Bottom Line
The price tag might be steeper, but the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth is a good investment – a water bottle with excellent insulating capabilities, wide-ranging customization options, and a robust design. It’s an all-purpose water bottle that will last for years of trail miles or everyday hydration
We put the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth up against the dry climate of Southeastern Utah, using it to keep us hydrated during days hiking and climbing in the desert sun. With its superior insulation and attractive design, the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth shined with its blend of style and practicality.
Those gearing up for an ultralight backpacking trip might think twice about its weight – and pick another option from our best water bottles guide. The Hydro Flask is an excellent multi-purpose bottle that’s best suited for at-home sipping and for tackling miles of switchbacks.
How We Tested
Gear analyst Marion Tucker researched 35 water bottles and tested the top 13 in the field while hiking and climbing in Southern Utah. She conducted drop tests to evaluate their durability and ranked each bottle’s ergonomics, insulation, weight, and features after side-by-side comparisons.
Quick Specs
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth
Best Water Bottle Overall
CleverHiker Rating: 4.9/5.0
Price: $45
Weight: 1 lb. 0.8 oz.
Insulated: Yes
Pros
- Excellent insulation
- Many color choices
- Lots of accessory options
- Easy to add ice/supplements
- Leakproof
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy for backpacking
- Many wide mouth bottles don’t fit in cup holders
Durability
We’ve lost track of how many times we’ve accidentally dropped or knocked over our water bottles, but the robust, stainless steel build of the Hydro Flask can shoulder the ups and downs of outdoor adventures.
We put the Hydro Flask through a series of durability tests, including hard falls onto uneven rocky landings. The bottle weathered these beatings with only a few dings and scuffs. Our Hydro Flask Wide Mouth has kept us hydrated for years. From nights on our bedside table to backpacking trips, its only scars are a few dents and a worn paint job. We won’t need a replacement for many years.
Ergonomics
The Wide Mouth is a higher capacity bottle, but its thoughtful design keeps it from feeling clunky or awkward. It can’t fit in a cup holder. However, the vertical silhouette of the Hydro Flask- free from bowed or tapered edges – slides easily into a backpack pocket. For the times you don’t have a bag to stash the bottle, the lid’s built-in handle is flexible and pivots easily for comfortable in-hand carrying.
Spills are hard to avoid when drinking from a wide mouth water bottle, especially when you’re on the move, but Hydro Flask combats this challenge through their various lid offerings. Cap styles like the Straw Lid, which features a foldable mouthpiece that locks in place, make drinking on the go easy and spill-free while also sealing tightly to prevent leakage. We’ve used the Flex Cap with our Hydro Flask for years. However, we tested the Straw Lid and were impressed by the steady yet controlled water flow. Removing the lid completely provides complete wide mouth access to add ice and hydration packets or wash the bottle by hand. (Rejoice – the Hydro Flask is dishwasher safe too!) Intentional design elements make using the Hydro Flask an overall comfortable and efficient experience.
Insulation
Hydro Flask hypes the insulating prowess of its bottles, and the Wide Mouth more than lives up to expectations. Made with a double wall vacuum insulation, the Hydro Flask can accept cold and hot liquids.
During our Utah testing trip, we had the Wide Mouth sit in full sun for a day at the climbing crag. Even after baking in the sun, the bottle’s insulation kept water consistently cold, and the ice remained intact into the afternoon.
We observed that the Hydro Flask is slightly less effective with hot beverages. Still, our drinks stayed warm for several hours. Insulation makes a water bottle heavier, but Hydro Flask’s ability to keep liquids at their intended temperature outweighs any added ounces.
Weight
Weighing 16.8 ounces, the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth is one of the heaviest water bottles we researched and tested. This weight is a definite deterrent for the ultralight crowd and less suited for multi-day journeys, where you feel the impact of every ounce.
However, despite its measured weight, the Hydro Flask never felt too bulky, even during a long hike or steep approach to the crag. The sleek, ergonomic design let us pack the Hydro Flask in a way that was comfortable to haul over longer distances. For more strenuous and high-mileage trips, we’d prefer a lighter weight bottle. However, the Wide Mouth’s weight shouldn’t totally discount it on your next hike.
Features
Colorful exteriors are another Hydro Flask trademark feature. The Wide Mouth sells in a rainbow of brilliant shades, some of which are unlike any offered by other brands. For those looking to customize their drinking experience, Hydro Flask offers an array of lid designs – the Straw Lid, Chug Cap, and Flex Cap are compatible with the Wide Mouth. This range of lids can suit your personal preference, whether you’re sipping water or gulping it down. The bottle also comes in 40 oz. and 64 oz. versions for those looking for similar higher volume options. In addition, Hydro Flask recently introduced the Wide Mouth Trail Series as a lighter alternative (0.76lbs vs. 1.05lbs) to the standard Wide Mouth. Hydro Flask provides an abundance of choices to customize your bottle to your exact taste and let your personality shine through.
Should You Buy the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth?
Of all the water bottles we tested, the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth was a stand out for its visually-striking and practical design. Coming in eye-catching colors and keeping our drinks at a constant temperature, this was the bottle we found ourselves reaching for time after time. The heavier weight of the Hydro Flask disqualifies it from ultralight applications and long distance treks. However, its durable build can withstand abuse, and its lids support spill-free drinking. Although it’s one of the more expensive bottles we reviewed, the Hydro Flask is worth the cost. Its high quality features and lasting value mean you won’t be spending money on a new water bottle any time soon.
What Other Water Bottles Should You Consider?
For a full list of recommendations, check out our guide to the Best Water Bottles.
YETI Rambler Review: Exemplary in its insulating capability and rugged design, the Rambler is the perfect option for those who need superior temperature control in the roughest environments.
Hydro Flask Standard Mouth Review: Hydro Flask’s Standard Mouth bottle is the Wide Mouth’s sleeker cousin. It features the same double wall insulation and accessory choices but actually fits in a cup holder!
Takeya Actives Insulated Review: When insulation is important but the budget calls for something less pricey, the Takeya Actives offers quality insulation for hot and cold beverages and sturdy design at an affordable cost.
