Before we can get outside and enjoy the (gradually) cooler weather, we need to get our hiking gear in order. First on the list? Finding the best hiking water bottle for our fall outdoor adventures. What should be a straightforward purchase can get a little murky, depending on your hiking plans, pack situation, and personal needs when it comes to drinking water. And, if you’ve never even thought of having a separate water bottle specifically for hiking, you might be weighing yourself down or wasting valuable backpack space without even realizing it. Here’s how to find a trail-ready water bottle.

What water bottle is best for hiking?

If we want to get really basic, the best water bottle to take hiking is the one you’ll actually drink from. Staying hydrated is always important, especially if you’re spending time outside, exercising, and sweating. As SELF has previously reported, hikers, backpackers, and outdoors people recommend taking your average water intake and how difficult your hike will be into consideration when packing your water for an outing. Bringing an extra bottle—or a water purification system—is never a bad idea.

If you’re taking a leisurely day hike, where you aren’t concerned about weighing down your pack or being out so long that you risk running out, a standard reusable water bottle made for everyday use will get the job done. (If the weather is hot on said day hike, we’d recommend an insulated water bottle to keep cold drinks, well, cold.)

It’s when you want to save space or weight, or need something that can multitask and take a beating, that a more specialized bottle or hydration pack will come in handy. After seeking out the best sellers from top brands and poring over glowing reviews, we’ve selected some of the best hiking water bottles you can order right now from retailers like REI, Backcountry, Amazon, and more. Read on to get this key piece of outdoor gear squared away for the fall season.

All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Source: SELF

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