Gold xs shoe-care footwear SocksThe 6 Best Running Water Bottles for Tackling Long Runs

Looking for a lightweight, no-nonsense running water bottle to keep you hydrated and hold a snack or two? The Amphipod handheld running water bottle is comfortable and checks all the boxes of a practical running accessory.

The bottle’s curved surface fits perfectly in your palm while a cushioned holder secures your grip around the back of your hand. Gear loops on the adjustable holder can also fit a gel or chews for quick fuel.

This running water bottle is perfect for your first handheld, where comfort is most important and you want to forget you’re even carrying it.

If you like to pack light, chances are you value the real estate your gear takes up. An empty bottle can take up unnecessary room in a vest or pack—a soft, collapsible bottle like the BeFree is critical for saving pocket space when your water runs out.

Alongside its low profile, the BeFree has a built-in filter, which filters out particles as small as 0.1 microns. In other words, you don’t have to worry about 99.9999 percent of bacteria which means you can grab a liter of water straight from the creek next to the trail and take a swig safely through the mouthpiece.

The bottle is a bit large to hold in your hand while running, and it’ll feel floppy when it’s partially empty, but the space you’ll save is invaluable on a long self-supported trek.

Blabber Sneakers mit Kroko-Effekt Schwarz hydration belt is a great piece of gear for transitioning from short runs that require little to no fuel to several-hour adventures. This belt’s pocket is big enough for your valuables and snacks while the hip belt hugs your waist—a relatively low-movement part of your body during runs—to minimize bouncing.

It’s a bit trickier to reach for your bottle when it’s mounted on your hip, especially when you’re trucking along at a good speed, but you can much more easily maintain that speed when your hands are free to keep you balanced.

Craving cool water toward the end of a hot summer run? This Nathan handheld uses a double-walled insulated shell to keep your hydration fluids cold, even as you’re pounding out miles under direct sun. And despite its sturdy, redundant construction, it still weighs just 5 ounces. There’s also one storage pocket that’s big enough to hold a phone, card, key, or a couple snacks. It's a great option for mid-distance runs in the heat.

Pro tip: Put some ice in the bottle for ice-cold water when you need it most—and don’t be afraid to spray some on your face to cool off (if you have chances to refill on your route).

Long live the bidon—another term for the squeeze bottle preferred by cyclists. Though they’re not as ergonomic as most dedicated running water bottles, their light weight and relative simplicity make them a great jack-of-all-trades option for multi-sport athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.

Bidons are easy to hold, easy to drink from interveniently, and a perfect fit for a backpack’s side pocket or a bicycle’s bottle cage.

Camelbak’s Podium bottle is especially nice for runners because of its twist-to-open valve system that stops water from flying out of the nozzle when you swing your arms. When the valve’s open, a light squeeze is all you need to get a proper glug of water; when it’s closed, you’ll practically pop the lid off the top before you get a single drop out of the mouthpiece.

Just like Nathan’s QuickSqueeze, the SpeedView has a double-walled insulated bottle that can keep your fluids cool for hours. The difference between the two bottles comes down to the hardware attached: The former has a small, lightweight pouch that’s ideal for a few gels, a house key, and some cash, whereas the latter has a clear, protective case for your phone.

This option’s ideal if you want to track your stats on a phone-based app like Strava without splurging on a dedicated running watch.