People are lightening their layers and stepping out to enjoy a day (or two, or three) in the great outdoors. Before you hit the trails for an afternoon hike or a weekend of backpacking through the wilderness, it’s essential for you to dust off your old rucksack and make sure you pack up everything you need to enjoy your time reconnecting with nature.
To help get you on your way to happy trails, we've provided a quick checklist below of backpacking essentials you’ll want to be sure you take along.
First on our list? You guessed it... Hydration! In other words, while food and shelter are important, water is even MORE essential. That puts your water bottle at the top of the list.
✔️ Reusable water bottle(s).
Did we say hydration is super-important? Okay, good. Because it is!
It's key to having a good time hiking or backpacking, so you’ll want to make sure that you have a trusted, high-quality bottle by your side to keep you cool and fueled up to keep going.
With a gazillion reusable water bottles on the market, you can check out these 8 popular picks for Summer 2020 below (our favorites)! Grab a brand-new one if necessary, before you hit the trails.
8 Popular Reusable Water Bottles for a Happy Summer Hike
Whether you’re looking for a slim bottle to sip from, or a hefty super-insulated bottle to keep your beverage cool, we’ve compiled a list of 8 extremely popular reusable water bottles right here (not in any particular order). Pack one in your sack and get ready to take a hike.
1. Hydro Flask® – Standard Mouth
This popular Hydro Flask bottle comes with a "standard mouth" Flex Cap that’s made with stainless steel pivots and comes with a strap that makes it easy to carry. TempShield Technology, coupled with the cap’s "honeycomb insulation", ensures that your beverage will stay hot or cold from top to bottom for an extended period of time.
It comes in three sizes: 18, 21 and 24 oz. The standard mouth Hydro Flask is made with 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel and a proprietary powder coating that provides an easy grip while keeping the bottle sweat-free and ensuring enhanced durability. With 17 color options to choose from, you can find a bottle to match your gear and personality perfectly.
These bottles come with a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects.
For people who are a fan of the Hydro Flask in a smaller, more streamlined option, this is an ideal bottle to choose for a range of outdoor adventures.
2. Hydro Flask® - Wide Mouth
This Hydro Flask, a new model that came out at the beginning of this year, comes in a few sizes (20, 32, 40 and 64 oz) with 10 color options to choose from. It's a modern, stylish bottle that can suit any gear style. No matter which color option you choose, it’s covered with a slip-free and dishwasher-safe powder coating. This option comes with a wide-mouth bottle that has a straw lid. However, there are other lid styles that are sold separately that fit this bottle.
It’s made with double-wall vacuum insulation, which keeps drinks hot for 12 hours or cold for up to 24 hours. It’s constructed of 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel, which ensures a pure taste with no flavor transfer, so you can use it for everything from coffee to water and enjoy each fresh sip. All Hydro Flask bottles come with a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects.
This Hydro Flask model is ideal for people who spend a lot of time outdoors and are looking for a durable, well-insulated bottle that can hold lots of liquid for long outdoor adventures.
You can purchase Hydro Flask bottles directly from their website at HydroFlask.com or from Amazon.com.
3. Takeya® USA
The Takeya Actives wide mouth bottle comes in a range of sizes (18, 22, 24, 32, 40 and 64 oz) with over 25 color options. You can get it with a leakproof spout lid that has a hinge lock, or a straw lid, both seem comfortable for drinking.
The 18/8 stainless steel, double-wall construction with vacuum insulation keeps drinks hot for up to 12 hours and cold for up to 24 hours.
It also has a wide loop handle that makes carrying easy, and you can even sometimes get one with a removable silicone bumper that protects the bottle from dents, dings and scratches while making it quiet to set down. Takeya has been making products for more than 55 years, so when you buy from them you know you’re getting a bottle you can depend on.
Takeya is another durable and convenient option for those who are looking for a contemporary style bottle to bring along for anything from hiking to outdoor yoga. With all the color options to choose from, it can be personalized to suit just about any style.
These can be purchased from their website at TakeyaUSA.com or on Amazon.com.
4. S'well® Bottle
The S'well bottles have been around for a few years and are ideal for everyday hydration. They are available in three sizes (9, 17 and 25 oz) and feature Therma-S'well® technology with triple-layered, vacuum insulated construction. This technology keeps beverages colder or hotter, longer than the other brands (they claim their 25 oz bottle keeps drinks cold for 54 hours and hot for 26). Wow!
Like other brands, the bottles are made from 18/8, food-grade stainless steel. It is also BPA/BPS-free. Refilling and reusing is easy, which means goodbye to plastic water bottles. Their copper wall layer creates a condensation-free exterior (so it won't sweat on your hands or in your purse!)
The 17 oz emulates a standard size water bottle about the size of the old-fashioned coca-cola bottle, so it's easy to hold in your hand, carry to the gym or on-the-go. They claim that the 17 oz keeps beverages cold for 41 hours and hot for 18. That seems like plenty of time! This size also fits most cup holders in cars (which the 25 oz does not).
The bottle mouth is a convenient size to sip from and will fit medium to small ice cubes.
You can purchase S'well bottles direct from their website at Swell.com or from Amazon.com.
5. Simple Modern Summit
The Simple Modern "Summit" stainless steel bottles are available in a wide range of sizes, from 14 oz to 128 oz. It should be noted that sizes 32 oz and up aren’t designed to fit in most car cupholders. This bottle is available in a whopping 45 color and style options and comes with two leakproof lids, including a screw-cap and a flip-top lid. Both lids have a wide mouth design. This Simple Modern bottle has double wall vacuum insulation with an extra copper coated insulation on the inside. The copper coating ensures reduced temperature transfer, adding extra insulation. This bottle isn’t dishwasher-safe, so hand washing is recommended.
If you’re into giving for charity, you can feel good knowing that Simple Modern donates a minimum of 10% of its profits each year.
For those looking for a more personalized bottle for outdoor excursions, this Simple Modern bottle offers the largest range of style options to choose from. There’s also the added benefit of knowing that you’re helping a good cause when you purchase from the brand.
6. Simple Modern Wave
The Simple Modern "Wave" bottle is shaped like a cola bottle, available in a range of sizes, from 9-34 oz. There are also more than 30 color options to choose from.
This bottle has a comfortable narrow mouth design and is made to fit in most cupholders (and medium purses, too). It comes with two lid styles, including a screw-cap and flip-top, so you can choose the one you’re most comfortable with on any given day.
Each lid is leakproof so you don’t have to worry about annoying spills when you carry it in a bag. It’s made with an 18/8 stainless steel, double-wall, vacuum insulated construction.
Copper coated insulation reduces temperature transfer even further, adding extra insulation to the bottle’s interior. If you’re into giving for charity, you can feel good knowing that Simple Modern donates a minimum of 10% of its profits each year.
As mentioned above, there’s also the added benefit of knowing that you’re helping a good cause when you purchase from the brand. You can purchase the Simple Modern bottles above from their website at SimpleModern.com or from Amazon.com.
7. YETI® Rambler
The YETI Rambler vacuum insulated, stainless steel bottle comes in 4 sizes (12, 18, 26 and 36 oz) and 14 color options, so you can get one that really resonates with your personal style. Every color option is finished with a DuraCoat Color coating that provides no fading, peeling or cracking.
The YETI Rambler comes with a leakproof TripleHaul Cap, so you can carry it anywhere in any way without worrying about your drink dripping out and ruining your stuff. The bottle is designed with a 3-finger grip for easy carrying and an 18/8 stainless steel construction for durability and added insulation. YETI bottles come with a 5-year warranty.
The rambler is a tad more expensive than the Hydro Flask bottle of the same size, but is still worth it for the added durability features.
You can purchase the YETI bottles direct from Yeti.com or from Amazon.com.
8. Nalgene®
The 32 oz Nalgene "Tritan" has been the brand’s bestselling water bottle for over 30 years. Nalgene's been making products for more than 70 years, so you can be sure that you’re getting a quality product when you buy from them. This bottle comes in 35 color options and has a wide mouth, leakproof design. It’s made of BPA-free and BPS-free Tritan. It is impact-resistant and dishwasher-safe on the top rack, making it a durable and convenient option.
For those who don’t have a preference for insulated stainless steel, or need a lighter weight bottle, Nalgene is a classic high-quality option. And way more affordable. It’s not suitable for extreme weather excursions as it doesn’t offer any insulation.
You can purchase Nalgene bottles direct from Nalgene.com or from Amazon.com.
There you have it! Those are our Top 8 reusable water bottles for summer 2020. Why did we select these as the "Top 8?" Because these are the brands we get asked most about when people are searching for water bottle handles and carriers! (And, yes, we do have handles for all of them!)
So whether you’re an avid hiker or are simply looking to enjoy some leisurely outdoor time, we’re sure that there’s a perfect bottle for your backpack on this list.
Choose your favorite, toss it in your backpack, and get outside for some much-needed, well-deserved quality time with Mother Nature.
See any we missed? By all means, please write to us at support@gearproz.com with your favorite water bottle if you feel it should have been mentioned. Or if you're wondering if we have a comforable handle that will fit yours.
Besides water... bring THESE ITEMS:
✔️ Layers.
If you really want to stay comfortable on your outdoor adventures, you need to be prepared by packing some comfy layers. Here are the facts: especially during spring and fall, temperatures can fluctuate drastically throughout the day and night. A light jacket and a long-sleeve tee are probably enough in most areas, but if you live somewhere colder, you may want to bring along some light gloves and a hat just in case. We can't say it enough. Layer it on!
✔️ Snacks, snacks...and more snacks.
Pack more snacks than what you think you’ll need because you never know what’s going to happen out there. If you’re going out for the afternoon, take along enough snacks for the day and evening. If you’re going on a few-day excursion, take enough for an extra day or two.
Pack things that will stay good regardless of the temperature, and things that provide healthy fuel for the body, like nuts, seeds, and dried fruits.
✔️ Quality picnic gear.
Bring a knife, cutlery, reusable containers, a bag for garbage, and whatever else you may need if you’re planning to enjoy a meal or more in the outdoors.
✔️ A reliable map and compass.
Even if you think you know the area, or you plan to use the map on your smartphone, it’s never a bad idea to keep a paper map on hand when you’re venturing out into the wilderness. If this is your first hiking or backpacking excursion, or if you’re venturing out into unknown territory, a map and compass are absolute essentials.
✔️ Basic first aid kit.
No one ever leaves for a happy hike planning to end up injured, but it happens all the time. Make sure you at least pack some band-aids, bandages, insect repellants, pain killers, and electrolyte drink mix. If you’re going out for multiple days, bring a fully stocked kit along.
✔️ Sun protection.
This is an essential item all year long. Make sure you’re using a sunscreen that has a minimum SPF 30 formula.
✔️ Waterproof clothing and gear.
Never trust the weather reports. Surely, at some point in your life, you’ve been caught in a sudden burst of a thunderstorm or a little rain shower that sneaks up from out of nowhere.
Some areas are notorious for such weather, and the last thing you want while you’re out trying to enjoy some quality time with mother nature is for all your supplies (and yourself) to end up soggy and sad. A waterproof jacket or backpack cover and waterproof boots are absolutely essential, whether you’re hitting the trails for an afternoon or a whole weekend.
What's next?
Last but not least, many people are wondering how to visit the trails and parks during these times. With many areas still calling for social distancing, how do you stay 6 feet away from others? Are you required to wear a mask on the hiking trails?
This article from National Geographic will give you some tips on how to safely visit the national parks. Check it out, plan your trip before you go.
Happy trails to you!
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