Bottles

What to look out for when buying a water bottle?

There’s probably more to consider than you realise when making your next water bottle purchase.

First up, obviously we encourage everyone to buy a bottle they can reuse for years to come and avoid disposable water bottles. Reusable bottles ultimately cost less over time and are better for the planet.

Moreover, plastic bottles can sometimes end up tasting of plastic and are not 100% durable, which is why we make our drinks bottles from high-quality, 18/8 food-grade stainless steel, which is fully recyclable.

Insulated vs. non-insulated bottles
Insulated bottles let you keep your drinks hot for somewhere around 6-7 hours, or cold for up to 20 hours or more (depending on external temperatures). This makes them ideal for cold weather days when they also generally take up less room in your backpack than a vacuum flask. In addition, they’re great for keeping drinks cold on hot days. Bear in mind though that insulated bottles are often slightly bulkier than non-insulated bottles.

Soft bottles
Soft bottles come into their own when you want to save space or weight. And when they’re empty, they pretty much disappear in your pack. They also collapse to fit comfortably in your pack’s outer pockets for easy access. They’re great for climbing, trekking, and speed hiking.

Lid type
Bottles come with a range of different lid types, such as a sports lid or classic screw top. We offer models with both options to cover all bases. From ski touring and mountaineering to alpine climbing and trekking, sports lids, aka sports caps, are ideal for active lifestyles, while screw tops offer solid dependability.

What size water bottle should I buy?

To choose the right size water bottle, think about the weather forecast, how much you are going to sweat during your activity and the likelihood of accessing drinking water to refill throughout the day. Will there be mountain huts, springs, or flowing streams? Bear in mind that water in the mountains is not always safe to drink and you might want to consider boiling, filtering or treating it first. The effects of dehydration are not to be underestimated either. When in doubt, pack a larger capacity bottle or two smaller bottles.

What other alternatives are there?

Hydration reservoirs, also known as hydration bladders, are an interesting alternative to your classic drinks bottle. They’re great for drinking on the move or when you need your hands to be free, such as when climbing or navigating exposed terrain. For winter use, bladders are less likely to freeze, as they sit inside your pack close to your back. Alternatively, you could also use an insulated holder. Hydration bladders are a bit tricky to clean properly, but this is generally no problem with a designated brush and regular care.