April 25, 2023

What are the best water bottles for a hike?

In my research, I examined various sources, including Reddit discussions, outdoor gear websites, and water bottle brand-specific forums. There was a general consensus on some of the best water bottles for hiking, with a few popular options being recommended across multiple sources. However, preferences varied depending on individual needs and hiking conditions. The sources I found were closely related to the original query, but some uncertainty remains due to the variety of personal preferences and experiences.

Words

470

Time

2m 46s

Contributors

57

Words read

25.1k


Jump to research

Composed by

Profile picture

T. R.

Views

4425

Version history

T. R., 598d ago

Have an opinion? Send us proposed edits/additions and we may incorporate them into this article with credit.

Sawyer Squeeze

Sawyer Squeeze

The Sawyer Squeeze was recommended in a Reddit discussion as a good water filtration system for hiking. Users also mentioned the convenience of pairing it with a cnoc bag and smart water bottles. However, one user noted that they experienced a bag rupture on a hike, which led them to recommend Aquamira as an alternative.
Aquamira

Aquamira

Aquamira was suggested as another water filtration option, praised for having various filtration options and excellent customer service. Their website provides more information on their offerings: https://www.aquamira.com/
Hydro Flask Standard Mouth

Hydro Flask Standard Mouth

According to Switchback Travel, the Hydro Flask Standard Mouth is the best insulated water bottle for hiking, praised for its excellent insulating capabilities and premium build. However, it is heavier than wide-mouth bottles and harder to clean.
Nalgene Wide Mouth

Nalgene Wide Mouth

The Nalgene Wide Mouth bottle is recommended as a budget-friendly and durable option for hiking. It is also mentioned in a Reddit discussion as a popular choice for its durability and lightweight design.
Platypus Platy 2.0L
CamelBak Eddy+ 25 oz. Renew

CamelBak Eddy+ 25 oz. Renew

The CamelBak Eddy+ 25 oz. Renew is recommended as the best water bottle with a straw for hiking. It is also mentioned in The Hiking Adventure as a budget-friendly option.
Klean Kanteen TKWide Recycled Insulated

Klean Kanteen TKWide Recycled Insulated

The Klean Kanteen TKWide Recycled Insulated bottle is considered the best overall water bottle by Outdoor Gear Lab. It offers excellent insulation and has a wide mouth for easy cleaning and drinking.
Nomader Collapsible Water Bottle

Nomader Collapsible Water Bottle

The Nomader Collapsible Water Bottle is recommended as the best collapsible water bottle for hiking. It offers a space-saving design, making it an ideal choice for those looking to minimize their gear.
Epic Nalgene OG

Epic Nalgene OG

The Epic Nalgene OG is recommended as the best built-in water filter bottle for hiking. It is designed to fit most common water filters and allows for one-handed operation. In conclusion, there are many great water bottle options for hiking, depending on individual preferences and needs. The Sawyer Squeeze, Aquamira, Hydro Flask, Nalgene Wide Mouth, Platypus Platy 2.0L, CamelBak Eddy+ 25 oz. Renew, Klean Kanteen TKWide Recycled Insulated, Nomader Collapsible, and Epic Nalgene OG are all popular choices among hikers.

Jump to top

Research

Source: "WATER BOTTLES AND HYDRATION GEAR" (from reddit, r/CampingGear)

  • Types of water containers:
    • Hard bottles:
      • Plastic water bottles:
        • Wide mouth technology is helpful for loading, drinking, and cleaning
        • Loop-Top bottles with attached caps are useful
        • Made of BPA-free and BPS-free materials
      • Soda bottles:
        • Good for backpacking and light packing
        • Limitations include not being suitable for holding hot water
      • Metal water bottles:
        • Made of food-grade stainless steel and various sizes are available
        • They keep liquids cooler in warm weather than plastic and warmer in cold weather for up to 6 hours
        • A lacquered inside stops fruit juice or sports drinks from dissolving the metal and tainting the drink
        • Harder to carry around since they are 3-4 times as heavy as plastic water bottles of the same size
      • Thermos/Flask:
        • Very useful in winter and cold temperatures
        • Quality ones can keep liquids hot for up to 12 hours and cold for up to 24 hours
        • Ideal for backpacking, hiking, camping, and traveling
    • Squeeze bottles:
      • Collapsible water bottles:
        • Ergonomic design offers an easy grip, tip, and sip and flattens and rolls up when empty to save space
        • Made of nylon, polyethylene, silicone, or another light and durable material
      • Squeeze water bottles:
        • Made of LDPE or polyurethane, they are light and handy
        • Ideal for cycling, yoga and fitness, running, travel, camping, and hiking
        • They have a valve, instead of a regular cap, which operates with a squeeze
        • Not good for holding hot liquids
    • Hydration systems:
      • Hydration packs:
        • Designed principally to transport water and make drinking convenient and efficient
        • With most hydration packs, you don’t have to stop, or even slow down, to take a sip of water because of the drink tube that’s connected to the included water bladder
      • Hiking packs:
        • Hydration compatible packs with a special pocket for water bladders
        • They have become more and more popular in the last few years and are easily available
      • There are various kinds of insulated water bottles and bladder covers
    • Storing and Maintenance:
      • It’s best to store water containers uncapped, so they can fully dry and not become musty
      • Wash containers regularly to prevent the buildup of dirt, especially around the screw threads
  • Individual preferences:
    • Some people prefer to use Platypus or soft bottles
    • Nalgenes may be too heavy for extended outdoor adventures
  • None

Source: "Which size do you like the most and why?" (from reddit, r/Hydroflask)

  • Best water bottle sizes for a hike:

    • 20 oz wide mouth/21oz standard mouth. They fit in hands and car’s cupholder.

    • 32 oz is popular for long hikes, or to keep water intake goals. However, it’s too big for some people with smaller hands.

    • 40 oz is the favorite, as it holds a lot of water and doesn’t need to be refilled as often. Also, it’s slender and tall enough to fit most cupholders.

    • 18-24 oz bottles are ideal for short hikes, lugging, and more comfortable to carry. They come in both mouth sizes to fit ice cubes.

    • 64 oz for people who drink a lot of water at home.

  • Additional advice:

    • To stay hydrated and save space, bring a carabiner and clip the bottle onto the backpack.

    • Use a bottle carrying bag from rockgearmtn.com for easy access to the bottle during hiking.

    • Consider purchasing a car cup holder extension if your bottle doesn’t fit in your car’s cup holder.

Source: "The 5 Best Water Bottles of 2023 | Tested by Ge..." (from web, www.outdoorgearlab.com)

  • Best Overall Water Bottle:
    • Klean Kanteen TKWide Recycled Insulated
    • Well insulated to keep ice for hours
    • Wide mouth for easy cleaning/drinking
    • Stainless steel straw insert and carrying handle
  • Best Bang for the Buck:
    • CamelBak Eddy+ Tritan Renew
    • Lightweight and durable BPA-free plastic
    • Spill-resistant straw
    • Inexpensive
  • Best Value for an Insulated Bottle:
    • Simple Modern Summit
    • Very insulative
    • Interchangeable lids
    • Made from 18/8 stainless steel
  • Best Filter Bottle:
    • Brita Stainless Steel Filter Bottle
    • Sleek design and durable
    • Leak-proof flip cap
    • Lacks versatility (best for only water)
  • Best Collapsible Bottle:
    • Platypus DuoLock SoftBottle
    • Lightweight and portable
    • Useful and durable carabiner clip
    • Lacks overall durability and is hard to clean
  • No other relevant information on webpage.

Source: "if you could only pick one hydroflask model, wh..." (from reddit, r/Hydroflask)

  • According to the comments, the best Hydro Flask water bottles for hiking are:

    • 32 oz wide mouth (easier to clean and add ice, but doesn’t fit in cup holders)

    • 20 oz wide mouth coffee with flex sip (looks like the 20 oz wide mouth water bottle, but also good for coffee drinkers, can fit in most car cup holders)

    • 16 oz or 20 oz wide mouth (easy to clean, good size for a quick walk or to get a hot drink in, small and lightweight, fits in cup holders)

    • 24 oz standard mouth (fits in cup holders, good size for taking on the go, easy to fit regular-sized ice cubes, can get a paracord handle to make it a unique gift)

  • One user recommended getting some opinions from the bridal party before making a decision.

None of the comments mentioned any other types of water bottles or brands specific to hiking.

Source: "What is the best backpacking water bottles that..." (from reddit, r/backpacking)

  • Platypus collapsible bottles weigh 1oz each, per Amazon
    • Nalgene version also available
  • Nalgene bottles are durable/long-lasting, but weigh a bit
  • Grocery store/gas station water bottles are lightest
  • MSR Dromedary bag is heavy but durable
    • Available in “light” version
  • Camelback or equivalent bladder with hose is a good option for drinking while moving
    • Platypus and Vapur make collapsible bottles for additional storage
  • Unlubricated condoms are a lightweight option in a pinch
  • A combination of a 2-3L Platypus collapsible and a 1L Nalgene is popular
    • Platypus used as camp supply, Nalgene used for filling the Platypus and as on-the-trail bottle
  • Two empty 32oz Powerade bottles are lightweight and disposable

💭  Looking into

What are the benefits of an insulated water bottle for a hike?

💭  Looking into

What are the main factors to consider when buying the best water bottle for a hike?

💭  Looking into

What is the weight of the CamelBak Chute Mag 750 ml?

💭  Looking into

What is the capacity range of the CamelBak Eddy+ 25 oz. Renew?

💭  Looking into

What is the capacity range of the Platypus Platy 2.0L?

💭  Looking into

What is the capacity range of the Nalgene Wide Mouth?

💭  Looking into

What is the average weight of the Hydro Flask Standard Mouth?

Source: "Best Water Bottles for Hiking of 2023 | Switchb..." (from web, www.switchbacktravel.com)

  • Best Water Bottles for Hiking of 2023:
    • Best Insulated Water Bottle:
      • Hydro Flask Standard Mouth:
        • Daily use
        • 13.1 oz. in weight
        • Insulated
        • Capacities: 18, 21, 24 fl. oz.
        • Excellent insulating capabilities and premium build.
        • Keeps drinks hot for 12 hours and cold for 24 hours
        • Heavy for hiking and harder to clean than a wide-mouth bottle.
        • $40
        • Trail series: Lightweight Wide Mouth ($45)
    • Best Budget/Plastic Water Bottle:
      • Nalgene Wide Mouth:
        • Hiking/daily use
        • 6.3 oz. in weight
        • Not Insulated
        • Capacities: 16, 32, 48 fl. oz.
        • Light, cheap, and durable.
        • Less appealing than Hydro Flask above for cold or hot beverages
        • Under $20
        • Ultralite version: 3.8 ounces, less durable
      • Newer series: Sustain, incorporates recycled plastic from single-use bottles for around the same price.
    • Best Ultralight and Packable Soft-Sided Bottle:
      • Platypus Platy 2.0L:
        • Hiking
        • 1.3 oz. in weight
        • Not Insulated
        • Capacity: 70 fl. oz.
        • Feathery light and highly packable—perfect for stuffing into a pack
        • Flexible shape often requires two hands for drinking and pouring.
        • Soft plastic doesn’t hold its shape very well
        • $16
        • SoftBottle collection: carabiner-equipped model for hanging off a harness while climbing
    • Best Water Bottle with a Straw:
      • CamelBak Eddy+ 25 oz. Renew:
        • Hiking/daily use
        • 6.6 oz. in weight
        • Not Insulated
        • Capacities: 20, 25, 32 fl. oz.
        • Well-designed straw makes drinking very easy.
        • More components mean it takes longer to clean
        • Light, well made, affordably priced, and all most people need.
        • All share the same well-designed straw lid
        • $16
        • Stainless steel variations available for a sizable boost in cold retention
        • LifeStraw-equipped models filter out bacteria, parasites, microplastics, and unwanted chemicals
    • Best Water Bottle with a Built-In Filter:
      • Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System 1.0L:
        • Filter/hiking
        • 2.2 oz. in weight
        • Not Insulated
        • Capacities: 20, 34 fl. oz.
        • Water filtration in an ultralight and compressible package.
        • Soft-sided, lacks the stiff build of the stainless steel and hard-sided plastic models
        • Two hands required for drinking and filling
        • Filters, but doesn’t purify
        • Good for most natural sources
        • $50
        • Treats up to 1,000 liters of water before needing to be replaced
      • Grayl Geopress: adds in purification, better for international travel in less developed regions when viruses are more of a concern.
    • Best of the Rest:
      • YETI Rambler Vacuum Bottle with Chug Cap 26 oz.:
        • Daily use
        • 1 lb. 6.4 oz. in weight
        • Insulated
        • Capacities: 18, 26, 36, 46, 64 fl. oz.
        • One of our favorite lid designs in this category.
        • The heaviest bottle on our list and too big for cup holders.
        • For those who prioritize drinkability above all else.
        • $40
      • Hydro Flask Lightweight Wide Mouth Trail 24 oz.:
        • Daily use/hiking
        • 9.9 oz. in weight
        • Insulated
        • Capacities: 21, 24, 32 fl. oz.
        • Lighter than standard Hydro Flasks without sacrificing much insulating performance.
        • Expensive and still fairly heavy for hiking.
        • $45.

Source: "Best Water Bottles for Hiking and Backpacking 2..." (from web, thehikingadventure.com)

  • Best Water Bottles for Hiking:

    • Best Overall: CamelBak Chute with Tritan Renew
    • Best for Budget: Nalgene Tritan
    • Best Collapsible Water Bottle: Nomader Collapsible Water Bottle
    • Best Built-in Water Filter Bottle: Epic Nalgene OG
    • Best for Built-in Straw: Camelbak Eddy with Tritan Renew Straw Top
  • Nalgene Tritan 32oz Wide Mouth BPA-Free Water Bottle:

    • Made from Eastman Tritan co-polyester, so it’s lightweight, sturdy, leak-proof and impact-resistant
    • Dishwasher safe and won’t retain odors
    • BPA-free with no plastic smell or taste
    • Wide mouth makes it easy to throw ice in and to clean
    • The measuring lines on the side wore off quite quickly
    • While it is tough, the plastic scratches easily
  • CamelBak Chute Mag 32oz Water Bottle with Tritan Renew:

    • Durable construction and leak-proof
    • Angled spout allows for high flow without any spilling
    • 100% free from BPA and BPS
    • Cap only requires a half-turn to secure or remove
    • Spout cap has thread on the inside which makes drinking more comfortable
    • Leaks a little if the cap isn’t on 100% tight
  • Nomader Collapsible Water Bottle – Leak Proof Twist Cap – BPA Free, 22 Ounce:

    • Bottle is collapsible and lightweight – great for gram-weenie backpackers
    • Durable construction and comes with a lifetime warranty
    • Locking twist cap requires only a half turn and is leak-proof
    • Wide mouth allows for quick filling and easy cleaning
    • LFGB certified, BPA-free and no plastic taste or odor
    • A little pricey
    • Silicon material has a nice feel but tends to attract dust and lint
  • The Coldest Water Bottle 21 oz Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Hydro Travel Mug:

    • Insulation works well and keeps liquid cold for a long time
    • Made from stainless steel so it’s super durable
    • Clever design results in zero condensation on the outside
    • No mouth spout so you need to unscrew the cap to drink
    • Double volume stainless steel construction makes it heavy
  • MIRA 40 oz, 32 oz or 18 oz Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Wide Mouth Water Bottle:

    • High capacity (40 oz) insulated water bottle
    • Made from 18/8 stainless steel – durable construction
    • Bottle doesn’t sweat i.e no condensation
    • Keeps liquid cold for up to 24 hours and warm beverages hot for up to 12 hours
    • Screw lid is secured by tag and ring
    • Not dishwasher safe
    • It’s big and heavy
  • Capacity – How much water do I need on a hike?

    • Aim for around 32 ounces, or 1 liter, of water every two hours
    • If you’re not too sure then it’s best to be safe and go for a 32 oz, or larger, capacity
  • Material

    • Make sure plastic bottles are free from BPA and other nasty plasticizers
    • LFGB-certified bottles go through a more thorough test and are typically more expensive as a result
    • Insulated stainless steel option is indestructible and keeps liquid cold
  • Bottle Mouth and Cap

    • Wide-mouth will be far easier to fill from a stream
    • Drinking from a wide mouth bottle may or may not be to your liking though
    • Make sure you secure the lid or cap to the bottle

Source: "14 Best Hiking Water Bottle & Buying Guide 2022..." (from web, www.5starbottles.com)

  • Best Water Bottles for a Hike:
    • Lifestraw Pek Series Collapsible Squeeze 1L Water Bottle with Filter
    • Yeti Rambler 26oz Bottle with Chug Cap
    • Brita Fill & Go Active 600ml (20oz)
    • CamelBak Chute Mag 750ml (25oz)
    • Nalgene Wide Mouth 1-liter (32oz)
    • CamelBak Eddy+ 750ml (25oz)
    • Hydro Flask Wide Mouth 1-liter (32oz)
    • Sigg Water Bottle Total Clear
    • Lifeventure Tritan 650ml (22oz)
    • Sigg Traveller Water Bottle 600ml (20oz)
    • Camelbak Podium Ice
    • Klean Kanteen Insulated Reflect 600ml (20oz)
    • The Gym Keg
    • Vapur Foldable Bottle And Drinklink Hydration System
  • Factors to Consider When Buying Best Hiking Water Bottles:
    • Weight
    • Materials
    • Features and Extras
  • None on “How To Carry Water When Hiking?”
  • None on “Our Verdict”

Source: "The 14 Best Hiking Water Bottles for Lightweigh..." (from web, www.self.com)

  • The best water bottle for a hike is one that you will actually drink from. —- Staying hydrated is important, especially when spending time outside, exercising, and sweating.
  • Taking into account average water intake and the difficulty of the hike is recommended as a guideline when packing water for a hike.
  • For a leisurely day hike, a standard reusable water bottle not necessarily made for hiking will suffice, but an insulated water bottle is recommended for hot weather.
  • A more specialized bottle or hydration pack will come in handy for multitasking and space-saving. —- There are a variety of bottles available, including ones from top brands like Nalgene, Hydro Flask, Platypus, etc. —- These bottles are available for purchase from retailers like REI, Backcountry, Amazon, and more.
  • “The 14 Best Hiking Water Bottles for Lightweight Hydration in 2022” are featured in the article. —- The article is from the SELF website and is independently selected by their editors. —- If you buy something through their retail links, they may earn an affiliate commission.

Source: "best water bottle/filtration system?" (from reddit, r/hiking)

  • Webpage:

    • URL: https://www.reddit.com/r/hiking/comments/p7g8vv/best_water_bottlefiltration_system/

    • Title: “best water bottle/filtration system?”

    • Post date: 1 year, 8 months ago

    • Subreddit: r/hiking

    • Upvotes: 2 points

    • User: Long-time lurker, first-time poster.

    • Query: What are everyone’s favorite water purification systems? Bottles, filters, I’m flexible. Info: I have a bladder for my 22-25 L (I can’t remember) frameless backpack, along with probably 10 Nalgene’s in various sizes I will also be bringing, & storage isn’t an issue.

    • Comments:

      • Posted by a reddit user

        • Upvotes: 5 karma

        • Recommendation: Sawyer squeeze, cnoc bag and smart water bottles.

      • Posted by a reddit user

        • Upvotes: 3 karma

        • Recommendation: Aquamira water filtration system. They have all sorts of filtration options and great customer service.

        • Website: https://www.aquamira.com/

      • Posted by a reddit user

        • Upvotes: 1 karma

        • Recommendation: Sawyer squeeze. Small, not too expensive and does the job. Bit small of a backpack though for hiking. I wouldn’t go with less as my 40L.

💭  Looking into

What is the best water bottle for hiking?