The Best Insulated Water Bottle for Hiking

When life gets too much and you’ve had enough of the hustle and bustle, the answer is to get away from it all for a little while. Have a breath of fresh air, and some exercise. Personally, my favorite way to disconnect is to go on a hike. There is just something magical about being one with nature and enjoy the elements that undoubtedly leave you revitalized and ready to head on with your daily life.

While you’re making your trail, whether it is into the woods or up a mountain, one thing is for sure and that is you will sweat profusely. That is why it is a must for you to bring water, so you will stay hydrated. What’s better than a sip of cold water during those warm summer days, or perhaps a revitalizing cup of coffee or tea to keep you warm on your winter hikes? And having an insulated water bottle ensures that your water keeps its temperature for consumption for several hours, whether it’s hot or cold.

So, what are the best insulated water bottles in the market? The answer to that lies within this guide. I have listed down the top three insulated water bottles that you can use for hiking. But that’s not all, at the end of the article I have included the things that I consider when purchasing insulated water bottles that I use for hiking – hoping that it will give you an idea on what to look out for when you purchase one for yourself.

Perks of Using an Insulated Water Bottle During Hikes

There are a lot of different types of water bottles that you can use during hikes. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. If you want to look into those, we have separate articles for lightweight water bottles, collapsible water bottles, and more coming up.

For this article, the focus is primarily on insulated water bottles. I’ve found that there are four main reasons why people would opt for an insulated water bottle, despite the fact that it has a heavier weight than other types of water bottles.

1. Cool Fresh Water or Hot Beverage

Whether you’re bringing cold water to cool off from the heat or a warm beverage for a chilly hike, an insulated water bottle makes sure that you’ll get the temperature that you wanted and needed for your beverage. An insulated bottle, mainly, has vacuum technology that keeps the heat from entering or leaving the bottle. So, there is no need to worry that your water will get warm after a little while of hiking.

2. Seasonal Hike is Not a Problem

The heat of the summer sun easily melts your ice-y water, and the intense cold of winter could freeze your beverage. But this is not possible for an insulated water bottle. Because heat cannot enter the flask or leave it, the temperature of the inside will stay for several hours before the temperature of the environment could affect it. You won’t end up with extremely warm water or frozen chunks of water in your bottle. 

3. No Additional Flavor

Water in plastic bottles tends to taste different in the long run. It would seem like some chemicals from the plastic would infuse into your water. However, for insulated bottles, you will find that the taste of your water will stay the same. There’s nothing on the bottle that will infuse into your water. You’ll get to enjoy your water with the taste that it’s supposed to have.

4. Environment-Friendly

Water bottles, in general, are a great way to help save the environment. You don’t have to continually buy water in disposable plastic containers. Because insulated water bottles are very durable, you’ll for sure use it for a long time minimizing your waste and carbon footprint a lot.

Our Top Picks for the Best Insulated Water Bottles

There are a lot of water bottles being sold by different brands, with different forms and functions. However, I was able to narrow it down to three of the best-insulated water bottles that you can take with you on your future hiking trips.

You’ll definitely stand out with this bottle, that doesn’t only deliver great function but it also carries a classic style. The Iron Flask Sports Water Bottle is made up from an 18/8 stainless steel free from BPA, and is, therefore, non-toxic. It doesn’t infuse any metal or rust taste to your water either. What’s really great is that it is able to keep your beverage warm, cold, or hot for up to 24 hours. Great for extra-long hikes!

There is more to love about this product. It has a wide mouth, making it easy to clean and easy to refill. But, you won’t have any spills when drinking as it comes with three different lids, including a Carabiner Straw Lid, Flip Lid, and Stainless Steel Lid. You can choose whichever suits you best. Personally, I love their Flip Lid. It also comes in a wide variety of colors and designs to choose from with its classy powder finish. You can definitely match your water bottle with your personality.

Specifications:

• Capacity: 14 oz. – 64 oz.
• Material: 18/8 Premium Stainless Steel

Avoid the synthetic elements of plastic water bottles with the Hydro Cell stainless steel water bottle. It is made of the highest grade of 18/8 stainless steel there is. You don’t need to worry about the flask corroding or oxidizing. The bottle is double-walled and is vacuum sealed, keeping drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot drinks for around 8 hours.

What I love about this product is that, according to the manufacturer, it is BPA and plastic by-product free, keeping your drinks free from the harmful chemicals usually found in many bottles. It also has a wide mouth opening, making it easy to wash and refill. A bonus straw cap is included in your purchase. The stainless steel prevents condensation on the outside of the bottle, so other contents of your bag stay dry. Choose from twelve different powder-coated designs that show off your hiking lifestyle.

Specifications:

• Capacity: 18 oz. – 40 oz.
• Material: Highest Graded 18/8 Stainless Steel

The Takeya Actives Insulated Water Bottle is brought from over 55 years of Japanese design heritage of insulated, BPA-free, and sustainable water bottles. It’s double-walled, and the vacuum-sealed bottle is able to keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours and retains the heat of hot drinks for around 12 hours. In addition, it prevents the condensation on the outer surfaces of the bottle. The food-grade 18/8 stainless steel causes no flavor transfer, keeping the pure taste of your beverage.

There is a lot to love about this product. For one, it has a wide variety of powder-coated design that looks sleek and rugged sports water. Another thing that I love about it is that it has the best lid. The lid is also insulated, making sure that the temperature of your beverage stays the same for a long time. It is also leak-proof, making sure that every drop ends in your mouth and not in your bag. What’s more, is that is has a hinge-lock that keeps the cap out of the way while you enjoy your drink; and it has a wide loop handle, making it easy to carry with your bare hands. Lastly, it has a silicone bumper to minimize dents and added durability.

Specifications:

• Capacity: 18 oz. – 64 oz.
• Material: Food Grade 18/8 Stainless Steel

Things to Consider When Buying Insulated Water Bottles

There are a lot of water bottles out in the market that it can be quite confusing sometimes to pick the right one for you. So I have listed down three things that you should consider when you’re out buying an insulated water bottle for your next hiking adventure.

Weight

Weight is the number one thing that you should consider when looking for a water bottle for you. Since hiking is already a strenuous activity, a lightweight bottle would be the number one option. However, insulated water bottles are relatively heavier than other types due to the material that it is made of. Always check the weight of the bottle and assess if you’ll be able to carry it with you without difficulty.

Capacity

Since you need to rehydrate yourself every often once you’re out there, you have to make sure that your bottle has a large capacity. For insulated bottles, a larger capacity means that it would weigh heavier. It is recommended to choose from bottles with a capacity between 18 fl. oz. to 32 fl. oz.

Mouth Opening and Cap

The mouth opening will influence how easy it will be for you to clean up and refill your bottle. That is why people tend to go for wide mouths. However, that type of opening would also cause you to spill some of your water while you drink. A cap would help you minimize the spill and concentrate the flow of water from the bottle to your mouth. But make sure that the cap has the same insulating properties as the bottle itself to keep the temperature of the contents of your bottle constant for a long time.

Durability

If you are planning to make hiking a part of your lifestyle, then having a durable insulated water bottle is very important. Choose products with food-grade or premium grade stainless steel as these materials are found to be more durable than others. Additional features that help protect your bottles, such as silicone bumper, is definitely a plus.