Hydro Flask Lightweight Trail Series Wide-mouth Vacuum Water Bottle Review

Pros

LIGHTWEIGHT

The Lightweight Hydro Flask Bottles weigh 25% less than their standard counterparts. Weighing in at 10-12 ounces, these are some of the lightest insulated bottles we’ve ever tested. Most other insulated bottles we’ve used in these sizes weigh over a pound. If you’re a student or a commuter who has to deal with a heavy backpack, trading your heavy coffee thermos for a Lightweight Hydro Flask can help alleviate some of the burden. While they’re definitely not as light as Nalgenes or Smartwater bottles, which are popular with ultralight backpackers, these bad mama jamas also make for a truly enviable luxury item for short backpacking trips – especially if your morning coffee ritual is what makes you feel like a complete human. One thing is for sure, the Lightweight Hydro Flask Bottles are now a staple for our winter hiking and snowshoeing excursions.

EXCELLENT INSULATION

Hydro Flask boasts that these bottles can keep your hots hot for up to 12 hours and your colds cold for up to 24 hours. Well, we put that to the test, and left hot water in one bottle and ice water in another and checked in on them at 12 and 24 hours, respectively. They’re not playing around. The Trail Series Hydro Flask Bottles pack some serious insulative power.

DURABLE

Despite having thinner walls to save weight, these bottles don’t lack in durability. They can definitely take a hit and come out on the other side unscathed. In a clumsy moment, we dropped ours on a sidewalk, but we were delighted to find that there was no dent. It’s also worth mentioning that we were using the Flex Sip Lid when we dropped the bottle, and it also survived the fall completely unmarked.

VERSATILE

We love that Hydro Flasks come in all kinds of colors and that they’re compatible with an extensive collection of accessories. The Lightweight Bottles don’t come in Hydro Flask’s signature bright colors, but the metallics they’re offered in look modern and stylish. Both sizes of lightweight bottles (24 oz. and 32 oz.) are wide-mouth, which means you can pair them with any of the wide-mouth lids that Hydro Flask offers. We couldn’t decide on just one, so we got all the lids. The Flex Sip Lid and Straw Lid have been our favorites, but the lightweight version of the Flex Cap included with these bottles is well-designed and has a convenient carry-handle.

WELL-DESIGNED

Hydro Flask is well-known for their smart design, and they’ve kept that reputation up with the Lightweight Bottles. They’re leakproof, they fit in cup holders and backpack pockets, they’re easy to clean (pick up the Bottle Brush for an almost, dare we say, enjoyable bottle cleaning experience), the wide mouth makes it easy to add ice or fruit wedges, and the list goes on and on.

Cons

EXPENSIVE

We tried really hard to find something to complain about with these bottles, but it just wasn’t happening. It’s true that Hydro Flasks are expensive, especially if you also plan to buy a few accessories (our favorites are the Flex Sip Lid, the Bottle Brush, and the Bottle Sling). But if you’re not into drinking room-temperature drinks and you want a bottle that will last for years, the price is well worth the quality you get.

Bottom Line

We are stoked on Hydro Flask’s Lightweight Vacuum Water Bottles, and highly recommend them for anyone looking for a new insulated bottle. These bottles are great for students and commuters, day hikers, and they could even work for short backpacking trips if having the luxury of hot or cold drinks makes you happy. We started using Hydro Flask for the sleek design and great accessories. They have remained our go-to for the awesome insulating performance and durability.