They may not be something you see every day, but leather canteens are very useful and sometimes understated in their timeless design. Leather canteens are not just for hikers and soldiers anymore — they can make quite the fashion statement and are a staple for some who enjoy being outdoors. I will discuss numerous options and uses for leather canteens.
A leather canteen is a small water bottle made from leather in a pouch shape. Leather canteens were created as portable water containers in the 1800s for soldiers and field workers. They provide a durable and fashionable way to carry liquids and cost $5–$1,050, depending on quality and manufacturer.
Are you looking for an easier way to carry water when hiking or camping? Is there an outdoorsy person on your shopping list, and you’re unsure what they’d need? Let’s check out the benefits of popular leather canteens and tips for buying and caring for them.
What Is a Leather Canteen?
A leather canteen is similar to a water bottle but made from waxed leather. It is a bag or pouch used to carry liquid. Historically, military personnel were issued regulation clothing articles and equipment, including canteens.
Now, canteens are made from several materials, including leather, metal, and plastic, usually with a carrying strap or belt attachment. A leather canteen is a great way to carry your water hands-free.
What We’ll Explore
- Clearing up Myths & Misconceptions
- The History of Leather Canteens
- Why You Might Like a Leather Canteen
- Leather Canteen Overview Table
- Popular Types and Styles of Leather Canteens
- Common Leather Canteen Characteristics
- Leather Canteen Costs
- Pros of Leather Canteens
- Cons of Leather Canteens
- Leather Canteen Manufacturing Process – How They’re Made
- Experienced Tips for Choosing a Leather Canteen
- My Personal Research with a Leather Canteen
- Leather Canteen Care and Maintenance
- Helpful Insights on Leather Canteens
- Key Takeaways
Clearing Up Myths & Misconceptions
Misconceptions around leather canteens are mostly centered around leather itself. It has been said that leather is not made to resist high moisture levels, which is mostly true, but some tanning processes contribute to moisture resistance.
The leather inside a canteen is usually treated with food-grade beeswax to also provide a barrier to moisture. A myth around leather canteens is that only outdoorsy people use them — but thanks to some popular types and styles, many others also carry them.
The History of Leather Canteens
Canteens were originally designed in the 1800s for soldiers, hikers, firefighters, and field workers to have a water source for drinking while working. Researcher Andre Filipe de Nunes Fernandes stated that in the late 1800s, military personnel were issued regulation clothing articles and equipment, including mess kits, canteens, ammo pouches, and haversacks for battle purposes.
They were made from a hollowed gourd or bag of leather. These canteens were fashioned with a strap to attach to the belt or shoulder and covered with padding and cloth for insulation. In Spain, around the same time, the leather canteen was referred to as a bota bag used as wineskin.
Goatskin was often used to make bota bags, with a resin used on the inside to prevent leakage. In the 1900s, the canteen was made from different types of metal and a cap attached by a chain. Leather is now used as a plastic or aluminum canteen cover and can be seen in battle reenactments.
Why You Might Like a Leather Canteen
Leather canteens are very useful for outdoor enthusiasts, collectors, and anyone who appreciates nice leather products. These come in wide varieties, some with beautiful artwork and tooling that are like carrying around artwork. You might like a leather canteen because they are durable, beautiful, and practical. They hold more water than a bottle and are perfect for hikers, soldiers, and campers.
Leather Canteen Overview Table
| Leather Canteen Characteristic | Details |
| Item | Leather Canteen |
| Uses | Carry drinking water, wine, drinkable fluids |
| Common Materials | Leather, metal, plastic |
| Popular Colors | Brown, black, orange, red, yellow, olive |
| Sizes | 1.25 L, 1 QT, 2 QT, 2.5 QT |
| Popular Styles | Leather drinking vessel, leather-covered drinking vessel, purse or bag |
| Cost Range ($) | $5–$1,050 |
| How Long it Lasts (on average) | 10–15 years |
Popular Types and Styles of Leather Canteens
Leather canteens aren’t something you see every day, but there are a few types and styles that you may have noticed. The most common is the leather-covered drinking vessel. This is usually a metal or plastic container with a leather covering molded to the outside with a strap for easy carrying.
The next most common is the leather canteen-style purse or bag. It’s a smaller bag with a strap used for carrying everyday essentials like a wallet, keys, lipstick, and phone, but not for liquids. The other type is a leather drinking vessel or a container made entirely of leather with a strap.
Common Leather Canteen Characteristics
Materials
Leather canteens are made from many materials in different styles. Some are molded leather, while others are plastic or metal in a leather carrying case. There is often a leather or nylon strap with metal or plastic buckles for adjustment.
Sizes
Sizes for leather canteens include 1.25 liter, 1 quart, 2 quarts, and 2.5 quarts for the round or bladder varieties. The average leather canteen is 7 inches by 9 inches in a round shape with 3.5 inches in width.
Variations
Variations including leather drinking vessels, leather-covered drinking vessels, purses, and bags. Leather canteens come in round, gourd-shape, and pouches.
Key Uses
Key uses for leather canteens include drinking vessels and bags or purses. Leather canteens are commonly used when hiking, camping, or doing any type of outdoor activity.
Leather Canteen Costs
The price for leather canteens varies widely, partly due to the intended use but also due to the age of the product. A quick internet search demonstrated prices varying from $5–$595. Here are a few examples of leather canteen costs:
- An antique US Army leather canteen from Chicago, Illinois, is listed for $595 (used) on eBay.
- eBay has a listing for a vintage leather canteen for $6.99 plus $8.93 tax and shipping.
- Mercari has a beautiful vintage embroidered leather canteen for $9 (used) plus $11.20 tax and delivery.
- Holy Cow Couture has a canyon canteen bag for $400 plus $57.80 tax and delivery.
Pros of Leather Canteens
Leather canteens are highly durable and built to last for many years. They stand up to extreme weather and don’t usually crack or leak. Straps are portable, comfortable to carry, and very convenient. Liquids kept in a leather canteen also tend to stay cold longer than in plastic.
Cons of Leather Canteens
One con of leather canteens is that the leather should be hand washed only. They’re also not made to fit into cup holders, so they are not the best choice for traveling in the car. The leather canteens that are higher capacity will be heavier when carried on the shoulder, which may cause discomfort for some.
Leather Canteen Manufacturing Process – How They’re Made
The leather is made from animal hide that is vegetable tanned to remove the hair and make the material durable. Vegetable tanning contributes to the leather becoming stiff, which then makes it moldable into the canteen shape. The interior of the leather canteen is coated in food-grade beeswax, which makes it waterproof and protects the leather from moisture.
The leather is then stitched together into the canteen shape, and a cork is fitted to the opening to seal and prevent leaks. A strap is then added through stitching to the top on either side of the opening to make it easier to carry.
Check out this helpful video from Townsends to learn how to make a leather canteen.
Experienced Tips for Choosing a Leather Canteen
Frequency of Use
Choosing a leather canteen should be based on how often you plan on using it. If you’re outdoorsy, like hiking, camping, fishing, etc., and plan on using a leather canteen often, choose one of high quality and durability that will last on all those events.
Environment/Conditions
Most people use leather canteens outdoors, exposed to elements, etc. The leather should be vegetable tanned and resistant to moisture from weather elements.
It should also have a high enough capacity for what you need — and knowing whether there is a water source nearby is important. Lower capacity is fine if there is easy access to water for refills, and higher capacity is necessary when there is no easy access to water.
Cost
Cost is a very important consideration for buying a leather canteen. Generally, the higher the cost, the higher the quality, capacity, and durability, so know your needs and your available budget. If it’s not something that will be used frequently, you could probably look for a lower-cost leather canteen, but the cost does matter!
Trends
Trends in leather canteens, such as fancy artwork or tooling, can make them look very nice, but don’t necessarily mean high quality or meet your physical needs for water.
Personal Preference
Always take into consideration your personal preferences. If you want a leather canteen for hunting or physical demands, you probably don’t need fancy artwork or tooling but consider having your initials placed. You could go for the artwork if you’re looking for something to match an outfit.
Bags inspired by leather canteens are highly fashionable and desirable.
My Research on Popular Uses of Leather Canteens
For more information, I asked friends and family why they might use a leather canteen. Here is a table representing the percentages of their responses and what I learned from the poll about why people use leather canteens.
| Leather Canteen Uses | Times Selected |
| Hiking | 34% |
| Biking | 8% |
| Camping | 33% |
| Horseback riding | 17% |
| Farming | 8% |
Leather Canteen Care and Maintenance
How to Clean a Leather Canteen
The outside of a leather canteen should be spot cleaned with a soft brush, microfiber cloth, or leather cleaner. Empty fluids from the inside and allow the leather canteen to dry completely before sealing to prevent mold growth.
A mild soap in warm water can be poured into a leather canteen and swished around to remove bacteria. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning the spout or mouthpiece to prevent damage.
How to Maintain a Leather Canteen
A leather canteen should not be submerged in water to avoid damaging the leather. Care should be taken to not allow liquids inside a leather canteen to freeze when full to prevent cracking of the leather shell.
How to Store a Leather Canteen
Leather canteens should be stored indoors and away from moisture. The leather should be cleaned and conditioned regularly to keep the leather looking nice. Keep the leather canteen sealed to prevent moisture and mold growth on the inside.
Helpful Insights on Leather Canteens
What is a leather canteen called?
A leather canteen is sometimes called a bota bag or a wineskin.
What is a western leather canteen?
A western leather canteen is a bag or pouch made from vegetable tanned leather to form a drinking vessel.
Key Takeaways
- Leather canteens are not just for the outdoorsy people.
- Leather canteens are not just drinking vessels.
- Bags inspired by leather canteens are highly fashionable and desirable.
In Closing
Leather canteens have come a long way from where they originated. They’re easy to clean and carry, reasonably priced for durability and use, and can even be personalized. Leather canteens are also considered fashionable for drinking vessels, bags, or purses. If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a leather enthusiast, outdoorsy person, or even a fashionista, consider a leather canteen!
Other Resources:
- Leather Personal Accessories – Making Quality Choices
- Leather Keychain And Key Holder – Making a Great Choice
- Leather Backpack – Guide to Utility and Style for Daily Use
- The Leather AirPods Case Handy Guide – Style and Protection
- Leather Rings – Your Guide to This Classic Fashion Accessory
- Choosing a Leather Apple Watch Band You’ll Love
- Leather Wallet – Guide to Size, Quality, and a Perfect Fit
- Leather Duffle Bag – Guide to Choosing a Classic You’ll Love
- Leather Belt – Guide to Options, Style, and Fit for Everyday
- Leather iPad Case – Buying Guide for Styles, Models, and Fit
- Leather Guitar Straps – The Guide to Finding One You Love
- Leather Pouches – Guide to Types, Sizes, Uses, and DIY
- Leather Saddlebags – Guide to Sizes, Materials, and Options
- Leather Steering Wheel Cover – For Grip, Comfort, and Style
- Leather Flags – What to Look For in Getting a Great One
- Braided Leather Bracelet – Style and Size Options to Make
- Are Louis Vuitton Bags Leather – A Helpful Look at the Types
- Choosing Thoughtful and Memorable Leather Gifts for Anyone