You’re out on the trail, enjoying nature while engaging in some serious and beneficial physical activity. But with every step of your boots, you’re becoming dehydrated.
Unless you top-up your fluid reserves, your performance, mood and health will suffer. You could use a standard home flask or disposable plastic bottle. However, they’re usually inadequate to withstand the intense challenges of the outdoors.
The best hiking water bottles will ensure that you have a ready-supply of H2O. Then you can expect a safe and pleasurable trailblazing experience.
- Has capacity markings
- Made in the US
- Wide mouth & cap
- Double-wall insulation
- Pro-grade stainless steel
- Versatile
- Impressive insulation
- Easy drink access
- BPA-free
- Two-stage integrated filter
- Includes strap & carabiner
- Flip-top mouthpiece
- Collapsible
- Minimalist design
- Built for extremes
Why You Need the Best Hiking Water Bottles
Being in the great outdoors means escaping from the hustle and bustle of 21st-century life. While this offers incredible benefits to physical and mental health, it can also mean being away from readily available water sources.
If you become dehydrated while on your treks, this can lead to the concerning issues of:
- Loss of attention and poor memory (1).
- Reduction of motor skills.
- Decrease in physical performance (2).
- Lowering of muscle strength and endurance (3).
Not heading out into the countryside every weekend? The best hiking water bottles are still ideal for everyday home, town and work use.
Scarily, research shows that around 75 percent of Americans are chronically dehydrated (4). Keeping water close-by means you can continually top-up your reserves during the day — increasing both your physical and mental health.
How to Choose the Best Hiking Water Bottles
Before you dive in and purchase a hiking water bottle, there are a few factors to consider.
Material
The construction material of your water bottle influences two main areas — durability and weight. Most commonly, manufacturers make these H20 carries out of either plastic or stainless steel.
Undoubtedly, the stainless steel type is the strongest. Hence, if you’re into extreme trekking over rough and unforgiving terrain — or will be carrying the bottle in your backpack with other equipment — it may be the most beneficial type.
Plastic can suit less frequent or lighter endurance trailblazers. It has the advantage of being lighter than its metal counterparts. However, ensure your plastic bottle is BPA — Bisphenol A — free. BPA can induce serious health issues, such as infertility and cancer (5).
Insulation
Just because it’s a water bottle, it doesn’t mean that H2O is the only liquid you can carry.
Some of the best hiking water bottles can insulate your drinks and remain either hot or cold. That way, you can have your favorite beverage literally on tap.
Typically, their construction consists of two bottles — one inside the other. The gap in between holds a vacuum that prevents heat loss/gain through convection and conduction (6).
Capacity
Water bottles, especially insulated varieties, aren’t the lightest equipment for hiking. So it’s unlikely that you’ll carry more than one.
On seriously long treks, therefore, you should transport additional hydration in a larger water carrier on your back. You can then use this carrier to refill your bottle.
Hence, it’s unlikely, and somewhat pointless, to go for a higher capacity than 32 ounces. Those engaging in shorter walks — or with access to supplies while on their route — may prefer to opt for a smaller 18-ounce version.
Mouth Opening
Hiking water bottles have numerous methods of accessing the liquid inside. Here are the most common types:
- Screwcap: While they offer a secure lid that’s unlikely to leak, they can be cumbersome to use on the move and awkward to open when wearing gloves.
- Quick access: These can be straws, flip lids or push-pull caps, allowing you to access your liquids one-handed. The downside is, they’re more difficult to clean than screw-tops and, therefore, require frequent sanitization.
- Wide or narrow mouth: The narrow mouths are more comfortable to drink from and make it less likely to spill — and waste — precious water down your chin. Wider mouths enable you to place large ice cubes in the bottle and are more practical to fill and clean.
The Best Hiking Water Bottles of 2020
We invested hours examining the top products on the market, dove into customer feedback, considered the opinions of hiking experts and combined these with our insights. This has led to our choice of the best hiking water bottles currently available.
1. Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth Water Bottle
This hiking water bottle could be ideal for those who want a practical, no-nonsense beverage container without any frills, at a price that won’t break the bank.
Made from durable and BPA-free Tritan co-polyester, it’s dishwasher safe and impact-resistant.
There are over 70 choices of cap and body color combinations — including glow-in-the-dark options.
This may appeal to those people who want a bottle to match their particular aesthetic preferences.
Why We Love It
Capacity Markings
Unusually for a hiking water bottle, it has measurement gradings. You’ll find them in milliliters and ounces printed on the outside of the container.
If you’re mixing drinks — say, an energy powder for an intense hike — this could prove invaluable. Furthermore, if you’re monitoring your daily fluid intake, you can easily keep track throughout the day.
Made in the USA
If provenance is vital in your purchases, you may welcome the fact that this hiking bottle is made in the USA. Furthermore, this tried and tested design of this product hasn’t changed in the last 20 years.
Wide Mouth and Cap
The wide mouthpiece — 2.48 inches — will fit most water filters and purifiers. Additionally, it will allow you to easily wash your hands while out in the field.
A loop-top ensures that the cap won’t become lost if you remove it. Plus, it provides a handy finger hold when on the move.
Keep In Mind
Lacking in Features
True, the minimalist nature of this hiking bottle may appeal to many. However, the lack of insulation, flip-top, filter and understated appearance might deter some outdoor enthusiasts.
Disappointing Glow-In-The-Dark
Some users find that the promised glow-in-the-dark feature is quite underwhelming. Apparently, it doesn’t really aid with location in dimly lit conditions.
Additional Specs
| Construction Material | BPA-free Tritan |
| Size | 3.5 x 9.1 inches |
| Weight | 6.25 ounces |
| Color Choice | 70+ cap and bottle combinations |
| Capacity | 32 fluid ounces |
2. Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Water Bottle
This may prove to be one of the best hiking water bottles for those outdoor enthusiasts. If you’re one of those who demand a seriously wide mouth, you’ll love its 2.28-inch opening.
Vacuum insulation will keep your drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot for 12 hours.
Furthermore, a lifetime warranty means you can use this container in extreme conditions. You can have full confidence that it’s not going to let you down.
Why We Love It
Double-Wall Insulation
This water bottle incorporates the manufacturer’s bespoke Tempshield technology. It promises to keep your liquids hot or cold, whatever your hiking environment.
Pro-Grade Stainless Steel
By using food-grade 18/8 (304) stainless steel for the casing, the manufacturers have provided more than just a durable bottle. This high-quality metal will ensure no flavor transfer from the flask to your drink.
Versatility
If the 32-ounce capacity doesn’t exactly fit your requirements, there are alternatives. While retaining the 2.28-inch mouth, this bottle is also available in 18, 40, and an enormous 64-ounce variety.
Furthermore, if you want something different to the wide-mouth option, fret not. Additional straw and flip lids are available separately for the ultimate in versatility.
Exterior Powder Coating
The manufacturer has powder-coated the stainless steel casing. This increases the durability of the bottle. It also enables you to maintain a secure grip in gloved or perspiring hands.
Keep In Mind
On the Heavy Side
The solid stainless steel construction, combined with both the size and insulation features of this water bottle, gives a weight of 15.5 ounces.
This is the heaviest bottle in our top picks and may be considered too hefty for those looking for light hiking. Many users feel the same too.
Additional Specs
| Construction Material | Stainless Steel |
| Size | 3.56 x 9.1 inches |
| Weight | 15.5 ounces |
| Color Choice | 18 |
| Capacity | 32 fluid ounces |
3. CamelBak Chute Vacuum Insulated Stainless Water Bottle
This hiking water bottle boasts highly-efficient vacuum insulation. It may prove ideal for hikers who demand their drinks remain hot or cold during extensive trekking.
A unique spout design enables one-handed operation, reducing the likelihood of spilling your precious liquids.
Furthermore, this stainless steel bottle has an anti-slip finish to promote a good grip. It also incorporates a handle to allow connection to a carabiner.
Why We Love It
Impressive Insulation
The vacuum casing will keep drinks cold for up to 48 hours or ensures they stay hot for up to eight hours.
Easy Drink Access
With the screw-cap, just half a turn releases the lid, meaning that you can access the drink with one hand. Then, you can choose to either allow the cap to hang from a retaining lanyard or click securely out of the way into the handle.
Additionally, you can remove the entire top section of the hiking water bottle to provide a wide mouth. This is ideal for refilling or adding ice cubes or tea bags.
BPA-Free
While stainless steel forms the sturdy case of this durable water bottle, the lid consists of BPA-free polypropylene. This will ensure that your health isn’t at risk.
Simple to Clean
As you can completely remove the upper lid to reveal a wide mouth, it enables you to use a dish brush to clean the insides easily. Furthermore, the cap assembly is safe for the top rack of your dishwasher, preventing the build-up of germs and microbes.
Keep In Mind
Low Capacity
This water bottle holds 20 fluid ounces of liquid. Some users find this inadequate for the length of their hikes or find it means frequent refilling from an alternative water source.
Additional Specs
| Construction Material | Stainless Steel |
| Size | 4 x 2.75 x 9 inches |
| Weight | 10.9 ounces |
| Color Choice | 10 |
| Capacity | 20 fluid ounces |
4. LifeStraw Go Water Bottle with Filter
This hiking water bottle features a two-stage filter.
As such, it may be the perfect selection for those who lack access to guaranteed clean water while outdoors.
Despite its water-cleansing function and substantial 23-ounce capacity, it remains impressively lightweight at 7.8 ounces.
Why We Love It
Two-Stage Integrated Filter
This simple-to-use bottle will ensure you’re consuming clean water — even when using lakes or streams as your source. Simply fill the container, attach the cap with integrated filter straw, and drink.
The first stage — hollow fiber membrane — removes waterborne bacteria, including E-coli and Salmonella. Furthermore, it eliminates protozoa, such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium.
The second stage carbon filter expels odors, chlorine and unpleasant tastes.
Includes Strap and Carabiner
A nylon strap and carabiner enables you to attach this hiking water bottle to your backpack easily.
Importantly, this strap is on the bottle body, not the cap. Hence, if you’re filling the container from waterfalls or fast-flowing streams, you can secure it onto a wrist lanyard. This means that, should you accidentally drop the bottle, you’re not going to lose it downstream.
Flip-Top Mouthpiece
To drink, you flip the cap with your thumb to reveal an easily-cleanable silicone mouthpiece. The straw feature ensures that you’re unlikely to experience any spillage, even if you accidentally drop the bottle.
Keep In Mind
Requires Replacement Filters
Naturally, over time, you’ll need to replace the filters. The manufacturer indicates that the carbon filter will last for 100 liters. The fiber membrane, on the other hand, will require changing after 1,000 liters.
No Insulation
As this hiking bottle is for collecting liquids while on the move, there’s little reason to have insulation. Hence, even if you remove the filter for use as a “standard” bottle it won’t keep beverages hot or cold.
Additional Specs
| Construction Material | BPA-free Tritan |
| Size | 3.1 x 9.2 inches |
| Weight | 7.8 ounces |
| Color Choice | 15 |
| Capacity | 23 fluid ounces |
5. ManlyCamp Collapsible Water Bottle
Do you want to save space and reduce weight while you hike? Then, this could be one of the best hiking bottles for your requirements.
This bottle, made from platinum silicone, weighs just 8 ounces and can be collapsed when not in use.
A wide mouth feature promotes fast-flowing liquid.
This feature is ideal for when you demand some serious and immediate hydration on intense hikes.
Why We Love It
Collapsible
Due to its silicone construction, you can roll-up this bottle into a quarter of its original size. Not only does this allow you to save space in your backpack, but it also enables this bottle to fit into clothing pockets.
Minimalist Design
Straws, flip-lids and clips all have their place, but the dedicated outdoor prepper may consider them unnecessary frills.
This product brings it all back to basics, removing any extra additions that could break and delivering nothing but a rugged, leakproof and shatterproof bottle.
Built for Extremes
This bottle will cope with the harshest of environments — safe from -4 to 240 degrees Fahrenheit. Furthermore, these temperature tolerances mean you can place it both in the dishwasher and freezer.
Strap
The nylon strap allows you to attach this hiking water bottle to your backpack, belt or survival vest. Additionally, when collapsed, it tightens around the condensed bottle to ensure it retains its compact shape.
Keep In Mind
Lacks Insulation
The minimalist design means that this water bottle has little insulating features. Your beverages will be at the ambient temperature.
Screw Top
The large screw lid on this bottle dictates that one-handed opening is incredibly tricky. Furthermore, the wide-mouth — 1.75 inches — opening may not appeal to all users.
Additional Specs
| Construction Material | Silicone |
| Size | 2 x 9.75 inches |
| Weight | 8 ounces |
| Color Choice | 1 |
| Capacity | 22 fluid ounces |
| Product | Best | Material | Size | Weight | Color | Capacity |
| Nalgene Tritan Water Bottle | Budget Pick | BPA-free Tritan | 3.5 x 9.1″ | 6.25 oz | 70+ | 32 fluid oz |
| Hydro Flask Water Bottle | Wide Mouth Lid | Stainless Steel | 3.56 x 9.1″ | 15.5 oz | 18 | 32 fluid oz |
| CamelBak Chute Vacuum Bottle | Insulation | Stainless Steel | 4 x 2.75 x 9″ | 10.9 oz | 10 | 20 fluid oz |
| LifeStraw Go Water Bottle | Filtering | BPA-free Tritan | 3.1 x 9.2″ | 7.8 oz | 15 | 23 fluid oz |
| ManlyCamp Collapsible Water Bottle | Survivalists | Silicone | 2 x 9.75″ | 8 oz | 1 | 22 fluid oz |
One Final Drink
When you’re powering through the great outdoors, you need to stay hydrated.
The best hiking water bottles enable you to carry your fluids safely, whatever harsh conditions you experience. You can then stay focused and energized for the challenges ahead.
Consider your needs. Is keeping your drinks hot/cold crucial, or are you happy just to have sufficient water in your backpack? Perhaps you prefer sipping through a straw? Or do you require the full-rush of liquid that only a wide mouthpiece can deliver?
Whatever your preferences, keep those fluids flowing.
