Carry Water Hiking [5 Ways To Do It]


Carrying Water hiking

I carry a bottle of water when I go on a hike. It’s usually my CamelBak Podium water bottle because it’s my favorite and easiest bottle to use.

Carrying water on a hike is important for hydration and energy. You can carry a disposable plastic bottle, a collapsible bottle, a hard bottle, a water bladder, and a filter bottle.

On a short hike, I normally just carry my bottle in my hand, but for longer hikes, I carry more water and a small backpack. Each type of bottle has different pros and cons. Which is the one you would carry? I’ll tell you about each one and which one I prefer over the others.



One of the main issues when starting out in hiking is wondering just how and where to bring your gear with you.

Of course, some things are optional and don’t always need bringing along, but the one thing you want to make sure you always bring with you, regardless of where you’re going or how long for, is water. That’s why you need to know how to carry a water bottle while hiking.

Not only will you need to stay hydrated while out on the trail, but water can also be extremely useful when dealing with things like cuts or injuries, as well as being a way to cool yourself down if you get too hot.

Of course, venturing out into the wild and wonderful landscapes can be amazing. But when you do head off on an adventure, what’s the best kind of water bottle to have, and more importantly, how exactly do you carry it with you? Keep reading on to find out!


5 Ways to Carry Water While Hiking

Although there are various alternatives out there, most people carry their water – both in daily life and whilst hiking – in bottles.

But nowadays, there seem to be many different types of bottles out there, so which is best for you, and why?


1. Disposable Bottles

Disposable Bottle

Despite being bad for the environment and causing river and ocean pollution, disposable bottles are helpful if you don’t have any other way to carry water.

Although many plastic bottles can be flimsy and leak easily, some disposable bottles can be much more solid and refilled multiple times and still hold up well. These are ‘reusable’ bottles in a sense because some can be reused for a long period of time before any issues arise.

If you see any sort of cracking lines or have a very soft flimsy water bottle, it is best to recycle it right away. Plastic bottles start to degrade quickly, so plastic particles start getting in the water.

The one thing to bear in mind is that, because of their material and nature, these bottles can suffer from plastic pollution/leakage, so after you use them, you usually want to recycle them and replace them with a better bottle or another one.


2. Collapsible Bottles

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Collapsible bottles have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their versatility, making them ideal for a variety of scenarios.

As the name suggests, when empty, they collapse into various shapes and can be tucked away virtually anywhere – even in your pocket! Because of this too, they’re often extremely lightweight and can go unnoticed.

Although they’re extremely convenient in their size, they’re not the most convenient to fill, as their moveable shape means that they might not be able to stand on their own. Sometimes it’s like filling a sack with water.

Not only this, but some might not be the most durable container and have been known to break or tear at times. Look for a good quality bottle for the best results.


3. Hard Bottles

I always use my Camelbak bottle (Amazon.com Link) daily to carry my water, whether at home or on the trail. I love it because it is so easy to use and has a no-spill top. Just squeeze the bottle to get water and once you stop squeezing, the bottle top membrane seals again.

hard bottle

Hard bottles are a good choice for those looking for something durable and tough. They come in many varieties. I also have hard metal bottles that I have used for years because I was trying to avoid plastic bottles.

They’re often cylindrical in shape, making them easy to hold and drink from, and many come with a wide opening at the top, allowing you to add things – flavored powder, nutrients, and vitamins – with ease.

The main downside with hard bottles is their weight, as they’re often a bit heavier than ordinary bottles.

And because of their rigid design, they don’t flex or bend much, meaning they can be cumbersome and uncomfortable in backpacks.


4. Hydration Bladders

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Hydration bladders are the ideal choice for those who approach trails with a fast-paced attitude and don’t want to slow down or stop in order to get water. They allow you to go a bit further and still stay hydrated.

They’re essentially large sacks of water – varying from 1 liter all the way up to 5 liters – that you place inside your backpack.

Some, like the one above, are backpacks mostly for the badder itself. You can also buy a separate bladder that you can put in any backpack.

A long straw or tube is then attached to the shoulder or chest strap of the backpack, allowing you to take regular sips of water without breaking stride.

They’re a popular choice amongst trail runners of endurance hikers, as they allow you to keep going at all times, without having to worry about stopping to rehydrate.

The main downside with hydration bladders is the hassle of filling them up; like collapsible bottles, their moveable sack-like shape can make this difficult.

But provided you bring enough water with you, this shouldn’t be an issue.


5. Filter Bottles

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I have a filter bottle I bought a while ago but I have only used it a couple of times. It’s a bottle that you can use to fill up water sources that may not be so clean, like a stream you found while hiking. After collecting the water, you filter it through the filter cartridge.

There are many types of filter bottles, but only a couple are really meant for hiking. Some last longer than others, but you want to get a filter bottle that can:

  • Filter out all bacteria
  • Filter out all microorganisms
  • Has a filter membrane of .2 or .1 microns

Some well-known brands are:

  • LifeStraw
  • Sawyer
  • MSR
  • Platypus
  • Katadyn

Once you find a filter that works for you, this will enable you to go on long backpacking trips as long as there are water sources readily available.


What You Should Know About Hydration?

hydration hiking

There are varying statistics stating how much of our body is made up of water, and although many of them contradict each other, the point still remains our bodies are made up of a lot of water.

When we lose that water through exercise, high temperature, and any other means, it needs to be replaced in order for us to function.

It’s even more important to take in water whilst exercising, as the extra energy we use will cause us to sweat and therefore become dehydrated. (See my article on Exercise and Staying Hydrated for more information)

So, when it comes to hiking, especially in high temperatures or challenging terrains, we’ll be losing a lot more water than we would in our normal day-to-day, and it’s, therefore, crucial that we keep drinking water to maintain good levels of hydration.

In short, although a 1-liter bottle might be fine to sip throughout your day at work if you’re going on a long hike, you’ll want to take at least double that.

That’s why it’s important to know how to carry a water bottle while hiking.


Final Thoughts

There’s no doubt that bringing water with you on the trail is essential, especially if you’re heading out for most of the day.

A small bottle is better than none, but you should really want to be taking at least 1 liter with you for every 4 hours of hiking you plan to do.

There are various options to choose from, as well as various ways to make use of those options – clipping it to your belt, holding it in your hand, or shoving it in your backpack.

But whatever you choose, just make sure to hydrate before you go, and bring a little bit more than you think you’ll need, just in case. Hope this article was helpful in some way for staying hydrated on your next hiking adventure.

Thanks for visiting Helpshoe.com

CHRIS TOOLEY

I enjoy many types of outdoor activities including running, hiking, and walking. I was a former elementary school teacher for 17 years and now enjoy writing and sharing my love of the outdoors.

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