Well, that聮s an interesting question. But I think I can help. I just learned about a company called AquaLite. They聮ve developed a proprietary system for reducing the weight and bulk of water by nearly 99 percent. A day聮s supply of water can be carried in a very small bottle. Then, to restore the AquaLite to a drinkable gallon, you simply add a scant four quarts of water. Presto!
The Wide-Mouth CanteenBlast. It isn聮t even April 1. But I do like the idea. The fact is, there just isn聮t a good way to carry a lot of water. Aside from the shocking weight (nearly nine pounds for a gallon), there is the bulk and the sloshing.
About the best thing I have come across is the Wide-Mouth Canteen ($10.50). It聮s a big, soft (meaning, collapsible) water bottle that holds three quarts (96 ounces). It has a big, wide mouth (standard Nalgene bottle size) for easy filling or use with filters, and is made of tough, food-grade polyethylene. It packs down as you empty it, and when fully empty it doesn聮t weigh very much at all聴a few ounces.
But, pray tell, where in Ohio can you hike without finding water? I聮m hard-pressed to think of any place where you聮d need to carry water, outside of a couple of desert areas, and even then there usually are marked springs at tolerable intervals. Are you sure it聮s not easier to carry an MSR Miniworks ($85) filter? Lighter, for sure.