Stainless Steel Canteen

I have no reservations about telling my new recruits that this is the canteen to buy. The right look and shape and you do need water on the march.

Is it more expensive than tin? Yup. but I've yet to have a tin canteen last more than 18 months without developing a leak.

I get 10+ years out of the steel ones so it more than pays for itself in that time.

There are purists who scream it must be tin!!! but seriously unless someone is going to do a test on the materials right then and there, there's no way to tell and this is so much better.

Hydration is so important. When I talk to guests at the museum all day and it is hot, a quart is barely enough. Do not put anything but water in it, cleaning surgar residue out is hard, although a little rum is period correct, purifies the water you know, also makes dealing with date freaks easier. This is the one place I passed on the tin, it is sturdier and easier to clean.