Say goodbye to bottled water and discover the best hiking water bottles to stay hydrated. Find out the pros and cons of stainless steel vs plastic and bottles vs bladders.
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As someone who’s been hiking for over 20 years, I try to do my part for the environment by avoiding single-use plastic as much as possible. Fortunately, when it comes to durable water bottles, that’s quite easy. Plus, the reusable ones are much more practical for hiking and even everyday water drinking, as you’ll see.
I’ve also experimented with a variety of water bottles of different materials and reservoirs over the years. You don’t have to spend years finding what works best as I have and deal with the frustration of finding out that your water has leaked or frozen, or is so warm and unmost undrinkable on a hot day. Instead, you can use my convenient guide.
Also, be sure to check out my guide: Everything You Need to Know About Water When Hiking. It tells you how much water to bring on a hike, if water is safe to drink from a stream and so much more.
Water Bottles For Hiking: Plastic vs Stainless Steel
Water bottles are made from either 1) plastic – Nalgene bottles are the most famous brand or 2) stainless steel water bottles.
Personally, I prefer stainless steel ones over plastic water bottles for several reasons:
- with many plastic bottles, the water takes on the taste of plastic – yuck.
- Stainless steel bottles prevent your water from getting too warm in hot climates.
- And if you get an insulated one, they’ll keep your drink warm in winter if you prefer something like tea to warm you up.
- Stainless steel bottles tend to hold up better than plastic bottles if you drop them.
- If you put them in your backpack near your back, they aren’t as likely to freeze.
Most Stylish Water Bottles for Hiking and Mountain Adventures
While you definitely need a functional water bottle, I was always frustrated that they were so boring. That’s why I created my own water bottles in fun designs inspired by my own mountain adventures and hikes. They’re sure to bring a smile to your face with every sip.
They’re also:
- Durable, lightweight stainless steel
- Screw-on stainless steel top and silicone seal to prevent leaking
- Double-insulated to keep your water cool in summer and warm in winter
- Come in the convenient size of 20 oz (0.59 l)
Top 3 Best Quality Hiking Water Bottles
The Camelbak Stainless Steel Bottle is perfect for hiking and backpacking. It has a wide mouth opening, making it easy to drink without spilling water. It's my personal favorite because it is sweat proof meaning no condensation. If you have sweaty palms like me, these are perfect for you!
Features:
- It has a wide-mouth opening
- Super easy to clean
- It is guaranteed to be leakproof
Klean Kanteen is a company that has been built with the love of adventure, conserving wild places, and replacing single-use plastic. Klean Kanteen Classic Stainless Steel is a popular product of that. The Insulated Classic is available in 20, 32, and 64oz.
Features:
- Double wall insulated slender water bottle
- Has a LEAK PROOF Loop Cap
- keeps drinks cold for up to 50 hours and hot for 20 hours
Yeti Rambler comes in 16 different vibrant color choices. It's made to last! The half-twist design of the carry handle makes it easy to open and sip while on the go. Yeti is made of 18/8 stainless steel with double-wall vacuum insulation to keep your hot water hot and your cold water icy. I just love the durable chug that comes with it.
Features:
- The 2-part cap is topped with a TripleHaul™ handle for grab-and-go ease
- 100% leakproof, so you can go ahead and toss the whole bottle-and-cap combo wherever you go
- Includes a leakproof chug cap
Top 3 Best Mid-Priced Hiking Water Bottles
Hydrapak Flux is a great choice for hikers looking for a collapsible water bottle that attaches to most 42mm threaded water filters. The dual-layer film laminate construction adds structure, while the RF-welded soft bottle walls give grip without compromising compactness.
Features:
- The collapsible bottle's flexible design makes it so light, and has a compact size you'll forget it's in your pack
- Includes 2 load-bearing side lash points for attaching to your pack
- The low-profile, durable, coated handle allows for easy pouring and is tear- and weather-resistant
The GSI Microlite 720 lets you enjoy your tea steaming hot or your water ice cold. This reusable and durable water bottle has super thin walls for an ultralight design. Simply push the button to flip the top cap for quick and easy access. Plus it comes in different eye-catching colors.
Features:
- Microlite Vacuum Technology features an outstanding performance that’s 1/3rd lighter than traditional designs
- Long-lasting double-wall insulation delivers 10-hour heat and 20-hour cold retention
- 500ml (16.9 oz) size is great for short hikes, commuting
Takeya Actives Insulated has a classic design and slender shape that features a sweat-free double-wall design and a wide mouth to fit ice and allows for easy cleaning. The protective silicone bumper minimizes dents and dings, allows for a quiet set-down, and helps the bottle stay secure in any oversize cup holder. Whatever your ideal size is, Takeya has you covered with ergonomic sizes.
Features:
- This metal bottle comes with an innovative leakproof insulated drinking spout
- The 32oz reusable rigid bottle displays a unique double-wall vacuum insulation
- Offered in a variety of sizes. From 18, 24, 32, 40, to 64 oz sizes.
Top 3 Best Budget Hiking Water Bottles
Nalgene Wide Mouth is made with material derived from 50% plastic waste, which I absolutely love! It now has a new look and is available in over a dozen colors to choose from. It is also marked with milliliters and ounces for easy measurement.
Features:
- Easy-to-clean and dishwasher-safe
- Wide-mouth design is easy to fill with ice cubes
- Marked with milliliters and ounces for easy measurement.
Contrary to the name the Thermos Intak isn't suitable for hot drinks. It's made of durable Eastman Tritan copolyester material and has a leakproof lid with a one-handed push button operation and a flip-up carrying loop. The ergonomic shape is comfortable to grip. The rotating meter lets you monitor your daily water consumption.
Features:
- Made with impact-resistant and dishwasher-durable Eastman Tritan co-polyester material
- Rotating the meter on top of the lid helps monitor daily intake
- Hygienic flip-up lid with one-hand push button operation
Yomious Glass is a quality glass water bottle. Made with borosilicate glass it's perfect for hot and cold beverages. You can say goodbye to unwanted leaks thanks to the bamboo lid, which also helps make it a sustainable design. It is complete with a food-grade silicone o-ring and a stainless steel insert.
Features:
- Bamboo lid complete with stainless steel insert
- It comes with its own cleaning tool
- Functional and fashionable glass bottles in fun colors
Related Reading: More Hiking Gear
- The Best Hiking Leggings for Women: Thermal, Pockets and More
- The Best Hiking Backpacks: Our Top Picks for Every Budget
- 11 Best Mountaineering and Hiking Watches
- Best Hiking Boots for Women
- 18 Best Hiking Shoes for Women For Happy Trails
- The Best Hiking Boots for Men
- 7 Reasons Why You Need an Emergency Thermal Blanket On Every Hike
Special Mentions
Yeti Rambler is perfect for on-the-move hikes and adventures in the backcountry. Yeti has unmatched insulation power making this stand out among the other bottles with top-notch insulation. The color coating is built to last so expect no scratches or peeling or cracking. These are sure to keep your hot beverages hot even in cold weather and your water cold even in hot temperatures.
Features:
- Made of stainless steel construction and double-wall vacuum insulation
- Equipped with a no-sweat design, great for hikers with sweaty palms like me
The Naglene wide-mouth bottle at 32oz is a popular option for non-insulated and lightweight bottles. It's not too large but keeps you hydrated on the trail. Plus, there are multiple colors you can choose from.
Features:
- Suitable for both warm and cold beverages
- Marked with milliliters and ounces for easy measurement
The Hydro Flask Standard Mouth has similarities with the other Hydro Flasks, like the Wide mouth, but what stands out about the standard mouth is the honeycomb insulated cap for maximum temperature retention. They are narrow-mouth bottles that are great at controlling the amount of water going out. If you're not a fan of sipping your water, the Hydro Flask may be a better choice for you
Features:
- Flex Cap is leakproof when closed, so you can hike without worrying about losing your water
- Made of tough, food-grade 18/8 stainless steel is BPA-free and resistant to bacteria and odors
- The standard-mouth opening is 1.81 in. in diameter, making it easy to fill the bottle with coffee, tea, sports drinks, or ice cubes to keep your cold drinks.
Hydrapak Flux is a great choice for hikers looking for a collapsible water bottle that attaches to most 42mm threaded water filters. The dual-layer film laminate construction adds structure, while the RF-welded soft bottle walls give grip without compromising compactness.
Features:
- The collapsible bottle's flexible design makes it so light, and has a compact size you'll forget it's in your pack
- Includes 2 load-bearing side lash points for attaching to your pack
- The low-profile, durable, coated handle allows for easy pouring and is tear- and weather-resistant
Lifestraw Go Filter is perfect for multi-day hikes, long hikes, or where you're hiking in places where the only drinking water sources are streams or rivers. I bring mine when hiking in remote areas in Bulgaria. You can also use it when traveling in areas where you can't drink tap water. It gives you peace of mind that the water you are drinking is safe and that you're not going to get sick when faced with questionable water sources.
Features:
- Protects against microplastics, chlorine, organic chemical matter, and more
- The activated carbon filter lasts up to 100 liters of water
- Long-lasting membrane microfilter lasts up to 4,000 liters
Hydro Flask Wide Month with a straw lid is guaranteed to be leakproof, which is a must when going on any hiking adventure. It's easy to transport and comfortable with its convenient carry clip. The coat is slip-free and colorful which I adore!
Features:
- The double-wall vacuum has excellent insulation that keeps your drink hot for your morning coffee or cold for your lunchtime iced coffee.
- 18/8 stainless steel construction with proprietary powder coating is BPA-free
- Covered by a Hydro Flask lifetime warranty
Platypus Softbottle with closure cap is highly packable and only weighs 0.8 ounces! You can even carry this handy and light water bottle every day. The compact design saves so much space.
Features:
- The bottle narrows in the middle for a better grip
- Available with either a Closure Cap or a Push-Pull Cap
- Super lightweight at only 0.8 ounces
Water Bottles vs Water Bladders: Pros and Cons
Water Bottles
Pros:
- You know exactly how much water you have left at a glance.
- Water bottles are less likely to leak
- Water bottles are easier to fill up than bladders.
- It’s easier to pour from a water bottle into another container than from a bladder.
Cons:
- If you don’t have pockets on the side of your bag, you have to stop walking to have a drink.
- Bottles can be hard to clean if they have a small mouth opening.
- Water bottles don’t reduce in size as your drink from them unless you’re using a collapsible water bottle.
Water Bladders/Hydration Bladders
Pros:
- Easy to drink from while hiking, helping to ensure that you’ll drink more and not get dehydrated
- A bladder is usually easier to fit inside a backpack
- As you drink from your bladder it reduces in size
Cons:
- You can never be certain of how much water you’ve drunk without stopping to check.
- The water in the tube can freeze in cold weather and gets warm in hot weather while you’re hiking
- It’s difficult to drink when you sit down to take a break
- Inconvenient to clean
- They can leak
So, water bottle or water bladder? You decide! I normally hike with a 3-litre water bladder and a 500ml water bottle I use when sitting. It’s also insurance in case my bladder leaks. If I’m hiking in particularly hot weather or doing a long time, I’ll sometimes bring two bottles in addition to the bladder.
Insulated vs Non-Insulated Hiking Water Bottles
An insulated water bottle helps regulate the temperature of your beverage and keeps your water cool and your tea warm.
Non-insulated bottles don’t regulate the temperature but adjust to the temperature around them, s you could be drinking warm water or cold tea.
While an insulated bottle is more expensive than a non-insulated one, I personally think they’re worth it. If you’ve ever been snowshoeing and were looking forward to a drink of tea to warm you up, only to find that it’s now cold, you’ll know what I mean. Plus, it’s usually a one-time purchase. I’ve used the same water bottles for years.
Staying hydrated is a must when hiking, and now you have our top picks of the best hiking water bottles. See you on the trails.
