The 10 Best Sports Water Bottles

I enjoy a good hike, and I make sure to take plenty of water with me when I do. It’s just that I don’t exactly put a lot of thought into what my next water carrier will be.

Nevertheless, I recognize that I am in the minority here. For reasons I will never understand, there are about 40 billion different water bottles to choose from in today’s market. Since nobody wants to stand slack-jawed in sporting goods stores unable to make a decision, we’ve put together this guide to help you make a well-informed and educated decision.

It may come as a surprise to you, but there are a lot of valid reasons for making a well-informed decision when it comes to a water bottle, and they go well beyond stylistic choices.

Let’s dive in, shall we?

What You Should Keep In Mind

For you to make a smart choice in buying your new sports water bottle, it helps to know exactly what to look for. Here are five pointers that can get you looking in the right direction. At the very least, it will help you realize what your personal priorities are for a great water bottle.

1. Volume

Figure out how much water you want your bottle to carry. What athletic activities are you involved in? How often do you need to stop for a drink, and how much do you prefer to carry? How long do you engage in exercise? You should also consider the water recommendation of sports scientists regarding how much water you should consume during a half-hour jog or a two-hour hike.

2. Type of Material

A lot of water bottles are made of plastic of some kind, but others are made from stainless steel or some other material. Both have strong points in their favor, so this really comes down to a matter of personal preference. Alternatively, you may decide to opt for a different kind of material. No wrong choices here.

3. Insulation

There are a lot of different ways to insulate a sports water bottle, and some naturally work better than others. How important this is to you depends on how long you expect to be drinking from your bottle at a time and what type of activity you’re doing. It’s a lot harder to keep water cool on a six-hour hike than a six-mile run.

4. Durability

If you are hard on your stuff, this can be pretty important. While there are durable hard-plastic sports bottles on the market, they’re just not going to have the toughness of a metal water bottle, unless it’s just really thin. No one wants to replace their sports bottle every couple of months, so if you want your new purchase to last you a while, pay attention to this one.

5. Design

Admittedly the most superficial of these choices, your water bottle is nevertheless a statement of sorts about the time of athlete you are – or aren’t. A lot of us prefer function over form, but there’s nothing wrong with picking out a water bottle that looks as cool as it is functional.

QUICK OVERVIEW

The Best Sports Water Bottles

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Products	Features
EDITOR’S PICK 4.1 1,600+ 1600+ Nomader Collapsible Water BottleNomader Collapsible Water Bottle	22 ounce water bottle Constructed with BPA-free silicon PRICE RANGE: Under $20 22 ounce water bottle Constructed with BPA-free silicon PRICE RANGE: Under $20 Check price at Amazon
MOST REVIEWED 4.4 3,500+ 3500+ Thermos Nissan Intak Hydration BottleThermos Nissan Intak Hydration Bottle	24 ounce water bottle Push-button cap limits chances of spilling PRICE RANGE: Under $15 24 ounce water bottle Push-button cap limits chances of spilling PRICE RANGE: Under $15 Check price at Amazon
TOP PICK 4.3 3,100+ 3100+ LifeStraw Go Water Filter BottleLifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle	23 ounce water bottle BPA-free plastic construction PRICE RANGE: Under $35 23 ounce water bottle BPA-free plastic construction PRICE RANGE: Under $35 Check price at Amazon
BUDGET PICK 4.7 8,770+ 8770+ Contigo AutoSeal Chill Water BottleContigo AutoSeal Chill Water Bottle	24 ounce water bottle Double-walled vacuum insulation PRICE RANGE: Under $20 24 ounce water bottle Double-walled vacuum insulation PRICE RANGE: Under $20 Check price at Amazon
BUDGET PICK 4.3 6,500+ 6500+ Nalgene OTF 22oz Water BottleNalgene OTF 22oz Water Bottle	24 ounce water bottle Leak-free locking capabilities PRICE RANGE: Under $15 24 ounce water bottle Leak-free locking capabilities PRICE RANGE: Under $15 Check price at Amazon

Under $15

Nalgene On the Fly Water Bottle

This On the Fly water bottle from Nalgene finds excellence in its simplicity. Made with BPA free, dishwasher-safe plastic with a metal cap, this sports bottle is great because it comes in a wide variety of bottle/cap color variations – twelve in all. This customization allows you to pick out your favorite color, which is nice because everyone likes choices.

The bottle can hold 24 ounces of water and is very lightweight at 4.8 ounces. The cap comes with a lock that prevents it from swinging open and leaking water, a great feature if you’re jogging or hiking and need a bottle that won’t spill. It is designed to fit inside a car cup holder or the bottle cage of a bicycle, making it convenient to take with you on the go.

This is a simple but effective bottle and is competitively priced to fit any budget. This may be too small for long hikes or intense workouts, but it’s great for shorter endeavors.

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Thermos Nissan Intak Hydration Water Bottle

This Intak Hydration water bottle is another good budget sports bottle and features a sleek design that will most likely please those fashion-conscious among you. This BPA-free bottle is made with an impact-resistant Tritan co-polyester material that is dishwasher-safe and doesn’t affect the flavor of the water.

The lid is a sipper lid with a locking ring designed to prevent leakage. A push-button operation flips the lid open, allowing you to sip from its contents and quickly close without spilling. The bottle is also designed ergonomically for a smooth, slip-free grip, making it easier to grip the bottle even if your hands are sweaty. The bottle is a standard 24 ounces, suitable for most activities.

Like Nalgene On the Fly, Intak Hydration also comes in a variety of color designs. For reasons I cannot comprehend, however, they are not all priced exactly the same. While they’re all under $15, they vary in price by as much as $5, so you’ll want to pay attention to that while picking out your favorite color.

}Under $20

Contigo AutoSeal Chill Water Bottle

I hate it when I want to drink while walking. Most of the bottles I used to own have either a lid that’s too big or just isn’t functional. However, Contigo’s Chill Vacuum-Insulated Water Bottle tackled this issue. It has an auto seal button on the lid that seals it between sips to eliminate spills and leaks. Although it’s a good feature, drinks other than water require a more problematic cleanup.

The bottle is made of stainless steel, which means you’ll have to hand wash it after use. Nonetheless, the lid is dishwasher-safe. The bottle holds 24 ounces of water and is guaranteed to be leak-proof. The double-walled vacuum insulation ensures your water will stay cold up to 28 hours. It also comes with an integrated carrying handle.

The sleek and smooth water bottle design catches the eye. It comes in a palette of colors, conveniently called Chard, Dark Plum, Earl Grey, Scuba, Passion Fruit, Very Berry, etc.

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Embrava Best Sports Water Bottle

These water bottles from Best Sports have a sleek appearance to complement an efficient, convenient design. Made from Tritan co-polyester sourced from the United States, the bottle features a simple one-click lid and comes with an attached strap to put your arm through, helping to secure the bottle on your wrist, which is excellenž for jogging, biking, or other vigorous activities.

This bottle is designed to help keep your water cooler longer with a proprietary frosted casing that reacts to the environment. The container is smaller than a lot of options, and will only hold 18 ounces of water. Since it is also designed to be a lightweight travel companion, the smaller size works in its favor.

What I like about this bottle is that it comes with a free “Hydration for Athletes” PDF download, providing valuable and even critical information on how to stay hydrated while performing various exercises. The bottle also has three different colors to choose from, including boy-blue, girl-pink, and a neutral gray.

Under $25

Nomader Collapsible Water Bottle

This collapsible bottle from Nomader is hands-down, my favorite water bottle I reviewed. I love everything about it, from its space-age collapsible design and how compact it is when empty. I travel a lot, so that really appeals to me. This bottle cannot crack or dent and is guaranteed to be leak-proof because of the thick, soft silicone body. It also comes with a patented lid that prevents spills and a spout cover to keep it clean.

Despite its soft construction, it’s surprisingly durable, maintaining its shape even when empty. Certified BPA-free construction ensures no harmful chemicals or toxins filter into your water and protecting its flavor and odor as well. Its versatile construction allows it to carry hot materials as well as cold ones, and you can put it in the dishwasher safely.

Like most of the other bottles I’ve reviewed, this sports bottle comes with a variety of color choices – in this case, nine. Even better, this bottle is guaranteed to last for years and is sold with a lifetime warranty. I am admittedly not very picky when it comes to water bottles, but I love this bottle.

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Under $30

Takeya Actives Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Takeya Actives Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle is perfect for all sports enthusiasts out there. It has a lid with a leak-proof spout and a wide loop handle for quick accessibility. It’s excellent to use while jogging, biking, or taking a break from a basketball game with your friends.

The water bottle is designed to allow super-fast water flow, getting you the water you need quickly and comfortably so you can get back to doing whatever it is you need to do.

This insulated bottle keeps drinks cold for 24 hours with double-wall vacuum insulation and the powder-coated finish ensures you have a strong grip even with sweaty hands. It has a volume of 24 ounces, the right quantity of water for a mild practice.

It is made of stainless steel, which means you’ll have to wash it by hand but it is nevertheless a good choice for anyone who likes to stay hydrated. Last, it comes in a variety of colors and sizes of your choosing.

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Under $35

IRON °FLASK Sports Water Bottle

The IRON °FLASK is a sweat-free insulated water bottle that keeps your drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 12 hours. The 22-ounce bottle is BPA-free and made of stainless steel and has a powdered coat exterior for a better grip. 

The bottle comes with 3 different lids. A spout lid, a flip lid with a handle, and a stainless steel lid, which is plastic on the inside. The lids are leak-proof, meaning you can take the bottle anywhere with you without worrying if it will leak.

The best thing about it is that it comes in 6 different colors and sizes, from 14 to 64 ounces. Note that the bigger ones are pricier.

Under $40

S’well Teakwood Water Bottle

You’re liable to do a double-take when you first see this Teakwood water bottle from S’well. Although it is made with durable 18/8 double-walled stainless steel is certified non-toxic and BPA free.

This attractive, stylized 17-ounce sports bottle is built to resemble a bottle of Coca-Cola, with an inspired but secure locking cap. The double-wall design keeps beverages cold for 24 hours and hot beverages for up to 12 hours. This bottle is suitable for hand wash only.

Every bottle of S’well is hand-painted with a teakwood grain exterior and finished with a matte finish to preserve the paint. This sports bottle is also backed by a one-year warranty. Best of all, S’well plants one tree for every water bottle sold. So not only do you get a unique water bottle with awesome heat retention, but you support the environment as well. There’s no way you can go wrong with that.

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LifeStraw Go Water Bottle with Integrated Filter

I remember when filtered water became the rage at the turn of the millennium. The LifeStraw Go Water sports bottle is the culmination of this movement. This 23-ounce water bottle is one of the most advanced I have ever seen. It has everything you’d expect from a holistic sports bottle: BPA free Titan co-polyester construction, food-grade silicone mouthpiece, and a virtually indestructible leak-proof bottle.

But LifeStraw takes it one step further with their LifeStraw Filter. The water filter is integrated into the water bottle and is rated to filter at least 264 gallons (1000 liters) of water. It means that the filter is rated to filter the sports bottle over 1600 times! When the filter finally does expire, simply purchase a new one, and replace it.

LifeStraw filters out 99.9% of waterborne protozoa and 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria. It makes this an incredible asset to have when hiking, backpacking, or camping, as it allows you to safely refuel your bottle from any available water source without having to worry about water purification tablets.

To seal the deal, LifeStraw provides a year of clean drinking water for an African schoolchild with every purchase, meaning that your patronage can make a real difference in someone else’s life.

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Under $100

Hydro Flask 21 oz Water Bottle

This vacuum-insulated water bottle from Hydro Flask is made from professional-grade 18/8 stainless steel for quality construction and improved durability. Guaranteed to be BPA free, this water bottle is a great choice for those concerned about toxins in their water.

The water bottle features an exclusive powdered paint coating that makes the bottle easier to grip and less like to slip with sweaty hands. The bottle also ships with an extra cap in case you lose one.

What stands out with this water bottle is vacuum-insulated technology. Hydro Flask’s proprietary TempShield technology provides outstanding temperature control, keeping hot drinks hot for up to six hours and cold beverages chilled for up to 24 hours – that’s a long time! However, this bottle is not dishwasher-safe, and you should hand-wash it only.

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Conclusion

All good things must come to an end, and so too must this list. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it. We’d love to hear about your experience with your shopping and with these items. Did you enjoy the collapsible Nomader bottle as much as I did? Did your Hydro Fresh perform like it was supposed to? Drop a comment and let us know!