Whether you’re a fair-weathered hiker or a seasoned pro, hiking is an enjoyable way to meet your cardio goals as you explore some beautiful scenery. While every trail will vary in the equipment you should bring (overnight gear, boots, or the right backpack), there’s one thing that should always be at the top of your priority list: water. The right water bottle will depend on factors like the length of your hike, what kind of pack you’re carrying, and personal preferences like spout styles.
Hydration while hiking not only prevents fatigue, it also protect you from headaches, nausea, and cramps, as well as heat-related illnesses (like heat strokes) that are more likely to occur in the warmer months. To ensure that you choose the best water bottle for your hydration needs, it’s important to keep capacity, material, and style in mind. We curated our list according to these considerations, and also included factors like weight, warranty, easy-to-read measurements, among others.
Reviewed & Approved
Dishwasher safe and heavily insulated with a lifetime warranty, the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Water Bottle with Straw Lid 2.0 is our top choice. If you’re looking for something a bit more lightweight, then we’d recommend going with the Nalgene Wide Mouth Water Bottle.
Based on our reviews, here are the best water bottles and carriers for hiking.
This 32-ounce vacuum insulated water bottle from Hydro Flask is our top pick because it keeps cold drinks cold for 24 hours and hot drinks hot for 12 hours, all while remaining a low maintenance addition to your outdoor gear. The BPA-free, phthalate-free, and leak-proof stainless steel bottle is dishwasher safe, meaning that cleaning up after a long day on the trail can be done in a matter of seconds.
Best overall
Hydro Flask 32-Ounce Wide Mouth Water Bottle with Straw Lid 2.0
Dishwasher safe
Heavily insulated
Lifetime warranty
Heavier than most
Does not fit in cup holder
Lid not compatible with hot beverages
The wide mouth cap with a straw lid makes stopping to hydrate quick and easy. The lid can also be swapped out for other compatible “Wide-Mouth” Hydro Flask lids.
Price at time of publication: $50
Capacity: 32 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Style: Straw lid
This 16 ounce, wide-mouth bottle from Nalgene is a great lightweight option for novice and seasoned hikers alike. Weighing only 3.125 ounces, it provides a hydration option that won’t become uncomfortable and burdensome as your hike continues. Additional measurements on the outside of the bottle help you keep track of how much water you’ve consumed, and the bottle’s leak-proof promise means you can confidently toss it in any bag you’ve brought along.
Best lightweight
Nalgene Wide Mouth Water Bottle - 16 oz
Easy-to-read measurements
BPA-free
Dishwasher safe
Not insulated
Smaller bottle
The BPA-free co-polyester is tough, guaranteed to remain impact-resistant even if you have a tendency to drop things on your way up the mountain.
Price at time of publication: $13
Capacity: 16 ounces | Material: BPA-free Eastman Tritan co-polyester | Style: Wide-mouth lid (no straw)
Hiking can be a fun family outing, assuming everyone stays hydrated! Let the kids carry their own water in these 12-ounce silicone bottles from AceCamp. The bottle is BPA-free, making it a safe, non-toxic option you’ll feel good about. The straw lid feature encourages easy sipping, and it turns into a leak-proof bottle when the straw is placed down.
Best for kids
AceCamp 2-Pack Kids Water Bottle
BPA-free
Shatter-proof
Lightweight
Smaller than most
Not made for hot drinks
An additional carabiner gives kids the option to hang their bottle on a backpack strap or belt loop, avoiding the annoyance of holding a bottle the entire hike. Though it isn’t made for hot liquids (wait for them to cool to lukewarm before pouring), this two-pack is a great way to encourage younger hikers to drink up and stay hydrated.
Price at time of publication: $27
Capacity: 12 ounces | Material: Silicone | Style: Straw lid with carabiner attached
Filling up your bottle mid-hike is not only annoying, but it can also be risky. Even if the water is safe to drink, it may not taste as good as water from your fridge. Brita’s water bottle solves this problem with a filter component that reduces chlorine. This improves the taste of the water and eliminates odor, making that refill something you can enjoy.
Best filter bottle
Brita Plastic Water Filter Bottle - 26 oz
Water filter included
Leak-proof
Fits in a car cup holder
Dishwasher safe
Filter needs replacement
Weighs more than other bottles
The bottle itself is crafted with BPA-free plastic and is able to hold 26 ounces of water. An easy-sip straw can make hydration simple and easier to avoid spills, while the narrow bottle shape fits in any standard car cup holder. For the best tasting water, the filter should be replaced after 40 gallons (approximately two months).
Price at time of publication: $23
Capacity: 26 ounces | Material: BPA-free plastic | Style: Sip straw lid
This two-liter collapsible water bladder not only increases the amount of water you’re able to carry at one time, but it grows more convenient the more water you drink. Even if you don’t need two full liters, you can fill the bladder halfway and the rest will collapse accordingly. The BPA-free soft plastic and food-grade polyethylene lining don’t retain flavors, so you won’t have to worry about yesterday’s Gatorade impacting today’s water’s taste.
Best collapsible bottle
Platypus Platy 2-Liter Flexible Water Bottle
Holds two liters
Lightweight
Fits inside a pocket when empty
No carrying strap
May attract mold over time
The lightweight bottle, weighing only 1.3 ounces, is so small that you can fold it up and put it in your pocket when it’s empty—you really only need room for the screw top lid. With a stable base that stands upright when filled, this carrying option makes staying hydrated easy.
Price at time of publication: $16
Capacity: 70 ounces | Material: BPA-free soft plastic | Style: Screw top
Hate carrying your water bottle in a backpack? Instead of adding extra weight to an uncomfortable backpack, opt for a water pack. This two-liter option ensures you stay hydrated, with an insulated bladder that keeps liquid cool for at least five hours.
Best backpack
Water Buffalo Hydration Pack Backpack
Insulated
Padded straps
Lightweight
Easy-to-reach water tube
Does not collapse
Minimal extra storage
It has an easy-to-reach water tube means you don’t have to waste time taking breaks to unscrew a water bottle lid—instead, just grab the bite-valve straw and take a sip. With padded straps that fend off chafing, the pack itself is comfortable to wear and it comes with a zipper pocket that’s perfect for storing your keys and a granola bar (or two!).
Price at time of publication: $32
Capacity: 70 ounces | Material: BPA-free plastic bladder (nylon backpack) | Style: Bite-valve straw
This double-wall vacuum insulated bottle from Yeti will keep your water cold until the very last drop. The 36-ounce bottle is 18/8 BPA-free stainless steel, making it heavy-duty and rust-resistant. While this makes the bottle slightly heavier (1.65 pounds) than other options, the fact that it can fall down a mountain and survive still makes it a worthwhile choice.
Best heavy-duty
Yeti Rambler 36 oz Water Bottle With Chug Cap
Heavily insulated
Shatter resistant
BPA-free
Dishwasher safe
Heavier than most
Not made for hot beverages
With a chug cap lid that only requires a quick twist to open, hydration is quick and easy. That doesn’t mean you can put any sort of liquid in it though—let hot drinks cool to lukewarm before adding them to this Yeti. The bottle is also dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
Price at time of publication: $50
Capacity: 36 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Style: Chug cap
A little encouragement can go a long way, which is exactly what this half-gallon water bottle from Bottle Bottle is working to prove. The BPA-free plastic bottle can hold 64 ounces of liquid and includes motivational markings on the side that help individuals track how much water they’ve consumed during the day.
Best high-capacity
Bottle Bottle Large Half Gallon Water Bottle
Easy-to-read measurements
Large water capacity
BPA-free
Lightweight
Not insulated
Straw design can be confusing
The 100 percent leak-proof, wide-mouth lid makes the bottle easy to fill, while the removable straw cap can be accessed with a one-click open lid. An additional waterproof strap provides an extra carrying option for the bottle.
Capacity: 64 ounces | Material: BPA-free plastic | Style: Removable straw cap with wide-mouth lid for easy refills
This new and improved lightweight bottle from Hydro Flask weighs 25 percent less than previous iterations of the 24-ounce bottle and still maintains that same Hydro Flask insulation. The bottle will keep cold drinks cold for 24 hours and hot drinks hot for 12 hours, thanks to its stainless steel makeup and vacuum insulation.
Best insulated
Hydro Flask Lightweight Wide-Mouth Vacuum Water Bottle - 24 oz
Heavily insulated
Life-time warranty
Leak-proof
Fits in a car cup holder
Heavier than most
Must purchase other lids separately
The slim design can easily fit into cup holders and backpack pockets, while the wide mouth lid twists off quickly when you need to refresh. If you prefer a different Hydro Flask lid, simply switch it out. This bottle is compatible with the Hydro Flask Wide-Mouth Straw lid, Wide-Mouth Flex Sip lid, and Wide-Mouth Flex caps.
Price at time of publication: $45
Capacity: 24 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Style: Wide-mouth lid
What to Look for in Water Bottles and Carriers for Hiking
Capacity
Your water bottle needs to carry enough water to sustain you throughout the entire hike. You still might need to fill your bottle on longer hikes, but choosing a bottle with a liquid capacity that doesn’t require frequent refills (and won’t be too heavy to carry) is always the best option.
Final Verdict
Material
A water bottle’s material will impact its weight, and often how cold it keeps your water. You’ll have to carry the bottle and drink from it – consider how the weight and temperature of your water will impact your hike.
Style
If you prefer to drink from a straw instead of a wide-mouth bottle, it’s important to consider style. Ones with straws make sipping a breeze, but if they aren’t crafted properly, they may increase the chance of leaks. Screw-top bottles are easy to fill and can accommodate ice (if you wish to put ice in your water), but accessing your water on a hike will require both hands. Choose a water bottle style you’re most likely to drink from.
Why Trust Verywell Fit?
As a previous fitness coach, long-time wellness enthusiast, and current health editor, Lily Moe understands the importance of equipment that is made to help you reach your fitness goals, whether outside or in the gym. Most importantly, Lily always looks for research and first-hand reviews when it comes to deciding on a product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Even light exercise can deplete your body’s water supply. Having water on a hike ensures that you’re able to meet your body’s need to hydrate. The American Hiking Society recommends consuming water slowly over the course of your hike to avoid dehydration.
This answer will largely depend on how long your hike is and the terrain you’ll be covering. In general, plan for about a half-liter of water per hour of moderate exercise. If you’re hiking in warmer temperatures or higher altitudes, you may need to increase this amount.
