Carrying a reliable water bottle is essential for any hiking adventure, as dehydration can lead to fatigue, headaches, and even serious health risks.
After extensive research and product testing, we have compiled a list of the best water bottles for hiking. Our team of experts has tested each product for its durability, insulation, capacity, and ease of use.
Whether you prefer a lightweight option for a day hike or a larger capacity bottle for longer treks, our list includes options that will suit all your needs. Join us as we explore the top picks for the best water bottles for hiking in 2024.
The Top 3 Water Bottles for Hiking
Don’t have time to read the full article? No dramas. Here is a quick snapshot with the Top 3 hiking water bottle recommendations:
Hydro Flask 32 oz: The Best Insulated Water Bottle
The double-wall vacuum seal insulation of this steel Hydro Flask 32-ounce insulated bottle keeps water ice cold for up to 24 hours. Its weight is 0.09 pounds, but it can weigh up to 2 pounds upon filling.
This insulated bottle is reusable and free from BPA and phthalates and made with stainless steel. The outer layer is a powder coating that won’t sweat. It’s dishwasher-safe and easy to clean.
The bottle fits most backcountry hydration filters. I prefer to use water bottles with an outer coating that won’t sweat, as it keeps everything in your backpack dry. These stainless steel bottles keep ice in them for long periods and, as mentioned, up to 24 hours.
Considering it’s likely that your hike will be shorter than that, you will have the opportunity to refresh and refill your bottle along your hike, keeping your bottle full of cold water throughout the trek.
If you are going for a longer hike and you will not have options to refill your bottle, you can be confident the Hydro Flask insulated water bottle will keep your liquids cold for up to a 24-hour time frame. This bottle is complete with a plastic straw lid.
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CamelBak Eddy+ Water Bottle with Straw 32oz: The Best Stainless Steel Bottle
CamelBak Eddy+ Water Bottle 32 oz is an insulated stainless steel bottle that is leakproof, spillproof and it has a straw. It is leakproof when the cap is closed and spillproof when it is open.
This stainless steel bottle is BPA, BPS, and BPF-free and dishwasher safe. CamelBak has enhanced this bottle to produce 25% more water with each sip with the help of a redesigned bite valve to keep you hydrated.
This particular feature is essential when hiking, as staying hydrated is part of the most critical aspects of your safety as you progress through a hiking or backpacking trip.
After thorough testing, we found that the Camelbak water bottle, which weighs approximately 1.06 pounds, features a convenient looped handle for easy carrying.
Additionally, its double-walled stainless steel construction provides excellent insulation, keeping your drinks cold with or without ice, and it is resistant to condensation.
Although it is dishwasher safe, cleaning it may be challenging with the bite valve as you do need to scrub that so mold does not accumulate.
I would recommend cleaning this after each use. The CamelBak eddy+ does take some getting used to the bite valve, as you have to bite before the water comes out.
These stainless steel bottles are very sturdy and do not get damaged if dropped. Overall, Camelbak Eddy+ is a great water bottle carrier for hiking.
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Nalgene Wide Mouth Tritan BPA-Free: The Best Reusable Water Bottle
The Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth 32 oz water bottle has been one of the best-selling bottles for over 20 years. It is a co-polyester bottle made with recycled materials, a BPA, BPS, and Phthalate-free water storage container that is dishwasher safe.
It offers excellent impact resistance if dropped because the plastic is very durable. The Nalgene Tritan can sustain cold beverages, and it’s easy to add ice cubes with its wide mouth feature paired with a screw-on cap.
Most water filters work in the Nalgene Tritan and boast an easy measurement selection on its sides. It weighs under a pound, making it an ideal bottle for carrying with you.
During our experience with the product, we found that these bottles may not fit in standard water bottle holders but are ideal for backpacking or camping. The clear bottle design makes it easy to monitor water levels and track your intake.
As for cleaning, you cannot fit your whole hand into the bottle for deep cleaning, so I recommend using a bottle brush to ensure it is clean.
In order to avoid causing damage to the plastic, it is essential to use regular dish soap and lukewarm water because more potent chemicals could damage it.
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LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle: The Best Water Bottle With Filter
The LifeStraw Go Water Filter bottle has a 2-stage integrated filter that protects you from sand, dirt, microplastics, bacteria, parasites, or chemicals that could harm you while improving the taste of the water.
Quickly fill your bottle with any river, pond, or stream, and filtration begins as soon as you start drinking.
This filter can sustain 4,000 liters with its membrane microfilter, and the activated carbon filters can last up to 100 liters when appropriately maintained.
LifeStraw Filtered water bottle is reusable, durable, and BPA-free. After removing the filter, this bottle is dishwasher safe, making cleaning a breeze.
Regular use of this bottle requires the purchase of replacement filters every three months. The microbiological filter provides five years of safe drinking water.
This bottle has a flip-top mouthpiece that is food-grade silicone to prevent chipping or cracking and can clean easily.
It has also proven to be primarily leakproof with this type of cap; however, the ventilation hole at the top can cause some water to spill if you tip it towards you or upside down while you drink.
A carabiner is included with the bottle for easy carrying on your backpack. I personally use Osprey Stratos 36 and I can either put it on the side pocket or hang it using the included carabiner.
This hiking water bottle is harder to drink using the straw because you are drinking through a filter. It requires more suction to filter the water before safely delivering it into your mouth.
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Nomader Collapsible Bottle: The Best Leakproof Water Bottle
The Nomader Collapsible Water Bottle is a unique style of bottle that has a convenient collapsible feature for easy storage when it’s empty.
You can drink from it comfortably, and it’s sturdy when used. With its compact form, you can attach this bottle around your wrist or bind it to a bag for ease of carrying when hiking or backpacking.
The Nomader has a shatter-proof silicone body and it is known for being leakproof due to its patented sealing twist cap that also doubles as a spout cover protecting your mouthpiece.
Our research indicates that it is made from food-grade materials free from BPA, BPS, PVC, phthalates, lead, and latex. The Nomader bottle is dishwasher safe, freezable, heat resistant, and can easily be refilled through its wide mouth.
The wide-mouth opening also makes for a more straightforward cleaning process if you don’t use a dishwasher.
The bottle can be more time-consuming to drink, as you have to unscrew the cap, but that is a significant reason why this bottle is the best in leakproof water bottles.
We discovered that this water bottle’s collapsible design makes it an excellent option for hikers who need to save space in their backpacks.
It may even be considered one of the top collapsible water bottles on the market.
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Contigo Autoseal Steel: The Best Travel Water Bottle
The Contigo Autoseal Steel is an excellent cheap insulated bottle for hiking and traveling in general.
It offers a unique Thermalock by Contigo that has double-wall vacuum insulation, keeping water cold for over 24 hours, and holds ice very well, making this vacuum-insulated bottle great for hiking.
It is BPA-free and considered highly leakproof and spillproof. It has a simple one-hand operation auto seal button to keep the lid secure between sips and eliminates the possibility of spills and leaks from the bottle.
The one-handed operation of these water bottles makes them very ergonomically friendly. The protective spout cover keeps your drinking water safe and secure.
It is top-rack dishwasher safe on the lid, but it’s recommended that the body of the bottle is handwash only. It has a helpful carrying handle for ease of transport.
The contents of this product may pressurize at high elevations or in warm weather, which is something you need to be aware of. To release the pressure, we advise unscrewing the lid before opening the spout.
The stainless-steel body is very durable if dropped. The downside of this hiking water bottle is the handle, as it is smaller and not ideal for a carabiner as it gets in the way of water flow when you’re drinking.
Contigo Autoseal Steel Water Bottle is a top seller and one of the best-rated water bottles on Amazon.
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See also:
Thermoflask Double Stainless Steel Insulated Bottle: The Best Large Water Bottle
Thermoflask offers a fantastic insulated bottle that can hold 64 oz of water! It is a big water bottle with a straw and is stainless steel, insulated, and comes with two different style lids so it’s easy to see why it’s one of our favorite water bottles.
One lid is a twist-off cap, and the other is a straw-based lid. The twist-off cap lid is leakproof. The straw lid has been enhanced for better flow.
Because of its large size, this insulated water bottle can weigh about 4 pounds. It will take some time to run out of water, but the weight is considerable when hiking or backpacking.
Having a large bottle like this would be most helpful while camping, but you need to consider how much weight you want to be carrying when hiking.
We realized that its stainless-steel feature, water is kept cold for 24 hours. It is BPA-free, doesn’t sweat, and is guaranteed not to rust.
Its wide mouth is perfect for ice and is easy to clean while also offering a lid handle for easily carrying your bottle with you.
If dropped, the bottle’s integrity may be compromised, as it doesn’t seem to be as durable as other insulated water bottles. It will still work, but you may notice a dent after a significant drop.
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Nalgene Sustain Tritan BPA-Free: The Best Plastic Water Bottle
The Nalgene Sustain Tritan is a narrow-mouth bottle and also one of the best plastic water bottles on the market. Their Sustain bottle line is made with 50% certified recycled plastic, and the bottle itself is very durable against drops.
These cheap water bottles have been Nalgene’s best sellers for over 30 years; they are excellent for camping, hiking, and backpacking.
Nalgene’s bottles are BPA, BPS, and phthalates free and can even work with water filters. You will also find, as usual with Nalgene bottles, the measurements are available on the side, so you know exactly how much water you’ve got.
Considering this is a narrow-mouth bottle, it is recommended to purchase a bottle brush for cleaning, and these bottles are handwash only. They are also durable and considered leakproof with their twist-off cap.
The narrow mouth makes it much easier to drink out of and reduces the possibility of water spilling on you. Nalgene bottles are well-known for their size, and this bottle holds a substantial amount of water.
It is easy to open it as it uses a standard screw lid.
The cap has a loop that can make for easier carrying but be careful if you are connecting a carabiner, as this is a plastic loop that could break from the weight.
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| Free of BPA, BPS, and phthalates | No filtration system |
| Bottle Measurement | No Insulation |
| 50% plastic waste material | Can freeze in the winter |
| Many colors to choose from |
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Straw Lid: The Best Hiking Water Bottle
The Hydro Flask wide mouth with straw lid stainless steel bottle offers an excellent straw lid that anyone will enjoy.
Despite having a straw lid, it is leakproof and comes with a carrying loop for easy transport and comfort. This handle is convenient when hiking.
The cap is insulated to maintain a constant temperature. Water stays cold for up to 24 hours in the stainless-steel body. These bottles can be cleaned in your dishwasher.
The Hydro Flask easily withstands either hot drinks or cold drinks.
The outer coating provides slip and sweat resistance. The straw lid is very nice as it does not make any whistling noises when drinking, even though the tip is hard plastic.
The straw also does not disconnect from the lid, and it does come with a detachable straw piece and replacement. You can use the cover without the straw piece attached, and it still functions.
When we trialed this product, we saw that the straw offers easy and convenient access to your water, but sometimes, water can come jolting out from the last sip when you open the straw lid.
A disadvantage of the straw lid is that sometimes the straw piece can pick up food odors if you’re eating particularly strong-smelling food, which can be hard to get out. You may end up buying a new lid for your bottle.
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Features to Consider Before Buying
Durability
The durability of water bottles is essential, especially for hiking and backpacking. Since you will be out on trails, your bottle needs to be tough enough to sustain drops.
Sometimes you could drop it onto a rock, and if the bottle broke, you could be out of water for the rest of your trip.
Weight
You need to consider the weight of what you need to carry during a hike as is crucial because you will have other items to bring along with your water bottle.
A bottle is lightweight until it’s filled, where it’ll weigh more, so ensure you are considering that fact.
Choose a water bottle that will accommodate how long you’ll be hiking to have enough water throughout the journey.
Insulation
Insulation is an important factor when it comes to water bottles. With good insulation, your water bottle can keep your drink cold for hours on end. This is a big difference from bottles without insulation, which can only keep drinks cold for a short period of time.
If you’re looking for a water bottle that will keep your drink cold all day long, be sure to find an insulated water bottle.
Ease of use
Most water bottles are simple systems when it comes to drinking from them, but it’s still essential to ensure you’ve selected a bottle so you can easily access water.
Our thousands of miles of hike revealed that a water bottle equipped with a straw would provide a more convenient and efficient way to drink and refill.
Capacity
How much can your bottle hold? This factor is crucial because you want to be able to have enough water with you to sustain your hike.
Running out of water too quickly can pose problems. Consider a bottle that will be adequate for the hike you’re taking so you don’t run out.
A bigger capacity means usually a bigger size so you might consider finding a standard bottle that fits in a cup holder or in your backpack side pocket.
Material
The material your water bottle is made from an impact different factors. A bottle that sweats from humidity may get other items you’re carrying wet.
A plastic bottle may warp from heat exposure. The material it’s made from also impacts its durability and if it’s reusable.
Filter
A filter is an excellent option for continuous water use on a hiking or backpacking trip because you can utilize the water nearby.
Filters work to remove any harmful chemicals, dirt, parasites, and bacteria that may be found in a stream or pond, making the water safe for you to drink.
Lid
The type of lid on your bottle can impact your choices. Some people prefer the straw lid, while others may prefer a cap lid that twists.
Either way, make sure you choose a top that will be leakproof, at least for when you’re carrying it on your trek.
BPA, BPS, Phthalate-free
Frequently, hard plastic bottles contain BPA, a harmful chemical. BPA, BPS, and phthalates are all related chemicals used in packaging, especially plastic, to make it lightweight and flexible.
These chemicals can affect our bodies without us knowing it offhand, so getting a bottle free from these harmful contaminants is recommended.
Insulated vs. Non-Insulated Water Bottles 
The main difference between insulated and non-insulated bottles is how long liquid can be kept cold inside the bottle. Insulated bottles are heavier, but they often don’t hold as much water as non-insulated bottles.
The best insulated water bottle can keep liquids colder for longer. Whereas uninsulated bottles are lightweight, they do not keep beverages cold for quite as long.
Plastic vs. Stainless Steel Water Bottles
The main difference between plastic and stainless steel is the material. Stainless steel bottles are crafted from food-grade material and they are often vacuum-sealed, don’t sweat, and have a large capacity for holding water.
These types of bottles can keep water cold for up to 24 hours. Plastic bottles effectively keep water, but they will not hold the temperature for quite as long.
They will be lightweight to carry but are not as durable as stainless-steel bottles. With plastic bottles, you want to ensure they are BPA and phthalates-free as those are common chemicals in plastics.
How to Clean A Water Bottle
It’s essential to clean your water bottle before and after each hike. For handwashing, fill the bottle with warm soapy water. Use a bottle brush to scrub the walls and bottom.
It’s essential to clean the bottle’s lid with warm water and soap to remove bacteria. If your bottle has a straw, use a straw cleaner, or soak it in warm soapy water.
Dry the bottle with paper towels or a clean dish towel unless you prefer to air dry. If you’re using a dishwasher for water bottles that are top-rack safe, ensure you choose the hottest water setting on your dishwasher.
What Are the Best Water Bottle Brands?
Water bottles are available in many different brands. For years, Nalgene has been well known and is an excellent plastic bottle option. These bottles are famed for having measurements on the side.
Hydro Flask is an excellent option for double-wall insulation to keep water cold. CamelBak is a great brand with its Eddy series and an easy-to-use straw.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type of Water Bottle Is Best for Hiking?
Hydro Flask is the top-rated water bottle for hiking. These bottles offer a wide mouth design, stainless steel with a double-wall vacuumed seal, and a comfortable carrying handle on the lid.
Hydro Flask water bottles can keep water cold for up to 24 hours. It has a 32oz liquid capacity and is relatively lightweight.
Is Nalgene a Good Water Bottle?
Nalgene is a great water bottle that’s been around for years. They are well known for their measurements on the side of the bottle, so you know exactly how much you’ve filled or drank. Nalgene bottles are made from tough, durable plastic to sustain drops, and they are BPA and phthalate-free.
Are Hydro Flasks Good for Hiking?
Keeping water cold and being efficient in weight make Hydro Flask bottles excellent bottles for hiking. Hydro Flask has competitive insulation-to-weight ratio with its Temp Shield technology.
Hydro Flask sells bottles that maintain cold temperatures for up to 24 hours while being light enough to carry with you on a day hike. The Hydro flask wide mouth bottles make adding ice and cleaning very easy making them great bottles for hiking.
Is Camelbak a Good Water Bottle?
CamelBak is an excellent water bottle, especially with their redesigned Eddy series that offers a straw lid that is leakproof and spillproof. CamelBak bottles are durable and have a perfect handle for connecting the bottle to a backpack with a carabiner.
They are considered to be functional with their design and practicality.
How Much Water Should I Bring on a 7-Hour Hike?
To determine how much water you should bring on a hike, consider if you will be able to get refills of fresh water along with your walk and how you handle your thirst.
Typically, adults will need about two cups of water per hour while hiking. Therefore, you would need about 112 ounces on a 7-hour hike.
What Size Water Bottle Fits in a Backpack Pocket?
A 32 oz or 1-liter bottle can generally fit into a backpack pocket. If the bottle is too wide, it will not fit. Hydro Flask and Nalgene are everyday products with slim bodies to fit in these pockets.
Why Do Hikers Use Smartwater Bottles?
Hikers use Smartwater bottles because of the shape of the bottle and its easy-to-drink spout. The bottle shape can easily fit into a backpack pocket and they are long enough to carry a good amount of water.
The lightweight structure of the bottles is ideal for hiking to keep them hydrated and limit the amount of weight they are carrying.
Is It Safe to Reuse Smartwater Bottles?
You can reuse Smartwater bottles, and it is generally safe. It’s essential to wash the bottle and the caps between uses. It’s recommended to switch to a new bottle every 1 to 2 weeks. If your bottle has any scratches inside, discard it as it can hold bacteria.
Why Shouldn’t You Reuse Water Bottles?
Depending on the type of plastic a bottle is made of, different risks can associate with reusing single use bottles. Most companies produce these bottles for single use.
Considering the type of plastic used, it is a common concern that chemicals from the plastic mix with the liquid inside making these questionable reusable water bottles.
Is Smart Water Worth the Money?
As a source of hydration, Smart Water helps your body intake fluids. Smart Water claims they have added electrolytes, potassium, and magnesium chloride, making it enhanced water.
The water itself is relatively inexpensive, and you can find these bottles sold in nearly any gas station or grocery store.
What’s So Great About Smart Water?
Smart Water is marketed as crisp, pure, refreshing, and hydrating. It is vapor-distilled and has added electrolytes to enhance the flavor. The bottle is 100% recyclable, and the size of the bottle is excellent for hiking.
Smart Water markets that water should taste delicious and hydrate the body.
How Much Does a Smart Water Empty Bottle Weigh?
A Smart Water empty bottle weighs 1.2 oz or 34 grams when empty. This lightweight bottle is ideal for hiking and backpacking as it adds little to the amount you’re carrying.
By volume, the bottle can hold 32 oz or 1 liter. This is one of the lightest, most durable plastic bottles.
How Do You Purify Water on a Hiking Trip?
Purifying water on a hiking trip can be done in a few different ways. If you have a water bottle with a built in filter pack, that is one option. Alternatively, you can stop and boil water, use chemical tablets such as iodine solution, or use an ultraviolet light system that you can carry with you.
How Long Can You Hike Without Water?
Remaining hydrated is very important for your health. Contingent on where you are hiking, if there are high elevations causing excessive exertion, high temperatures, sun exposure, and water limits can influence dehydration. If you cannot find water where you are hiking, 3 to 4 days is generally the body’s limit.
How Much Water Do I Need for a 7-Mile Hike?
Since adults require about 2 cups of water per hour and a 7-mile hike can take about 3.5 hours, you need 56 ounces of water through the walk if you’re drinking at the 2 cups per hour limit. If you consume more than that, you may run out of water sooner.
How Much Water Do I Need for a 20-Mile Hike?
Since adults require daily water intake of about 2 cups per hour and a 20-mile hike can take about 6.5 hours, you need 320 ounces of water through the trek if you’re drinking at the 2 cups per hour limit. If you consume more than that, you may run out of water sooner.
Why Do Hikers Use Nalgene Bottles?
Nalgene water bottles are great plastic-styled bottles that are durable. Depending on your chosen style, the wide-mouth style is great for adding ice or a sports powder before or during your hike. These bottles are also relatively lightweight, which is ideal for hiking. These bottles are also easy to clean.
What’s So Great About Nalgene?
Nalgene bottles are simplistic, durable, relatively inexpensive, and versatile. They are easy to use and relatively lightweight. These types of wide-mouth bottles can also hold an insertable water filter. Some people enjoy knowing how much water they’ve consumed from the bottle by looking at the measurements along the side.
Is Nalgene Good for Hiking?
Plastic, reusable bottles like Nalgene are great bottles for hiking. These water bottles may be better for a day hiking trip than a more extended one. Their wide-mouth thick plastic bottles are ideal for water collection, leakproof, and durable, and a filtration item can fit inside them if you have an external water filtering unit.
Can You Pour Boiling Water Into a Nalgene Bottle?
Nalgene bottles can withstand high temperatures such as boiling water that will not cause the shape of the bottle to compromise. However, you must be careful because a boiling liquid can still burn your hand within the bottle. The hot water can also make the cap very hot.
Do Nalgene Water Bottles Sweat?
Nalgene bottles will sweat because they do not have any outer coating. They are plastic bottles, which means that it is likely that your bottle will have condensation on it from the different temperatures.
The condensation may get your other items in a backpack wet. Alternatively, you can purchase sweatproof carrying cases for Nalgene bottles.
Can You Put Hot Coffee in a Nalgene?
Nalgene bottles can sustain hot coffee, and that temperature does not impact the bottle’s integrity. You will want to be cautious not to burn yourself because of your wide mouth and plastic body. Nalgene bottles are very thick and durable plastic, so they will not falter with hot liquids.
Are Nalgene Bottles Better?
Nalgene is a great, well-known bottle brand. As a plastic bottle, Nalgene shines as one of the best plastic water bottles on the market being made BPA-free, phthalate-free, and exceptionally durable plastic.
Last update on 2024-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
