GSI Outdoors  Folding Water Cube - 5.3 gal.

Very large, seemingly tough water storage. I just don't know how to get them dry after use.

I bought this because I needed to carry 3-4 days worth of water with me on a kayak. I was not sure how much storage room I would have, so I bought this hoping it could squeeze into a small hatch. It worked out perfectly. I filled it with 4 gallons, it was flexible to fit in the opening in the kayak, and I didn't have any issues with leaking or punctures. It survived the kayak ride and getting tossed around in the back of my truck with a bike and other klunky objects. The on/off spout has enough travel and it never accidentally opened. It was also easy to drink directly from it (while placed on a table).

I got 2 of these water cubes before spending a couple months in the Mojave desert last spring. As time passed, the spigots got tighter and tighter until one broke. I thought the sun and heat were to blame. REI replaced it no problem but more importantly I talked to their repair shop about using food grade grease on it. They thought that would be a great idea. I couldn't find the food grade grease I have from when I had pump water filters so I tried vegetable oil which seemed like it was going to gum up. Then I tried Crisco which has worked wonderfully so far. Lube it BEFORE it seizes and when new, it is extremely difficult to take the spigot apart after it seizes. The second cube that was totally seized but not broken is working perfectly now.

I got to enjoy it for a whole hour before I left camp and ravens destroyed it. Okay so the fact that it folds down makes it very easy to transport, which made it ideal for camping on an island since I could just put it in my backpack. I filled it with water, set it up on my campsite's picnic table, and used it for washing my hands, wetting a washcloth, filling a Platy bottle (also destroyed by ravens), etc. I intend to get another one for an upcoming camping trip (where there are no ravens). I recommend this product for car camping and also just for storing emergency water in your car if you're driving through the desert in the middle of summer, like I do. Just be aware that the plastic is thin enough to be punctured by nosey birds who can't mind their own business.

My friends and I bought this for a backpacking trip when we needed to cache some water on our route. Overall, this product performed as expected. It held the stated volume and was durable enough to sit out in the desert for a couple days until we arrived. The handle makes it easier to carry, which is important since 5 gallons of water is pretty heavy. We didn't completely drain it when we refilled our water bottles, so we hooked it up to a carabiner for awhile, and it was able to hold up to that treatment too. The surface is also good for writing on with a sharpie, which was handy for labeling our water stash. The spout dispenses water well, and the cube shape allows you to set it on a surface and dispense water that way.

I live out of my truck about 8 months each year and keep two of these folded up for use during longer backcountry trips. I really love them- I think they're great space-saving solutions for water storage. After months of being stored/folded I find there will be an occasional worn area/leak. I use the same 'Tenacious Tape' to repair these small holes that I use to repair leaks in my water bladders- it works well. My one complaint is that after about a year of use the plastic nozzles can get stiff, break, and become useless. I wish REI would sell replacement nozzles.

I thought a container would be useful whether for a single night or multiple nights camping and bought this one. You need water for cooking, cleaning and drinking and it is more convenient if it is readily available. I took it on a single night camping, filtered water from the creek and stored for use and it was convenient as expected. Not sure how many trips it would last but will update the review once I use it on multiple trips.

I purchased this water cube for a week of summer camp. I liked the volume of the cube and the regulated nozzle/spout. However, the foldable plastic material developed holes in the corners within one day. I believe it was a combination of weakened corners from folding and the apparent abrasive concrete platform I set the cube on. It was not like I was dragging the cube on the concrete other than repositioning the container from upright to its side maybe one or two times. In my opinion this water container was not made for the outdoors.

I’ve bought 3 of these from REI and had no issues with any of them. All have held water perfectly with no leaks. Only thing to be aware is if you set it on the edge of a table to use the spigot, once it is about 2/3 empty it won’t balance well and will want to fall forward off the table. To remedy this I use a bungie through the handle to keep it secured down.

Worked well for a handful of camping trips, then sprung a leak after a fairly short time. I probably used this for a total of about 2 weeks of car camping over a period of 6 months, and did not abuse it. It let out a lot of water in my truck and made an enormous mess. I was disappointed in the lack of durability. I also found the foldability/soft construction to be more of a hindrance than a help, and have since gotten a hard-sided water container (Scepter) which I expect to be much more durable.