gear to Snow Peak.
No. 6 Uniflame Field Tank
The sides fit the legs of Uniflame's Field Rack, and up to three line up on one rack. This part is a weak point. The capacity is a small 5.5L, and the price per liter is the highest of the four water tanks. It is for drinking water only.
It is for people who own the Field Rack and want to split water into two or three.
No. 7 Snow Peak Thermo Tank 4700
The way it gives numbers is the most careful of the seven. Water at about 4°C in a room of about 20°C, 5.8°C or below after 10 hours. Watch out that the body is 2.45kg for 4.7L, and that it pours from a dial-type spigot rather than a faucet.
It suits people who want to choose drinking water for two by numbers with clear conditions.
Water jug cold-keeping: urethane and vacuum stop heat differently
Captain Stag's two fill the walls with urethane foam to slow heat transfer. According to Thermos's explanation, vacuum insulation puts a high vacuum between the inner and outer bottles and almost removes the gas molecules that carry heat.
But vacuum shows in the price. The Thermo Tank 4700's JPY 7,864 per liter is about 7.8 times No. 1 (7,864 ÷ 1,002). For people who add ice to cool, I wrote about carrying the ice in the cooler box capacity comparison.
For reference: insulated jugs from non-camp brands
Thermos maker Peacock also has insulated jugs with a faucet. The Keeper 8.1L (INP-80) has a lower price per liter than No. 1, as in the table above. The Stainless Keeper 8.1L (INJ-80), with a stainless inside, is also compatible with sports drinks.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Peacock Keeper 8.1L (INP-80)
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 4,980 (as of 10/14). Prices vary by up to JPY 8,500 between shops. Prices change daily.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Peacock Stainless Keeper 8.1L (INJ-80)
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 6,092 (as of 10/14). Prices vary by up to JPY 49,368 between shops. Prices change daily.
Who is it for?
It suits people who want a family's day of water at the site. The 10L at No. 1 for cold water and hot tea, and the 16L, about 400g LOGOS if you only carry water.
For a solo camper with the kitchen area right next door, 2L plastic bottles are enough.
FAQ
How many liters should a camping water jug be?
About 10L for a family, 8L for a car with low trunk space or 2 to 3 people. Full, 10L is about 12.2kg and 8L about 9.8kg.
Can I compare water jug cold-keeping times between makers?
Not as they are. Captain Stag gives the temperature after 8 hours and Snow Peak after 10 hours, and only Snow Peak writes the conditions it measured under.
Can I put sports drinks in a water jug?
It depends. DOD says water only, Uniflame says drinking water only, and Captain Stag guides you to use a plastic jug or one labeled as compatible.
How many kg is a water jug when full?
Add about 1kg per liter of capacity to the body weight. LOGOS's 16L is about 16.4kg.
Gear in this article
Ads & images: Rakuten IchibaSources (11 official pages)
- Captain Stag official: Pour to the Last Drop! Water Jug 10L (UE-2034)
- Captain Stag official: Pour to the Last Drop! Water Jug 8L (UE-2027)
- Captain Stag official: types of water jugs and how to choose
- LOGOS official online shop: Antibacterial Wide-Mouth Shoulder Water Container 16
- DOD official: Jiminy Tank (WT3-863)
- Snow Peak official online store: Soft Water Jug (FP-130)
- Snow Peak official online store: Thermo Tank 4700 (TW-550)
- Uniflame official: Field Tank Khaki Green (611685)
- Peacock Thermos Industry official store: Keeper 8.1L (INP-80)
- Peacock Thermos Industry official store: Stainless Keeper 8.1L (INJ-80)
- Thermos official: Secrets of the vacuum flask
