The 8 Best Handheld Water Bottles for Runners, Hikers, and Travelers

Designed for comfort and convenience, these bottles make it easy to sip on the move without slowing down.

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I am not made for high temperatures and sunny days. (My ADHD says “you need to run anyway.”) As a result, I’m always concerned about keeping cool on my runs, which means keeping a water bottle at the ready at all times. Hydration is critical for hot days—you always need water. I’ve even been known to double up, keep one in hand and stashing a backup in my running belt.

Whether you’re filling up with Gatorade or water, there are specific water bottles are especially well-suited to getting out there and lacing up. They’re easy to hold or be hip-mounted for easy access. Having a great one can make all the difference. Just ask anyone who has sucked down water from a sketchy water fountain.

For this list, you’ll notice that there’s a lot of choices from Nathan. This is for a few reasons: first, the bottles really are just that good and Nathan has the most options. They also have reliable stock, good customer service, and they’re available in multiple places.

Most marathons allow you to bring your own water bottle with you, and fill it up at filling stations around the course at specific mile markers. There are usually quite a few rules about them, so let’s take the TCS New York City Marathon as an example.

Their rules state that you can bring a water bottle, but it must be under one liter, even if it’s on a fuel belt or in a hydration vest (which does not have a bladder inserted). And this year, New York Road Runners just announced a new partnership with Hydrapak and Culligan to bring more water stations which will be at miles 8, 14, 17, 20, and 23, as well as additional stations on race day.

If you’re running pace splits, it’s a good idea to account for those fill ups going into race day by testing how much you drink during the race, and about how long it takes you to fill your water bottle if you intend on going that route. I run with the Nathan SpeedDraw on race day, and it takes about 7 seconds to fill it up, but I add as much as 30 seconds for wait times at the stations. Yes, 37 seconds is a lot of time, but you are getting a bit of a rest in during that time. Unscrew your water bottle as you approach, just in case you’re lucky enough to not have any wait.

With a strap. Hands-down, that’s the best way. Look for a hand strap that snugs the bottle to your palm so you’re not gripping it the whole run. Your hand should stay relaxed and open. If your fingers are cramping by mile three, the strap’s too loose or the bottle’s too heavy for you. Soft flasks that collapse as you drink feel a ton lighter, but also don’t have insulation, so they can get sweaty.

Start with how long you’ll be out. For anything under an hour in mild weather, a 10–12 oz handheld is usually plenty and you might not even need that. Going 60–90 minutes, or running in heat? Step up to 18–20 oz. Beyond that, you’re carrying a lot of weight in one hand—that’s usually the sign it’s time to think about a vest or belt instead.

A quick gut check: if you’re finishing runs with water still sloshing, you’re carrying too much. If you’re rationing sips or cutting routes short, you need more.

A handheld is simple and great for shorter runs, but there are a few signs you’ve outgrown it or you may want a vest as well:

A vest spreads the load across your back and chest, which most people barely notice once it’s dialed in (other than the sweat factor). The tradeoff is a little more fuss getting it fitted and refilled. If your runs are creeping longer and you keep wishing for more pockets, it’s probably time.

For more great ways to stay hydrated on the go, check out our picks for the best hydration packs, and hydration vests.

The Amphipod Hydraform Ergo-Lite has a relaxing, ergonomic design and grip-free thumb-lock, making it easy to carry on longer runs. Its insulated sleeve keeps fluids cool, and the large expandable pocket easily fits smart phones, gels, and keys.

Runners like the leak-free Jett-Lock cap and easy-squeeze water flow, though some have noted occasional leaking issues. Throw in a ton small but thoughtful details, like the adjustable strap and internal dividers, and you have a reliable, all-in-one hydration companion for both training and race day.

When I first saw this bottle, it looked a bit old school to me, but that wasn’t a detraction in my opinion. The bottle looks a bit like the green Gatorade bottles we all had in the ‘90s and ‘00s.

But bonus, it has a really nice Y-strap. Like, really nice. The way the strap and bottle combine is really lovely in your hand on a long run. My only beef with the bottle is that it’s not insulated. This bottle won’t keep your drinks icy, so you need to add the ice to it. Other than that? It’s a delight.

For under $35, the SpeedDraw 2 is a great choice. It’s an insulated water bottle with soft spout; Storage to hold your phone, cards, and car keys; and an adjustable strap that really grips. I like this bottle for hot days when I’m worried my water is going to heat up too quickly, or when I’ve added electrolytes that taste terrible at room temp. This one holds 18 ounces as well, and overall, I like it a lot.

There’s one big reason I really like this bottle: it fits in my hand, and in the flask pocket of my Salomon hydration vest. It also collapses really nicely, washes easily, and overall, just very comfortable.

I’m not clear on the thumbhole aspect of the strap, so I've never used it, because I couldn’t get it to sit comfortably. It’s also so easy to clean, by far the easiest on this list.

The Nathan ExoDraw 2.0 is a joy to hold. Its plush, easy-grip exterior feels great in your hand, allowing you to run relaxed and distraction-free. I’ve been running with the original for a long time: As someone with severe sensory issues thanks to my ‘tism, this is by far my fave.

The adjustable strap hugs your hand securely, so you barely have to grip it and the fabric keeps it from getting weird and slippery and doesn’t feel like a wet sock. It holds up to 18 ounces, which is plenty of water for longer outings without feeling bulky. The soft flask collapses as you drink, minimizing sloshing, and there’s a pocket for essentials like gels or keys.

For runners who want hydration and storage, the Nathan QuickDraw Plus is the top pick. There’s a roomy zippered compartment that easily fits your phone, gels, tampons, and keys. The insulated bottle keeps your water cool, even in the heat. I also love the adjustable hand strap, which is easy to adjust and doesn’t dig into the meat of your hand. With a generous 22-ounce capacity, you’ll stay hydrated and zippy on longer runs.

I love the way the Pinnacle feels in my hands on a run. You can feel your icy cold water cooling the Hydrapak interior, which cools your hands as you go. The Y-strap handle keeps it snug, too, so the feeling stays with you until the water’s all gone.

You can easily pull up on the soft spout with your teeth (so you don't have to touch it) and guzzle your water at any point. At 18 ounces, it’s the perfect size for those 6-8 mile runs.

If you aren’t a fan of squeeze bottles, it’s hard to find a handheld that you’ll like. Thankfully, Salomon knows this, and made a collapsing water bottle that has a bite tip that’s similar to what you’d find on the end of tubing in a hydration vest. It gives you a lot more control over water flow.

It also collapses as you drink from it, which is great for your hand, but also gets some of the air out of the bottle, helping you prevent gas and burping. Never trust what feels like a big burp on a long run. Bonus? You ca shove it in your pocket when it’s empty.

Cat Bowen, senior editor of commerce; reviews, is a seasoned runner with more than 20 years of distance running experience, including dozens of marathons, half marathons, and even a few ultra marathons. For over a decade, she has tested parenting, fitness, home, and running gear and written in-depth guides to help readers with their next purchase. Holding multiple advanced degrees and currently studying kinesiology, Cat Bowen brings research-backed insight to all of her guides. Passionate about women’s health and neurodivergent inclusion, she advocates for closing research gaps and helping others—especially AudHD people—find joy in running and fitness.

Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.

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