Below, we outline some of our favorite accessories to pair with our top water bottle picks. Another tactic to keep water cold in more traditional bottles is filling half the bottle with water and freezing it the night before your hike. We typically pair the Squeeze with a Smartwater Bottle because the threads match up perfectly, and it makes for a really ultralight water filter system. Theyre super fun and good for the planet. & Klean Kanteen Classic Stainless Steel, Klean Kanteen and Lifefactory go above and beyond with their commitments to sustainability. With only two lid options, the Flip Lid for coffee sippin and the Twist Lid for water gulpin, the Microlite bottles are simple, but effective. If youre still sipping from that banged up old bottle you've had for a decade, its probably time for an upgrade. PROS: Affordable for an insulated bottle, excellent insulation, leakproof, fits in cup holder, easy to drink from spout, CONS: Fewer color and accessory options than others, no carry handle/loop. The low weight and compact design of the Flux make it great for any occasion, but it especially shines during travel or hiking and backpacking trips. Taking the dog for a walk? Best wide mouth water bottles: Hydro Flask Wide Mouth, Yeti Rambler, Nalgene Wide Mouth, Klean Kanteen TKWide Insulated & Takeya Actives Insulated. BOTTOM LINE: Hydro Flask is known for top-notch insulation, eye-catching color, and excellent accessories. If you can dream it (and it requires no heat, minimal effort, and the only ingredient is water) your water bottle can make it. WATER BOTTLE THAT COMES WITH ACCESSORIES MOST BRANDS SELL SEPARATELY, PROS: Many color options, accessories included (bottle boot, chug cap), leakproof, CONS: Lid is slightly less durable than others, heavy for backpacking, many wide mouth bottles dont fit in small cup holders. The Ultra can be used with pretty much any bottle, but we like to pair it with Smartwater Bottles because theyre the ideal size and shape for ultraviolet purifying. Its ultra-durable and the slender profile fits in cup holders and side pockets on daypacks. Youll have to carry the bottle and drink from it consider how the weight and temperature of your water will impact your hike. Or you could use your packs main compartment to store one. BOTTOM LINE: We often carry soft bottles as backup water storage on backpacking trips, but we never imagined wed enjoy using one on a daily basis. Not every backpack is well-suited to a shoulder-strap water bottle holder. Its not our first choice for everyday drinkage, but it works great as an in-flight water bottle or to keep in your commuter bag for those days when you accidentally leave the daily drinker at home. The Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Vacuum 32 oz. Best insulated water bottles: Yeti Rambler, Hydro Flask Wide Mouth, Hydro Flask Standard Mouth, Klean Kanteen TKWide Insulated & Takeya Actives Insulated, Best lightweight insulated water bottles: Hydro Flask Lightweight Wide-Mouth Trail Series & GSI Microlite 720, Best non-insulated water bottles: Nalgene Wide Mouth, Hydrapak Flux, Yomious Glass & Thermos Intak, The non-insulated Nalgene Wide Mouth (left) vs. the insulated Yeti Rambler Vacuum Bottle. Capacity: 64 ounces | Material: BPA-free plastic| Style: Removable straw cap with wide-mouth lid for easy refills. To get the most life out of your bottle, look for one thats made of stainless steel, doesnt flex, and doesnt have a lot of seams. The GSI Microlite 720 Bottle may not come in as many fun colors, but it insulates just as well as most of the competition. PROS: Durable, convenient carry clip, replaceable filter, light enough for backpacking, fits in cup holders, CONS: Hard to tell when the filter is no longer effective, cant be used with flavors/supplements (like MiO/Crystal Light), expensive. So get in the mix! Hydro Flask Lightweight Wide-Mouth Vacuum Water Bottle - 24 oz, What to Look for in Water Bottles and Carriers for Hiking. Lightweight Wide Mouth Trail Series and the 32 oz. Social media is great, but our bi-weekly newsletter is a much better way to stay in the know. BOTTOM LINE: Life can get hectic sometimes, and mundane tasks like remembering to drink two liters of water every day can fall by the wayside. Turn it into your personal chef - We dont know about you, but sometimes we just cant be bothered to cook in the backcountry. Klean Kanteen also makes the Classic Stainless Steel Water Bottle, which is a simple, non-insulated metal bottle with a classic design. BEST NON-INSULATED BUDGET WATER BOTTLE FOR EVERYDAY USE, PROS: Affordable, many color/pattern choices, measurement lines, easy to add ice/supplements, durable, dishwasher safe, lightweight, CONS: Not as durable as stainless steel bottles, many wide mouth bottles dont fit in small cup holders. If you prefer slender water bottles that fit in small cup holders and daypacks, check out the Nalgene On The Fly. CleverHiker.com 2022 - Privacy Policy - Terms of Use, Hydro Flask Lightweight Wide-Mouth Trail Series, Hyperlite Mountain Gear Versa Ultralight Fanny Pack, 24 oz. It comes standard with a silicone bottle boot and a leakproof chug cap, which in total would run you about $60 from some other brands on our list. Lightweight Trail Series water bottles which are 25% lighter than the original bottles. HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF INSULATED BOTTLES - Insulated bottle technology is pretty similar across the board, so these tips should help you keep your hots hot and your colds cold for longer: Pre-chill your bottle - putting some ice or cold water in your bottle before adding your cold beverage of choice will pre-chill the walls and air inside to maximize the cold-keeping properties. One of our favorite things about Nalgenes is that they come in so many different colors and patterns. The plastic comes off track easily and doesnt really do the trick. An additional carabiner gives kids the option to hang their bottle on a backpack strap or belt loop, avoiding the annoyance of holding a bottle the entire hike. Many soft bottles are awkward to drink from because theyre floppy. The 10 Best Blenders for Protein Shakes of 2022. The Actives Bottle is available in a few different colors, sizes, and lid options. Its important to only fill the bottle halfway before sticking it in the freezer, as the water expands when it solidifies to ice and may break your bottle. The Hydrapak Seeker is very similar to the Flux, and comes in 2L, 3L, and 4L sizes. If you have more questions or a suggestion, wed love to hear from you! Let the kids carry their own water in these 12-ounce silicone bottles from AceCamp. Chlorine Dioxide Drops & Pills - Chemical drops and pills are our top choice for weight, ease of use, and reliability. Less air is better - to maximize hot or cold insulation, its best to get your bottle as full as possible. Capacity: 16 ounces | Material: BPA-free Eastman Tritan co-polyester| Style: Wide-mouth lid (no straw). Even if you dont need two full liters, you can fill the bladder halfway and the rest will collapse accordingly. These are some of the most popular water bottles among hikers and backpackers because theyre ultralight yet durable. BOTTOM LINE: All these fancy insulated bottles can be pretty expensive nowadays, but GSI knows that good quality doesnt need to cost an arm and a leg. Is awkwardly reaching backwards into your pack inconvenient because youre not double jointed? 2022 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Water Bottle with Straw Lid 2.0 at Amazon, Nalgene Wide Mouth Water Bottle - 16 oz at Amazon, AceCamp 2-Pack Kids Water Bottle at Amazon, Brita Plastic Water Filter Bottle - 26 oz at Amazon, Platypus 2-Liter Ultralight Water Bottle at Amazon, Water Buffalo Hydration Pack Backpack at Amazon, Bottle Bottle Large Half Gallon Water Bottle at Amazon, Hydro Flask Lightweight Wide-Mouth Vacuum Water Bottle - 24 oz at REI, Best overall: The bottle is BPA-free, making it a safe, non-toxic option youll feel good about. (Bonus: It keeps your beererwater cold.). Maybe. (If you dont have any, rubber bands will work as well but arent as durable.). Then you need a good ol fashioned DIY water bottle holder! Clip it to your harness. Capacity: 32 ounces | Material: Stainless steel| Style: Straw lid. But before you look your remaining options (that involve spending money), give this alternative some consideration. We take a Smartwater Bottle or two on pretty much every backpacking trip we go on because theyre ultralight and they fit well in the side pockets of backpacking backpacks. BOTTOM LINE: The Yomious Glass Bottle is a great value with an excellent blend of style and durability. With over a dozen colors and designs to choose from - and new colorways every year - this bottle is a great fit for anyone. While every trail will vary in the equipment you should bring (overnight gear, boots, or the right backpack), theres one thing that should always be at the top of your priority list: water. To tie the aptly named jug knot, take a deep breath and follow the video below. Pre-warm your bottle - running hot tap water inside your bottle before filling it with your favorite hot drink will help keep the cold metal interior walls from sapping warmth from liquids. This method can also be a great way to practice Leave No Trace when youre above treeline or in environmentally sensitive areas where burying your doo-doo paper is an extra big no-no. That doesnt mean you can put any sort of liquid in it thoughlet hot drinks cool to lukewarm before adding them to this Yeti. USE - Determine what youll use your bottle for most to help you decide what size youll need. UNIQUE WATER BOTTLE WITH SMART COLLAPSIBLE DESIGN, PROS: Good value, many color choices, compact, convenient for travel (especially airline), leakproof, lightweight, fun & unique look, dishwasher safe, CONS: Slight silicone aftertaste for the first few uses, a little unstable standing on its own. We pack the Platy along anytime we expect to hit a long, dry stretch in the backcountry. BOTTOM LINE: The Lifestraw Go Filter is handy for those who prefer to filter tap water when out and about or for short backpacking trips. In general, plan for about a half-liter of water per hour of moderate exercise. You or your little sister probably has a million elastic hairbands lying around somewhere. Whether youre a fair-weathered hiker or a seasoned pro, hiking is an enjoyable way to meet your cardio goals as you explore some beautiful scenery. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. You can improvise this into a makeshift hiking water bottle holder. The Nalgene is also available in Narrow Mouth, which is easier to drink from while on the move. It has an easy-to-reach water tube means you dont have to waste time taking breaks to unscrew a water bottle lidinstead, just grab the bite-valve straw and take a sip. Water Buffalo Hydration Pack Backpack, The Best Hiking Backpacks for Every Kind of Trail, Best high-capacity: How much water should you bring on a hike? BOTTOM LINE: The Que Collapsible Bottle is a unique container that comes in a plethora of fun colors and collapses down to about the size of a soda can. (This method can also work as a makeshift holster for your hip belt for holding things like bear spray.). We love water bottles that can adapt to various situations with interchangeable lids and accessories. Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Water Bottle with Straw Lid 2.0, Best lightweight: You can attach them to the tiny loops on your backpacks shoulder straps. Choose a water bottle style youre most likely to drink from. A water bottles material will impact its weight, and often how cold it keeps your water. Im a firm believer that paracord saves lives, so I almost always have one on my person in the shape of a tactical, fashionable paracord bracelet. Casey Handley is an avid outdoor adventurer and self-described gear nerd. Theyre also more likely to fit in the cup holder of your car or the side pockets of smaller backpacks. Nalgene Wide Mouth Water Bottle - 16 oz, Best for kids: Do you clearly not own a hydration bladder with a straw? The BPA-free soft plastic and food-grade polyethylene lining don't retain flavors, so you wont have to worry about yesterdays Gatorade impacting todays waters taste. For the best tasting water, the filter should be replaced after 40 gallons (approximately two months). When youre done, give the bottle a couple good shakes and voila, you have oatmeal. We love pairing the Hydrapak Flux with the Katadyn BeFree water filter for ultralight backpacking. Slide the tie through the shoulder strap of your pack, cinch er up, and hit the trail! Filling up your bottle mid-hike is not only annoying, but it can also be risky. (Double check that your pack has some first!). If you liked this list, youll love the CleverHiker Gear Guide where we test and recommend tons of outdoor adventure gear from a variety of categories. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2022, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Climbing Moves, Holds, & Technique: The Beginners Guide, Gregory Baltoro 65 vs 75: Pack Comparison (2022), 12 Advanced Bouldering Tips to Get You to the Next Level, ENO SingleNest vs. ENO DoubleNest: A Buyers Guide. Slice a small hole a half inch from the top of the koozie. Then follow these 3 easy steps: 1. ALTERNATIVES TO SINGLE-USE PLASTIC - When making the choice to reduce plastic consumption, buying a reusable water bottle is often the first step people take. The Rambler bottles are the most durable water bottles weve ever used and the plethora of accessories you can pair with them (our favorites are the Cup Cap and the Straw Cap) are just as reliable. We love that we can adapt this bottle to any need by changing the lid or adding an accessory - the Straw Lid for convenience, the Flex Sip Lid for commuting, the standard Flex Cap for maximizing insulation, and the Bottle Sling for hands-free carrying, to name a few. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best That said, we still havent mastered the art of taking a big gulp from a wide-mouth bottle while on the move without dribbling all over our shirts. Dig in the couch cushions and find two of them. DURABILITY - A good water bottle can set you back a pretty penny, so finding one that can withstand years of adventuring with you is important. WIDE MOUTH - Wide-mouth bottles are easier to add ice or flavoring to and theyre much easier to clean by hand. The 13 Best Insulated Water Bottles of 2022, The 6 Best Water Bottles With Straws of 2022, The Best Glass Water Bottles for Easy, On-the-Go Hydration, The Best Shaker Bottles of 2022, According to a Personal Trainer, The Best Handheld Water Bottles, According to a Running Coach, The Best Blenders for Smoothies, According to a Dietitian, 10 Best Hydration Packs for Sports, According to a Running Coach, The 7 Best Food Processors of 2022, According to a Dietitian, All the Amazon Prime Day 2022 Deals You Can Still Shop For Under $50. Grayl Geopress - Water bottle that can purify water (takes out viruses, protozoa, bacteria). BOTTOM LINE: If youre looking for top-of-the-line quality and unmatched insulation power, the YETI Rambler is tough to beat. You still might need to fill your bottle on longer hikes, but choosing a bottle with a liquid capacity that doesn't require frequent refills (and wont be too heavy to carry) is always the best option. Here are some of our favorite tips and tricks weve picked up. When temperatures dip below freezing, we always sleep with our bottle in our sleeping bag or at least inside the tent. An additional waterproof strap provides an extra carrying option for the bottle. The American Hiking Society recommends consuming water slowly over the course of your hike to avoid dehydration. Capacity: 70 ounces | Material: BPA-free plastic bladder (nylon backpack)| Style: Bite-valve straw. BEST WATER BOTTLE FOR ULTRALIGHT BACKPACKING, MSRP: Typically $1.99/bottle at the grocery store, PROS: Ultralight for backpacking, compatible with Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter, fit in cup holders/backpack side pockets, CONS: Shorter lifespan than most other bottles (but will still last a long time if treated with care). With a stable base that stands upright when filled, this carrying option makes staying hydrated easy. The easiest solution is to dig out a deeper pool if youre able to so you can submerge your bottle for filling. The slim design can easily fit into cup holders and backpack pockets, while the wide mouth lid twists off quickly when you need to refresh. The next best solution is to find a spot where a stream of water (even if its just a few drops) is flowing over an edge and use a flat/wide leaf or your trowel to make a spout to feed into your bottle. How to fill a water bottle from shallow water sources - Weve encountered our fair share of sad trickles on the trail, and weve found some creative ways to overcome this challenge. We love the ergonomic shape and the drinking spout delivers bevvies to the face with precision. bottles are a common choice. We also highly recommend grabbing a set of their reusable Stainless Steel Straws. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon, Nuovoware Water Bottle Carrier Bag, Bottle Pouch Holder, Adjustable Shoulder Hand Strap 2 Pocket Sling Neoprene Sleeve Sports Water Bottle Bag for Men Women Kids Hiking Travelling Camping, Lucky Tree, YUOTO Waist Pack with Water Bottle Holder for Running Walking Hiking Hydration Belt, Smooth Trip Neoprene Water Bottle Holder and Carrier Bag with Adjustable Strap and Phone Case. Most eco-friendly water bottles: Yomious Glass, Klean Kanteen TKWide Insulated (also check out their reusable straws!) Having water on a hike ensures that youre able to meet your bodys need to hydrate. Your water bottle needs to carry enough water to sustain you throughout the entire hike.