For several years, plastic water bottles have been sold to campers. They are advertised as being light and durable. They may be light, but their durability is questionable. These water bottles have one major deficiency; they will melt if placed too close to or in a fire. The question you may be asking is why would anyone even want to place a water bottle in a fire? Well, let me give you an example of a reason why you would want that option.

I was on a hunting trip in November 1995 in the high country of Colorado near Gunnison in the Fossil Ridge Wilderness area. I was lost for three days. During the second day, I met two youngsters, who as it turned out, were also lost. They were becoming hypothermic and were dehydrating. They needed water. They had plastic water bottles, which I stuffed with snow. I placed them as close to the fire as possible to melt the snow but without success. Had they been stainless steel, I could have placed them in the fire! You may never have to face this situation but you should be prepared. We were found the next day, but having water readily available would have been very helpful. Guaranteed to last a lifetime.