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What is the Best Water Bottle for Hiking?  (Hydro Flask vs Klean Kanteen vs Nalgene)

8/15/2022

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What is the Best Water Bottle for Hiking? Part 1 of 3 (Short Hikes, 1-3 Hours)

So Many Options

With so many water bottle options available, you might be asking which one is the best for hiking.  Here, we’ll review our favorites and let you know our recommendations.

Quick Summary

We know you're busy, so here's the short-short version.
​Keep reading the rest of the post or watch the video for more details.
When to buy a Nalgene vs Klean Kanteen vs Hydro Flask
When to buy a Nalgene vs Klean Kanteen vs Hydro Flask

Click the links below to see these products on Amazon.
Nalgene Listing
Klean Kanteen Listing
Hydro FLask Listing

The Best Water Bottles for Hiking - A Video Review

In this video, we discuss the benefits and drawbacks of some of the most popular and iconic water bottles, including Nalgenes, Klean Kanteens, and Hydro Flasks.  If you'd rather read through our recommendations, keep scrolling down for the full post (the video and written post cover the same info).

Safety First!

As always, be safe out there.  Generally you should plan to bring approximately 17 oz of water per hour of hiking.  We highly recommend checking out our previous post that discusses hydration safety to make sure you’re bringing enough.
See Our Previous Post
Recommended water volumes for hiking
Recommended water volumes for hiking

Our Recommendations for Water Bottles for Short Hikes (1-3 Hours)

​Today we’re focusing on short hikes between 1-3 hours in length.  For these length hikes, a large water bottle is usually enough to keep you hydrated.

If you’re looking for full-day or multi-day hydration solutions, that’s when you start getting into bladder packs and filtration systems.  We’ll cover those in a future post.

Bottle Brands

When it comes to the bottle brand, we love the classics: Nalgenes, Klean Kanteens, and Hydro Flasks.  These happen to be three of the more popular water bottle brands for outdoor enthusiasts, and for good reason.
Shown: 32oz Wide Mouth Nalgene
Nalgene
Shown: 40oz Wide Mouth Klean Kanteen, Not-Insulated
Klean Kanteen
Shown: 40oz Wide Mouth Hydro Flask
Hydro Flask
There are TONS of other great brands and bottles out there, including YETIs, Takeyas (we LOVE Takeyas), and Camelbaks to name a few, but for the sake of time, we’re limiting our review to Nalgenes, Klean Kanteens, and Hydro Flasks because each one marked a new milestone in hydration bottles for hiking.

Nalgene: The Original Hiking-Focused Bottle

Nalgenes are the original reusable water bottles that focused on outdoor recreation, and they're still a great option today.
Classic Nalgene, Pros and Cons
Classic 32oz Wide Mouth Nalgene, Pros and Cons
Pros:
  • They are inexpensive, usually costing between $10 and $20.
  • They are lightweight.
  • And they are extremely durable and dent-resistant, even more-so than the next bottles we’ll talk about.
  • There are also plenty of color options to choose from, so you can surely find something that matches your style.
Cons:
  • The main downside is that they are not insulated.
  • There’s also no carrying handle built into standard Nalgene wide mouth bottles.  You can use the lid tether, but it’s not exactly comfortable and isn’t centered.

What about BPAs?

BPAs, or bisphenal A, are chemicals that have been linked to certain health issues.  We're not medical experts, so we'll refer to the Mayo Clinic on this one.
There was a lot of press about BPAs in Nalgene bottles in the early 2000s, but they changed their manufacturing formulas in 2008 to make sure their bottles are all BPA-free.

Who Should Get a Nalgene?

Overall, we recommend getting a Nalgene if you’re trying to limit your spending or are very focused on carrying as little weight as possible.  Even though they’re not the premium option on this list, they’re still great bottles that will keep you hydrated for many years.  And they're also made in the USA if that influences your buying decision!
See Pricing on Amazon

Klean Kanteens: The Original Stainless Steel Hiking-Focused Bottle

Klean Kanteens started around 2004 and were the first stainless steel bottles focused on hiking and outdoor recreation.  They really started taking off when Nalgenes were in the news for BPAs.  At first they had non-insulated bottles, but more recently they’ve expanded their line to include dual-wall vacuum sealed options.
Classic Klean Kanteen, Pros and Cons
Classic 40oz Wide Mouth (Not-Insulated), Pros and Cons
Pros
  • These tend to be in the middle ground on prices.  The non-insulated bottles are generally between $18 and $35.
  • All of their bottles are plastic free (other than the lid), so if that’s a priority for you, then Klean Kanteens are a great option.
  • The classic stainless steel is very durable.  (But if you drop your bottle, don’t be surprised if you get a ding or dent in the metal that you won’t be able to fix.)
  • It also has a built-in handle.
Cons
  • One downside of any stainless steel bottle vs plastic is that these bottles are heavier.  But for shorter hikes, this isn’t as big of an issue.
  • The classic design is not insulated.
  • Some people, including us, say the classic cap/handle in the image above isn't great because it can be a little more difficult to unscrew and isn’t a great carrying handle.  However, the newer loop cap with a metal handle seems to be the new standard that most of their bottles are shifting towards, and that handle is great (see below)!
  • There are not many color options, so if you’re looking to get a unique color to help your bottle stand out, you might want to consider a different brand.
  • As mentioned above, these bottles dent fairly easily if dropped.  It'll still work, it just won't look as good as it did.

The Newer, Better Klean Kanteen Handle

Klean Kanteen's New Style Metal Handle on their Loop Cap
Klean Kanteen's New Style Metal Handle on their Loop Cap
Klean Kanteen's newer bottles have a much better lid than the original style.  The newer design has a metal loop handle.  If you're buying one of these bottles, we definitely recommend looking for one that has this type of handle.  Most of their newer style lids (loop cap, cafe cap, twist cap) seem to have this metal handle built-in.

​We thought they were only incorporated into the new TKWide insulated bottles, but we just stopped by REI and saw these on the shelf.  We're glad they made this change, and we hope it's becoming the new standard.

What about Klean Kanteen's Insulated TKWide Bottles?

Klean Kanteen's TKWide 32oz Insulated Bottles (Loop Cap)
Klean Kanteen's TKWide 32oz Insulated Bottles (Loop Cap)
​We’ve mostly talked about their non-insulated classic design so far, but Klean Kanteen recently came out with their TKWide insulated bottles.  Expect the TKWides to cost and weigh more than other Klean Kanteen options, but they look like they'd be worth the price.  We’re excited to try these out at some point.  ​
See Pricing on Amazon

Who Should Get a Klean Kanteen?

To sum it up, we recommend getting a Klean Kanteen if you want to avoid drinking out of a plastic bottle but still want to be cost-conscious.

Just remember that Klean Kanteen has a mix of insulated and non-insulated bottles, make sure to pay attention when buying to make sure you’re getting what you want.  But either way we think you’ll be happy with one of these bottles.
See Pricing on Amazon

Hydro Flask: The Premium Insulated Hiking-Focused Bottle

​Hydro Flask is arguably the most popular water bottle on the planet in 2022.  These bottles burst onto the scene in 2009 as one of the first major bottles with dual wall vacuum insulation.  With a great product and a healthy dose of FOMO through social media, they became staples of certain subcultures.
Classic 40oz Wide Mouth Hydro Flask, Pros and Cons
Classic 40oz Wide Mouth Hydro Flask, Pros and Cons
Pros
  • But the best thing is that all Hydro Flasks are insulated.  Just add ice before your hike, and that should keep your drink cool throughout your short hike.
  • They’re plastic free, other than the lid.
  • Because they’re stainless steel, they’re very durable bottles.  (But if you drop your bottle, don’t be surprised if you get a ding or dent in the metal that you won’t be able to fix.)
  • We like the handle more than the classic Klean Kanteen style.
  • Like with Nalgenes, there are plenty of color options to choose from, so you should be able to find something that fits your style.  The powder coat paint feels and looks great, and it holds up really well over time as long as you don’t get a severe dent or scrape.
Cons
  • The main downside to Hydro Flasks are that they are the most expensive of the three bottle brands mentioned so far.  The cheapest options generally start around $25, and 40oz bottles are currently around $50. 
  • Hydro Flasks are heavier than either Nalgenes or non-insulated Klean Kanteens, so if carrying as little weight as possible is your priority, then you may want to look elsewhere.  Or consider looking at Hydro Flask’s more recent Trail Series bottles that are lighter than their classic design.
  • As mentioned, your bottle can dent easily if you drop it.

Who Should Get a Hydro Flask?

We recommend getting a Hydro Flask if you want your drink to stay cool through your hike and if you want to get a specific color that fits your style. 

But at the same time, we realize that Hydro Flasks are expensive, and some of the cost you pay is just for the logo on the front.  Many people argue that you can get a better deal and more cap options with similar brands like Iron Flask, Thermoflask, or Takeya and they’re not necessarily wrong.  But if you decide to invest in a Hydro Flask, we doubt you’ll be disappointed, and you’ll have a fantastic bottle that you can reuse for years to come.
See Pricing on Amazon

What about Hydro Flask's Trail Series?

Picture
​If the weight of Hydro Flask’s standard bottles is a big downside for you but you like the bottle design, we recommend taking a peek at Hydro Flask’s newer Trail Series bottles.  They’ve been around for a few years and have a sleeker look.  And best of all, they’ve been engineered to weigh less than Hydro Flask’s standard bottles.
See Pricing on Amazon

Slings: A Useful Add-On for Hands-Free Hiking

With any of these three bottle brands, we recommend also buying a carrying sling for hands-free hiking with your big bottle.  At BottlePro, we have a couple options available, but there are plenty of other options to choose from in today’s market.  Here are a few to consider, and look at the listings to be sure to make sure you're getting the right size for your bottle!

BottlePro's Neoprene Sling
BottlePro's Neoprene Sling
This inexpensive option is great for short hikes and keeps your bottle well-protected.
See Pricing on Amazon

Wild Wolf Outfitters' 40oz Sling
​Wild Wolf Outfitter's 40oz Sling
This is a good all-around and cost-effective pouch to keep your bottle protected, and it comes with quite a bit of storage space for your phone, keys, or other items.
See Pricing on Amazon

BottlePro's HikerPouch
BottlePro's HikerPouch
Our leather option.  It's a little on the expensive end, but it's made with quality leather and includes a pocket for your phone and several d-rings along the rim for multiple ways to clip it onto your bag.
See Pricing on Amazon

Hydro Flask's Bottle Slings
Hydro Flask's Slings
Hydro Flask has a couple of sling options.  They're lightweight and packable, which is great to offset the weight of your bottle.  Like all things Hydro Flask, expect to pay a little more for the logo.  But it's still a great product and can help keep your Hydro Flask protected and easier to hike with.
See Pricing on Amazon

Want to take your favorite bottle to the next level?

Check out our Amazon store for fun and helpful accessories, like fruit infusers, cup holder adapters, and carrying slings.
See BottlePro's Store
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Let's Go Hiking - Palisade Rim Trail (Upper Loop)

6/1/2022

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Picture

Follow along as we tackle this tough, but fun hike!

Located in Palisade, Colorado off of G Road.
  • .5 miles R/T
  • ~1350' elevation gain
  • We went in May.  It was overcast and EXTREMELY windy, so we didn't feel much heat.  But the trail is very exposed with limited shade, so don't forget sunscreen and plenty of water, especially in the summer when it could reach 100 degrees.

Hydration products we used (follow the links to Amazon)
1) Hydro Flask 40oz Wide Mouth

2) BottlePro Cup Holder Adapter
3) SplashPro Splash Guard
4) HikerPouch Leather Bottle Sling

Click the link below to see the video on Instagram

See Video
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The 10 Best Hydro Flask Accessories in 2022

4/20/2022

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Picture

Picture
After debuting just over 10 years ago, Hydro Flasks quickly gained traction as the go-to insulated water bottle.  For many people, the simple benefit of having a bottle that is vacuum-insulated was enough of a selling point.  For others, it's the clean, yet stylish design.  Whatever the reason, Hydro Flask continues to build its following and shows no signs of slowing down.

It's only natural what happened next.  A whole range of accessories have been developed with the goal of making life with these amazing but cumbersome bottles a little easier.

We here at BottlePro got involved in this niche early with our cup holder adapter, so we've seen it grow over the years, including new notable accessories coming available fairly often.  Here are some of our favorites for the best accessories for Hydro Flasks in 2022 (focusing on 32 and 40 ounce bottles).


ACCESSORIES FOR GETTING AROUND

The most common accessories for Hydro Flasks involve making it easier to bring your bottle wherever your adventures take you.  These include cup holders, bottles slings, and handles.

#1: Cup Holder Adapter

Picture

Swigzy

As mentioned above, BottlePro's first product on the market was a cup holder adapter for large bottles, including Hydro Flasks.  But even though we have our own product in this space, it's hard to argue with the amazing product that Swigzy has put together.

See our separate post for a full recap on cup holder options.

​This recommendation may change when we release our planned BottlePro v3, but for now, we think Swigzy is the best, most versatile cup holder adapter on the market today.
​

See Swigzy Pricing on Amazon

Picture

Honorable Mention for Cup Holders - BottlePro

Our current BottlePro version is adjustable and can fit most cup holders on the market.  It's not quite as premium and versatile as Swigzy, but that's also reflected in the price.

​So if you're looking for a cup holder on a budget that still fits a wide range of situations, give us a try!

See bottlePro Pricing on Amazon

#2: Stylish Bottle Sling

Picture

Hydro Flask's Bottle Sling

Hydro Flask doesn't make a very wide range of accessories in general outside of their bottles, containers, and lids, but they do make a great bottle sling.

These carrying pouches fit the Hydro Flask aesthetic for obvious reasons, so they're sure to complement your bottle's look.

​And they're also lightweight and packable so you can avoid carrying around extra ounces on your travels. 
​
See Hydro Flask Sling Pricing on Amazon

#3: Heavy-Duty Bottle Sling

Picture

Wild Wolf Bottle Sling

For a heavier-duty bottle sling, it's hard to go wrong with Wild Wolf Outfitters' carrying pouch.  If you're more into utility than the aesthetic look, then this is a fantastic option.

The military-grade pouch comes with multiple pockets and thicker padding on the shoulder strap.  The pockets in particular are one of our favorite features since it makes day-hiking much easier.  Just stash your keys and phone in the big pocket and you're set!
​
See Wild Wolf Pricing on Amazon

#4: Leather Bottle Sling

Picture

HikerPouch

If you're looking for a carrying pouch that's more premium and different from the rest, then consider HikerPouch.  This is one of products, and we're really proud of how it turned out.

We decided to make HikerPouch because there were a multitude of pouches made of neoprene and synthetic fibers, but we wanted a leather option for a more natural feel and to cut back on plastics.

HikerPouch includes a pocket for your phone and an extra D-ring for flexibility (either clipping your pouch to something else, or clipping on something like a carabiner key ring).  We're also planning to add strap color options very soon, so stay tuned!
​
See HikerPouch Pricing on Amazon

#5: Paracord Handle

Picture

Slolife

Rounding out our 'Getting Around' category is paracord handles.  We love the Slolife ones in particular.  Just attach it under the rim of your Hydro Flask, and you're good to go.

​With 29 available color options, you're sure to find something that fits your bottle's look.

It's also packed with a surprising number of features.  The handle includes a compass, whistle, and has a carabiner attachment that makes it super easy to clip onto your backpack or anything else.

There is also a flintstone and blade (meant for creating chips for sparking fires), but we haven't independently tested how well these actually work.
​
See Slolife Pricing on Amazon

ACCESSORIES FOR PROTECTION

Next, consider investing in something that can help keep your bottle looking great for years to come.

#6: Bottle Sleeve

Picture

Thermi

A bottle sleeve can be a great insurance policy against inevitable drops and slips.  The Thermi silicone sleeve can give you the peace of mind knowing that your bottle will be better protected from denting and damage.

And not only is your bottle protected, but you'll be less likely to drop your bottle in the first place because of the added grip.

​With 11 available color options, it shouldn't be hard to find a good matching (or complementing) color for your bottle.

Side note: if you're purchasing a cup holder adapter for your bottle, double check that your bottle + sleeve combination can still fit whichever cup holder you use.
​
See Thermi Pricing on Amazon

#7: Bottle Boot

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Hydro Flask Boot

If you don't like the look or feel of a full-bottle sleeve, then consider getting a bottle boot.

Hydro Flask has a silicone boot option that is a great add-on for your bottle to give it more protection on the bottom, which is where damage would be most likely to occur in the first place.

​Currently Hydro Flask has 6 available color options.
​
See Hydro Flask Boot Pricing on Amazon

ACCESSORIES FOR FLAVOR AND ICE

Now that your bottle is easier to bring along with you on your adventures, it's time to think about ways to improve what you're actually drinking!

#7: Flavor Infuser

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FlavorFuze (Original)

These are some more of our products, but we think you'll love them.  FlavorFuze lets you get creative by adding any fruit or other flavoring to your bottle.

Personally, these cool infusers have helped me drink more water because it tastes better.  And I was also finally able to stop my soda habit, something I'd been trying to do for over 10 years!

FlavorFuze Original (pictured) has a silicone lid that fits snugly in the neck of Hydro Flask wide mouth bottles.  The lid acts as a splash guard, so you can keep flavoring your water while taking a few sips.
See FlavorFuze Pricing on Amazon

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​FlavorFuze Straw

My personal favorite. It clips onto Hydro Flask straw lids like this one (not Flex Straw lids).  The Kit  (link below) comes with a straw lid too!
See Pricing
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FlavorFuze Steel

For making cold brew coffee.  We're releasing an improved FlavorFuze Steel shortly, along with Steel Mini that will be better sized for loose leaf tea.
See Pricing

#8: Ice Alternative

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Ice Cube Sticks

At first, these Ice Cube Sticks might seem unnecessary, but they can be more handy than you might think!

They are a lot simpler to grab out of the freezer and drop into a bottle, compared to using ice trays or breaking apart ice cubes.

Easy to use, clean, and re-freeze.  And they won't dilute your drink if you're enjoying flavored water or some other kind of beverage.
​
See Ice Cube Stick Pricing on Amazon

#9: Splash Guard / Ice Stopper

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SplashPro

Another one of ours.   This is one I've used almost every single day since making these handy little devices.  It's a great ice blocker and is tremendously helpful for taking sips of water while on the road and has kept my shirts dry.

There are some other great splash guards on the market (looking at you Guyot), but most are designed for Nalgenes and are just barely too small to fit Hydro Flasks securely.  It's only a 1mm difference in diameter (we measured it!), but it's enough to make a difference.  They also get pushed down by the Hydro Flask cap design.

SplashPro is our solution for Hydro Flasks.  The thin-wall allows you to add your Hydro Flask Flex Cap without pushing down the splash guard.
​
See SplashPro Pricing on Amazon

ACCESSORIES FOR CLEANING

It's not the sexiest category, but you should certainly put some thought into cleaning your Hydro Flask.

#10: Brush Kit

Picture

Mosolan

It's hard to find a more complete kit than this one.  It includes:
  1. A large brush to fit down into your big Hydro Flask.
  2. A thin brush for cleaning straws.
  3. A small brush for the finer details, like around the rim of the bottle.
  4. Tools for organizing and storing your brushes.

​You'll have plenty of tools in the tool chest to keep your bottle clean and worry-free.
​
See Mosolan Pricing on Amazon

Bonus: Bottle Tablet Cleaners

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Bottle Bright

We almost didn't include these because our list was getting too long, but they're too useful to leave out.

In addition to regular brushing and washing, Bottle Bright cleaning tablets are good to use every so often to give your bottle a deep clean.  They can help with stains too if tea or coffee is your style!

The tablets are biodegradable, chlorine free, and environmentally safe, so you don't have to worry about using them.
​
See Bottle Bright Pricing on Amazon
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Hiking the Colorado National Monument, Independence Monument (And What we Used for hydration)

3/30/2022

1 Comment

 
The Colorado National Monument is a relatively lesser-known park, at least compared to nearby Arches and Canyonlands in Moab, Utah.  But as Grand Junction locals know, that almost makes it better.  You won't get the massive crowds like you do around Moab, and the scenery is out of this world.  Here's our recap of our hike on the amazing Independence Monument hike, starting from the lower trailhead.

Location, Parking, and Services

  • 5 miles R/T with approximately 700 ft of elevation gain.
  • The trailhead starts off of Broadway (Rt 340), roughly 9 miles west of downtown Grand Junction.  And only 12 minutes from our warehouse!
  • There are a couple porta-potties at the start.
  • No water fill-ups, so bring your own (it gets VERY hot in the summer).
  • We were the first ones there at 7am on a Monday in March.  But it isn't unusual for the parking lot to fill up on weekends and during the summer.  This is a pretty popular hike for locals.

Hydration Products and Accessories We Used while Hiking

1) Iron Flask 40oz Wide Mouth (Fire): See on Amazon
2) BottlePro Cup Holder Adapter: See on Amazon
3) FlavorFuze Straw and Straw Lid Kit: See on Amazon
4) HikerPouch Leather Bottle Sling: See on Amazon
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