Looking forward to taking the family out for a long, relaxing camping trip this summer? Check out these massive new bottles from water-storage specialist Chilly's.

The insulating new Big Mouth bottles are ideal for lengthy car camping trips or festivals. Instead of bringing multiple disposable or single-use containers, you can pitch up with your Big Mouth bottle and have enough water for the whole trip.

They're available in 1.1-gallon (2L) and 0.5-gallon (4L) sizes and can keep your cold drinks chilly for up to 72 hours, while retaining heat for up to 48 hours, according to Chilly's.

The new Big Mouth bottles are made from durable high-grade stainless steel. Their polypropylene lids and TPE bases are both recyclable, while ergonomic carry handles aim to help you lug your bottle from car to campsite without too much strain.

These handles can be locked at 90 degrees, so you can keep a firm grip on your potentially heavy water and pour with ease.

Like all great camping water bottles, these Chilly's models boast an accommodating mouth opening, large enough for fruit, tea bags, ice, or whatever else you feel like mixing in your bottle.

Like what you see? The new Big Mouth bottles are available on the Chilly's website in the Abyss Black and Limelite Fleck colorways. The 1.1-gallon (4L) model costs $95 (£80), and the 0.5-gallon (2L) version is $71 (£60).

The Big Mouth bottles are the latest in Chilly's long line of insulating stainless steel water bottles.

Opening its doors in 2010, the UK-based brand aims to do away with harmful plastic bottles with long-lasting, stylish alternatives, which last for years rather than a single use.

• The best hiking water bottles: stay hydrated at camp and on the trails
• The best running water bottles: convenient hydration for mid-length runs

Keep your cold drinks chilled and your warm ones toasty in the wilderness with Vapur's latest bottle.

The all-new BFA and lead-free Vapur Chill bottle is made from durable double-wall stainless steel and features a handy lockable lid, so you can ensure there won't be any spills around the campsite. There's also a non-slip rubber disc on its base, which ensures stability wherever you place it.

The Vapur Chill bottle's main draw is its insulation. Its creators claim that the 20fl oz (592ml) bottle can keep drinks cold for up to 12 hours and hot for up to eight.

This feature could come in particularly handy on long camping, backpacking, or hiking trips, as could its integrated carabiner, designed to clip easily onto your backpack.

Stainless steel bottles are typically heavier than plastic alternatives, and the Vapur Chill is no exception. But at 1.2oz (34g), it's still light enough to toss in a backpack or carry while you hike.

The Vapur Chill bottle is available for $24.99 on the Vapur website or £24.99 at Berryuseful.com.

• The best hiking water bottles: stay hydrated at camp and on the trails
• The best running water bottles: convenient hydration for mid-length runs

Water filters have always been essential kit for hiking and backpacking, but traditional designs can be heavy, bulky and require regular backflushing to keep the filter free of debris. A new soft bottle uses activated carbon to help you source safe drinking water in the backcountry, with almost no maintenance required.

The Katadyn BeFree AC 1.0 L Water Filter Bottle looks to have taken its cues from the Lifestraw Peak Series collapsible squeeze bottle, which integrates the filter directly into a soft bottle. The design means you can stop at a stream or waterfall during your hike, fill up the bottle and drink straight away.

Designed by a Swiss-based company that specializes in self-sufficient nutrition and drinking water supply, the carbon filter acts like a sponge to grab onto bacteria, parasites and silt (but not viruses) so you can get on with hiking or trail running without having to carry lots of water.

A second removable activated carbon filter reportedly takes care of bad taste, which is great when water sources aren't the freshest, but if you want that pure mountain stream taste you can just leave it in.

Soft water bottles can be a little trickier to squeeze into the side pockets of your backpack compared to hard bottles, but Katadyn says the integrated rugged handle makes it easy to hang the BeFree AC from your pack with a carabiner. When you're not using it, you can roll it up and stash it in any pocket.

When you get home from your adventure, instead of having to backflush the filter, simply shake or swish the filter in water to remove grime – and it's this that makes the BeFree AC potentially more promising than the Lifesaver Peak Series, though it's also more expensive.

The Katadyn BeFree AC 1.0 L Water Filter Bottle is available in Slate Blue, Moss Green and Misty Red for $49.95 at REI. It's also available in a smaller version 0.5L for $44.95.

Remember that water filters such as these do not effectively remove viruses and for that you'll want something more comprehensive water purifier, such as the Lifesaver Wayfarer.

• The best water purifiers and filters: clever devices for supplying safe drinking water on the trail and in camp
• The best hiking water bottles: stay hydrated at camp and on the trails

Few things are more important to the human body than proper hydration, especially when you're exercising.

The age-old rule of thumb for trekkers is that we should carry 35 fl oz (1l) of water for every 2 hours of hiking. This can obviously vary depending on the conditions and temperature you're hiking in, but the point stands - getting enough water is non-negotiable.

Now outdoor brand CamelBak has launched two new water bottle designed aimed at helping you do just that..

The 100% leak-proof Thrive Flip Straw and Thrive Chug bottles are made from dependable stainless steel and designed to excel over long distances and years of heavy use in the wilderness.

The Flip Straw model features CamelBak's 'EasyFlow' valve, which can be easily flipped and closed for simple, on-the-go drinking.

The Chug bottle is designed for equally easy hydration with its new spout cap, which simply flips into position, where it stays until it's flipped back and closed.

Both bottles are available in a wide range of colors in 42fl oz (1.2l), 25fl oz (1l), and 26fl oz (750ml) sizes. You can also get your hands on a translucent Tritan Renew version of the Flip Straw bottle, which contains certified recycled plastic.

Both bottles are available on the CamelBak website.

• The best hydration packs: on-the-go refuelling for your runs
• The best water purifiers and filters: clever devices for supplying safe drinking water on the trail and in camp

You can now take a gulp from your favorite Yeti drinkware in two new vibrant spring colorways.

From Tuesday (February 18), you can sip from the latest Yeti Rambler tumblers, bottles, travel mugs, and more in the vivid Firefly and Big Sky Blue colorways.

Firefly is inspired by nature's nightlights, like the Aurora Borealis, which lights up parts of the Northern Hemisphere with a powerful florescent glow.

The Big Sky Blue colorway takes its cue from Montana's 'great wide open', the expansive wilderness home to hundreds of miles of rugged mountains and dazzling blue lakes.

Alongside drinkware, you can snag Yeti's signature collection of coolers, buckets, backpacks, and more in the two new colorways from the Yeti website.

Yeti began in 2006 when brothers Roy and Ryan Seiders set out to make a cooler suitable and sturdy enough for outdoor enthusiasts like them.

They soon expanded to drinkware and shot to popularity, earning a stellar reputation in the camping world.

If you're after a bargain, there are great savings to be had on the Yeti Rescues website, which refurbishes and resells old Yeti products with big reductions in price.

• The best hiking water bottles: stay hydrated at camp and on the trails
• The best camping coolers: keep food and drinks delightfully chilled

Vango Thermo Bottle: First impressions

The 500ml Thermo Bottle from Vango was designed with the elements in mind. Made from double vacuum stainless steel, this reusable bottle can keep your liquids at the temperature you want while withstanding all the bruises and bumps that come with a good hike through the country, according to its creators.

Vango claims that the Thermo Bottle is capable of retaining heat for up to 24 hours and keeping your cold drinks chilled for up to 48.

Minimizing spillages, the sturdy slide lock is there to stop liquid from escaping while a simple button mechanism requires only one hand to open and close the Thermo Bottle.

For the past month, I’ve been putting the Vango Thermo Bottle through its paces, bringing it along for hikes and even the odd run to see how it fares in the elements.

Vango Thermo Bottle: in the field

Durability

Made from stainless steel, the Thermo Bottle has proven extremely durable in testing, keeping its shape despite several drops and bumps. The BPA-free plastic lid has also proven reliable. No part of the bottle has been dented or misshaped.

The paintwork isn’t quite as indestructible. After a month or so of use, several chips and scratches have become apparent on the body, especially the bottom of the bottle where plenty of stainless steel silver can be seen through the black paint. Damage of this kind is to be expected after rigorous testing, and perhaps is a testament to the number of times I dropped the Thermo Bottle rather than the quality of its paintwork. Still, it’s worth noting the bottle’s sleek black and orange exterior is susceptible to chipping.

Ease of use

The Thermo Bottle is super easy to use. Living up to its creator's claims, the simple button mechanism allows you to pick up and drink with one hand.

Locking is also very easy; with a quick slide of plastic, the bottle locks completely. Throughout testing, the Thermo Bottle’s lock has proved effective and reliable, not leaking a single drop in the backcountry.

The large spout is wide enough to comfortably fit a tea bag, so you can take a hot brew on the trails without the need to stuff your fingers down the spout.

While the stainless steel body is a durable, sustainable choice, the Thermo Bottle could’ve done with a little more in the way of grip. It’s not especially slippery, and unlikely to fall out of your hand, but a few rubber grips would’ve gone a long way to guaranteeing you can keep a hold of your bottle on long treks.

Sustainability

While it's not perfect, stainless steel is a relatively sustainable choice for outdoor hydration. Although its production can have a negative impact on the environment, durable, stainless steel bottles like this one eliminate the need for the harmful plastics found in disposable bottles.

The small amount of plastic featured on the bottle’s lid is BPA-free. This means the plastic is free from Bisphenol A, a chemical compound found in several plastics that’s been linked to various cardiovascular conditions. BPA-free plastics are also 100% recyclable.

Weight and capacity

Weighing 0.7lb / 0.3kg, the Thermo Bottle is light enough to hold without slipping out of your hand but can become annoying when full. Stainless steel bottles are typically heavier, and although you can certainly hike with the Thermo Bottle, its weight isn’t unnoticeable.

Throughout testing, I found myself sipping from my bottle more than I usually would in an attempt to lighten the load, and chucking the Thermo Bottle in my backpack to free my hands.

Added weight is par for the course when using a stainless steel bottle, and the Thermo Bottle is no exception, a disadvantage of the material rather than the product.

Insulation

Alongside durability, the Thermo Bottle's major selling point is insulation. According to its creators, this stainless steel bottle is capable of retaining heat for up to 24 hours and keeping drinks cold for up to 48. This depends heavily on the surrounding environment and outside temperature.

In a slightly chilly kitchen, the Thermo Bottle, which I'd filled with boiling hot water, began to lose heat after around 16 hours. Testing again after 20 hours, the once scorching water was barely tepid and had returned to room temperature by the 22nd hour.

The chilled water I used to test lasted roughly 38 hours before returning to room temperature.

Although it fell short of 24 hours of heat and 48 hours of chill in my test, the Thermo bottle would likely fare a lot better in more appropriate, warmer, and colder conditions.

Price

The biggest thing the Vango Thermo Bottle has going for it is price. At only $16.50 / £13, this stainless steel bottle is far cheaper than most of its well-rated competitors.

The FLSK drinking bottle, which is similarly durable and also boasts 500ml of capacity retails for $48.90 / £39-£54. Far cheaper and better rated in several areas, the Thermo Bottle is a reliable, affordable alternative, providing a good amount of bang for your buck.

• The best hiking water bottles 2025 stay hydrated at camp and on the trails
• The best running water bottles 2025 convenient hydration for mid-length runs
• How Advnture tests products

A leading drinkware company has launched a massive recall of two popular travel mugs due to a design flaw that has resulted in dozens of burn injuries.

According to a December 12 alert by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC), the Seattle-based company has issued a recall of the mugs after receiving 91 complaints.

"These mug's lid threads can shrink when exposed to heat and torque, causing the lid to detach during use, posing a burn hazard," states the recall.

This has caused 38 burn injuries worldwide, including two in the U.S., with 11 consumers worldwide requiring medical attention.

The recall involves all Stanley Switchback and Stanley Trigger Action stainless steel travel mugs sold in the US since 2016. The double-walled mugs were sold in a variety of colors and in 12 oz, 16 oz and 20 oz sizes with a polypropylene lid. The Stanley logo appears on the front and bottom of the mug. Approximately 2.6 million of these mugs have been sold at Amazon, Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target and other outlets between June 2016 and December 2024.

If you're not sure if your mug has been recalled, you can check the product identification numbers on your mug with those listed on the USCPSC page.

If you believe you own either of these products, you should immediately stop using it and contact Stanley to receive a free replacement lid, including shipping. If you want to try a different mug, read our expert guide to the best camping mugs for our favorite picks.

• The best hiking water bottles: stay hydrated at camp and on the trails

Shopping for Black Friday camping deals doesn't always mean big ticket items like tents and sleeping bags – sometimes you just want to upgrade your essential kit or find some gifts for your outdoorsy loved ones and if so, there are some amazing offers out there for you. Right now, you can pick up the robust Hydro Flask 40 oz Wide Mouth Chug Cap water bottle for just $29.97 at Amazon. That's a hefty saving of 40% off the regular list price for this item, and its lowest price ever on Amazon.

Amazon customers give this product an average of 4.6 stars with one commenting, "It’s better than my Stanley!" – and substantially cheaper at this price, too.

I've been using my Hydro Flask water bottle for years and I love how easy it is to grab and go with its carrying handle. It's super sturdy, dishwasher safe, keeps drinks cold for 24 hours and doesn't flavor your drinks with a metallic taste.

This deal applies to the 40 z version in Indigo Blue, Moonshadow Purple, Trillium Pink and White colorways. If you're in the market for drinkware, check out the sale prices on Yeti's "King Crab" colorway happening now, and if you're shopping for those big ticket items we mentioned, we're keeping you up-to-date on all the best Black Friday camping deals this week.

Not in the US? Scroll down to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on the Hydro Flask water bottles near you.

Say goodbye to leaky water bottles with The Flex Chug Cap which is leakproof when closed. Toss it into your bag without worry. The wide mouth opening fits ice cubes, and the narrow chug drinking spout provides for a convenient, controlled sip.

If you're not in the US, here are today's best deals on the Hydro Flask water bottles where you are:

More great Black Friday deals

• The North Face: big reductions available on jackets, hoodies and other essentials
• Camping: keep cozy with great savings on tents, sleeping bags and other gear
• Hiking: the best deals from big-name brands
• Yeti: great deals on drink-ware
• Patagonia: Big savings available on base layers and waterproofs
• Arc'teryx: prices slashed for stylish winter jackets and softshells
• Garmin: Great savings on top notch Garmin sports watches

• The best hiking water bottles: stay hydrated at camp and on the trails

Amazon Prime Day is upon us, so we've rounded up the best Yeti bundles. These bundles allow customers to purchase multiple Yeti products at once, and save big on all of them. 

This year's Amazon Prime Big Deals Days are on October 8 and 9, starting at 3 a.m. EDT on the first day in the US, and 12 a.m. BST in the UK. The deals will run for 48 hours.

To get these deals, you'll need to be an Amazon Prime member. You can join Amazon Prime for $14.99 per month in the US, or £8.99 per month in the UK. If you've not signed up for Prime before, you can get a 30-day free trial that will see you through the Prime Big Deals Days, which you can cancel later if you decide not to continue.

Quick links

US deals

Amazon: deals on Yeti gear updated daily
Bass Pro Shops: up to 25% off clearance deals
Dick's Sporting Goods: deals on cups and coolers
Yeti Rescues: refurbished coolers and bags

Best Yeti bundles

Although we can't yet find any UK deals, UK customers can get 15% off Yeti gear on the Yeti website through the emergency services discount, which is open to all emergency service personnel including NHS staff, firefighters and members of the armed forces. 

More deals

If you need a Yeti cooler, bottle or mug right now, here are today's best prices for a wide range of gear, updated daily. We're always adding products to our price checker, so check back often to see what's new.

FAQ

US deals

Amazon: deals on Yeti gear updated daily
Bass Pro Shops: up to 25% off clearance deals
Dick's Sporting Goods: deals on cups and coolers
Yeti Rescues: refurbished coolers and bags

Best Yeti deals

Although we couldn't find any deals for UK customers, watch this space before and during the Prime Big Deals Days to catch the best reductions. 

UK customers can get 15% off  Yeti through the emergency services discount, which is open to all emergency service personnel including NHS staff, firefighters and members of the armed forces. 

More deals

If you need a Yeti cooler, bottle or mug right now, here are today's best prices for a wide range of gear, updated daily. We're always adding products to our price checker, so check back often to see what's new.

FAQ

US deals

Amazon: deals on Yeti gear updated daily
Bass Pro Shops: up to 25% off clearance deals
Dick's Sporting Goods: deals on cups and coolers
Yeti Rescues: refurbished coolers and bags

Best Yeti deals

Although we couldn't find any deals for UK customers, watch this space before and during the Prime Big Deals Days to catch the best reductions. 

UK customers can get 15% off  Yeti through the emergency services discount, which is open to all emergency service personnel including NHS staff, firefighters and members of the armed forces. 

More deals

If you need a Yeti cooler, bottle or mug right now, here are today's best prices for a wide range of gear, updated daily. We're always adding products to our price checker, so check back often to see what's new.

FAQ

US deals

Amazon: deals on Yeti gear updated daily
Bass Pro Shops: up to 25% off clearance deals
Dick's Sporting Goods: deals on cups and coolers
Yeti Rescues: refurbished coolers and bags

Best Yeti deals

Although we couldn't find any deals for UK customers, watch this space before and during the Prime Big Deals Days to catch the best reductions. 

UK customers can get 15% off  Yeti through the emergency services discount, which is open to all emergency service personnel including NHS staff, firefighters and members of the armed forces. 

More deals

If you need a Yeti cooler, bottle or mug right now, here are today's best prices for a wide range of gear, updated daily. We're always adding products to our price checker, so check back often to see what's new.

FAQ

US deals

Amazon: deals on Yeti gear updated daily
Bass Pro Shops: up to 25% off clearance deals
Dick's Sporting Goods: deals on cups and coolers
Yeti Rescues: refurbished coolers and bags

Best Yeti deals

Although we couldn't find any deals for UK customers, watch this space before and during the Prime Big Deals Days to catch the best reductions. 

UK customers can get 15% off  Yeti through the emergency services discount, which is open to all emergency service personnel including NHS staff, firefighters and members of the armed forces. 

More deals

If you need a Yeti cooler, bottle or mug right now, here are today's best prices for a wide range of gear, updated daily. We're always adding products to our price checker, so check back often to see what's new.

FAQ

US deals

Amazon: deals on Yeti gear updated daily
Bass Pro Shops: up to 25% off clearance deals
Dick's Sporting Goods: deals on cups and coolers
Yeti Rescues: refurbished coolers and bags

Best Yeti deals

Although we couldn't find any deals for UK customers, watch this space before and during the Prime Big Deals Days to catch the best reductions. 

UK customers can get 15% off  Yeti through the emergency services discount, which is open to all emergency service personnel including NHS staff, firefighters and members of the armed forces. 

More deals

If you need a Yeti cooler, bottle or mug right now, here are today's best prices for a wide range of gear, updated daily. We're always adding products to our price checker, so check back often to see what's new.

FAQ

US deals

Amazon: deals on Yeti gear updated daily
Bass Pro Shops: up to 25% off clearance deals
Dick's Sporting Goods: deals on cups and coolers
Yeti Rescues: refurbished coolers and bags

Best Yeti deals

Although we couldn't find any deals for UK customers, watch this space before and during the Prime Big Deals Days to catch the best reductions. 

UK customers can get 15% off  Yeti through the emergency services discount, which is open to all emergency service personnel including NHS staff, firefighters and members of the armed forces. 

More deals

If you need a Yeti cooler, bottle or mug right now, here are today's best prices for a wide range of gear, updated daily. We're always adding products to our price checker, so check back often to see what's new.

FAQ

Amazon Prime Day is underway, and right now you can pick up the beefy Stanley IceFlow Bottle with Cap and Carry+ Lid 50oz for just $41.25 at Amazon. That's a healthy saving of 25% off the list price for this eco friendly water bottle that keeps drinks cold for 15 hours.

With the IceFlow, Stanley combines a sleek design with featherweight technology for on-the-go transport, while the rotating Cap and Carry Lid means drinking your ice-cold water takes just a few light twists. It's designed for easy hydration whether you're hiking or at the office.

The IceFlow has a soft grip for carrying comfort and is made from 90% recycled stainless steel. This deal applies to the Fog Glimmer, Lavender, Lapis, New Alpine, Black Glimmer, Pool, Cream Glimmer and Lapis Glimmer colorways only.

If the 50oz sounds a little too unwieldy for the types of adventures you like to take, you can also grab 25% off the 36oz version, for a sale price of just $33.75.

We'll be keeping you updated on all the best Amazon Prime Day camping deals, so keep checking back for great discounts on all your favorite gear.

Not in the US? Scroll down to the bottom of this page for today's best deals on the Stanley IceFlow Bottle where you are.

Not in the US? Here are today's best deals on Stanley IceFlow Bottle near you.

• The best hiking water bottles: stay hydrated at camp and on the trails

Amazon Prime Big Deals Day is underway, and right now you can pick up the highly sought-after Yeti Rambler 46oz water bottle with chug cap for $44 on Amazon. That's 20% off the regular list price for this hefty chugger, from a company that rarely discounts its products.

Yeti’s reputation for building robust, practically bulletproof drinkware continues with the Rambler series. Made with stainless steel, this double-wall vacuum water bottle keeps your drinks hot or cold. 

The screw lid has a convenient carrying handle (though if you drop it, it probably won’t dent), and under the lid is a screw-on plastic chug cap, which is basically a drinking spout which makes it easy to drink out of this without dumping water on your face.

If the 36oz sounds like a little bit too much for you to handle, the Yeti Rambler 30oz water bottle with chug cap is also down by 20%, to just $30.40.

This deal applies to the X colorway. We'll be keeping you updated on all the best Amazon Prime Day Yeti deals, so keep checking back for great discounts on all your favorite gear.

Not in the US? Scroll down to the bottom of this page for today's best deals on Yeti Rambler water bottles where you are.

Not in the US? Here are today's best deals on the on Yeti Rambler water bottles near you.

• The best hiking water bottles: stay hydrated at camp and on the trails

Amazon Prime Day may be over, but there are still huge savings on Yeti drinkware if you act quickly. We don't know how much longer these offers will last, but all were still available when we checked on Friday morning (July 19).

We've rounded up a selection of the best deals below, but you can also browse the whole sale yourself if you prefer.

To get these deals, you'll need an Amazon Prime subscription. These start at $8.99 per month, but if you're not sure you want to commit, you can sign up for a 30-day free trial and cancel before the first payment if you decide it's not for you.

Today's best Yeti deals

• The best camping coolers: our top recommendations for summer adventures

Yeti is discontinuing its seasonal Camp Green colorway, and is selling off remaining stock at a 20% discount. The sale was originally set to end a few days ago, but the company has decided to extend it, giving you a little longer to grab a Rambler cup or a set of Magsliders at a bargain price.

Many of the sale items have now sold out, but below we've rounded up our top pick of those still available. Alternatively, you can browse the whole sale yourself.

If you can't see what you're looking for, never fear. We'll be rounding up all of this year's best Amazon Prime Day Yeti deals as soon as they land later this month.

Yeti is known for its super tough outdoor gear, which carries a premium price tag and rarely goes on sale. The official store occasionally knocks down the price of a colorway that is being discontinued, or offers free customization on drinkware for a limited period, but you won't see deep discounts on a regular basis.

The company doesn't even hold a Black Friday sale in the traditional sense; last year it offered two free water bottles with purchases above a certain amount, but no price cuts. However, in November it does something arguable even better for fans of the cult brand, rolling up the door to its Gear Garage for an annual extravaganza of all things outdoors.

What is the Yeti Gear Garage?

The Yeti Gear Garage is an opportunity to grab coolers, drinkware, and other gear in rare, discontinued colors, special edition shades, and re-releases of old favorites. You might also see discontinued products making a comeback for a limited time, or even something brand new.

The event typically lasts a week, with a new drop landing each day. Stock of each item is limited and once it's gone, it's gone. At the end of the week, that's it – unsold items are put back into storage for a future event.

When does the Gear Garage open?

The Gear Garage typically opens the week of Black Friday, and last year's event started on Tuesday November 21. The date for the 2024 Gear Garage event has yet to be announced, but it could well open on November 26.

What were last year's drops?

Some of last year's drops included drinkware in two new textured finishes (Black Stone and White Stone), a re-release of King Crab Orange, and a new ice cube tray for the branded ice you didn't know you needed.

We also saw a return of Chartreuse (an acid yellow-green that's usually hard to find, but always hard to miss) and hard-sided Tundra coolers in Coral.

• Amazon Prime Day Yeti deals: all the best offers in one place

Just in time for Father's Day, Yeti has unveiled two new additions to its growing range of barware: a pocket-sized hip flask and a set of shot glasses so your dad can enjoy his favorite tipple out and about.

Unlike most Yeti drinkware, the flask isn't insulated, so it's not recommended for hot beverages (for that, stick to your trusty Rambler). Instead it's made from a single layer of kitchen-grade stainless steel, making it light to carry and dishwasher-friendly. It's available for $50 direct from Yeti.

The new shot glasses are $50 for a set of four, and come with their own matching carrying case to keep them neat and clean. They are also made using food-grade stainless steel, and are puncture- and rust-resistant.

The shot glasses are double-wall insulated, but unsurprisingly there are no lids available, and they aren't spill-proof.

Both the shot glasses and flask are available in six core colors: black, white, stainless steel, navy, Rescue Red (shown above), and the new Tropical Pink shade that landed last month, ready for summer.

There are no customization options available yet, but if you've got a specific design in mind, Yeti says "stay tuned".

• Why is Yeti gear so expensive? Unravelling the reasons behind the price tags

Oregon-based drinkware brand Hydro Flask made a splash in early 2024, unveiling its first French press (or cafetière, as it’s known in Britain) coffee makers. Making use of the same double-wall insulation used in its insulated bottles and mugs, this is a French press that’ll keep that steaming hot coffee piping for longer.

As something of a coffee addict, I was full of beans at the prospect of testing the French Press. I’ve enjoyed making countless fine brews from this great coffee maker – I even had the Hydro Flask 12 oz Insulated Coffee Mug to sup them from.

Meet the expert

Hydro Flask 32oz Insulated French Press: first impressions

I’m already a big fan of Hydro Flask’s minimalist and colorful stylings. The French Press boasts the same aesthetics as the brand’s other insulated drinkware, immediately looking the business whether enhancing a modern kitchen or out on an ancient trail.

I’ve used a standard French press countless times, so there wasn’t exactly a learning curve involved in putting this one to use. It works in exactly the same way as most and the brewing process was straightforward. As expected, the coffee was lovely, but no better than from other quality cafetières. I was looking forward to seeing (or should that be tasting?) the benefits of its insulation…

Hydro Flask 32oz Insulated French Press: features

Undoubtedly the standout feature, and the one that sets Hydro Flask’s French Press aside from most, is the fact that it’s insulated. It features the same TempShield double-wall vacuum insulation design as Hydro Flask’s insulated mugs and bottles, which means hot liquids should stay hot for an extended period. The same is true for freezing cold liquids, which makes creating a sumptuous cold brew a possibility too. 

The main body is made from 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel. The 18/8 means that it’s an alloy with 18% chromium and 8% nickel, a widely used form that is highly durable and resistant to corrosion. Crucially, its neutral in terms of taste, meaning there’s no flavor transfer from the French press to the coffee inside.

The plastic press-in lid is pretty standard for a cafetière. It’s splash resistant and non-directional, meaning it doesn’t matter which way around it is when it comes to pouring your joe. The connected mesh filter is also constructed from standard French press components, with the usual gauze filter sandwiched between the holey upper and lower metallic disks. A polypropylene handle, with TPU overmold for grip, completes the feature set. Oh and it’s also totally dishwasher safe too.

It currently only comes in one color, Birch. However, knowing Hydro Flask, if the product goes on to enjoy success, I’d wager there’ll be new colors on the horizon.

Hydro Flask 32oz Insulated French Press: taste testing

My go-to for everyday coffee is usually an AeroPress, which creates a wonderfully smooth brew. When we have guests, I’ll switch to a French press, as brewing once is obviously much more efficient than three or four times with the AeroPress. I find coffee brewed in this way is a little richer, a little earthier but not as smooth, as the finer particles aren’t fully filtered out as they are with the AeroPress.

The same is true for coffee brewed in the Hydro Flask French Press and there’s no sign of any flavor transfer from the stainless steel interior. The coffee is rich, earthy and delicious, though I’d be lying if I said it tasted any better than from my standard cafetière, which is available at about a third of the price. As well as this, the filter lets through around the average amount of sediment for a french press. So, for Hydro Flask’s creation to really warrant the extra investment, I was interested to see how its insulating qualities would keep my brew hotter for longer.

“Does anyone want to finish this coffee in the cafetière?” I often find myself asking this and there’s no doubt that people are less tempted than they are when the joe is fresh and, therefore, hot as hell. Personally, I think coffee is at its best when it’s too hot to gulp down but not too much that you can’t sup away at it. Once it’s warm, forget about it – it’s just a case of diminishing returns. So, if the Hydro Flask French Press meant that a second helping managed to maintain that lovely perfect heat, I’d be sold!

The good news is that, for that post-breakfast top up, often around half an hour after the first mug, the French Press excels in keeping the java akin to lava, ie hot. Mission accomplished! It’s not a miracle worker though, I wasn’t able to brew up at 9am and return to it at noon and expect really hot coffee. I’d guess the open spout is always going to be an insulation weak spot. Returning to the last half-mug’s worth after a few hours, I found the liquid was lukewarm. In essence, it’s great for refills, not ideal if you expect a piping hot coffee several hours after brewing.

Well, that’s all that sorted, but what’s the French Press like to brew up with, to hold and to pour? Well, the press lid is smooth, but certainly not remarkable – a close inspection reveals the sort of individual components you see in most cafetières, which is perhaps disappointing considering the price point. The handle is made from a soft-touch and grippy material, which makes it very comfortable to hold. 

Finally, the pour is smooth to begin with but it can start to pulse if I try to pour too quickly. The knack here is to pour slowly. This is because the opening at the spout is relatively small in order to maximize the insulation. This means that air has difficulty getting in to replace the volume of coffee that's coming out. If there's no air gap, the liquid leaving the spout starts to pulse, as air surges in. Pulsing hot liquid isn't ideal and can be a bit messy, so pour slowly. However, I like that the filter is non-directional, which means I don’t have to faff about trying to line it up with the spout.

In summary, the French Press is a super product that certainly delivers above average joe in terms of heat retention. It’s a bit of an investment but it’s durable materials should mean you’ll be brewing up for years.

• How Advnture tests products

Yeti has just launched its third new color of 2024: a warm, rosy shade called Tropical Pink. Unlike this year's other two new hues, Agave Teal and Big Wave Blue, Tropical Pink is exclusively for drinkware. There are no hard or soft coolers in the color.

You'll find the whole range of Rambler and Yonder drinkware in the new shade, including the new Yeti French press, which comes in 34oz and 64oz versions. This tough cafetière is designed for making coffee outdoors, with double-wall vacuum insulation, a GroundsControl filter to stop your coffee stewing once it's done brewing, and a twist-to-lock lid. It's also dishwasher safe, you can can toss it in your bag and clean it up easily when you get home.

Other products include the ever popular 12oz Colster can cooler, perfect for keeping cold drinks chilled on summer days, and the dependable 12oz Hotshot bottle to ensure your coffee stays hot until you're ready to enjoy it.

Right now, there's also free shipping for Mother's Day on orders over $40  (excluding customized items and orders weighing over 500lb). Orders must be placed between May 5, 2024 5:00am CT and May 8, 2024 12:00pm CT for free shipping.

• Yeti vs Igloo: which brand is the coolest?

Meet the reviewer

Yeti Yonder 25oz water bottle: first impressions 

Yeti, the brand known for its big, burly and bulletproof coolers and water bottles has finally shed some pounds with the Yeti Yonder. This hiking water bottle is made using shatterproof, BPA-free plastic which is friendlier on the planet as well as on rough trails. A streamlined cylindrical design is easy to hold in one hand and slide into a backpack, and while it's not the lightest water bottle we've tested, we wouldn't think twice about bringing this on a hike.

A two-part screw cap lets you unscrew it totally for cleaning and filling, then screw it back on without worrying that it's going to spill inside your backpack. When you're thirsty, just quickly unscrew the spout and chug without pouring water down your shirt. It's easy to carry in one hand and throw in the dishwasher when it's time to clean it.

This is a straightforward water bottle that carries water without spilling it, and does it well, but won't keep your drinks hot or cold, which might make you question the high price (though it won't if you're already familiar with how expensive Yeti is). It is great quality, however, and with no plastic taste and some recycled materials, we were more than happy with its performance in the field, and with the fact that it fits in our cup holders.

Screw tops are always a bit more fiddly but this one operates well and while we'd like to see more recycled content, there's really not a lot to grip about as long as you're not looking for a vessel to carry hot drinks.

Yeti Yonder 25oz water bottle: in the field

Like a lot of hikers, I want to find a great water bottle and just use it for the rest of my life. My previous test of a Yeti bottle was with the Rambler 26 oz and as soon as I got it, I knew it would be far too heavy for hiking. For about a year, I've been carting my Contigo Cortland Autoseal water bottle around with zero complaints, but I must say that in the Yonder, I've found a worthy opponent for it. I first took it away with me on a city break to Lisbon, and since returning home I've had it up a Munro, a Yorkshire Peak and on a few country walks.

Here’s how it performed:

Ease of use

Water bottles should all be easy to use, but this isn't always the case, so I was glad to see this is super straightforward. Just unscrew the lid entirely to fill or clean, and unscrew the spout to drink. I don't love screw tops because they can be a bit fiddly (and leak) but this one is as easy to get and I can carry and drink from it one-handed, though the lid sometimes knocks against my face when I do so, which is mildly annoying.

Sustainability

The most sustainable option is definitely a glass or stainless steel bottle, but I was pleased to see this uses 50 percent recycled plastic in the body of the bottle and is 100 percent BPA-free. I'd like to see it fully recycled and recyclable for full marks here, however.

Weight and capacity

The light weight of this bottle is the big story here and it isn't as light as comparable plastic bottles we've tested, but it is substantially lighter than Yeti's typical bottles and definitely appropriate for hiking. It easily fits in the side pockets of all my hiking backpacks and the cylindrical design makes it easy to slide into the main compartment or lie sideways.

Desired capacity is quite a subjective factor, but 25 ounces is as much as I ever want to carry in one go, since more than that starts to get too heavy.

Taste and cleaning

I have no time for water bottles that taste of plastic and luckily, this one doesn't. It's also easy to clean, with an opening that doesn't trap grime and of course, it goes in the dishwasher because I also have no time for hand washing bottles.

Durability and versatility

Because this bottle doesn't have any insulating properties, it's not the most versatile and you can really only use it for cold, uncarbonated beverages, so it's not the most versatile (but I have a flask for hot drinks anyway).

It's a robust, hard-wearing piece of gear which I've confirmed by dropping it on a few rock surfaces and crossingmy fingers tightly. So far, it's survived without any dents or cracks and I can see this holding up and looking brand new for a long time.

Yeti Yonder 25oz water bottle: the bottom line

If you're already a Yeti devotee, you won't need much persuading to buy this bottle, and its practical, durable and lightweight design makes it a solid contender for anyone seeking an everyday water bottle that works well for hiking and travel too. The Contigo Cortland Autoseal is a similar design with a slightly more user-friendly spout (which does trap dirt) at a lower price, while a Nalgene delivers a BPA-free bottle that can hold hot liquids for half the price.

• How Advnture tests products

Right now, Yeti is offering free customization on drinkware, including bottles, mugs, and even wine chillers and buckets. The offer runs until 11:59pm on Wednesday March 13, so you've only got a couple of days to place your order.

There are lots of options to choose from, including Rambler travel mugs, water bottles, and water jugs, Colster can coolers, and even Boomer dog bowls to give your good boy or girl a special treat. There are also lots of colors to choose from, such as fan favorite King Crab orange, and new Agave teal.

You can pick a design from Yeti's gallery, with options including nature and landscapes, animals, and National Parks, then add your own text for a more personal touch.

Alternatively, you can upload your own image in PNG, JPG, GIF, SVG, WEBP, or BMP format. Yeti is waiving its usual setup fees, so there's no extra hidden cost. The only rules are that the image must be at least 300 pixels wide or high, it mustn't be a photo, and there must be no copyright or trademark infringement. Check out the custom designs FAQ for more details.

• The best camping coolers: options from Yeti, Igloo and more tested

Meet the reviewer

Hydro Flask 12 oz Insulated Coffee Mug: first impressions 

If you're a coffee drinker, your mug matters. When you go camping, you can bring along the best camping coffee maker in the world to ensure the perfect brew when you wake up, but none of it matters if you have to sip it out of your battered old enamel mug that burns your hand every time you pick it up. Enter the Hydro Flask 12oz coffee mug.

Built for campers and anyone on the go who wants that tactile feel of a soft, weighty mug in the palm, this mug combines double-wall vacuum-insulation with Hydro Flask's soft touch finish for a mug that keeps your brew warm in the wild and feels like home. A functional handle makes it easy to tote around, while it's not too large to wrap your hands around.

Just fill it with your favorite warm (or cold) beverage to the fill line and press down the lid for a secure fit. The lid has a slider that makes it easy enough to sip from, though as always, you'll want to take care with very hot drinks. When it's closed, you can gesticulate wildly around the campfire without worrying about too much splashed.

This mug may not have the insulating power of Hydro Flask's water bottles like the 32oz Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel which can keep drinks warm for eight hours, but if you're a true coffee lover you don't want to be sipping from the same drink all day anyway. It keeps your drink hot or cold for as long as you'd reasonably want it to be warm or cold and it's dishwasher safe for easy maintenance. 

Compared to other camping mugs, its on the weighty side but it's about the same as a ceramic mug at home. It doesn't fit in a cup holder, but it's great for car camping and stable on wobbly picnic tables and rocks. It's priced for those who want to the best, but if you're looking for something designed for heavy use, this will hold up.

Hydro Flask 12 oz Insulated Coffee Mug: in the field

I enjoy a great cup of coffee and bringing my AeroPress Go and camping stove along with me on an outing is a great way to ensure I start my day on the right foot. I often camp in my car to get an alpine start which means I can bring along some luxuries like my pillow from my bed and a proper mug for my morning jolt. I've been testing this travel mug out on my adventures since I received it a couple of months ago.

Here’s how it performed:

Insulation and leakproofing

Like all of Hydro Flask's mugs and bottles, this features double-wall vacuum insulation to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks hold while the outer material doesn't get hot or build condensation so it's always comfortable to hold. This mug doesn't keep things hot for days, but in my field test I filled it with boiling water and when I checked it after three and a half hours it will still warm enough to drink. All it really needs to do is keep my coffee hot while I drink it, which only takes a few minutes, and it excels at that thanks to the insulation and lid.

Speaking of the lid, don't think you can fill this with coffee and throw it in your backpack by any means, but it does a fine job of preventing splashing if I'm in a clumsy mood and if it topples off the rock I've perched it on it won't spill too much before I save it. I love that it has a fill line on the inside so I don't over fill it.

Weight, size and portability

Compared to other camping mugs, this is on the heavy side, but it's about the same weight as my ceramic mugs which I use at home so in my mind, it's perfect for its intended use, which is car camping and not backpacking.

The capacity is probably perfect. I tend to like a couple of shots of espresso with milk so I don't need a massive vessel, but it's large enough that I can have a proper mug of tea or could even use it for soup.

It's also great for toting around, much more functional than the Yeti Rambler 14oz  with a really functional handle and it's not so big that I can't just wrap my hands around the mug. Obviously, the design doesn't work for the cup holders in my car and the handle makes it less packable than more streamlined cups, but for carrying in hand it's ideal.

Versatility and durability

I've only used this mug for coffee and tea, but as I've mentioned it's suitable for soup and can hold a beer, too. It doesn't hold onto odors or tastes either so you can use it for whatever you want really.

As for durability, this is one sturdy piece of kit. The soft outer material isn't just nice to hold, it's dent-proof so this doesn't end up taking a bashing like their bottles.

Hydro Flask 12 oz Insulated Coffee Mug: the bottom line

If you want your morning coffee at camp to feel just like it does at home without worrying about breaking your ceramic mugs, this travel mug delivers everything you need and feels fantastic in your hand. If you want a more streamlined mug that you can slide into a backpack, check out the slightly cheaper (and less nice to hold) Yeti Rambler 10oz Tumbler.

• How Advnture tests products

Stanley Quencher insulated camping cups are still in high demand, with the most popular colors selling out super fast, but REI has announced that new hues will be dropping at 9am PST today (February 13). Sadly the fuchsia color has sold out online (though you may be able to find it in your local REI store if you're lucky), but the store is promising something exciting to replace it. 

Stanley cups have rocketed in popularity over recent months, eclipsing the likes of Hydroflask and Yeti. Their appeal is down to various factors, including their good quality insulation, ability to fit in standard car cupholders, range of appealing colors, and vintage charm (Stanley itself is 111 years old).

Social media has also played a big part in the cups' success, particularly after Tiktok user Danielle Lettering posted a video of her burnt-out car, which was totally ruined with the exception of her Stanley Quencher cup. Not only was the cup intact after the blaze, it even had ice inside.

Two days after Lettering's video went viral, Stanley's media-savvy president Terence Reilly offered to send her some more cups, and replace her car. Reilly's video went viral, resulting in a huge publicity boost for the company and its products.

The standard cups sell for around $50, but rare and popular colors have fetched hundreds of dollars on the resale market. Last month, a 16-year-old made headlines after claiming her parents had spent $3,000 buying her every color on the market.

Check out REI's website to shop the new cups are soon as they drop.

• The best hiking water bottles: tested for insulation and durability

Yeti launched its annual holiday deal on Black Friday, and it's still running, giving you the chance to pick up two free 750ml Yonder water bottles worth a total of $50 when you spend $200 in the online store. The deal will continue until the end of December, but if you order now, you can get your order in time for Christmas.

To get your free bottles, just add at least $200 of gear to your shopping cart and a box will appear asking you to choose which colors you would like. Each bottle is BPA-free, made with 50% recycled plastic, and is 100% leakproof. They'd make great additions to your own hiking and camping gear, or Christmas gifts for loved ones.

If you're not in the US, scroll to the bottom of this page for today's best deals on Yeti gear where you are.

You can still get your order delivered in time for Christmas if you move fast. For non-customized orders (no special printed designs), your order should be placed no later than December 19 at 12pm CT for delivery by Christmas Eve. If you're sending your order to someone else, you'll have the option to include a gift message during checkout.

Sadly the last posting date for custom orders has now passed. It's also worth noting that dates are subject to changed, and Yeti urges you to place your order as soon as possible to make sure you're not disappointed.

"All holiday shipping cut offs, delivery timelines, or estimated delivery dates are only estimates, are subject to change and may have certain limitations or exclusions listed in our terms & conditions and shipping policy," the company says in its shipping and returns policy.

If you're not in the US, here are today's best deals on Yeti coolers, lunchboxes and bottles near you:

• The best hiking water bottles: tested, rated and recommended by experts

Silicone is a great material for coffee cups: it's soft enough to fold down flat, it's long-lasting, it's heat-resistant, and it's (usually) dishwasher safe. Unfortunately, it also has a nasty tendency to pick up flavors, which can really spoil your carefully brewed cup of coffee. The taste can come from strong drinks or the detergent used to wash your cup, and either way it's nasty.

The problem isn't exclusive to camping cups. Silicone ice cube trays, freezer bags, spatulas, and even the seals on appliances like blenders can all suffer the same fate. Go on, give your blender's seal a sniff. I dare you.

One of the best ways to prevent it happening is to wash your collapsible coffee cup by hand. It doesn't take all that long, and it means the cup isn't marinating in scalding hot detergent, soaking up the taste like brisket in BBQ sauce.

You should also never wash your items using a soap containing oils (such as jojoba or fruit oils). These tend to leave a fine film on your silicone items, which you'll taste next time you use them. Stick to unscented detergents.

Some stinks are particularly hard to shift, including onion and garlic. If you're particularly fond of soup, you might prefer to keep one cup specifically for that, and get a second one for hot beverages.

De-stink your coffee cup

One way to get nasty tastes out of silicone drinkware is to heat it up in an oven, as described by Marguerite Preston in Wirecutter. Preston recommends baking clean silicone items at 250ºF for 20 minutes, then giving them a sniff to see if any funk remains. If so, put them back in for a little longer.

You'll need to make sure that your cup can withstand that kind of heat though, and remember to remove any hard plastic parts like lids and sleeves. The silicone will be fine, but if you can't remove any plastic parts, don't try it. They will melt.

Stojo, one of the biggest names in squashable silicone drinkware, recommends taking a more gentle approach and soaking your cup in a mix of hot water, white vinegar, and baking soda overnight to get rid of any lingering aromas.

However, the baking soda only serves to neutralize the vinegar (once the initial fizz has stopped, your cup will just spend the night sitting in a salty solution) and I've found that you can get good results by leaving it out. Just make sure you give the cup a good hand wash afterwards.  It's a similar principle to getting the plastic taste out of a water bladder.

• The best camping coffee makers: our top recommendations

For a limited time, you can get free customization with any drinkware ordered from Yeti.com, including water bottles, buckets, tumblers, and even the new stacking cups.

Pick your product, then choose a color and get creative. You can add your own text, choose an image from the various categories available (including nature and landscapes, and zodiac signs), create a monogram, or even upload your own design.

Customization normally costs $6 per side, plus an extra $10 setup fee if you upload your own image, but it's all totally free until October 14 at 11:59pm CT.

The deal doesn't apply in the UK, but you don't have to miss out. Amazon is currently running a rare deal on the Yeti Hopper Flip 8 cooler in three colors: Camp Green, Navy Blue, and Cosmic Lilac.

• The best camping coolers: our top recommendations tested in the field

LifeStraw Peak Series Squeeze Bottle with Filter: first impressions

Since 1999, LifeStraw’s water filtration products have been battling water-borne scourges across the globe, such as Guinea worm disease. To date, the company have provided more than 39 million filters to tackle this disease alone. They are a business that pride themselves on being a humanitarian company that gives back to the planet and takes positive action when faced with disasters.

Their water purification products are also ideal for backcountry adventure. Whether you are setting out on a wilderness expedition or lacing up your trail running shoes to take part in an adventure race. In 2022, LifeStraw unveiled the Peak Series, their latest range of highly effective water filters.

On the face of it, the Squeeze is a beautifully simple product, comprising a squeezy soft flask with a screw on lid and filter. The combination of small size, low weight and the flask’s collapsible properties immediately suggest portability. On wilderness missions, it could be the only water bottle you need.

Not only is it portable, it’s also hugely versatile. You can drink from the bottle system directly, use the filter as a straw or squeeze the flask to transfer your water into another bottle through the filter. The filter is also compatible with other Peak Series products and its screw threads are designed to fit standard water bottles too. In essence, whether drinking or stocking up, the Squeeze has a solution for your needs.

Its uses are wide ranging: from adventure races and day hikes to wild camping expeditions and remote travel. It’s 650ml capacity is ideal for fast and light adventures, while thru-hikers may prefer to opt for the larger 1L version. The lid has a little hook to enable you to attach it to your back with mini carabiner.

Ready for lots of 9s? Here we go! According to LifeStraw, their Peak Series Membrane Microfilter protects against an impressive 99.999999% of bacteria, 99.999% of parasites and 99.999% of microplastics, silt and sand. It does this using hollow fiber membrane technology, which is basically an advanced, 0.2 micron filter that blocks all nasties listed above. In terms of the filter’s longevity, LifeStraw say it will process up to 2,000L before water stops flowing through it. When this happens you know it has come to the end of its lifetime.

Because it's a water filter and not a water purifier, users should be aware that this product does not catch waterborne viruses, including norovirus, which can be present in some rivers and even streams on some trails. 

LifeStraw Peak Series Squeeze Bottle with Filter: on the trails

I tested the Squeeze on a couple of day hikes and on a long-distance trail run, where it really came into its own. It sat happily in my pack, taking up minimal room and weighing very little. 

It’s time to shine came as soon as I came across a body or flow of wild water. Unscrewing the filter and separating it from the squeeze bottle was straightforward enough and, before I knew it, I was balanced on a couple of rocks ready to dunk.

Many vessels designed for water collection come with a little handle, designed so that your hand has less chance of getting wet and also ensuring the current doesn't sweep your bottle away. The lack of one here is my main criticism of the Squeeze. To eliminate the chance of losing the bottle to the current, the lid's little plastic hook could be tethered to something, but it's not big enough to act as a handle.

It’s not so much of an issue in the warmer months but if I was heading out on a winter camp, I would be tempted to go for my Platypus Quickdraw, as its collection bladder boasts such a handle. 

Handle or not, after moving the collapsible bottle through the water a few times, it was just about full and it was time for the filtration to begin. This is where the Squeeze’s versatility gives you a choice. I found myself quenching my thirst by first drinking directly and then I got down to the business of refilling my hydration pack’s soft flasks.

The flow rate is pretty quick – I managed to fill a 500ml soft flask in about twenty seconds. Two flasks and an in-situ guzzle meant three visits to the stream and it was therefore a few minutes before I was back on to running the trails.

However, using the Squeeze to refill a few times during the run meant that I was able to set out with just 1L of water. I must have drank upwards of 4L during the run, so the weight saving was substantial. A lighter runner is a happier runner, particularly when covering huge distances.

The Squeeze comes bundled with a backflush syringe, which is used to keep the filter working effectively and to maintain the optimal flow rate. Maintenance is relatively quick and easy. All you have to do is disconnect the filter from the bottle, screw on the syringe and submerge in clean water. Then, use the syringe to draw water through the filter.

Where I tested the LifeStraw Peak Series Squeeze Bottle

I set out on a 30-mile run across the length of Dartmoor National Park, carrying an initial 1L of water. I knew that I’d need to resupply several times through the day and also knew there were plenty of river and stream crossings where this could happen. This gave me the perfect opportunity to test both drinking straight from the Squeeze and using it to replenish my soft flasks.

Yeti Rambler 10oz Tumbler: first impressions

At this point, Yeti needs no introductions and when we see a camping mug from them, we largely assume it’s going to do the job. That said, we’ve found some Yeti items too bulky and unwieldy in the past, so we were thrilled to get our hands on this more streamlined mug that carries the perfect amount of coffee for cold mornings at camp. Double-wall vacuum insulation means it keeps beverages both hot and cold, though like many Yeti products, it doesn’t do so for more than an hour. That said, if it takes you more than an hour to drink 10 ounces of coffee you might be looking for a flask anyway. 

With a slim design and no handle, it’s pleasant to hold and easily slides into the mesh pockets of your backpack. The mag slider lid is secure, letting out only a few drops when we turn it upside down, so it’s not totally leakproof (and they don’t say it is) but there’s no reason to worry about spillage if you knock it over while playing cards. Like all Yeti products, it’s a tough piece of gear and we love that it can be thrown in the dishwasher. It’s not even eye-wateringly expensive, so if you want a high quality travel mug, it's worth a look.

Yeti Rambler 10oz Tumbler: in the field 

Obviously, Yeti’s reputation precedes its coolers and camping mugs and, having lived in Colorado, I’m well familiar with the brand and have coveted many a life-changing cooler from them over the years. That said, when it comes to their camping mugs and water bottles. I’ve often been left a little disappointed. However, I still know better than to turn down a chance to test out a Yeti product and was pleased to get my hands on the Rambler 10oz Tumbler when I was in Chamonix for the Arc’teryx Alpine Academy this year.

Here’s how it performed:  

Insulation and leak proofing

When you’re buying a double-wall vacuum insulated mug, it’s presumably because you want something that keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. If I fill this mug with hot tea or coffee then drink it straight away at my normal pace, it stays hot as long as I need it. 

If, as I did last week, I fill it with hot tea, sip on it during my half hour drive to the trailhead and run for an hour, it’s warm by the time I’m finished running, but not hot. This is definitely an area where some people complain about Yeti and I wonder if they’ve set the bar too high for themselves with their amazing coolers. Ultimately I think if you’re looking for something that keeps your drink piping hot (or icy cold) for hours and hours, then this isn’t the right product for you. But if, like me, you just want a good quality camping mug for drinking freshly made hot beverages, it’s ample.

The mag slider lid isn’t totally leakproof, but it’s pretty secure. I’ve lab tested it by filling it with hot and cold drinks and shaking it upside down over my sink. A few dribbles do escape, but when I’m thrown it in the mesh panel of my backpack to ride my bike down to the climbing wall, it’s no issue, so again it probably depends whether you want something for regular use or to use while you’re on a trapeze.

Weight and portability

Yeti gear is rugged, and that means heavy, so larger mugs and water bottles from them that I’ve tested in the past weigh a ton by the time they’re filled. Because this is smaller, it’s lighter and while I wouldn’t take it backpacking, it’s feasible for camping trips and great for commuting. 

The streamlined (no handle) design makes it easy to pack and pleasant to hold.

Versatility and durability

Some camping mugs double as bowls with wide mouths and while it’s not impossible that you could drink soup out of this, it’s basically got two functions – hot drinks and cold drinks.

It’s sturdy enough to take a few drops on hard surfaces without showing much more than the odd dent or scratch, and if you take care of yours it will look new for ages, even after being run through the dishwasher like mine.

• How Advnture tests products

Right now, you can pick up a Yeti Rambler 14oz mug for just $24, with free custom printing available to make it your own. That's a saving of 20% off the list price, and stock is limited so you'll need to move fast to grab your favorite color before it sells out (Alpine Yellow is already gone).

This is a really generously sized mug, and big enough to do double duty as a camping bowl for your chilli or oatmeal (just don't try to heat it over your camping stove). Its thickly insulated walls and lid will keep your coffee or meal hot while protecting your hands, and prevent accidental spills in your tent.

We're always particularly impressed by how well Yeti mugs and bottles resist leaks, and the company's Magslider lids always stay securely in place.

The 20% off deal will continue until stock runs out, but the free custom printing deal ends on 19 July, so you'll need to act quickly if you want to give your mug a personal touch.

• The best hiking water bottles: tested and rated on the trails

Right now, you can save up to 30% off Hydro Flask bottles for Amazon Prime Day. There are various designs and sizes available, so you're sure to find something to suit you. Here we've picked out a selection of the best offers for you, but you can also browse the sale yourself if you're looking for something different.

Here at Advnture we'd big fans of Hydro Flask. In fact, the company's Wide Mouth design has long held a place in our roundup of the best water bottles thanks to its tough build that'll shrug off knocks and drops, great insulation, and easily refillable design. The only downside is usually the price, but with these Prime Day deals, that's no longer an issue.

If you're not in the US, scroll down to the bottom of this article for the best Hydro Flask deals where you are. You should also take a look at our roundups of all the best Amazon Prime Day hiking deals and camping deals, where we're hand-picking the best offers on outdoor gear from brands you can trust.

If you're not in the US, here are the best deals on Hydro Flask bottles where you are:

• Yeti vs Hydro Flask: the battle of the bottle

For a lot of us, pitching a tent in the woods and huddling around the campfire late into the night is a true exercise in nostalgia, reminding us of summers spent at camp and on family holidays in National Parks before they got crazy busy. Sure, our camping tents back then took an age to pitch and always sagged in the middle and our bodies ached from sleeping on thin foam mats instead of the plush inflatable sleeping pads of today, but we were happy.

Those of us that feel especially romantic about the camping adventures of yore might be tempted to relive some of those early, sepia-tinted memories. Perhaps you cook your camping meals in a Dutch oven instead of over a lightweight camping stove or keep using your flannel sleeping bag instead of upgrading to a compressible down sleeping bag. But when it comes time to gather round the fire and sip on hot chocolate with marshmallows, do you embrace the modern trend of lightweight camping mugs and clutch a featherlight, collapsible Stojo that can tuck away neatly in your backpack? Enjoy the reassuring weight of a meaty beverage tote like the Yeti Rambler 14oz mug which keeps your drinks both hot and cold? Or do you prefer the traditional familiarity of a good old fashioned enamel camping mug?

Enamel camping mugs are an iconic piece of camping gear. Their design is simple – a steel mug with a practical handle that’s been sprayed or dipped in powdered glass then fired at a high heat to secure a hard, smooth glaze. They can come in any color or design, but the most classic look is white with a dark blue rim. In fact, even if you didn’t realize it was enamel, if you look in your kitchen cupboard right now you probably have at least one, and if you don’t, loads of great companies are still churning them out today, like the Coleman 12 Ounce Enamelware Coffee Mug and Mountain Summit Gear Enamel Mug.

They’re definitely old school, so do these retro camping mugs have a place amongst your camping gear, or should you retire yours to the kitchen and upgrade to a sleek, modern vessel made of stainless steel, titanium or silicone? In this article, we take a look at the pros and cons of enamel camping mugs to see if they’re actually any good for camping, or whether you should send yours down the river with your leather water canteen and safari hat.

Pros of enamel mugs for camping 

1. Durable

Truly the main argument for using any type of enamel kitchenware for any type of activity is that it lasts a lifetime, and then some. If you root around in your kitchen, the chances are that you have a beautiful old enamel pie dish that you inherited from your great auntie Elsie that’s a hundred years old and looks as good as new. 

Enamel cookware is made by fusing powdered glass onto steel in an 800-degree kiln, which makes it nearly bombproof and means it won’t rust. That means if your camping mug tends to get dropped, kicked and clumsily tossed into a disorganized camping bin between trips, you don’t have to worry about it getting scratched, breaking down over time the way plasticware does, or shattering.

2. Eco-friendly

Because enamel is so long lasting, it’s highly unlikely you’ll need to replace it in your lifetime. That not only saves you money, it means less plastic in the landfills and fewer mugs getting made in the first place. Of course, the same goes for stainless steel mugs, but if you’re looking for an environmentally friendly option that doesn’t have any coating that sheds into our water systems, enamel is a good option.

3. No unwanted taste or odor

A common complaint with plastic camping mugs is that the materials retain the taste of whatever you put in them, so once a camping mug has had a coffee in it, it will always taste of coffee. My boyfriend and I have two insulated plastic mugs which we recently took with us on a road trip. His happened to taste of coffee even though both were filled with tea, and he hates coffee, which made for a grumpy driver. 

Flavors and smells don’t cling to enamel, so you can even eat some spaghetti out of your camping mug in the evening, wash it out, and drink coffee out of it the next morning without wrinkling your nose.

4. Easy to clean and care for

Unlike some of the more technical double walled vacuum sealed camping mugs, an enamel camping mug can just be thrown in the dishwasher to clean it, which is always a bonus.

5. Lightweight

Though glass fused to steel might not sound like it would be particularly lightweight, enamel camping mugs are actually among the lighter on the market, beat out only by titanium mugs. At just 3.5 ounces, I actually often just attach my enamel camping mug from Fjällräven to a loop on my backpack using a carabiner.

6. Not insulated

Enamel is a conductor of heat and this might sound like a con, which it can be, but we’ll get to that in a minute. In terms of pros, enamel being not insulated means that when you put a warm drink in it, it gets warm. That means that on a chilly morning when you’re sitting outside your tent watching the sun rise, you can warm your hands on your enamel mug while sipping tea.

7. Classic look

Obviously, we can’t account for differences in taste, but the enamel camping mug has a classic appeal that a lot of campers really love, especially when compared to chunky, modern and brightly colored plastic versions.

Cons of enamel mugs for camping

1. Less technical

Generally speaking, enamel camping mugs mostly look the same. They’re mugs with handles and no lids. A lot of the more modern camping mugs are a bit more technical, meaning they might have more of a streamlined design to be more packable, have leakproof lids or be insulated to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. Enamel camping mugs therefore might not be as versatile or high performing as other options.

2. Somewhat prone to chipping

Yes, we said that enamel is nearly bombproof, but is prone to chipping if you drop it at the right angle on a hard surface like concrete, which I’ve learned the hard way. Glass fused to steel honestly isn’t as fragile as it sounds, but under the right circumstances it could chip, which doesn’t mean you can’t keep using it, but it won’t be as pretty. If you’re just using yours for camping, where the only type of surface you’re likely to drop it on is a soft forest floor, this really won’t be an issue, but in the interests of objectivity we feel we must mention that chipping is a possibility.

3. Not insulated

Enamel conducts heat, which means that you can warm your hands on a camping mug filled with soup, but it also means you can burn your hands if the liquid inside is too hot, and that your hot food and drinks won’t stay as hot for as long as they will in an insulated mug. If you’re the type who wants to cart around the same cup for coffee all day long, enamel is definitely not for you.

Are enamel mugs good for camping?

As you can see, there are definitely more pros than cons when it comes to enamel camping mugs, however when you consider the additional features of more modern styles, we definitely concede that choosing one may be a bit of a nostalgic choice. 

That said, whether or not you go for enamel all depends on what type of camper you are. If you like warming your hands under a starry sky and take a no-frills approach to camping, or just prefer the vintage vibe, you’ll love your enamel camping mug. For those who like a high tech mug that keeps your beverage warm all day without burning your hands, an enamel camping mug will feel a bit archaic.

Contigo Cortland Autoseal Water Bottle 720ml: first impressions

Hiking water bottles really don’t seem like they should be a particularly complex piece of kit and yet it’s amazing how many problems you end up with if you pick the wrong one. Contigo has pulled out all the stops with the Cortland Autoseal to develop a water bottle that is hassle-free whether you’re hiking or hanging out at the crag.

This BPA-free plastic water bottle is lightweight and ergonomic, meaning you can easily drink from it one-handed, making it ideal for outdoor adventures when you don’t want to add a lot of weight and need to be able to take a slug without breaking your stride. 

The best features of this water bottle, however, are that it seems to be completely leak proof and the spout is controlled by an on/off button. When it is turned off, there is no possibility of water spilling out and drenching the contents of your backpack, but when it’s on, water gushes into your mouth to quench your thirst in the most satisfying way possible.

It’s just small enough in circumference that you can comfortably carry it in one hand, with a clip on handle for easy on-the-go transport as well. When it’s time to give it a clean, this bottle is dishwasher safe and the top is wide enough that you can easily and quickly wash it by hand too. We like it too much to take an axe to it but as far as we can tell, it is a really durable piece of gear – at least we hope so because we want to be using it for years to come. At a great price, we can’t really think of any reason not to treat yourself to one of these unless you’re serious about owning an insulated bottle.

Contigo Cortland Autoseal Water Bottle 720ml: in the field

I’m not going to say that I have fallen in love with this water bottle, because that would be weird, but I will say that I’ve been using it for hiking for the past month, and it definitely makes me feel feelings

Here’s how it performs on the trail: 

Ease of use 

This water bottle is super easy to use, as soon as you figure out how. Just unscrew the top and fill it up through a nice wide opening. Screw the top back on and if the on/off switch is turned off, throw it in your bag with no worries of leakage. When it came time to take my first slug, I definitely thought it was broken at first until I discovered the switch. Once I turned it on, I was really pleased with the way it pours water into my mouth about having to suck, and there’s no danger of it pouring down my shirt. It’s also easy to hold in one hand. 

Sustainability 

Now, environmentally speaking, I prefer a stainless steel or glass bottle, there’s no question about that. But the BPA-free Tritan plastic that goes into this bottle is made using recycled materials and is also recyclable (it’s the same type used in Nalgene bottles), which is a bonus.

Weight and capacity 

The light weight of a plastic bottle is certainly persuasive. Even when it is full, it doesn’t add tons of weight to my pack and with a 720ml capacity. It holds a good amount of water for a day hike without being totally ridiculous. That said, it is a streamlined enough shape that it is still pretty easy to stuff into a full backpack, another thing I tend to struggle with when it comes to giant cylindrical vessels.

Taste and cleaning

There is no gross plastic taste from this water bottle even when it’s brand new which is awesome.

When it needs a scrub, once you unscrew the lid, the opening is quite wide, so it’s really easy to clean this with a brush and it’s dishwasher safe. The drinking spout isn’t too complicated as it doesn’t have a straw that can collect loads of dirt so I’ve just given it a quip wipe with a sponge and some soap.

Durability

Obviously, plastic will never have the durability of stainless steel, but it also doesn’t dent and frankly, for as much as I drop my water bottles that’s a good thing. This plastic is pretty sturdy and I can see it holding up for a few years. The drinking spout is a little high tech, so that’s the only mechanism that I can imagine could potentially cause trouble would be if the on/off switch stopped working.

Versatility

Obviously, this isn’t a flask that keeps beverages hot and cold. It’s just for carrying water, or I suppose sports drinks if they are your cup of tea, proverbially speaking. Certainly not a problem for me as I’m quite happy to use my flask for hot drinks, but if you are looking for a two-in-one drinking vessel, this one isn’t for you.

• How Advnture tests products

Yeti Rambler 12oz Bottle with Hotshot Cap: first impressions

The Yeti Rambler bottle is a seriously tough double-walled insulated water bottle, which will keep drinks hot or cold for hours and hours, and enjoy it with a minimum of fuss on the move. This 12oz version is just the right size for one generous serving of coffee, and fits nicely in most cupholders.

The ingenious Hotshot design means there's no need to carry a separate camping mug. Just twist the recessed handle in the top of the lid and you can drink straight through the cap from any angle.There's also an 18oz version available for longer trips, or you can buy the Hotshot Cap separately for your existing Yeti Rambler bottle.

Like all Yeti drinkware, the Rambler Bottle with Hotshot Cap comes in a wide array of colors, with special editions and seasonal shades released every now and then. My review sample is navy, and there are seven other options available at the time of writing, including Canopy Green, which was released for spring 2023.

It's solidly made, and my review sample has so far shrugged off a couple of drops from the side pocket of my backpack with no ill effects.

This is a premium insulated bottle, but at $30 / £25, it's not wildly expensive, and well worth the investment if you want to guarantee that your drink will stay at the right temperature on the trail or at camp.

Yeti Rambler 12oz Bottle with Hotshot Cap: in the field

I took the Yeti Rambler Bottle with Hotshot Cap on a week-long camping and hiking expedition near Sherwood Forest, UK, and was very impressed by its performance. Tea or coffee brewed in the morning was piping hot at lunchtime, and still drinkably warm by the evening. Holding the bottle, you can feel just how little heat is escaping. I was even able to boil water last thing at night, store it in the flask, and use it to make tea the following morning.

The bottle is dishwasher-safe, which is a real plus when you get home from camp, but it's also easy to clean by hand when you're off-grid. Its stainless steel interior isn't easily tainted by strong flavors either, so you don't need to worry about your water tasting of last week's coffee or your dishwasher detergent.

The Hotshot cap is an excellent piece of engineering, too. You don't need to remove it to drink, it avoids the need to drink directly from the bottle's metal lip, and it's harder to spill. I have a Stay Sixty water bottle that works in a similar way, but Yeti's design is superior, with a smooth mechanism that closes tightly between uses.

The only downside, which is mentioned in the enclosed leaflet, is the need to occasionally loosen the lid a little to release pressure when using the Hotshot Bottle to carry hot drinks. If you don't, there's a chance some liquid might ooze out when you want to take a drink, which isn't ideal. You also need to take care to screw on the cap with the Hotshot Lid open to allow air to escape, otherwise you could wind up with fresh coffee on your best hiking pants.

• How Advnture tests products

FLSK drinking bottle: first impressions

Germany’s leading water bottle brand FLSK has just landed in the UK. The classic FLSK water bottle, which comes in three different sizes, is designed for portability, with a streamlined design that tapers at the top and is both easy to slide into an overstuffed backpack and simple to drink from. The stainless steel construction keeps your drinks ice-cold for up to 24 hours, or hot for up to 18 hours, and won’t leak no matter what you do.

For hiking, this bottle is relatively heavy. It’s also on the pricey end due to its high quality construction and materials, but if you like high-end goods then you’ll love the classy look of it.

The lid is easy to remove and the drinking spout is great for drinking from without spillage, but a bit narrow for extracting a tea bag so it’s not ideal for all hot beverages. This bottle also isn’t dishwasher safe, so make sure you wash yours by hand to keep it performing well, and remember you’ll need a long bottle brush to do so.

FLSK drinking bottle: in the field

I’m a bit biased when it comes to German designs – I automatically assume they’re going to be superior in quality – and with this water bottle, I wasn’t totally wrong. Though I can find a few bones to pick with its overall construction, I absolutely love the way this water bottle looks and feels and have been happy to take it along on a few day hikes in recent weeks.

Here’s how it performed:

Weight and packability

This bottle is actually a little heavy as compared to others. I tested out the 500ml which is the smallest. At 320g it’s heavier than most of the larger water bottles we’ve tested, but such is the way with double-wall vacuum flasks made from stainless steel and it’s comparable to any of the main competitors in that field such as Hydroflask and Yeti.

What I really love about this bottle however is its packability. I really hate trying to wedge a cylindrical bottle into a backpack that’s already stuffed to the gills, and the tapered design of this shapely bottle means I can just turn it upside down and slide it in to either the pockets or the main compartment. The size also makes it really easy to hold in my hand, unlike some of the battering rams I’ve tested in the past that come with an actual carrying handle because they’re so unwieldy.

Temperature control

This bottle promises to keep your drinks ice cold for up to 24 hours, or hot for up to 18 hours, and my informal lab test proved both claims to be true. It also insulated well enough to avoid condensation on the outside. The caveat to the heat-holding abilities, however, is that it’s not an excellent design for hot drinks. First, because the spout is quite narrow for pouring coffee or hot chocolate into or easily getting a tea bag out, and second, because it doesn’t come with a built-in cup to pour your hot drink into. As a result, I’m still using my hiking flask for hot beverages, but in fairness to them, I’ve never really used my bottles interchangeably for water and coffee.

Durability 

This is a sturdy bottle, though like all such bottles it will get dented if you drop it on concrete, especially when it’s full and heavy. I dropped mine on the trail and it has a minor scuff, but overall it’s as robust as they come.

Ease of use

One of my many pet peeves is water bottle lids that are difficult to screw on and off, so I’m delighted with how easy this one is to use. The narrow spout also makes it easy to drink from without dumping water all over my shirt. It isn’t dishwasher safe, however, and the narrow spout makes it difficult to clean by hand, so I’m saving it for water only.

• How Advnture tests products

Winter hiking doesn’t seem like such thirsty work as climbing uphill on a hot summer’s day, but all that heavy breathing in the cold air and sweating definitely dehydrates you if you’re not sipping water regularly. It’s alarming then, when you pull out your water bottle to take a swig and discover that it’s not a drink at all but a frozen block of ice.

This can happen to a bottle or a hydration bladder too, as has happened to us when winter walking in Scotland's sub-zero Cairngorms National Park. Suffice to say, we quickly swotted up on how to avoid this occurrence. So what can you do?

Well, if you’re far from civilization and you don’t have a good method for melting snow, you might be in a real pickle, and by pickle we mean a life-or-death situation. The best approach is to go out prepared so this doesn’t happen to you in the first place. 

Let’s take a look at how to keep your water bottle from freezing on a winter hike, from the best hiking water bottles for cold weather to how to pack it properly, to make sure you’re never left high and (literally) dry in the wild. Preparation begins before you even set off – skip the booze the night before, and drink a bottle of water or as much as you can at the trailhead before you set off.

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Start with warm water

• Start with a warmer liquid than you would in summer
• Remember than not all hiking bottles and reservoirs are designed to take boiling water

In summer, you might start with ice water in your bottle so that you can have a nice cool drink even after a few hours of hot weather hiking, and similarly you’ll want to start with warm water on frigid days. Not all water bottles or hydration bladders are designed to carry hot water, so don’t go crazy here, but start with warmer liquid and by your first water break it will be room temperature and will take much longer to actually freeze.

Invest in an insulated water bottle

• An insulated bottle will keep hot drinks hot in winter and cold drinks cold in summer
• Look for a bottle with a chug cap for easy drinking

If you’ve got a little cash to spend and you’ve been hiking with a non-insulated, narrow-mouth bottle, the first thing you can do to help yourself out is get a water bottle that’s better-suited to very cold temperatures. If you don’t mind drinking hot liquids, you can of course just switch to your hiking flask for winter, but an insulated water bottle like the Hydro Flask 32oz features vacuum insulation for both hot and cold drinks, so you can use it year-round. 

In addition, a wider mouth on either your bottle or hydration bladder will be less likely to become completely obstructed with ice. If you find the wide mouth sloppy to drink out of, the Yeti Rambler 26oz is similar to the Hydro Flask but comes with a handy, removable “chug cap” for drinking. 

For non-insulated options, plastic is a better insulator than single-walled steel, but it carries health risks so make sure you go for BPA-free plastic if you’re not buying an insulated water bottle.

Insulate your bottle

• You can get insulated sleeves for regular water bottles and reservoirs
• While effective to a point, it won't match the performance of a dedicated insulated bottle

Quite happy with your water bottle or hydration bladder, thank you very much? No problem, you can insulate your existing one. You can buy insulating sleeves for both water bottles and hydration bladders that will add a layer of protection against freezing temperatures. We’ll be honest, this method won’t be as effective as an insulated bottle, but it will help and for shorter hikes, should suffice.

Pack it properly

• When packing, turn your bottle upside down
• Pack it as close as you can to your body
• Don't get it out too regularly to stop it from cooling down

Once you’ve chosen your vessel and filled it with warm liquid, you also want to pack it properly to keep it as protected as possible from the biting wind. That means don’t stick it in one of the side pockets of your backpack or attach it with a carabiner where it will be totally exposed to cold air. No, pack your water bottle upside down, because it will freeze faster at the top where it comes into contact with air, and pack it closest to your body near the back wall of your backpack. Finally, don’t take it out of your backpack or unscrew the cap more than is absolutely necessary – it’s better to stop less often for a longer drink than continually expose it to cold air with frequent sipping.

Use a soft bottle

• A soft bottle is easier to wear close to your body
• They also take up less room in a pack

These days, you can buy convenient soft water bottles like the LifeStraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze which take up less room in your pack. They’re not any less prone to freezing, but they are easier to wear closer to your body – you might actually be able to tuck one inside your base layer against your skin or in an inner jacket pocket so your body heat can keep the water inside from freezing. This might get a bit annoying for a long trek, but for a very cold day hike it’s a worthy option.

Sleep with your water bottle

• Snuggle up with your bottle in your sleeping bag if you're camping

Finally, if you’re spending a night in the wilderness, don’t just chuck your water bottle into your tent when you’re getting ready for bed. Bring it into your sleeping bag with you so you and your water bottle can share body heat all night long.

Yeti, maker of some of the best water bottles, has launched its lightest ever bottle for hiking and fastpacking. The new Yeti Yonder comes in two sizes (750ml/25oz and 1l/34oz), and are designed to be as lightweight as possible while also being shatterproof in the event of drops and knocks on the trails.

Each bottle comes in four colors (charcoal, navy, seafoam, and clear) and is made from BPA-free plastic so there are no harmful chemicals to leach into your water. See our guide what does BPA-free mean for more info. 

The Yeti Yonder bottles have a leakproof two-part cap, which twists off so you can drink from the spout, and unscrews for refilling and cleaning (by hand or in the dishwasher).

The bottles are available now direct from Yeti. The 25oz bottle has a list price of $25, while the 34oz model is $28 with free shipping.

Bear in mind that the Yonder is only meant to cold, uncarbonated beverages. For hot drinks, you'll need one of the best hiking flasks like the Thermos Revival Flask or Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle.

• How to carry a water bottle while hiking

For many hikers, the reward for that long, arduous climb up a steep slope is enjoying a spectacular view at the top with a delicious lunch, and let’s be honest, sometimes a cheese sandwich just doesn’t cut it. Hiking with a thermos can be a great way to uplevel your hiking meals and refuel on a long hike, what with their ability to keep yummy meals hot for hours. You can use your thermos for warm beverages too, such as tasty hot chocolate, tea and coffee and even to keep food and drinks cold in the middle of summer. Using a thermos might seem simple enough, but if you don’t get it right you could end up with a lukewarm meal or even exposing yourself to bacteria that can cause food poisoning. To avoid that and ensure a tasty treat on the trail, follow our guide to how to use a thermos, including what to look for in a thermos, and what to put in yours. 

How to choose a thermos 

The best hiking flasks of course keep your food or drink hot for several hours, and don’t add too much weight to your backpack, but there are a couple of other factors to look out for. First, you’ll always want to start with a clean thermos, which is why it’s a good idea to search for one that is dishwasher safe. If yours isn’t fit for the dishwasher, make sure that it has a wide enough mouth that you can easily get in there with a brush and give it a good scrub. A wide mouth also makes it easier to eat directly from the thermos, cutting down on the fuss when you stop for lunch. That said, the wider the mouth, the more quickly you will lose heat once the lid is off, so don’t get too crazy here if you’re planning on doing a lot of winter hiking. 

What should you put in a thermos? 

When it comes to what goes in your thermos, the first rule of thumb is that it needs to have some liquid in order for the thermos to keep it hot, so don’t think you can chop up a steak and some potatoes and throw it in and expect it to be warm hours later. This is why soup works great in a thermos, as do stews, chilis and oatmeal. For hot food, it’s a good idea to make sure you only put fully cooked food in your thermos for food safety reasons, but it’s also helpful to know that food will continue to cook in the thermos if you use it properly, so consider leaving foods like vegetables and pasta little al dente lest they turn to mush.

If it’s cold food you’re after, you can use your thermos to keep yogurt and smoothies chilled on the hill, too.

How to use a thermos to keep food hot 

If you’re heading out in cold weather, chances are you’ll want your thermos to keep your food or drink hot. For the best results, prepare your food or drink just before leaving the house for your hike so it doesn't cool off too early. 

1. Warm your thermos 

Wait, doesn’t the thermos itself keep your food hot? Well, yes, but it does a much better job if you’ve warmed up your thermos to begin with, trust us. While you’re preparing your foot or beverage, boil the kettle and fill the thermos with hot water. Screw the lid on and let it stand for a few minutes. 

2. Heat your food or beverage 

The next step in ensuring your food or drink is still hot when you get to the trail is to get it very hot to begin with. This also helps with food safety, since bacteria likes to thrive in temperatures between 40 - 140°F, otherwise known as the danger zone. Though to be certain of that, you’d need a thermometer, as a good rule of thumb you should plan to cook your food at a boil for at least two minutes so it’s piping hot. 

3. Fill your thermos 

Don’t delay – as soon as your food or drink is ready, empty the thermos of the hot water and immediately pour your hot food or drink into the thermos, then screw the lid on tight. 

4. Enjoy a hot meal 

Your food or drink will be warmest if you consume it within a few hours. Obviously, each time you unscrew the lid, you’ll lose a few degrees, especially if it’s cold out. When it comes to food safety, if you don’t eat everything in your thermos at once, you can end up carting around slightly warm food for hours which can increase your risk of bacteria growing, so it’s best to enjoy it all at once if you can rather than snacking on it. This matters less for a hot brew, but of course you probably also don’t want to be shipping on tepid tea either. 

How to use a thermos to keep food cold 

Prefer to use your thermos in the summer to keep your food and drink icy? The steps for using a thermos to keep food and drinks chilled are similar to keeping food warm. Your thermos will work best if it’s cold to begin with, especially in hot weather. so the night before you plan to use it, place it in the fridge. If you forget this step, simply fill it with cold water and a few ice cubes and let it sit for a few minutes, then empty it out, fill it with your cold drink or food and screw the lid on tightly. If you’re just using it to keep water cold and it’s really hot out, you can always add a few ice cubes, too. 

Armed with the best hiking flask, you can enjoy a hot brew pretty much anywhere. Coffee, tea, soup, saucy pasta – they all just taste better in the great outdoors, especially if you're perched watching the sun rise over a distant ridge line, sat listening to the sounds of the forest or looking out across the sea with breaking waves tickling your feet.

With the winter hiking season upon us, the best hiking flask is more than just a luxury, it's almost a necessity. As anyone who ventures above the snow line will know, having a hot drink to hand is a great way to keep warm. Winter campers also enjoy the benefits of having an already steaming hot drink ready when they reach camp.

The best hiking flasks are designed specifically to maintain the temperature of their contents for several hours. Many feature a handy mug as a lid and most come in a range of sizes. Flasks with a smaller capacity are ideal for your hiking backpack on fast and light missions, while larger options are great for car camping and the like.

So, whether you're off with your best camping tent for a winter wild camp, or wanting a steaming pick-me-up for after an invigorating wild swim, our guide to the best hiking flasks has you covered.

Large hiking flasks

The Thermos Revival is a hiking flask that has some serious heritage appeal. With a history stretching back well over 100 years. The technology used in the Thermos (named after the Greek word for heat, therme) still owes a great deal to the invention the vacuum flask by Scottish scientist Sir James Dewar in 1892, which he created when he was supposed to be working on cryogenics. 

These classic-looking, tartan-emblazoned '60s-chic flasks are direct replicas of the brand’s much-loved original Model 18 design, seen everywhere from family photos to Famous Five books for as long as anyone alive today can remember.

This flask may look dated, by design, but it still works like a dream, keeping fluids hot for up to 18 hours and chilled for over 24 hours, while maintaining a neutral outside temperature so do don’t get any build up of condensation in your pack. The cup is quite small, but at least it screws securely to the top of the flask so it doesn’t become separated, and the system for opening and closing the main container is simple and functional. All in all, it's classy, reliable and very functional – a beauty of a flask that should last for many years.

Read our full Thermos Revival Flask review

There’s a family of four sizes in the Lifeventure TiV range, so finding the volume of vacuum flask that suits your needs should be easy, from a small, solo flask to a mighty family-sized affair. Each TiV flask is copper-coated to boost heat retention, and should be good for keeping hot drinks hot for up to eight hours, while keeping cold drinks chilled for as long as 24 hours (tip: add ice cubes to extend the cooling effect).

The deep screw stopper provides a reassuringly leak-proof closure, but you’ll need to unscrew it completely to pour a drink. Out on the trail, the stainless steel lid doubles as a handy cup and is a useful size on all four flasks in the range, while the slim body makes it easy to pour single-handedly.

The walker nominated to carry this giant flask in his or her rucksack has truly drawn the short straw… until the first drinks break… and the second… and the third! The great advantage of this double-wall vacuum insulation and the generous volume is that drinks stay unbelievably hot. Stanley claims a ‘stay hot’ time of 40 hours, and if you pack it with ice it will spend up to six days frozen!

On the other hand, it is a beast to carry, especially in a smaller day pack, and while the collapsible handle is useful for pouring when the flask is full, especially if you don’t have baseball mitts for hands, it can snag on clothes when you pull the flask out of a rucksack.

The fact that you’re as likely to see the Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle on a building site as you are on a hilltop tells you everything you need to know about the flask’s bombproof build quality, which is reassuringly backed up by a lifetime warranty.

You’ll need a long brush to reach the bottom of the flask for cleaning, although it is dishwasher-proof – if your dishwasher is big enough to accommodate it!

Read our full Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle review

Designed by camping and hiking specialist Vango, the stainless steel Magma Flask delivers everything a walker could want from a flask. Like Henry Ford’s proverbial Model T, you can choose any colour so long as it’s black, but that simplicity aside, the copper-coated double wall vacuum flask delivers impressive insulation to retain heat and keep cold drinks cool.

There’s no fancy lid – just unscrew the top and pour your cuppa into the lined cup.

The Vango Magma Flask is available in three sizes – 500ml, 750ml and 1-litre – so there’s a good range of choice from solo flask to family drinks, and all for bargain prices.

Read our full Vango Magma Flask review

Small hiking flasks

The bright colours of the Primus Vacuum Bottle range are, er, not just a pretty face on a functional item of outdoor kit. The powder coating gives enough purchase that it’s possible to unscrew the lid without taking off your gloves, which is a massive bonus when the mercury tumbles. Then it’s simply a question of pushing down the button in the centre of the stopper and pouring your drink. It’s not the neatest spout, and is far from ideal if you fancy swigging cold drinks directly from the flask, but on the plus side it traps heat inside to keep drinks warmer for longer. This ‘sealed’ stopper also makes it a little harder to assess how much drink is left in the Primus Vacuum Bottle – walkers will have to count the cupfuls they pour to keep track.

The lid serves as a handy cup, although as with most flasks in this review, the volume is pretty small, especially if you’re accustomed to the giant beakers of high street coffee outlets.

After use, the narrow opening makes cleaning a little difficult, particularly if you take milk in your coffee or fill the flask with soup, although long brushes are available. The click-close button also disassembles for cleaning, but it’s far from obvious how to do this.

Read our full Primus Vacuum Bottle 350ml review

If there’s one thing more likely to turn your walking buddies green with envy than having a flask of hot drink available throughout the day, it’s tucking into a hot meal while they chomp on soggy sandwiches. Pasta with pesto and cheese, chunky soups and hearty stews… whatever your midday masterpiece, this robust Thermos Stainless King Food Flask will keep it hot until it’s time for lunch.

The flask itself is short and fat, its 9.4cm diameter too wide to slide into a side pocket of a rucksack, but at only 14.2cm tall it squeezes inside a pack with no trouble. The lid conceals a handy, full-size folding spoon and you could use the insulated lid as a bowl if you’re sharing your meal, although most walkers should be able to manage the full contents on their own.

Thermos claims that once sealed, the Stainless King Food Flask will keep hot food hot for nine hours and cold food chilled for 14 hours. For optimum performance it pays to pre-heat the flask with boiling water prior to filling it with food, and once the wide lid is removed it doesn’t take long for an icy wind to cool food down.

The wide mouth does, however, make this pot easy to clean – only larger hands won’t fit inside it, and the five-year guarantee is a welcome case of a manufacturer putting its money where its mouth is.

Read our full Thermos Stainless King Food Flask review

The slim, stylish GSI Outdoors Microlite 350 Flip applies the spout technology of a water bottle to the science of keeping drinks kettle hot or ice cube cold. The flip-top lid and pouring spout lets you swig straight from the flask, which is ideal unless your drink is too hot to swallow (and watch out for your fillings if you’ve packed the bottle with ice). You can, of course, simply take a mug along with you (there’s no lid cup on the top, unlike the other flasks in this test), and if you want a flask to double up for your commutes it’s easy to have a mug ready on your desk at work.

The ultra-thin, 2mm walls of the flask lend it the slenderness of a supermodel while swallowing a surprisingly large volume of fluid given its dimensions – GSI reckons it can carry 25 percent more liquid than traditional vacuum bottles of the same size.

The push-button, flip-top cap allows one-handed access, which is convenient if you’ve got a map, GPS, camera or walking pole in your other hand.

As for the insulation, the Microlite 350 Flip will keep hot drinks hot for eight hours and keep cold drinks chilled for as long as 16 hours.

Read our full GSI Outdoors Microlite 350 Flip review

While insulated travel mugs offer a far greener alternative to disposable coffee shop beakers, suspicions about the security of their seals have left walkers reticent about trusting them beyond campsite use. As scores of positive reviews attest, however, Camelbak has solved the problem thanks to its Hot Cap, which converts insulated mugs and bottles into flasks. Cleverly, the Hot Cap is also compatible with Camelbak’s Chute Mag and Eddy+ water bottles, turning them into cold drink flasks.

The lid’s rotating twist valve opens and closes the flow of liquid, with the added convenience of 360-degree drinking from any side of the mug (handy for keeping your eyes on the road if you’re taking a swig while driving).

Out on the trail, the no-slip textured flask fits nicely in the hand, keeps hot drinks hot for six hours (a much better performance than most travel mugs), and then is straightforward to disassemble for a thorough clean.

Hiking flask comparison table

Choosing the best hiking flask

Volume

This is an entirely personal decision – are you carrying a hot drink only for yourself, for you and a partner, or for the whole family? For coffee lovers weaned on the giant beakers of Starbucks and Costa, the 350ml, one-person models may not be turn out to be the best hiking flask for a long day in the hills. Of course, the more liquid you carry, the more weight you carry in your daypack.

Dimensions

Where will you carry your flask? Tucked deep in your rucksack or in a side pocket for swift, easy access. The diameter of some of the best hiking flasks in this test is too wide to slide into many daypack side pockets. It’s also worth bearing in mind that a flask which fits snugly in your hand is easier to pour and avoids having to take off your best hiking gloves when the temperature drops.

Top/stopper

The traditional, deep, screw-in stoppers should provide the most secure seal (although most modern flasks are reliable), but they need two hands to unscrew and pour, and they let heat escape each time they are undone. Click tops that let you pour a drink without unscrewing the top retain heat better, but they don’t let soup flow very easily and they can be awkward to dismantle and clean. Drinking spouts that allow you to drink straight from the flask seem convenient, but if the flask’s insulation is any good the drink will be too hot to swallow for a long time.

Opening

If you want to use your flask for hot camping meals you’ll need a wider mouth and shallower depth to reach the bottom with a fork or spoon. The wider mouth makes cleaning easier because most people will be able to squeeze a hand and scourer inside.

Insulation

The primary reason for taking the best hiking flasks on a walk is to keep hot drinks hot or chilled drinks cold, so their insulation performance really matters. Pre-heating or pre-cooling flasks can make a significant difference to the heat/cold retention. Remember, too, that the more liquid in a flask the better it will retain its temperature, so larger volume flasks will outperform smaller rivals.

• How Advnture tests products

Thermos Revival Flask: first impressions 

The Thermos Revival is a hiking flask that has some serious heritage appeal. With a history stretching back well over 100 years, Thermos flasks have been keeping adventurers’ thirst at bay in all sorts of outdoor scenarios since 1904, reliably storing life-saving liquids (like hot tea and coffee) for hours on end, even in the most extreme conditions.

And what adventure isn’t improved – or, indeed, made possible – by a hot cuppa halfway along the trail or just below the top of the hill? The technology used in the Thermos (named after the Greek word for heat, therme) still owes a great deal to the invention the vacuum flask by Scottish scientist Sir James Dewar in 1892, which he created when he was supposed to be working on cryogenics. 

Holding a pint of steaming hot tea, coffee, soup, mulled wine or cider – or whatever your poison is – the Revival is part of a retro range recently released by Thermos. These classic-looking, tartan-emblazoned '60s-chic flasks are direct replicas of the brand’s much-loved original Model 18 design, seen everywhere from family photos to Famous Five books for as long as anyone alive today can remember. 

Thermos Revival Flask: on the trails 

Since fall has set in with a vengeance, I have given the Revival several real outings onto the trails of the Lake District and Snowdonia, where it has lived up to its name and kept me going with a grin on my face. 

This flask may look dated, by design, but it still works like a dream, keeping fluids hot for up to 18 hours and chilled for over 24 hours, while maintaining a neutral outside temperature so do don’t get any build up of condensation in your hiking backpack. 

The cup is quite small, but at least it screws securely to the top of the flask so it doesn’t become separated, and the system for opening and closing the main container is simple and functional.

• How Advnture tests products

Reusable water bottles went from being practically non-existent to an everyday essential in only about a decade. It’s not that water bottles are particularly new, but as recently as the early 2000s, most hydration-conscious people simply re-used an old Evian bottle. Today, however, reusable water bottles are a permanent fixture in hiking backpacks and on desks across the globe. Forgetting your water bottle upon leaving for a hike or even for work is cause for a panic attack and Lost and Found boxes in gyms across the globe are now filled with forgotten water bottles waiting forlornly to be reunited with their owners.

As such, you might be considering finally upgrading from your old plastic sports bottle to a more sturdy beverage toter and if so, chances are you’re debating the merits of Yeti vs Hydro Flask. These two heavyweights of the water bottle world turn out some serious-looking drinks carriers, but are they all they’re cracked up to be? And which is best? We find out in Yeti vs Hydro Flask: the battle of the bottles.

Yeti vs Hydro Flask: the basics

Yeti and Hydro Flask both turn out some pretty similar-looking, high-performing drinkware. Both brands have flooded the market with magnum-sized, brightly colored water bottles that can be toted around easily using a carrying handle. Austin-based Yeti was founded in 2006 and is best-known for its gold-standard camping coolers. It sells drinkware such as water bottles and camping mugs under its Rambler line. 

Hydro Flask was founded in 2009 in Bend, OR as a water bottle company and has more recently branched out into soft-sided camping coolers and camping kitchenware. Both companies make stainless steel, double-wall vacuum water bottles of various sizes that are designed to protect your beverage – hot or cold – from whatever is happening on the outside. These bottles have become very popular with outdoor enthusiasts as well as desk jockeys, particularly of the millennial variety.

Yeti vs Hydro Flask: price

First off, in case you don’t already know this, both Yeti and Hydro Flask water bottles are expensive. Like, priced to be the last water bottle you ever buy money. It’s a little difficult to compare them side by side since their water bottles aren’t the exact same size – Yeti runs theirs in 12oz/18oz/26oz/36oz/46oz increments whereas Hydro Flask make theirs in sizes 18oz/21oz/32oz/40oz. 

That said, the two brands 18oz bottles both come in at around $30 while a Yeti Rambler 26oz bottle is the same price as the slightly smaller 24oz Hydro Flask ($40) so depending on what size you’re looking for, you might get a little more for your money with a Yeti. What you’re not going to get with either brand, however, is a bargain.

Yeti vs Hydro Flask: insulation and materials

When it comes to construction, Yeti and Hydro Flask bottles are pretty comparable. Both are made using stainless steel and have double-wall vacuum insulation, which means that they’ll keep your liquids hot for a long time even if it’s cold outside, cold for a long time even if it’s hot outside, and won’t have condensation build up on the outside in either set of conditions.

That said, in our gear tests, neither option will keep your drink warm beyond a typical long hiking day, so if you’re preparing a flask of tea the night before, you’re likely to have a disappointing morning. Bring a camping stove and make it fresh.

Yeti vs Hydro Flask: weight

Clearly, the size of the bottle you buy will determine how heavy it is, but both of these beverage brutes are going to weigh more than your old plastic squeeze bottle. That said, in comparing a couple of models, we did notice quite a difference in their weight. Yeti’s 26oz Rambler weighs a whopping 22oz empty, whereas Hydro Flask’s 32oz comes in at just over 15oz for a considerably larger capacity. 

Of course, once those two bottles are full, the one with more liquid will weigh more, but empty, it seems like you can shave off a few more ounces with a Hydro Flask, which matters if it’s going in your hiking backpack, but not if it’s going on your desk.

Yeti vs Hydro Flask: ease of use and cleaning

Water bottles shouldn’t be difficult to use. You want to be able to remove the lid, take a swig and seal it up again without having to think too hard or taking an unintentional bath, and fortunately both brands have made their bottle largely idiot-proof. What type of cap or lid your bottle has kind of depends on the model you buy, but both brands will conveniently sell you a different type of lid such as a mag slider or straw lid so that you can customize your drinkware to suit your preferences. Pricing for these is similar, though Hydro Flask seems to have sold out of a lot of its caps and lids. 

Both brands are well-known for the wide mouths of their water bottles, which makes it easy to drink from, through also easy to dump water all over your shirt. For this reason, we particularly like the screw on/off chug cap that Yeti makes, which is separate from the lid, meaning it’s well protected and easy to clean. Both brands have lids for their larger models which come with carrying handles, too.

Finally, both brands are now making their bottles dishwasher safe, which makes them even easier to clean when it’s time to wash your water bottle.

Yeti vs Hydro Flask: durability

Whether you get yourself a Yeti or a Hydro Flask, you’re looking at a fairly bulletproof piece of drinkware. These water bottles will all stand up to the test of time, although they do dent when dropped (arguably, the Hydro Flask dents more easily, which may be why it’s a bit lighter). The main thing that can break is the lid, and we’ve found the Yeti lids to be a bit sturdier in that regard, but because both can be replaced, it doesn’t mean that your bottle has to be lost to the mists of time when the lid cracks. Overall, the Yeti might be slightly more robust but both bottles are meant to last a lifetime and with normal use, they will. 

Yeti vs Hydro Flask: the verdict

Now that we’ve compared these two champions of water vessels, it’s clear that they’re very nearly comparable. They both look great and keep your drinks hot and cold for roughly the same duration, and while you might get a little more volume for your money and a slightly sturdier bottle in a Yeti, you’re also likely looking at a much heavier bottle in comparison. If you’re not actually taking yours out on a hike, this of course won’t matter at all. 

If a few ounces will make a difference to your pack, you’ll want to give a Hydro Flask a second look, but if you’re looking for something really light and packable, give both models a miss and check out the Lifestraw Peak 1 Series Collapsible Water Bottle with Filter which weight next to nothing and compresses as you chug.

• How to choose a water bottle

Staying hydrated is key to performance and recovery, even on a short run, and finding the right way to do this is important so you don't feel weighed down. For some short to mid-length runs, hydration packs can seem overkill, and when the weather's hot or you're heading out on a hilly route, you might not want to layer up over a breathable running top.

That’s where lightweight running bottles come in. Like many running accessories, the best running poles for example, they look simple, but are ergonomically designed and rigorously tested to make sure they help you cover ground quicker rather than hinder your gait.

They need to be easy to grip, even with sweaty hands, and simple to sup from on the go. On race day, they're quick to refill and are certainly preferable to single-use plastic, which is thankfully being phased out across the running world.

Like the best trail running shoes, these excellent bottles can be used for other outdoor pursuits too. We love the packability of soft flasks, which collapse down to nothing and can often be paired with a hydration pack for longer adventurous runs and speed hikes.

We’ve tested every bottle in this guide on roads, trails, and mountain paths to bring you the best options out there. Jump to our How to Choose section for more advice on picking the best water running bottle for you.

The quick list

This is the quick list, a snapshot of the best running water bottles available in 2025. To delve deeper into the features and qualities of each featured bottle, see our more detailed reviews further down the page in this guide.

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The best running water bottles comparison table

The best running water bottles 2025

The best running water bottle overall

CamelBak have "packed a lot of incredible features into their Quick Grip Chill Insulated Handheld with 620ml Podium Chill Bottle," according to our trail expert Claire Maxted.

The first is the high-quality, BPA-free insulated bottle which keeps water cold for twice as long, tasting less plasticky and with a wide opening that made it easy for us to add electrolyte powder or refill from streams. There’s an easy-to-use on-off valve so you don’t lose any liquid, and if you squeeze the bottle it propels a jet of cool water down your throat so you don’t have to make any sucking effort when you’re already tired – a nice touch.

There are two pockets: the zipped one is large enough for a standard (not plus-sized) smartphone, cards and a key, while the elasticated one will take a snack. It would be good to see a key clip for extra security and perhaps less chance of the key bouncing up and down next to your phone. We found that carrying the bottle was effortless thanks to the easily adjusted hand grip with reflective details for safety. However, if it’s full you will still feel a bit heavy on one side, such is the nature of handheld bottles.

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The best value water bottle with storage

Carrying the Ultimate Performance Kielder Handheld Bottle is made easier with the adjustable, padded, reflective strap over the back of the hand so you we didn't actively have to grip the 600ml bottle.

There’s also a small zipped pocket with a key clip, big enough for car keys, a cash card and a small snack but not a smartphone (although it would fit a small Nokia-style emergency phone). The bottle is BPA-free and has a wide opening so we found it very easy to refill in streams or pour in electrolyte powder. We found that the rubberized drink valve was also very easy to use and doesn’t leak.

"If you fill the bottle and stuff the pocket to full capacity it can feel a little heavy in the one hand" according to our running expert Claire Maxted. Also, once you’ve drunk some of the water, it sloshes around with each step. However, if you don’t want to use a running backpack or waistbelt this is a really good, great-value option, available in five bright colors, for carrying quite a few essential items on your run.

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The best running soft flask

The Salomon Active Handheld Running Bottle is a super-light and simple way to carry 500ml water on short runs. The soft bottle compresses down as you drink so you don’t have the slosh of water to disturb your run, and the very simple adjustable strap threads through a loop at the base of the bottle then Velcros tight to lock your hand around it so you don’t have to grip tightly. Our expert reviewer Claire Maxted found that it works well, but this system means we were only able use these specific Salomon bottles with the loop at the base with this holster.

We found the opening to the soft bottle was wide enough to easily pour in any electrolyte or energy drink powders, and fill up quickly from streams. A lock to the valve minimizes spillage. There is no pocket as this is a truly lightweight, minimal piece of kit for runs where you just want to take water, or longer runs where you need a lightweight solution to carry extra water in your hand as well as your running pack.

There’s a little reflective strip on the tag at the base which is a nice touch for night running. Retailing at a reasonable price, "this a great lightweight option for carrying water on your next training run," according to our trail running expert.

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The best soft flask for pack compatibility

The Osprey Duro Dyna Handheld Bottle is a light and easy way to carry 360ml of water and a key or small snack on short runs. On test, we found the bottle is soft, so as we drank it collapses down, which prevents the sloshing that you get with the harder plastic bottles. The opening is wide so it’s easy to pour in energy or electrolyte drinks in and fill up from streams.

The fit around the hand is great with a very lightweight holster that you can adjust around the wrist so you don’t have to grip the bottle at all. It suits a right-handed fit better, but you can still wear on the left if needed. It's also comptatible with Osprey's Duro and Dyna hydration packs, slotting into the shoulder straps for easy drinking on the move. The small, stretchy zip pocket is great for a small snack, keys and cards (not a smartphone), and the safety whistle zip pull is a really nice touch. The pocket area is stiffened so you can operate the zip one-handed with ease.

The second elasticated gel pocket confuses us, however, as it appears to be upside down with the opening at the base of the bottle… We can’t work out if we’re missing something here – when we run with the opening facing downwards we’re worried about the gel slipping out.

It’s a high price but our tester Claire Maxted says that "apart from the confusing elasticated pocket, it’s one of the best."

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The best running water bottle for small hands

The Ultimate Direction Fastdraw 500 Running Bottle is "one of the comfiest plastic bottle designs to carry" according to our expert tester. This is because it’s slim and wide rather than a regular round water bottle.

We found that this is especially good for people with smaller hands, and the adjustable strap fits around tightly so you don’t have to actively grip the bottle to carry it. The bottle opening is neither narrow nor particularly wide so it shouldn’t be too hard to pour any energy or electrolyte powders down its neck.

Ultimate Direction has had a great idea in making the single-zipped pocket transparent so you can see and use your phone without taking it out. However, it would be better if they sold standard and plus-size versions of the Fastdraw 500 because a standard-sized smartphone shifts around in the plus-sized smartphone (iPhone X) pocket with each step. It would also be good if there was a separate compartment with a clip for keys, as they're free to clang and bang around on your phone in there – screen protector needed.

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The best basic bottle for short runs

If you want simplicity, the Ultimate Performance Runners Bottle is a great value, BPA-free handheld water bottle for every runner.

The simple, donut (mmm donuts…) design is very easy to carry with one hand through the middle, gripping onto the curved finger-grooves. The bright colors (blue and pink) will appeal to a lot of runners, as will the transparent mouthpiece protector for extra hygiene should you drop it.

On test, we found it was easy to swap hands too, or pass to another runner or support crewmember. It’s fairly slim and the neck of the bottle is narrow, which makes it easy to pack into a suitcase or backpack for travel. "However, this can mean that it’s a little harder to pour electrolyte or energy powder into" according to our trail expert. This also means it's slower to fill up at streams.

If you don’t mind the soft sloshing with every footstep the only downside to such a simple bottle is that you do have to grip it at all times – some of the others in this test have fabric loops around the hand that allow you to run without such a tight grip, or any grip at all.

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The best running water bottle for no sloshing

We thought that the Ultimate Direction Clutch 5.0 running bottle was so promising with its lightweight pouch and soft bottle inside. However, we just weren't able to get it tight enough to release our active grip on the whole caboodle like we could with the others here, especially if the bottle isn’t full.

This is quite disappointing as the multi-way strap looks so promising; it allows you to use it either with a thumb through the middle of the strap or the thumb round the bottle, but it just won’t go tight enough on either large male or smaller female hands (we tried a selection!).

However, if you don’t mind gripping onto the Clutch for the entire run, it works well. "The soft bottle itself is great" according to our expert tester Claire Maxted, with a wide, chunky opening that’s easy to undo, plus an in-out / on-off bite valve.

As it’s soft, the bottle also compresses as you drink the water so there is no room for sloshing – awesome! The stretchy, zip pocket with key clip is also fantastic for small snacks, keys and a card.

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Meet the expert

How we test the best running water bottles

Each of these running bottles was extensively tested on trails, paths and pavements, across a range of different distances and in various climatic conditions, so we could see how sweaty our hands felt after a few miles, and assess their overall ergonomic performance.

How to choose the best running water bottle

For a seemingly simple piece of kit, there are quite few factors and features to consider and look out for when you’re trying to find the best water bottle for running to suit your needs. Before you make a choice, think about where and when you’re most likely to use your running water bottle, and contemplate the following points…

Grip

The main thing is that you don’t have to actively grip the bottle, otherwise you’d just carry a bottle! So check that you can get the adjustment tight enough, release your grip on the bottle and swing your arm to check how well it is attached to your hand.

Bottle design

There are two types: hard and soft. We prefer soft as they compress down as you drink, avoiding annoying sloshing as you run. Just check the holster still adjusts around your hand enough when the bottle has reduced in size or is empty.

Valve

An on / off valve to the bottle is a great feature to avoid leakage.

Capacity

We don’t recommend carrying much more than 350ml to 500ml in one hand as it can make you feel a little lopsided, especially if you have a pocket in the holster with snacks, keys and even your phone in as well.

For really long runs and events like mountain marathons, you may want to consider the large capacity of a hydration bladder.

Holster

Depending on how much you wish to carry with you, you can get a very simple, light holster that just attaches the bottle to your hand, or one with one or two pockets. Look for a zip on these so nothing falls out. A key clip is handy too.

Reflective detail

If you’re running in the dark a reflective strip or logo is a great feature.

FAQs

How do I clean a running water bottle?

Whatever material your running bottle is made of, it's a good idea to clean it properly at the end of a run to help prevent the spread of bacteria. First of all, give it a good rinse with clean water. Then, using soap and a scrubber (you may need a special long-necked cleaning brush if your running bottle has a narrow opening), thoroughly clean the inside of your bottle and the cap. Rinse again with clean water, then leave it to air dry.

If you want to wash it in the dishwasher, check the manufacturer's instructions beforehand. Some running bottles are designed to withstand a low-heat cycle.

Should I run a three-mile (5km) race with a water bottle?

Not all runners will want or need to hydrate during short-distance runs. Competitors who can complete the distance under 20 minutes, for example, may not feel the hydrating benefits in such a short space of time. Other runners, who can complete the distance in 30 minutes, may prefer the feeling of running unburdened by a bottle.

However, if you area a steady runner who can take up to 60 minutes to cover the distance, you benefit from sipping water as you run. Especially if the weather is hot, if the course is hilly, if you are already feeling dehydrated at the start or the run, or because of a medical condition.

How do elite runners carry water?

Hydration vests are fast-becoming the most popular way to hydrate on long-distance trail runs and races. They allow you to carry adequate hydration and nutrition, plus many have personal storage space for valuables. Unlike running belts or looser-fitting hydration backpacks, a vest gives great freedom of movement.

I once had a boyfriend who never washed his water bottle. The spout was covered in an alarmingly greenish crust and if we had been hiking through the desert for days and I ran out of water and he offered me a sip of his, I’d honestly have given the idea of just dying of dehydration serious consideration. It was that disgusting.

Here’s the thing though – I don’t wash my water bottle either. Like, hardly ever. It isn’t covered in goo or grime – apparently I’m better at wiping my mouth than he was – but I’m vaguely aware that unseen, it must be teeming with germs. And I couldn’t care less. I mean, if it was obviously disgusting, I’d wash it in an instant, but it isn’t, and I figure most of the germs on it came from my mouth anyway, so what’s the harm in them going back to where they came from? Plus, I only put water in it, so I’m not worried about sugar and other residue from sports drinks.

However, since the pandemic has turned us all into germaphobes, and because many of you want to know the answer, I decided to investigate what happens if you don’t wash your water bottle to see if there are serious health concerns.

What really happens if you don’t wash your water bottle?

A few years ago, a company called Treadmill Reviews decided to investigate how many germs are found on the average, unwashed water bottle. They sent 12 water bottles which had been used for one week without being washed to a lab and discovered that on average, each one carried over 300,000 colony-forming units per square centimeter. Sure that sounds like a lot, and according to the study, it’s more than 6x what you’ll find on your pet’s bowl and around 10x what’s on your kitchen sink, but not quite as much as you’ll find on your toothbrush holder. So, yeah, probably a lot. 

So what happens if you don’t wash your water bottle is that it has a lot of bacteria on it (though it should be noted that how much bacteria is on a frequently washed bottle wasn’t studied). But does that matter?

After all, we also know that germs are everywhere – on your skin, on your smartphone, on every door handle and in the water that comes out of your tap – and only 1 - 2% are thought to be harmful. So what kind of germs are we talking about here anyway? Well, the study found that the type of water bottle really determines whether or not we’re talking about potentially harmful bacteria. It found that your average squeeze top bottles (the type cyclists use) and screw top bottles carry mostly potential harmful bacteria that can be antibiotic-resistant, while a slide top contains around 17% bacteria that can cause strep and staph. Sounds alarming, and technically, yes, you could get sick if you drank from a water bottle with harmful bacteria inhabiting the spout.

That said, the study doesn’t suggest that any of the athletes involved actually became ill after drinking from their unwashed water bottle, so if we’re just using that study for our rationale here, the chances of getting sick from not washing your water bottle appear to be as low as they can be.

How often should you wash your water bottle?

We could get a public health expert to comment here, but in all honesty, there aren’t currently any official guidelines as to how often you should wash your water bottle, and said public health expert would almost certainly say “often,” along with washing your hands and wiping your phone with alcohol.

After reading about how much bacteria is on your unwashed water bottle however, you might start washing it more, and that’s unlikely to be a bad thing, as we learned from all washing our hands a bit more during the pandemic. Unless it’s a plastic water bottle you’re using, in which case frequent exposure to hot water might cause it to break down faster and leach microplastics into your diet, but that’s a whole other article.

If you decide that, since you haven’t had any issues from not washing your water bottle so far and there’s no reason to start now, it’s also unlikely to be a bad thing. But of course, for liability reasons we can’t tell you that you’ll never get sick from doing so.

If you’re worried about germs on your water bottle, there are a couple of things you can do that might have more of an impact than how often you wash it:

• Don’t share it – virtually all surfaces are breeding grounds for bacteria, most of which are harmless. It mostly becomes a problem when harmful bacteria are transmitted between people, so don’t offer your E. coli-carrying friend a swig and it’s probably fine.
• Opt for stainless steel or glass – compared to plastic, stainless steel or even glass bottles have less micro cracks and crevices where bacteria can shelter.
• Watch where you put the lid – your water bottle spout may only touch your mouth, but be careful you’re not setting the lid down on questionable surfaces while you’re drinking.
• Consider a straw top bottle – perhaps surprisingly, straw top bottles showed far fewer evidence of bacteria, with only about colony forming units per square centimeter while slide tops had almost a million!

• Best hydration packs: stay hydrated when you're hiking or running

The best hiking bottles are a durable solution to your hydration needs on the backcountry trails. Unlike many soft flasks and bladders, most hiking bottles don't alter the taste of their contents, making them much more palatable for the discerning adventurer.

Some of the best hiking bottles feature filters that protect against bacteria and microplastics, while others have insulating qualities and will maintain the temperature of your beverage. Crucially, all enable you to stay hydrated when exploring the great outdoors.

It should go without saying these days, but a quality water bottle is also great for the environment. Carrying one bottle around in your hiking backpack is much kinder to the planet than buying multiple plastic bottles. A quality bottle's durability means that you won't have to replace it for many years.

The quick list

The best hiking water bottles

Best bottles with filtration

The Lifestraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze 1L Water Bottle with Filter comprises a soft water bottle with a Lifestraw membrane microfilter that inserts into the bottle with a drinking spout. This lightweight and easy-to-use combo takes all the hassle out of sourcing safe drinking water in the wild during fast and light adventures.

When you’re ready for a refill, you can unscrew the top, fill the bottle with water from a stream or lake, then drink directly through the filter and avoid bacteria, parasites, microplastics, silt and sand. You can also remove the filter from the bottle and drink directly from a stream, using the filter like a straw, or carry extra bottles and squeeze the water into them. The lightweight, sleek, cylindrical soft bottle design compresses as you drink and easily packs into your backpack pockets. Make sure you follow the instructions for regular maintenance of the filter to prolong the life of this high quality hydration system.

Read our full Lifestraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze 1L Water Bottle with Filter review

A microdisc filter in the lid of this German-designed bottle turns tap water into filtered water as you drink. It’s not a solution for backcountry water purification, but it can improve the taste of your tap H20. The pull-out mouth piece makes the bottle easy to operate with one hand, although you’ll need two hands if you decide to keep the protective cap in place. Each filter lasts for about four weeks, and a pack of six extra discs costs $20 (US) / £28.60 (UK) from Brita. A neck loop offers an alternative carrying option, and the lid and mouth piece dismantle for cleaning (it’s also dishwasher safe). The bottle is made from BPA-free plastic, and it’s squeezy to accelerate water flow.

Best bottles for general use

Yeti’s reputation for building robust, practically bulletproof drinkware continues with the Rambler 20oz bottle with chug cap. Made with stainless steel, this double-wall vacuum water bottle keeps your drinks hot or cold, though we found it didn’t keep our tea hot overnight and prefer it for keeping beverages icy. The screw lid has a convenient carrying handle (though if you drop it, it probably won’t dent), and under the lid is a screw on plastic chug cap, which is basically a drinking spout which makes it easy to drink out of this without dumping water on your face.

When you want to fill it or clean it, just remove the chug cap and the wide mouth gives you plenty of access. It’s also dishwasher safe, which is a huge plus. It doesn’t sweat when it’s full of cold liquid, and doesn’t leak when it’s rolling around in your backpack.

This is a heavy and bulky piece of gear compared to other hiking water bottles, so we prefer it for car camping and picnics, and it doesn’t come cheap, but if you’re looking for something that will last a lifetime of adventures, this is your bottle.

Read our full Yeti Rambler 26oz Bottle with Chug Cap review

Designed for everyday use, the Chute has a robust handle on its lid for ease of carrying, which makes it simply to attach to a pack with a karabiner if you don’t want to store the bottle in a pocket. The bottle itself is a stiff (unsqueezable) plastic that is free from BPA, BPS and BPF, and comes in an impressively wide range of colours. When you do want to drink, the magnetic cap attaches to the side of the bottle, out of the way, and there’s a satisfying flow of water. Drink over it’s important to screw the cap back on fully to avoid leaks. After use the bottle can be cleaned in a dishwasher without the plastic becoming brittle. Dismantling the mouthpiece for a deep clean is a little fiddly, but rarely needs doing if you only drink water.

If any plastic bottle can enjoy iconic status it’s the Nalgene Wide Mouth, which has become something of a design classic. Excellent longevity and a leak-proof construction have made it a favourite of walkers for years, while a kaleidoscopic choice of colours means there’s an option to suit whatever you wear or carry. The bottle itself is BPA- and BPS-free, doesn’t taint the taste of water, and is easy to clean, whether by hand or in the dishwasher. The volume scale along the side makes it straightforward to track how much you have drunk, while the wide mouth makes it easy to use as a useful storage capsule for other kit on flights, and for dunking a purification straw when drinking ‘wild’ water. Paying extra for the ‘Easy Sipper’ lid makes drinking directly from the bottle a tidier affair.

This stainless steel hiking water bottle is large enough to carry a whole day’s water on the trail, and its wide mouth makes it easy to refill along the way on hot days and easy to clean when you get home. Vacuum insulation keeps icy beverages cold for 24 hours without forming condensation, while your tea will stay hot for six to eight hours, and the stainless steel leaves no metallic taste and doesn’t hold onto the taste of juice, coffee and sports drinks.

The screw-on lid comes with a convenient carrying handle, making it easier to tote around with you when you’re on the go, which is a good thing because this bottle is bulky and heavy when full. It’s one of the pricier water bottles out there, but great for those of you who like having a veritable reservoir on hand on the trails or at your desk.

Read our full Hydro Flask 32oz Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle review

Drop it, bash it, drive over it… every scratch, dent and ding only seems to enhance the everlasting appeal of the classic Sigg water bottle. There’s even one on display in New York’s Museum of Modern Art. The aluminium bottle is light and utterly secure – you can even fill it with fizzy drinks and they won’t bubble out. The interior lining in no way taints the taste of water, and the finger-space lid makes it easy to carry or hang off a pack. It is, however, a two-handed business to unscrew the cap, and experience suggests that cap and bottle are easily separated in busy kitchens. An alternative ‘Active Spout’ is available for walkers who want to drink on the go. The only issue is cleaning the bottle, especially if you fill it with a sugary drink, although Sigg does sell Bottle Clean tablets.

Read our full Sigg Traveller 600ml/20oz review

As at home on the trail, desk or in the gym, the Sigg Total Clear is every inch the modern water bottle. It may offer one-handed opening, handy for drinking on the go, but its spout uses a smart belt and braces approach to avoid leaks. A thumb press releases a catch, which in turn releases the drinking spout, so there should be no chance of inadvertent spillages. The bottle is made from neutral-tasting, BPA-free plastic, it’s dishwasher safe, and its wide mouth makes it easy to fill (including with ice cubes) and to clean. The top also acts as an effective hook – carry the bottle with a couple of fingers on the trail, or karabiner it to your rucksack.

The Tritan in the Lifeventure’s name refers to the top-of-the-range Tritan plastic used in its construction. It’s the same impact-resistant, taint- and odour-resistant material used by most of the premium bottle manufacturers, and comes at a great price from Lifeventure. The outside of the bottle has a tactile, rubberised finish, so it shouldn’t slip through sweaty hands, and the flip-top cover over the spout makes one-handed use easy, before clicking back in place to create a leak-proof seal. A volume calibration scale up the side helps you track how much you have drunk or how much to dilute energy powders, and the 650ml capacity offers a useful 30% extra volume over half-liter bottles while fitting easily into the same rucksack pockets.

How to choose a water bottle

Volume

It may sound daft, but how much liquid a bottle can hold is really important. Viewed in isolation bottles all tend to look a similar size, but there is a significant difference between 0.5-, 0.75- and 1-liter volumes. The smaller bottles are easy to use one-handed and slip easily into the side pockets of a rucksack, while bigger bottles allow for longer adventures.

Material

Stainless steel bottles should last forever, even if you have to replace lost or damaged caps. But they are a bit heavier and they will rattle terribly in a cage on a bike. Plastic bottles have amazing longevity these days, impart no taint or flavour to the drink, and are light and easy to handle.

Lid

A wide mouth makes it much easier to fill a bottle with ice cubes, and means an insulated bottle can also be used as a canister for hot food. Narrower tops are neater for drinking. Most bottle manufacturers offer a range of different lids for the same bottle – screw top, pop-up spout, straw etc.

BPA etc

There’s a growing awareness that some plastics contain chemical components that are best to avoid for health reasons. Most premium plastic bottles are free of BPA, BPS and BPF (bisphenol A, S and F), but it’s worth checking the label.

Insulated

Chilled drinks taste like nectar on a scorching day, but there are other ways to make water more palatable (hydration tablets, squash, fresh fruit) if you don’t want the extra bulk and cost of the insulation.

Cleaning

Wide mouth water bottles are much easier to clean, which is a particular benefit if you prefer sugared drinks. Bottles with narrower bottle tops may need a special brush to clean the bottom. Alternatively, a number of bottle manufacturers also make cleaning tablets that will give bottles a more thorough clean.

It's 2026 and the best camping mugs have come a long way, battling the laws of heat transfer to keep your delicious brew piping-hot. There's no coffee like the one you have by the lakeside, in the campsite or on a mountain summit, so it's fair to say a camping mug is a special thing.

There are so many innovative products to choose from, personal preference will play a large part in your decision. Do you value a lightweight mug that folds down to almost nothing in your best hiking backpack? Or are you a stickler for the old ways and are after something more traditional?

In this guide we feature the crème de la crème of insulated camping mugs, the finest lightweight options – including mugs you can use with your best camping stove – and the best traditional camping mugs too, as well as some considerations as to what to look for when selecting your optimum mug.

Insulated camping mugs

Insulated camping mugs are ideal for hot or cold beverages, keeping your drink at a consistent temperature. They also protect your hands if you're enjoying a hot tea or coffee. A lid helps prevent spills, and enhances the insulating properties.

Flask-style insulated camping mugs can also serve as 'slow cookers' for dishes like rice. Just add ingredients and boiling water, and wait. We tested these mugs with various ingredients, and had some good results. Just make sure not to place your mug over a heat source.

Lightweight camping mugs

A lightweight camping mug won't just serve you well on your adventures, it can also double as your day-to-day keep cup. We all know the environmental impact of all those Starbucks cups and lids going in the trash. By getting yourself one of the best camping mugs, you can do you bit by taking it along whenever you purchase a coffee.

Traditional camping mugs

There's a certain tactile pleasure that comes from warming your hands around a traditional camping mug when you're sitting by the campfire, whether it's an old-school enamel mug or a traditional carved wooden cup. You can't cook in these mugs, and they won't keep your drink hot as long as a double-walled vessel, but they certainly have their place.

Camping mugs comparison table

How to choose a camping mug

The best camping mug is very much a personal choice, but bear the following in mind. For many people a mug is going to do most of its work keeping a drink hot on the early morning commute to some activity, so pick a size that holds a decent amount of liquid – there’s no point in going short or having to make another brew – and consider a design that will fit into a standard vehicle drinks-holder. 

For camp use an insulated mug with a handle might contain less than a tumbler but will be wider and squatter making it more stable and comfortable to hold. On a boat, a SUP or in a kayak a handle also gives you something handy to clip a line onto which might just stop you losing the whole caboodle the Flip-top, DeltaLight and wooden kuksa will float, the other designs won’t. Finally, that mug - whatever its practicalities - that goes along on every trip with you can become as comfortable as a well worn-in pair of hiking shoes, and even a part of your personality.

Versatility

Coming up with containers that could hold liquids was one of humanity's earliest achievements and their importance remains in the Space Age. An ultra-light mug in plastic or titanium that you keep in your daypack is one way to help ease the planet’s plight by avoiding single-use cups, and it will quickly pay for itself in discounts on every refill. For real multi-tasking, and if you’re saving every ounce, a large single-skin titanium mug, like the Titan, can treble-function as a cup, bowl or cooking pot that can be used on stoves or a campfires, whilst a standard-sized, single-skin metal mug can supplement your other cooking pans. Insulated mugs can become a useful part of the cooking process, too; if you use them to soak rice, pasta or even diced vegetables in boiling water, the contents will cook without needing further heat.

Features to look for in the best camping mug

Like all outdoor kit, even the best designed and high-tech of camping mugs will steer a course between genuinely useful features and their cost in weight, bulk and cash. Sometimes the penalties and the savings aren’t as obvious as they first seem. An insulated mug will weigh more and take up more space than a single-skin mug but it can save on the fuel needed to reheat drinks or avoid the wastage of a drink ending up tepid and being chucked out. Lids are not only part of the insulation package but can prevent slops and spills. 

Be aware that push-fit, sipping lids, even those with aperture closures, are not totally leak-proof, though they should stop you losing more than a splash if the mug’s knocked over or sloshed around, and might save a map, your best hiking pants or your phone from a real soaking. Handles on uninsulated metal mugs are necessary to avoid burning your fingers when they’re filled with hot liquids and can be useful as tie-points. Rubberised grip rings on a mug’s base can stop sliding on smooth surfaces.

Price/Value

As always, the best value essentials on your camping checklist have the features you need and nothing else, and do their job trip after trip without falling apart. Mugs for the outdoors are no different, and because they’re relatively cheap and always useful most of us end up with an arsenal of them for all situations. Most people, however, end up with a favourite mug that goes along on most trips with them. Though such faithfulness is commendable it’s worth considering the options that different mug designs and qualities offer and maybe considering taking a couple or more along on all but the most pared down hiking trips. A mug’s versatility, small size and relative light weight means that your camp kitchen could be based on a cooking mug-pot, and an insulated mug and still leave room for your own eccentric choice of old favourite that’s just right for sitting round a campfire with whilst you sip on whatever it is you sip in those situations and stare into the flames.

What to do with your old camping mug

If your old mug is still in decent condition, you may be able to donate it to an outdoor gear exchange, thrift store, or charity shop. Check beforehand though, because not all can accept used drinkware.

Camping mugs can be hard to recycle because they're often made of a combination of materials that are difficult to separate. A plain, unenamelled metal cup can be processed as scrap, but insulated cups are more complicated. Look online to see whether your cup's manufacturer offers a take-back scheme for old items. For example, Yeti has a buyback scheme that will accept dented, scuffed and dinged Rambler drinkware in stores for recycling, and give you a credit for a replacement. 

• Best camping stoves: clean, easy ways to cook for yourself or a group

Lifestraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze 1L Water Bottle with Filter: first impressions

Whether you’re day hiking, thru-hiking or trail running, if you don't want to keep stopping for 20 minutes to purify water or you’re just looking for a space-saving solution in your backpack, this water bottle and filter combo provides the answer you’ve been looking for. The Lifestraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze 1L Water Bottle with Filter comprises a soft water bottle with a lifestraw membrane microfilter that inserts into the bottle with a drinking spout. 

When you’re ready for a refill, you can unscrew the top, fill the bottle with water from a stream or lake, then drink directly through the filter and avoid bacteria, parasites, microplastics, silt and sand. (Users should be aware that, being a water filter and not a water purifier, this model does not capture waterborne viruses such as norovirus, present in many rivers and even streams on some trails.) You can also remove the filter from the bottle and drink directly from a stream, using the filter like a straw, or carry extra bottles and squeeze the water into them. The lightweight, sleek, cylindrical soft bottle design compresses as you drink and easily packs into your backpack pockets. Make sure you follow the instructions for regular maintenance of the filter to prolong the life of this high quality hydration system.

Lifestraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze 1L Water Bottle with Filter: in the field

I’m thrilled to have finally got my hands on one of these water bottles with built-in filters. Over the years I’ve gone from slowly pumping water into my stainless steel water bottle to a much faster squeeze filter plus soft bottle set up, but this combo really takes all the work and worry out of filtering water in the wild. Now I can just throw this bottle in my backpack and know that stopping to gather water only takes as long as it takes to fill a water bottle.

I have used this on every hike for the last few weeks and I’m loving the convenience factor of just filling and drinking on the go. Plus, the cylindrical shape of the water bottle fits easily into my daypack pockets even when full, which frees up room in my pack, and as with all soft bottles, I love how it compresses as I drink.

Aside from the fact that it doesn't catch waterborne viruses, I can’t honestly say there are any downsides to using this bottle. There was an initial plastic taste but it was gone before I’d finished my first bottle. I had a few newbie mishaps because I didn’t take time to read the instructions. For example, at first I didn’t realize that once the bottle is half empty, I need to raise it up because you can’t suck water through the straw then, but that’s hardly a hardship. I will also say that because I initially had to suck to drink out of it, I was fooled into thinking it wouldn’t leak if I didn’t screw the lid on but that’s my fault for not checking and all I got was a wet passenger seat in my car.

Lifestraw has included a backwash syringe and simple instructions for routine maintenance, but remember that maintenance comes with all water filters and is important for your health. This product is of excellent quality so I have high hopes that it will last a long time.

• How Advnture tests products

We all know that plastic bottles and wrappers take years to break down outdoors, where they don't just look awful, but can pose a serious hazard to wildlife. However, you might not have realized that your seemingly harmless orange peel can hang around for years as well.

While they break down more quickly than plastics, orange peels are tough and leathery, and can take months or even years to rot down. The same is true for the unassuming banana peel; according to the Guardian, there are hundreds of banana skins strewn across Scotland's tallest mountain, Ben Nevis.

These will stick around for months, but in drier, hotter climates, fruit peels become desiccated rather than rotting away. The chart below, shared by TouronsOfYellowstone, shows how long different types of trash take to decompose.

Even wet, soft apple cores shouldn't be tossed aside. Your apple or pear may not be from the area where you're hiking or camping, and if its seeds germinate, it could lead to the growth of non-native plants that cause havoc with the local ecosystem.

As rangers from Glacier National Park explained in a Facebook post, tossing fruit debris on the ground can also cause problems for animals, which may consume things that their digestive systems can't handle, making them ill. It can also teach them that picnic sites and roadsides are a good place to find food, which increases the chances of potentially dangerous interactions with people.

Food waste looks and smells gross too, which makes things unpleasant for fellow hikers and campers. Even if it seems harmless, make sure you pack out all your garbage after your meal and leave no trace.

• Best hiking boots: rugged, warm footwear for tough trails

You know that hydration is key when it comes to hiking, no matter what the season or weather, so you’ve gone ahead and researched how much water you need to be carrying and you’ve chosen a water bottle that suits your needs – but what is the best way to carry it? After all, you may not want to have to stop every time you want to take a sip, so keeping it close to hand is ideal, but even if the lid has a big handle like on the Hydro Flask 32oz, you really want to keep your hands free for using your trekking poles and avoiding falls. There are a few different ways to tote your water on the trail, so we take a look at how to carry a water bottle while hiking to help you find the best option for your hiking style.

1. Backpack

Your hiking backpack is the most obvious place to carry your water bottle, but even that carries several possibilities. Of course, you can just place it in the main compartment of your backpack, which definitely makes sense if you’ve gone for a big, heavy jug like the Yeti Rambler 26oz. However, you’ll want to pack it towards the bottom and middle of your backpack to keep it balanced and even, surrounded by softer items like your waterproof jacket. This makes sure it’s not uncomfortable against your back, though a soft water bottle helps with this. This option also means that your water is going to be harder to reach when you're thirsty. 

You could use the mesh pocket at the back of your backpack if it has one, which does mean the weight is a little further back than you might want, but it will be centered and at least you can grab your water bottle without unzipping your pack and rummaging around.

There are another two other options here. One is to use the mesh panels on the sides of your backpack. These may be deep enough to hold your water bottle and usually have compression straps just above them which help secure your bottle. Though it’s not always the easiest or most comfortable movement, you may be able to reach back and grab your water bottle out without stopping. Of course, if your bottle is large and heavy, this will feel uneven so you’ll want something of a similar weight (like a second bottle) in the other pocket.

Then there’s the option of buying a backpack that has water bottle pouches in the shoulder straps. These are by far the most accessible, and there’s no fear of the bottles swinging around as you move, though you may need to buy water bottles to fit, and again, you might prefer to balance out the weight with a second bottle.

2. Water bottle sling

If you have no intention of buying a new backpack, thank you very much, and the above options don’t sound too appealing, then you could consider a water bottle sling. This looks a lot like the sling that people use to carry binoculars, and allows you to carry your water around your neck, keeping it close by and your hands free. You’ll either wear it across your body, which is a little asymmetrical but keeps it from swinging around, or like a long necklace, where it will feel balanced but may swing more. The downside to this option is that the strap may rub or hurt your neck.

3. Hydration belt

Essentially a fanny pack that holds water bottles, hydration belts are a bit of an acquired taste. Hydration belts keep your water close to hand and don’t involve anything hanging around your neck, which a lot of hikers see as a big plus. However, some hikers find that these belts bounce around and, depending on the belt, you might need to purchase some smaller water bottles to fit in the pockets. These aren’t really compatible with a backpack that has a hip belt, so you’d probably want to get one big enough for all your gear and forgo the backpack altogether, but some hikers really love not having anything on their shoulders.

4. Carabiners

If your backpack doesn’t have the right pockets for your favorite water bottle and your water bottle has a lid with a loop on it, you may be able to clip it to the outside of your backpack using a simple carabiner. This obviously saves room inside your backpack, but there are a few downsides.

If you’re clipping the bottle near the bottom or onto the front of your backpack, it will be quite far away from the center and can pull you back a little if it’s heavy. It will also be likely to swing around. However, you could clip it onto the shoulder straps which keeps it closer to your body and to your hands when you want a drink. If your bottle isn’t made of stainless steel, the carabiner may damage it over time and this option might also damage the loops on your backpack. Again, a soft water bottle might make things easier because it will sit more flush to the backpack than a cylindrical one, but may not be strong enough to hold up to hanging for long periods of time.

• Best running backpacks: lightweight and comfortable packs for essentials

In this day and age, we can all agree that water bottles are an indispensable piece of outdoor gear, and they’re here to stay. Hydration is essential, hiking and trail running are thirsty work, and we need and want less plastic in our oceans and landfills, so whether you’re hitting the trail or boarding a plane, you want to do so toting your own water. 

A water bottle seems like a pretty simple item that doesn’t require much thought – surely any cylinder with a screw on top will do? But if you’ve ever picked out the wrong one, you’ll know that choosing the right water bottle requires a little more finesse. A water bottle that’s too heavy, leaves a weird taste in your mouth or doesn’t keep your drinks cool just ends up getting tossed in that drawer where water bottles and reusable grocery bags go to die. Never fear – we guide you through how to choose a water bottle so you can pick out the perfect vessel for all your outdoor hydration needs.

How to choose a water bottle: size

First, you need to consider what size of water bottle you want. Water bottles range from teeny tiny 6 - 8oz bottles that basically hold a glass of water at a time, to magnum-sized 64oz giants that could easily hold a couple of bottles of wine with room to spare. In between those two extremes, your regular-sized water bottles are anywhere from 20oz to 32oz.

Obviously, the bigger you go, the more weight and bulk you’re taking on, but the more water you have on your person. If you’re just bringing a bottle of water to a nearby crag for a day of climbing where it’s going to sit on a rock between sips, you might go for an ultra sized chugger, but if you’re hiking with it in your backpack, a 40oz stainless steel bottle filled with liquid could easily add a couple of unwanted pounds to your backpack. If you’re carrying it any distance, you might want to size it down a bit, especially if you’re able to refill along the way.

How to choose a water bottle: material

Next up, and this is a biggie, you’ll want to seriously consider what material you want your water bottle to be made out of. There are four common options for water bottles:

• Plastic
• Stainless steel
• Aluminum
• Glass

Each one carries different implications. Plastic is lightweight and doesn’t dent, but you want to make sure that it’s BPA-free, like the Sigg Traveler. Regardless, however, plastic has negative implications for the environment and even when it’s BPA-free, it breaks down with use and might start to disintegrate and shed microplastics into your drinking water, so you’ll want to handle it with care and only use it for cold liquids. Plus this type of bottle can become smelly and hold the taste of other drinks you might put in your bottle.

Stainless steel is heavier than plastic, especially the larger you go, but still fairly lightweight and has none of the health implications of plastic. These bottles do dent if you drop yours, which over time can make them less stable to set down, but they won’t break and are pretty durable, plus you can throw them in the dishwasher. Single-walled steel bottles transfer heat so you can’t use them for hot liquids. Double-walled steel bottles can handle hot liquids, but are heavier and more expensive. Some stainless steel bottles can leave a metallic taste in your mouth when they’re new, but most don’t, and very few retain the taste of other beverages if you rinse them out after using them.

Aluminum bottles are really lightweight and cheaper than their stainless steel counterparts, but flavors do tend to cling to them, they dent more easily, and there may be some health risks posed by the lining of the bottle.

Glass bottles also have no health risks and leave zero taste in your water, but the obvious downside is that they can break easily (which can, in fact, pose a health risk). Many come with a protective rubber case which prevents them from breaking so easily but you’ll still want to avoid these if you have butter fingers. You can chuck them in the dishwasher but they don’t offer any insulation and they’re heavy.

How to choose a water bottle: durability

By now, you’ve probably got an idea of the durability of different types of water bottle, with stainless steel holding up the best, glass being the most fragile and aluminum and plastic falling somewhere in the middle. Really, the question is what do you plan to do with it? 

If yours is coming with you on scrambling adventures and anywhere you might be prone to dropping it on hard rock surfaces, you want as sturdy a water bottle as you can find. If it’s mostly just sitting in your backpack until you need a sip, you might not be worried about it getting dented. 

Further, if you know that no matter what kind of bottle you get, it’s going to be covered in dents during your rugged adventures, go for stainless steel anyway since that won’t leak anything nasty into your water.

How to choose a water bottle: temperature control

All water bottles hold water, but not all water bottles keep your water cold, or hot. Not all of us are picky about this, but if you really like your water to stay ice cold, or you like the occasional hot drink on a hike, your only real choice is a double-walled insulated stainless steel water bottle. For all other options, you’ll want to use cold liquids only, and if you’re hiking in hot weather, add ice and wrap it inside a shirt in your backpack to help it stay cool.

How to choose a water bottle: ease of use

A water bottle doesn’t seem like a particularly high tech piece of equipment, and yet the size of the neck and the type of lid can make it effortless, or frustrating to use. Wide necks mean your bottle is easy to fill, empty and clean, but can also mean you end up dumping water all down your front every time you take a sip. There are solutions to this, however, such as the removable chug cap on the Yeti Rambler 26oz bottle.

Sports caps, nozzles and spouts make it pretty hard to spill water on yourself, but they can pick up dirt, are harder to clean, have a propensity to spill inside your bag and break more easily. Obviously, a solution to those spillages is a good screw on cap, but again you want one that’s easy to remove and screw back on, so find one with larger ridges (these hold onto less grime, too). There are various other lid styles that screw on but have a flip up cap or spout which makes drinking easier. These can be a little more prone to breaking, but companies like Hydroflask and Yeti sell lids individually, which means you can pick out your favorite one and replace a broken one.

One final aspect regarding ease of use is how easy your bottle is to carry – if indeed you plan to carry yours in your hand. For a larger bottle that you can’t get your hand around, make sure it comes with a carrying handle, and for smaller bottles look for a grip-friendly design.

How to choose a water bottle: price

Even though a water bottle won’t usually be as big an investment as, say, a new pair of trekking poles, you might be surprised at how expensive they can be. Stainless steel water bottles can be pricey, especially if you go for a large size and double-walled insulation. Glass water bottles are moderately priced, but if you keep breaking yours they’ll end up expensive, and plastic and aluminum bottles are affordable. Like any outdoor gear, the key is picking out a water bottle that will last a long time, and treating it with the respect it deserves to get your money’s worth.

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Hydro Flask 32oz Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle: first impressions 

This stainless steel hiking water bottle is large enough to carry a whole day’s water on the trail, and its wide mouth makes it easy to refill along the way on hot days and easy to clean when you get home. Vacuum insulation keeps icy beverages cold for 24 hours without forming condensation, while your tea will stay hot for six to eight hours, and the stainless steel leaves no metallic taste and doesn’t hold onto the taste of juice, coffee and sports drinks. 

The screw-on lid comes with a convenient carrying handle, making it easier to tote around with you when you’re on the go, which is a good thing because this bottle is bulky and heavy when full. It’s one of the pricier water bottles out there, but great for those of you who like having a veritable reservoir on hand on the trails or at your desk. 

Hydro Flask 32oz Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle: in the field 

This is a beefy water bottle meant for those who love charging around with lots of water at their disposal. I find it a bit heavy for hiking, but there are a few features that I really like. For one, the carrying handle makes it easy to pull out of my backpack and cart around. I also really love how easy it is to fill up and clean, and its capacity to keep icy beverages really cold all day and all night. It doesn’t have any metallic taste, even on the first use, and I’ve put sports drinks in it and found that it doesn’t hold the taste of them for weeks to come. 

All of that said, I find that most of these water bottles which claim to keep beverages both cold and hot are usually better at the former than the latter, and this one is no exception. While it claims to keep my tea hot for 12 hours, I found it to be more like eight hours (at a stretch) which isn’t great if I want to take a thermos of tea on an overnight road trip, as I often do. 

I also find that the wide mouth means I frequently dump water down my front when I’m going for a sip, but perhaps I just need more training in how to drink water. I’ve also found it leaked a few times when I hadn’t screwed the lid on really tightly, which is my fault but still something to watch out for. When the lid is screwed on really tight, I tend to use the carrying handle to get a better grip for unscrewing it, so I suspect that will wear the handle out over time. Also, while it looks and feels super sturdy, I dropped it on the hard ground and it instantly dented, which I suspect is because it’s so heavy when full.

It’s a nice looking bottle but pricey, and I think I prefer a smaller and more portable one. However if you really like to carry a lot of water and don’t mind the weight, it performs well and should last.

• How Advnture tests products

Yeti Rambler 26oz Bottle with Chug Cap: first impressions

Yeti’s reputation for building robust, practically bulletproof drinkware continues with the Rambler 20oz bottle with chug cap. Made with stainless steel, this double-wall vacuum water bottle keeps your drinks hot or cold, though we found it didn’t keep our tea hot overnight and prefer it for keeping beverages icy. The screw lid has a convenient carrying handle (though if you drop it, it probably won’t dent), and under the lid is a screw on plastic chug cap, which is basically a drinking spout which makes it easy to drink out of this without dumping water on your face.

When you want to fill it or clean it, just remove the chug cap and the wide mouth gives you plenty of access. It’s also dishwasher safe, which is a huge plus. It doesn’t sweat when it’s full of cold liquid, and doesn’t leak when it’s rolling around in your backpack.

This is a heavy and bulky piece of gear compared to other hiking water bottles, so we prefer it for car camping and picnics, and it doesn’t come cheap, but if you’re looking for something that will last a lifetime of adventures, this is your bottle.

Yeti Rambler 26oz Bottle with Chug Cap: in the field

Starting with what I like about this bottle, it’s really good quality and robust, which is good because my water bottles tend to take a beating. I’ve dropped it a few times and it still looks brand new. I do like the carrying handle on the lid a lot. Not that I’d walk along a trail carrying it in my hand, but just for generally moving it around, I’ll admit that it’s useful and means I’m not causing a stir by dropping it loudly wherever I go. 

It also doesn't leak inside my backpack, which is great when I have spare clothes and my phone in with it. I've also put electrolyte powder in this and I'm pleased to say that it doesn't taste of it for months afterwards.

My problem with other water bottles of this dimension is that the mouth is too big, so if I’m not paying attention (which I never am) I end up with water all down my front. Not cool. I love the chug cap, and don’t know why more brands don’t do that. It makes it easy to drink from and I can remove it for cleaning and filling and for those two purposes, I love the wide mouth.

What I don’t love is mainly that it doesn’t keep drinks hot for as long as I’d like. It definitely keeps them piping hot for four to five hours, so for a picnic it’s no problem, but the very first time I used it, we were leaving at 6pm to drive down south. We were stopping half way and sleeping in the van, so I filled it with tea thinking it would be nice to wake up in the morning and have a steaming cup by the sea. We were quite shocked that at 7:30am the drink was tepid at best. I’ve tested it at home and it definitely starts to cool by eight hours, so if you’re looking for something to keep drinks hot for a long time, this isn’t it. But, it’s great for shorter periods and keeps drinks cold practically forever, with no condensation on the outside.

The Yeti is a great-looking bottle and seriously sturdy, but while I love it for a road trip or car camping, I find it a little heavy and bulky for hiking.

• How Advnture tests products

Yeti Rambler 14oz mug: first impressions

The Yeti Rambler 14oz mug is made for those who are serious about their beverages. This hefty camping mug features a carrying handle and holds a lot of liquid for those early starts at camp and late nights round the fire. The wide opening makes it easy to use for eating hot soup and chili too, and the double-walled vacuum means your hands don’t get hot holding it. It keeps your drinks warm for several hours with the lid on, thanks to the MagSlider lid, however the lid doesn’t prevent spills and leaks, and with the lid off your hot food will cool down faster. 

Of course, it also keeps your beverages cold and holds an entire can of beer for when you’re chilling round the campfire at night, and the no-sweat design prevents condensation to keep your hands dry. This sturdy piece of gear is dishwasher safe and easy to clean, but not the most convenient for toting around. You’ll want to save yours for urban strolls, car camping, glamping, and festival fun.

Yeti Rambler 14oz mug: in the field

Yeti coolers are sort of the holy grail amongst avid car campers and glampers, so I must admit I had inflated expectations of this mug and while I love the look and feel of it in my hand, I don’t find it all that practical for carting around and camping. 

Here’s what I like about it: it’s super tough for chucking in a camping bin in the back of the van and heading out on a car camping trip, and I do love that I can stand out on a chilly morning with a giant mug of steaming tea or coffee. I like the handle too, even though the double-walled vacuum means it’s not strictly necessary because your hands don’t need protection. It’s too heavy to clip onto anything via the handle, though.

I’ve tested it and it keeps hot drinks hot for a few hours, but personally I don’t ever really need drinks kept hot that long. I did use it for eating some hot chili out of, however, and I loved having essentially a bowl with a handle for eating at camp, so I’ll use it for that again. I also like that I can pour an entire beer into it, I won’t lie. Even though it’s super bulky, I did find I could fit my camping stove fuel inside it, so that helped reduce its pack size.

Now for what I don’t like: it’s heavy (especially when full) and bulky so not that practical for the type of camping I do. I noticed that the lid is difficult to get off once it’s full of hot liquid, so just be warned about that and don’t spill hot liquid all over your hands. I was hoping the lid would be leak-free, but no such luck. And it doesn’t fit in the cup holder of my camping chair (or car). 

However, it’s a great quality mug and I’d definitely bring it along for easy camping trips where I want to work out my biceps. If you're one of those desk jockeys who takes half the day to drink your first cup of coffee, you’ll love it.

Here’s how it performed:

Insulation

Keeps hot liquids hot for a few hours and keeps cold liquids cold for longer.

Versatility

Can be used for beverages and as a camping bowl.

Packability 

Big and bulky, made more cumbersome by the handle, but it is big enough you can pack things inside it.

Durability

Sturdy stainless steel is all but bulletproof.

• How Advnture tests products

Hydration is one of the most basic human needs there is, and the necessity for it becomes even more apparent when you’re hiking. Breathing hard and sweating are a recipe for dehydration, and you can’t always rely on finding safe drinking sources in the wild. That's why carrying a water bottle is an essential piece of kit for all hikers – until the 1990s rolled around and hikers started carrying water in hydration bladders instead. 

The hydration bladder, invented by Camelbak in 1988, allowed keen hikers to sip water without using their hands or even slowing down – a perk so perfect that it’s a wonder water bottles haven’t gone the way of the dinosaurs. But the sturdy, dependable water bottle has held steady all these years for those seeking a no-nonsense approach to hydration. We figured there must be some good arguments for both hydration systems for them to have maintained their footing among hikers, so we took on the debate of water bottle vs hydration bladders to find out if one is really better than the other.

Water bottle vs hydration bladder: what’s the difference?

We know you know what a water bottle is, so we won’t bore you with the details other than to say that, these days, the best water bottles for hiking come in a variety of designs, including BPA-free plastic, aluminium, insulated and some even have their own nifty straws and filters.

Meanwhile, a hydration bladder is a plastic bladder with a hose with a locking mouthpiece attached to it that serves as a drinking straw. The hydration bladder goes into a pouch in your backpack or hiking vest, the hose slides through loops on the shoulder strap and the mouthpiece hangs out next to your face for whenever you need a sip.

Water bottle vs hydration bladder: capacity

Obviously, when you’re trying to stay hydrated on a hike, the key is to carry enough water to keep you going. For a long hike or hot, dry conditions, that means carrying a fair bit of weight, unless you want to stop and drink water from a stream every couple of miles. This is a category where hydration bladders win hands down. 

While your typical water bottle will hold somewhere between 750ml and one liter of fluid, your hydration bladder might hold three liters, or even more. Now of course, the more you carry, the heavier it will be, but because of the design of hydration bladders – a soft pouch that sits comfortably against your lower back – it’s definitely feasible to carry a lot of water. Meanwhile, carrying three water bottles would take up a lot of space in your backpack, probably feel pretty uncomfortable and then you’ve got all that noise of bottles banging together (although soft water bottles solve that problem for you).

Water bottle vs hydration bladder: packability and comfort

Once you’ve got your water bottle filled, you have two reasonable options for where to put it for your hike. You can either put it inside your backpack, or use one of the side pockets. Inside your pack it takes up a fair bit of space, but you can center it so it doesn’t feel lopsided while you walk. If you use a side pocket, you have more room in your pack but it will feel uneven (unless you carry two water bottles and alternate drinking out of them).

If you use a hydration bladder and you have a proper hiking backpack with a pocket for it, then you won’t have to think about where to put it or whether it will be comfortable. The hydration bladder just slides into the pouch so it rests against your back, and will never feel off balance. And, of course, it doesn’t take up valuable space inside your backpack so you have room for everything you need, like your best waterproof jacket and best hiking gloves.

If your backpack doesn’t have a special pouch for your hydration bladder, it’s not impossible to use it. However, it might be a little less comfortable, and you should position the hydration bladder at the bottom of your bag.

Water bottle vs hydration bladder: ease of use

At first glance, a water bottle seems pretty easy to use, right? After all, you just hold the spout up to your lips and sip. However, once you get on the trail, actually stopping to root around in your bag for a drink every time you’re thirsty seems like an awful lot of hassle. As a result, you might not drink as much water as you should on a hike.

Even though threading the tube of your hydration bladder through the loops on your backpack can be a bit of a nuisance, once you’re walking, the tube is next to your mouth and you can sip away constantly, hands-free and without breaking stride if you want, which is truly the main appeal here.

Water bottle vs hydration bladder: refilling

Where we just said that hydration bladders are easy to use in terms of drinking, water bottles are certainly easier to refill when you're running dry. If you’re on a long hike or it’s a very hot day, you might need to stop and refill. With a water bottle, that’s easy – just unscrew the top and voila. 

Refilling hydration bladders can be a bit more bothersome, depending on the type of pack and backpack you have. These days, the bladder itself has a large screw-on lid that you can undo to fill it up, but you basically still need to remove the entire hydration bladder from your backpack, then put it back in and reposition the tube. Of course, if you’re using a backpack that doesn’t have a pouch for your hydration bladder, you’d need to remove everything from your backpack in order to access it.

Water bottle vs hydration bladder: durability

Good quality, durable hiking gear is key to keeping our landfills free of plastic, so you want to make sure that whatever you buy, it’s going to last a while. Whether it’s made from plastic or aluminum, a good water bottle should last for years and the odd dent doesn’t affect its ability to perform. The main thing that can happen is that the threading on the plastic lid can stop meshing with that on the lip of the bottle, but replacement lids are often available.

Meanwhile, your hydration bladder is made from a soft, pierceable fabric and leaks can occur in the joints between the bladder and tube as well as the mouthpiece. The individual parts are usually replaceable, but you’ll want to make sure that you don’t pack it next to sharp items in your bag, or toss it in the back of your car or your garage with heavy items on it when you’re not using it.

Water bottle vs hydration bladder: hygiene

We’re probably all guilty of not cleaning our water bottles every time we use them, but it’s a good idea to keep any drinking vessel clean to avoid bacteria building up. With your water bottle, that’s easy – just throw it in the dishwasher after your hike.

Hydration bladders are a bit notorious for being harder to clean and developing mold – although they are always improving on this front – so you’ll want to read up on how to clean a hydration bladder and consider stashing yours in the freezer when you’re not using it to prevent mold.

Water bottle vs hydration bladder: temperature resistance

When you’re hiking in hot weather, the last thing you probably want is a sip of hot water and if you're hiking in the winter, frozen water does you no good at all.

Water in a bottle will get warm more easily if you’re carrying it in a side pocket, so for hot days pack it inside your backpack and use a vacuum-insulated bottle with a couple of ice cubes inside. Meanwhile, a hydration bladder in a pouch should stay cool, but the tube will heat up as it’s exposed, so be prepared for the first few sips to be hot.

Water can freeze in either system, but the tube of your hydration bladder is very likely to freeze, whereas for very cold temperatures you could use hot water in an insulated bottle, so the water bottle is probably your best bet in extreme temperatures.

Water bottle vs hydration bladder: taste

This one seems silly, because water just tastes like water, right? Well, yes, if if you’re drinking it from your water bottle, but hydration bladders are well-known for making your water taste like plastic, for a long time. There are various home remedies for this, involving baking soda and lime juice, but be aware that without putting in a little effort, your water might be unpleasant to drink.

Water bottle vs hydration bladder: price

Even though both systems are available at both budget and premium pricing, if you’re looking for a low cost hydration solution, you’ll definitely want to go with a water bottle. You can easily find a bottle for under $10, whereas you’re looking at upwards of $30 for a hydration bladder.

Water bottle vs hydration bladder: the verdict

If your priorities are comfort, ease of use on the trail and making sure you stay hydrated, then you’ll love owning a hydration bladder. Yes, it takes a bit more effort to refill and keep clean, but you’ll probably drink more water – especially if you treat it to get rid of the plastic taste.

Meanwhile, the classic water bottle certainly takes up more space in your pack and doesn’t hold as much water, but it’s cheap, durable, easy to clean and refill and holds up better against extreme temperatures. If you’re still straddling the fence, check out soft water bottles which are made of similar material to a bladder and are extremely packable, but don’t come with a tube.

• What's the best hydration drink for runners?