If you’ve heard that you need between 6-8 glasses of water a day, you wouldn’t be necessarily be wrong. For those spending their time in the outdoors, the need is likely higher, as we tend to lose water more rapidly with activity.
Carrying a water bottle at all times is a great way to get in the habit of drinking fluids regularly, but choosing the right water bottle for your outdoor adventure, training at the gym, or traveling needs is not quite as simple as it may seem. With advances in the construction and composition of water bottles today, there are a multitude of choices to pick from - some of which are better suited for certain situations than others.
Shop our extensive bottle collection at Outdoor Shopping.
Design
The general design of a water bottle is similar throughout the range of choices because they all serve the same general function: transportation of liquid.
Cavity
The largest part of your water bottle is likely the cavity, or the area allotted for your liquid. What comprises the cavity itself, though, can change drastically and influence the liquids stored inside as well as your comfort. Here are a few options to keep in mind:
Composition : The composition of your bottle typically falls within two material makeups: plastic or metal.
Plastic: There has been quite a fuss over the potential dangers of Bisphenol-A, a hardening compound that used to be found in plastic bottles. While most companies now avoid BPA, many are still wary of other potential plastic hazards such as "EA" and phthalates. If you’re concerned about BPA but still would like to opt for plastic, many bottles are now made BPA-free (such as the Nalgene bottle pictured here). The downside: BPA-free bottles tend to be more fragile, which can be a huge problem for climbers or anyone who may run the risk of dropping their water bottle from larger heights.
Metal: If we’re speaking strictly about metal bottles without insulation, then you’ve got a bottle composition that is a great conductor of heat. In emergency situations, you can use your metal water bottle as cookware. While they do dent easily, they’re certainly more durable than their plastic counterparts. Metal selections typically fall in categories of aluminum or stainless steel. While aluminum may be cheaper, stainless steel can withstand the test of time.
Insulation: While this is certainly an aspect of the composition of the cavity of your water bottle, it deserves a section unto itself. Insulated bottles are comprised of two layers of metal with a vacuum barrier in between the stainless steel layers. This acts as a heat barrier, keeping the liquids inside your bottle at a temperature that is unaffected by the external temperatures. It’s a great option for keeping liquids at a consistent temperature for long periods of time, such as keeping iced water cold or keeping hot beverages at a warm temperature, but you can’t use this as spontaneous cookware should you find yourself in a sticky situation.
Shop plastic, metal, and insulated bottles at Outdoor Shopping.
Collapsible vs Rigid
While this distinction could be considered part of the cavity construction, it in fact influences the ‘bottle’ as a whole. Collapsible bottles are in their prime when space is limited, temperatures are warm, and water is scarce. Unlike rigid bottles, they don't take up much space when they're empty and can simply be rolled and tucked away. The side pouches on your camping pack, your purse, or or even your pocket are all great storage areas for spare pouches when not in use.
With collapsible bottles, you get the advantages of volume and capacity increases at just the fraction of the space consummation of a rigid bottle. If compatible with a hydration tube, you can simply switch the tube over to the next filled bag as soon as one runs dry. Simply put, their portability is unmatched.
But how often do you need 2 liters of liquids during an outdoor excursion? Unless you’re really out there for the long haul, then you’ll probably risk losing functionality for an unreasonable amount of liquid that you may not necessarily need.
Thus, there are many distinct advantages to having a rigid bottle. From ease of drinking to accessibility as a blunt instrument in emergency situations or even functionality as rolling pins, hammers, and waterproof canisters, the rigid bottle has many advantages over the collapsible counterpart. If it's metal, you can boil water in it or use as spontaneous cookware, as we’ve mentioned before. Also, rigid bottles typically insulate better than collapsible bottles, as well. Most wide-mouth bottles, like Nalgenes, the MSR Alpine, and Camelbaks are compatible with water filters.
Shop for collapsible and rigid water bottles at Outdoor Shopping.
Cap Choices
Once you move past the cavity, the only barrier between the internal compartment and the outside world is the cap. Most bottle brands offer some kind of "easy access" drinking cap, but the range of differences in details is enormous. Here are some options to consider:
Screw Cap : These caps are simple in design and take out much of the fancy footwork that goes with other styles of bottle caps.
Advantages: Harder to Lose, More Versatile
Disadvantages: Must use two hands, Drinking ‘on the go’ is more difficult
‘Easy Access’ Cap : This includes push-pull caps, sippers, flip tops, and everything in between.
Advantages: Easier to use, One-handed drinking
Disadvantages: More functioning parts means more areas to clean, More working parts means more inspection points
Bottle Opening
The opening of your water bottle plays a role in how easy it is to drink from it, its multi-use capabilities, and your comfort.
Narrow Mouth : While narrow-mouthed bottles tend to be easier to drink from, they are not filter-compatible. If you’re a runner or biker and aren’t using an easy access cap, then the narrow mouth helps prevent water from spilling while you’re out and about.
Advantages: Less spillage, Easier to drink from
Disadvantages: Not filter-compatible, Can’t add ice
Wide Mouth: Nearly every wide-mouth bottle on the market today is compatible with the most commonly used filters. For those looking to add ice to their bottle, the wide-mouth makes that an option.
Advantages: Versatility, Can use filters
Disadvantages: Will spill more easily for users who are moving while drinking (such as bikers or runners)
Other Options to Consider
The design of your water bottle can impact its ease of use and versatility when you’re journeying outside. Aside from the major design points, there are other options to also consider when perusing our selection at Outdoor Shopping:
Liquid Capacity: All of our water bottles come with a liquid capacity, and this will help you determine how many bottles you’ll need or what size bottle to choose.
Dimensions: You’ll find that some bottles are tall and skinny while other canteens are short and stout. This can impact which holders they’ll be compatible with. For instance, you’ll want to check the size of your bottle and your cup holder on your bike if you plan to cycle with a water bottle. Many canteens are compatible with runner waistbands nowadays, but you’ll want to ensure that you’re purchasing a size bottle that fits with your specific band.
Style: It may seem secondary (and it really is when we’re talking about functionality), but there are many styles of water bottles nowadays that are designed for men, women, and children alike. Once you’ve narrowed your selection, choose a bottle that speaks to you!
Shop men’s, women’s, and kid’s bottle styles at Outdoor Shopping.
Extras
Don’t forget that many water bottles are now built to be compatible with extra accessories to make your trip more enjoyable. Here are some, to name a few:
