7 Water-Bottles Options for Outdoors

It’s very important to stay hydrated when you are outdoors. Being aware of the many water bottle options available on the market will help you decide which type of water container would match your needs on your next outing. Every time I shop for a camping gear, I’m taken aback by the myriad of options out there. Camping and camping gear have definitely grown up from the drab, gray old flapping canvas tents that our parents experienced.

Who would have thought a simple concept could evolve into all these different styles and design? (see video below).

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Nalgene Water Bottles- This is the classic shatter-proof hard-plastic bottle that has a wide mouth opening that allows easy filling for ice, but the mouth is still narrow enough to drink comfortably. The cap is rubberized to make it easy to open with sweaty hands and has a sturdy carabineer loop for storage outside on the pack. This is a great bottle for short excursions. Note: The traditional Nalgene water bottles (also callsed Lexan water bottles) have been found to leach chemicals that can disrupt hormone levels. Stay away from them. Instead, insist on the non-leaching BPA-Free
version ($9.95).

Aluminum Water Bottles-The aluminum bottle often has a sleek, high-tech look to it, even makes a fashion statement. You may even bump into titanium versions in this class of stainless steel water bottles. The Kids sigg Aluminum water bottles, are a favorite with celebrity moms like Madonna and Cindy Crawford! Looks aside, the aluminum makes it lighter, more durable than its plastic counterparts, and water stays cool in it due to the nature of aluminum.

Insulated Water Bottles - This bottle carrier is an insulated pouch that allows you to place a water bottle in side. The insulation help maintain the temperature of the liquid inside the bottle. It has a strap attached for easy carrying on hikes and jogs. It also has a clip that allows you to clip it to a back pack. Unlike the bulky insulated containers of the past, some look quite handsome like this stylish insulated bottle sleeve by Camelbak. Great for short excursions and carrying cold soda.

Camelbak Hydration Packs – Hydration packs come with backpack straps, or clips that you can easily attach to your back pack. Camelbak is the dominant manufacturer of this style of water carrier. It has a bladder inside that can carry 70 oz to 100 oz of water. Filled with water this pack can weigh 3 to 8 pounds. Recently they started manufacturing kids and womens packs, such as the Camelbak Women Charm Hydration Pack ($35) which carries just 50 oz. A tube long enough to reach from the pack to the wearer’s mouth is attached and used as a straw, allowing you to drink hands-free. The pack is fully insulated and made rugged to prevent wear and tear, and leaks. This back is an excellent choice for long excursions, or situations where you need to stay hydrated hands-free like long distance bicycling.

Collapsible Water Pouches- I’m not really sure why anyone would choose this over plain old Poland Springs water bottles. Friends who use them do so because they packs easily in a backpack full of stuff. Frozen at home, they also keep the camping cooler cool longer and turn into drinkable water. For me personally, they remind me too much of hospital IV dispensers.

Built-in Purifier Bottle - The Katadyn purifyer water bottle
features an internal EPA-registered Virustrat cartridge and carbon filter to remove microorganisms and all viruses from any water source. The bottle is designed to fit in most bicycle water bottle cages or cup holders, but has a carry loop as well. This 26-oz. bottle weighs less than the smallest backcountry microfilters and no pumping is required, making it perfect for extended backpacking or mountain biking around questionable water sources.

Disposable Water Bottles - Don't forget the boring, unsexy but convenient disposable water bottles. Get a 24-pack from Walmart and grab and go in an instant. This is my family's choice of water bottles, if only because my kids keep losing their water bottles. Would I rather they leave behind a 25 cents Poland Spring water bottle, or a $19.99 aluminum Sigg water bottle?

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