Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through links on this site, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I’m also a Walmart Creator (#WalmartPartner), so I earn from qualifying Walmart purchases too. My opinions are my own and don’t represent Walmart.
We just had multiple power outages and a boil order where I live, so you’d better believe I’m stocking up on ways to keep water around. I live in a part of Illinois that’s apparently decided to join Tornado Alley, so storms are on my mind.
This Practical Survival 3-pack of collapsible water bags was sent to me to try. Three nice-size bags of water and a way to dispense it is exactly what I wanted, and I’m happy to have them in the house.
Quick Verdict
- Buy it if: you want water storage that tucks away until you need it
- Skip it if: you’d rather have one big jug than three smaller bags
- My favorite feature: turn the tap, get a cup of water, twist it shut
- Would I buy again? Yes
How the Practical Survival water bags fold down for storage
Empty, each bag folds down flat, so all three take up almost no room in a closet or a go-bag. You only open them up when you need them.
Each one holds 8 liters, which is 2.1 gallons or 281 oz. All three together hold just over 6 gallons.
Practical Survival 3-Pack Collapsible Water Bags
Three clear, BPA-free bags with carry handles and screw-in taps. Heads up: they’re showing as out of stock on Amazon right now, so the button may say unavailable until they’re back.
Practical Survival water bag specs
- Pack: 3 bags
- Capacity: 8 L, 2.1 gallons, 281 oz per bag
- Material: BPA-free, food-grade plastic
- Dispensing: screw-in spigot
- Carrying: molded handle on each bag
- Freezable: yes
- Warranty: 2 years
Who should keep these in a storm kit?
These are for you if outages, storms or water interruptions hit your area and you want drinking water on hand without lugging out a giant jug. When something goes down, I want every container I own filled with water, and these make that simple.
I keep them with the rest of my outage gear, like the BILTRTE solar lantern, the Pronly pocket radio and a box of BDH emergency ration bars.
If you want the water company’s number written down before the next boil order, I made a free who to call sheet for that over on Admin Arcade.
How do you fill and pour from these water bags?
Put the spigot on before you fill it, while the bag is still flat. I did this backwards, so learn from me. You have to push hard and turn at the same time to get it in nice and secure.
Then you fill it from the top. I used tap water, filled it partway for the test, and put the cap on. I set a cup under it, turned the spigot, and there’s the water. Twist it closed and it stops. That works well.
Little things I noticed while using them
- The handle: it’s molded right into the top of the bag, and you’ll want it. A full bag is 8 liters, which is about 17.5 pounds of water. Even not all the way full, it’s pretty heavy. You could do some weight lifting.
- It fits in the fridge: a full bag sat on my fridge shelf with the tap facing out, ready for a cold cup.
What I liked
- You get three bags in the box, not one.
- They’re not only for bad days. I’ll take one to the beach, and they’d work for picnics, road trips and sporting events too.
What to know before you buy
- Attach the spigot first. Trying to screw it in after the bag is full is a mess.
- A full bag is a lot of weight, so set it where you plan to keep it before you top it off.
Questions about storing emergency water in these bags
How much water should you store for an emergency?
Ready.gov says to store at least one gallon per person per day, for several days, to cover drinking and sanitation. Three full bags hold about 6.3 gallons, which is three days for two people. You’ll want more in hot weather.
How often should you change water you stored yourself?
Every six months, per Ready.gov. That goes for any tap water you store in containers at home, since it isn’t commercially bottled.
How do you clean a water container before filling it for storage?
Wash it with dish soap and water first. Then sanitize it with one teaspoon of unscented liquid household chlorine bleach per quart of water, which is the mix Ready.gov gives.
Can you freeze Practical Survival water bags?
Yes. They’re made to be freezable, so you can use a bag to keep things cold too.
Other water containers to compare
- JUJOYYS 3 Pack Foldable Water Storage Bags: the same 2.1 gallon size with spigots, and it adds two collapsible cups.
- Reliance Fold-A-Carrier 5 Gallon: a set of two 5 gallon carriers with a screw-on spout and a wide neck you can add ice through.
- Scepter Military Style 5 Gallon Water Jug: a rigid 5 gallon jug with a reversible spout, if you’d rather have something that holds its shape.
Would I keep Practical Survival water bags on hand?
Yes. Hopefully I never need them for an outage, and the only use they get is at the beach.
Where To Buy
A tool I built
Emergency Fund Aquarium
Log what you save at your own bank and watch your tank fill with creatures. Your money never moves through the app.
Start your tank →I run an affiliate program on the tools I build. Approved affiliates earn 20% on what their referrals pay, for up to a year. US only for now. See the program →
