10 Best Water Bottles of 2024

We often carry soft bottles as backup water storage on backpacking trips, but we never imagined we’d enjoy using one on a daily basis. Enter the HydraPak Flux. This bottle rolls up super small, then springs to life and holds its shape when unfolded. Many soft bottles are awkward to drink from because they’re floppy. The Flux, however, feels more similar to drinking from a rigid bottle. The Flux is made from silicon, so it can hold onto flavors. If you like using hydration mixes, you’ll be tasting it for a while (ours currently tastes like oranges). But the low weight and compact design of the Flux make it great for any occasion. The Hydrapak Seeker is very similar to the Flux, and comes in 2L, 3L, and 4L sizes.

Life can get hectic sometimes, and mundane tasks like remembering to drink two liters of water every day can fall by the wayside. The Thermos Intak takes the guesswork out of staying hydrated with a nifty rotating intake meter that tracks how much water you’ve had to drink for the day (as long as you remember to turn it). We love the ergonomic shape and the drinking spout delivers bevvies with precision. The Intak is awesome for busy folks who just need a bottle that provides hydration on the cheap.

We’ve used the Platy Bottle from Platypus for years to carry extra water while backpacking, and the Platypus DuoLock SoftBottle is another winner. Going climbing? Clip it to your harness. Going hiking? Clip it to your backpack. Taking the dog for a walk? Clip it to your belt loop. Adding a carabiner makes pretty much any piece of gear better. Floppy bottles aren’t our first choice for everyday use around the house or office, but the Softbottle is quite convenient for life on the go. Platypus also offers the SoftBottle without the carabiner and locking top if you want to save a few bucks.

Yes for real, we’re recommending a technically single-use plastic bottle. Smartwater Bottles are perfect for backpacking because they’re ultralight, they come in full liter capacity, they’re surprisingly durable, and the slender shape fits well in the side pockets of backpacking packs. One of our favorite water filters, the Sawyer Squeeze, also screws directly onto the mouth. If you’re careful with your bottle – make sure to clean it well and keep it out of direct sun – a single one can be reused again and again.

When you pay $40 for an insulated bottle, then $15 or so for a few lid options, then another $8 for a non-slip boot, a simple purchase can turn into your entire month’s lunch money. If you like to have your bottle and accessorize it too, the Takeya Actives Insulated is a great value option. It comes standard with a silicone bottle boot and a leakproof chug cap, which in total would run you about $60 from some other brands on our list. While we feel the quality of the lid isn’t quite as high as the competition, the Takeya Actives is good for those looking for big style on a small budget. The Actives Bottle is available in many different colors, sizes, and lid options.

The Lifestraw Go Series is handy for those who prefer to filter tap water when out and about or for short backpacking trips. We like that it’s simple to use and that the filter cartridge is replaceable, but we’re not so keen on the fact that it’s pretty much impossible to tell when the activated carbon part of the filter is spent. That said, the Go Filter works well in a pinch and the bottle itself is high-quality. The 22 oz. is the most popular option, but a 1 L bottle is also available. There’s also a stainless insulated Go Bottle for those who want to keep beverages hot or cold.

The Que Collapsible Bottle is a unique container that comes in a plethora of fun colors and collapses down to about the size of a soda can. Its compact size makes it perfect for stashing in a carry-on bag during travel. We love the funky look, but it would be nice if the Que Bottle could stand upright on its own more reliably (check out their video on getting a proper seal for tips). It’s not our first choice for everyday drinkage, but it works great as an in-flight water bottle or to keep in your commuter bag for those days when you accidentally leave the daily drinker at home.

The Platypus Platy Bottle isn’t necessarily a water bottle, per se, but it’s been our go-to for carrying water on backpacking trips for many years. We pack the Platy along anytime we expect to hit a long, dry stretch in the backcountry. It came in very handy on our PCT and CDT thru-hikes because it weighs next to nothing, takes up virtually no space in a backpack, costs very little, and the Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter can thread right onto the top. The Platy Bottle is a staple item that should be in every backpacker’s gear closet.