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Water is a necessity when going hiking. It is one of the main staples you must bring with you. Many times we may opt to leave it behind because we don’t intend our hike to be long or the water bottle is too heavy and we don’t want to carry it. Regardless of the reasoning for leaving the water behind, ignore it. Always bring water with you or be prepared to filter water for drinking.
In this article, we will discuss a few different water bottle options. I will not be going into filters in this review because that is entirely a different topic. Let’s check it out.
Nalgene Sustain
First up is the Nalgene Sustain. This is a lightweight water bottle. It offers both wide and narrow mouth options. It is also available in a variety of colors. This water bottle is made from 50% plastic waste and comes in at 5 stars.
This bottle is great for short hikes and is very lightweight. Sizes also vary depending on your preference. I like this water bottle because it is not heavy.
The two downsides with this bottle is that it is not insulated. I like my water to stay cold. The other downside is in regard to the narrow mouth bottle. These are harder to clean and will need a bottle brush or other tool to really clean inside the bottle.
Yeti
Yeti is well-known for its water bottle. They have various sizes and colors. The Yeti water bottles also come with or without handles, and with straws and/or pop up lids. There is something or everyone and can be overwhelming when you don’t know how much water you need.
One of the things I love most about the Yeti is that they are insulated. I use mine for more than just hiking because I love how cold it keeps my drinks.
As for hiking, these water bottles can be pretty heavy. You will want to keep that in mind when planning your hike. There have been a few times I’ve pawned my water bottle off on my husband because I was tired of carrying it when I didn’t have my backpack with me.
Yeti is one of the more expensive options on our list but I couldn’t leave it off. I definitely feel that the Yeti’s quality is worth the cost.
Hydro Flask
The Hydro Flask is comparable to the Yeti. It also offers a variety of colors and sizes and different lid options. The Hydro Flask will vary in size and weight, depending on the option you choose. They are insulated and work very well. I have had my Hydro Flask longer than my Yeti and I love them both equally.
Hydro Flasks are also on the higher end of the budget but I have found it to be a quality product.
Buyer beware. Make sure if you buy it on Amazon that it is an actual Hydro Flask. There are other brands with similar names. I have not reviewed or tried the other flasks but did read some reviews of customers purchasing what they thought were Hydro Flasks but were not a real Hydro Flask or the right brand.
Platypus Soft Water Bottle
The Platypus Soft Water Bottle is a collapsible water bottle that is easy to store and carry with you on a hike. The water bottle stores easily into the side of a backpack. The water bottle is also available with a carabiner for easy carrying.
There are different options for the bottle mouth and a few designs and color options. The water bottle is also more economical.
The cons for the water bottle is that it is not insulated. Also, there have been some complaints that the plastic tears or that the lid leaks. Overall, the Platypus Soft Water Bottle has 4.6 stars and is still a great option for a lightweight water bottle option.
Camelback Hydrobak
The last water option on our list is the Camelback Hydrobak. This is a great option if you want to carry your water like a back pack. The Camelback comes in a 2L option that is great for longer hikes. The Camelback Hydrobak has a straw across one shoulder that you can drink from.
The bladder inside the pak can be filled without taking it out. Wearing the pak may take some getting used to but it’s a nice option to keep your hands free and be able to distribute the weight while hiking.
Staying Hydrated is Important
You would be surprised how quickly you can get dehydrated when hiking. The weather, trail difficulty, personal fitness, and more, all play a part in how much water you will need to stay hydrated when hiking. Especially if you are going on longer hikes. Stay safe and take water with you. If you do plan on going on longer hikes or overnights, you may want to jump into researching filters or water bottles with filters.
There are a variety of water bottles on the market and finding the one that best fits you and your hiking is key. For me, I prefer the Yeti and Hydro Flask. They both keep my water cold and I have made it through most of my hikes with ice still clanking in my bottle. There was only one hike in which I miscalculated how much water I would need and ran out. I was able to use the ice to get me the rest of the hike.
If you have any additional comments or thoughts on these products, I would love to hear it. I would also love to hear any recommendations you may have for water bottle options.
Happy Hiking,
Michelle Louise
e. michellelouise@hikingnewbies.com
Hiking Newbies is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases linking to Amazon.com and affiliated links. When you use the links on this page to make a purchase, I may get a small commission. You don’t pay anything extra by purchasing through these links. It’s a win-win all around. See our Full disclosure for more info. Thank you for your support!
Hi. Well, it is a good read but the post could use sample pictures of each one you talk about so someone knows what the bottle looks like. most of the links worked on the post except the YETI one did not work the first time I clicked on it. Then once it activated, it wiped out your site while I was still reading it. I had to reload the post. otherwise, It is well thought out.
For hiking and emergencies, I also take with me A Life Straw.
Thank you Curt. I went in and checked all my links.
A Life Straw is a great item to always have on hand when hiking as well. Have a great day!
I am impressed with the lightweight water bottle because some water bottles can be pretty heavy, especially if they are the stainless steel type. I especially like the Platypus Soft Water Bottle because it is collapsable. the only downfall is that it is not isolated which is a shame.
I am also drawn toward the Camelback Hydrobak because you have your hands free and can be carried easily.
You are right to say that we can get dehydrated very quickly, especially on a hot day and need to make sure we drink a lot of water.
I learned a lot in your article
Thanks for sharing
Elke
Thank you Ingrid!