The Reusable Water Bottles Our Editors Take With Them Everywhere
As we all try to be more responsible travelers, one item is a definite must-have year-round, whether you're going camping, heading on a cross-country road trip, or are beach-bound: a reusable water bottle. It's not just that plastic water bottles are bad news for the environment, though. Staying hydrated is an important part of staying well on the go. Drinking water is the key to beating jet lag, boosting your immunity, and keeping you going on your most active days.
To make sure you're hydrated, wherever you are, you'll want to find one you like and that works with your travel style. To narrow it down, we've asked our editors to share the reusable water bottles they take on the road, with picks ranging from packable cups to self-filtering bottles to sleek, stainless steel tumblers. Read on for 13 of the best water bottles for travelers, from top-selling brands like Hydro Flask, Owala, and Yeti.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Megan Spurrell.
All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Owala FreeSip bottle, 32-ounce
Best leak-proof design
The Owala bottle has so many practical features, it's hard to pick a favorite. I was initially drawn to the bottle because of its mouthpiece, which has a straw for sipping and a wider opening for chugging. However, I'm also in love with the ease of opening; you simply push the button and it pops open, so you don't need two hands to screw and unscrew. Oh, and the handle doubles as a lock, so there's absolutely no chance of it leaking in my luggage. It helps that it comes in a bunch of gorgeous colors, too. —Abigail Malbon, global audience development manager
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth with Flex straw cap, 32-ounce
Best for everyday use
One thing about me—I'll always prefer to pack a large water bottle, whether I'm headed to the office, the beach, or the airport, and this sleek, durable, 32-ounce bottle from Hydro Flask is my all-time favorite. The two things I love most about this one compared to other water bottles I've used: It's actually leakproof and it actually keeps my water cold all day long. I toss this thing in my tote bag every morning on my way to work and fully trust it next to my laptop, phone, and wallet without any fear of spills. It holds enough water for a day trip and keeps my water cold even after a long, hot day at the Jersey Shore. (These water bottles keep cold beverages cool for up to 24 hours and hot drinks warm for up to 12, thanks to the double-walled insulation.) The straw lid makes drinking a ton of water throughout the day easy and there's a convenient carry loop to grab it on the go. If you want all the benefits of a Hydro Flask bottle but would prefer one that fits in a smaller bag, go for the 24-ounce version. And did I mention it's dishwasher safe? —Meaghan Kenny, associate commerce editor
Yeti Rambler bottle, 26-ounce
Best durable bottle
Yeti's Rambler bottle is perfect for pretty much everything—whether you're commuting, camping, or catching a flight. I love how well it maintains temperatures during long days out in the elements: It'll keep your iced coffee iced all day, even in the dead of summer, and a hot coffee steaming on that winter camping trip. Plus, the lid is seriously spill-proof, so you can feel comfortable throwing it in a beach bag without stressing about leaks (and, thanks to its heavy-duty stainless steel body, it's meant to survive being tossed around). —Megan Spurrell, senior editor
Takeya Actives insulated water bottle, 22-ounce
Best for active travelers
Takeya’s insulated sport bottle is great for trips that I know will involve hiking, running, or long days at the beach—its vacuum insulation really does keep drinks cold all day, and the double-wall design means you won’t have to deal with any condensation on the outside. The lid’s loop makes it easy to carry by hand, and it’s narrow enough to fit inside most any backpack side pocket. I also appreciate the rubber bumper that keeps it from making a loud noise if you set it down on a table or accidentally swing it into something. I use the classic lid with a twist-open top on this one, but Takeya makes a straw-style lid that’s compatible with the bottle, too. —Madison Flager, senior commerce editor
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Brita Premium water bottle with filter, 26-ounce
Best self-cleaning bottle
My friends are always shocked when I pull out my Brita water bottle—oftentimes they don’t know that water pitchers and sink attachments aren't the only products the brand has to offer. The filters last for two months and come in packs of three, limiting your trips to the store. I like traveling with the Brita because it offers a sense of security around my health—I feel more comfortable filling up my water bottle anywhere than if I were just taking tap water at face value or creating waste by purchasing bottled water. The biggest surprise from this purchase has been the bottle’s durability. The hard-sided plastic has remained dent-free even after dropping it all over the country while traveling. —Paris Wilson, commerce producer
Stanley IceFlow Tumbler, 30-ounce
Best for outdoorsy adventures
I received a Stanley Iceflow Tumbler water bottle this Christmas—a model that's more outdoorsy and temperature-focused than the viral Quencher—and have been loving it for car rides and plane trips alike. It's large enough to keep me hydrated throughout the day on just a couple of fill-ups, and it keeps water cold for 12 hours (and ice frozen for up to twice that, which will definitely be a big help in the hot summer months on road and camping trips). Unlike the Quencher cups, it's also easy to clean, and has a sturdier, built-in sipping straw. The only con is it's a bit heavier, making it less of a go-to for the gym. —Shannon McMahon, destinations editor
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Owala FreeSip Twist, 24-ounce
Best slim bottle
After trying the Owala Freesip Twist, I finally understand why people become effusive about water bottles. The color is cute, the built-in straw is amazing—it completely stops you from accidentally spilling water down your chin after taking an enthusiastic chug—and I’ve experienced zero leaks whatsoever after slinging it into my backpack. And the fact that the Twist version works for hot liquids makes it even better value—it’ll see me right through summer season and into winter as well. I’m a complete convert. —Charley Ward, commerce writer, Condé Nast Traveller UK
Hydro Flask All Around Travel Tumbler, 40-ounce
Best for road trips
While I do love my original Hydro Flask bottle when it's time to pack for it's leak-proof capabilities, the one con I have is it does not fit in the cup holder in my car—meaning I never reach for it when I'm going on a road trip. When it's time to drive, I turn to this sleek, easy-to-hold tumbler that fits in most cupholders, thanks to its slim bottom. I love the flexible, soft silicone straw—it's easy to drink from on the move and I never worry about it accidentally hitting my teeth. Unlike my other Hydro Flask bottle, this straw can't be collapsed, so I wouldn't recommend throwing it your bag. The large, ergonomic handle is much more comfortable to grip than other bottles I've tried. The double-walled insulation maintains your drink's temperature for hours and it's dishwasher safe, BPA-free, and designed to handle some wear and tear. Mine looks good as new even after countless day trips with it. —M.K.
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Stojo collapsible travel cup, 16-ounce
Best collapsible cup
The main reason I adore my collapsible Stojo cup is its clever design that makes it incredibly easy to carry around. I’m not kidding when I say that when folded down, my 16-ounce cup turns into a disc that fits into my jacket pocket! It’s also light enough to drop into a travel backpack or a sling bag when I go hiking. I use mine for everything from coffees and smoothies, and when dry, for snacks and berries. Don’t expect an insulated mug with this one: It keeps a beverage warm (or cool) for long enough for you to drink it, but isn’t a double-walled metal cup. However, it has helped me cut down on a ton of waste when traveling, and might I add is cute-looking, too. —Arati Menon, global digital director
Swell Explorer, 32-ounce
Best for hiking
S’well’s new Explorer water bottle hits a lot of great notes for travelers: It’s easy to carry, thanks to the looped handle attached to the lid; it’s easy to sip on the go (especially in bumping cars or trains) thanks to the lid’s straw; and it comes in a great in-between size of 32 ounces. As someone who is constantly drinking water, this size is perfect for not having to refill too often, but also not adding a ton of weight to my backpack or tote while in transit. My one qualm: I wish the straw tilted slightly further back. —M.F.
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Larq Self-Cleaning bottle, 17-ounce
Best odor-reducing bottle
No matter where I'm headed, whether it's a beach day or just an afternoon in the gym, my Larq is always with me. I received it as a birthday present a few years ago and it hasn’t left my side since. The bottle has a self-cleaning purification system so you are guaranteed to have clean and safe drinking water no matter where you are. At the touch of a button, built-in LED lights clean the contents of the bottle and remove any odors, bacteria, and viruses. It is also perfectly insulated to keep your water cold for the whole day or hot for a couple of hours. —Andrea Edelman, visuals editor
Purist Mover Vacuum water bottle, 18-ounce
Best glass-like bottle
I feel a bit like Goldilocks when it comes to water bottles. I love drinking out of glass containers, namely because they don’t have that metallic tang of stainless steel nor do they hold onto the lingering taste of bad to-go decisions that often go hand-in-hand with plastic bottles (that spicy greens and wheatgrass juice from months ago that you can’t quite wash away). That said, glass bottles, unlike stainless and plastic ones, are heavy, and the past few that I’ve owned have been sort of chunky and haven’t fit in my car's cup holder, which means they end up rolling around near my feet or I have to drive with my water bottle between my legs. I feel like I’ve found my “just right” with the 18-ounce Mover bottle by Purist. It’s stainless—so it’s lightweight and durable–but the inside is lined with a thin layer of silicon dioxide, which gives it a glasslike finish and prevents inadvertent flavor saving. The color choices are really nice, too–like bone, clay and drift, which is a pretty forest green shade. Bonus: It fits my car’s cup holder and it keeps hot drinks hot for 12 hours and cold ones cold for about a day. —Rebecca Misner, senior features editor
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Kinto Day Off tumbler, 16-ounce
Best for the minimalist
This minimalist tumbler from Kinto does double duty on hot and cold liquids, maintaining their temperature for up to six hours. Though it’s made of stainless steel, it comes in a mix of chic muted neutrals and bold basics like ivory and marigold, meaning you won’t mind asking that hip Parisian barista to refill it for you. At about 16 ounces, it can fit a decent amount inside, but the profile is less bulky than other bottles like it—and thanks to a looped handle, it's even easier to tote around. —M.S.
Nalgene Wide Mouth water bottle, 32-ounce
Best for tracking your water intake
No-frills but an old faithful nonetheless, the Nalgene bottle is a great way to stay hydrated and keep track of how much water you're drinking. Its helpful measurement markings will keep you on pace with your daily recommended water intake and the loop-top cap can be easily clipped onto a bag or harness, making it one of our tried-and-true adventure travel companions. Plus, if you're headed somewhere that the tap water won't be filtered, you can screw on a LifeStraw to filter unsafe water instantly as you drink. —M.S.
