When you’re out on a hike, staying hydrated is crucial to prevent dehydration and for overall hiking performance. But water is one of the heaviest things you have to take on your hike. If you take water in a heavy bottle, that further weighs you down. That’s where you’ll want a collapsible water bottle for a lightweight and space-saving solution, especially if you are a backpacker.
Soft-side bottles are my favorites and go-to options due to their portability. But do they work? Are these bottles efficient enough to carry water without leaking? What kind of collapsible water bottles are suitable for backpacking?
Related: Best Water Bottles for Hiking
We tested the top flexible water bottles, including Platypus Platy, Vapur, and more, to shortlist the best options. In this guide, we’ll guide you through the top picks, their pros and cons, and what’s best for a particular situation.
Best Overall Collapsible Water Bottle
1. Platypus Platy 2.0L
The Platypus Platy 2-Liter bottle stands out as the premier collapsible bottle option I have found, performing brilliantly on all the performance parameters such as weight, packability, and design. Weighing just 1.3 ounces, this is one of the lightest flexible bottles I tested. It rolls up quickly for compact packing.
I liked that it is also made from BPA-free and phthalate-free material, so it doesn’t smell or taste bad either. Its base expands when filled, allowing it to stand upright. Despite its larger size, it is easy to hold and fill with water directly from streams without slipping from your hand. It is leak-proof, so I keep it inside my backpack. Even though I have not faced any issues, I still recommend not placing it under heavy gear to avoid wear and tear.
It is compatible with all Platypus drink tubes and caps. Additionally, you can use a water filter with it. However, it takes a bit longer to dry after cleaning compared to other water bottles.
Another significant drawback of this bottle is that its cap is not attached to the bottle, which increases the chance of losing it in the backcountry. I lost the lid a couple of times and luckily found it.
If you feel that this size is too large, you can opt for the Platypus one-liter soft bottle. In hot weather, you can even put ice cubes inside the bottle, which keeps the water cold even though it’s not insulated. However, insulated bottles are much heavier, adding extra weight.
You must fully release the air to collapse it properly when rolling it up. Overall, this bottle is an excellent choice for almost all kinds of outdoor adventures.
Pros
- Great build quality
- Huge capacity
- lightweight
- Durable
- Leakproof
Cons
- Not so easy to clean
Read More: Platypus Platy 2.0L Water Bottle Review
Best Budget Friendly Option
2. Vapur Wide Mouth Anti-Bottle
The Vapur Solid Flexible Bottle is a budget-friendly, collapsible bottle that I have tested over the past two years of extensive use on hiking and backpacking trips. For extended hikes, I take this bottle along with the Platypus Platy 2.0L. It’s easy to pack into the side pocket of a daypack, unlike the Platypus Platy 2.0L.
It also comes with an attachable hook if you want to attach it to your backpack. However, due to these additional features, it’s a bit heavier (weighing 2.3 ounces) than the Platypus 2-liter water bottle.
After using it for two years, from day hikes to extended backpacking trips, I haven’t noticed any cracks or wear and tear. This attractive bottle comes in different colors and capacities, making it suitable for most daily or weekend hiking needs.
Its flexible body is durable and approximately 85% lighter than a regular water bottle. I like its spill- and leak-proof cap; even when walking on the trail, it doesn’t leak. The design is superb and collapses more quickly than most low-quality bottles.
You can also open the bottle wide by removing the upper cap, making it super easy to clean and refill. Additionally, it’s BPA-free and didn’t produce any bad smells, even when it was new.
The hook is durable, and you can easily attach it to your backpack. It won’t come off, even on a bumpy trail. However, the bottom corners are a bit sharp instead of rounded. I pack it carefully in my bag to avoid damaging my gear. It’s not dangerous, though. It has a modern and sleek look. Overall, this is a budget-friendly, ultralight, and easily foldable water bottle that I recommend.
Read More: Vapur Wide Mouth Anti-Bottle Review
Pros
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Versatile
- Leakproof
Cons
- Not very durable
Best With Water Filter
3. Survivor Filter Squeeze Kit
The Survivor Collapsible Bottle with Filter is our top choice for backcountry adventures due to its convenient built-in filter. The design is very well thought out, especially for backpackers and outdoor adventures.
It’s not easy to carry enough water in the backpack, so having a filter is a great advantage to drink directly from the streams. It’s lightweight and compact, so you can easily take it in your pack. The Collapsible water containers look very durable and handy for extended backpacking trips.
The filter is the most notable feature that comes with the collapsible water bottle compared to other bottles we reviewed.
It did not taste bad either, like the other water bottle. Unlike water filters, this water system means you don’t have to lie down and drink water from the stream.
However, there are a few challenges that most backpackers face. Squeezing the water from the filter to the container takes time and effort. It takes time to properly clean and dry, which is time-consuming and becomes a headache on the trail unless you can pack it separately.
We really hate that we cannot use this handy filter with our other water bottles since it works with these containers only.
The filter worked very well and removed the odor and impurities from the water, as we did not feel any taste. But try it out at home to get an idea of how to use it and to compare the taste with home water.
Pros
- Ultralight
- Comes with water filter
- No bad taste
- Easy to clean
- Simple design
Cons
- Squeezing water through filter is bit hard
Best Of The Rest
4. Hydrapak Stash Collapsible Bottle
Do you like classic water bottle designs? If so, a Hydrapak Stash water bottle is an excellent choice. It’s sleek, lightweight, and looks like a hard bottle but more flexible than the hard bottle.
To collapse this water bottle, you need to twist and compress it, unlike the Vapur Solid, which can be rolled up for collapsing. I wouldn’t say I liked it, as rolling up seemed more comfortable and easier for me.
It comes in two sizes, 750ml, and 1 liter, that are BPA-free and dishwasher-safe. The base of this water bottle is broad and sturdy that remains intact and leak-free even when left open.
However, it builds condensation because it’s not an insulated water bottle. It becomes a little tricky to use, especially during humid weather. Additionally, its durability is a concern as it falls short compared to other water bottles we have reviewed.
Another drawback of this collapsible water bottle is that it requires both hands to drink or pour out water. Additionally, some smell and taste will occur during the initial few weeks of use.
Pros
- 11 color options
- Dishwasher safe
- Durable
- Leakproof
- Carry strap
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- A touch expensive
5. Nomader Collapsible Water Bottle
Do you need a versatile, flexible water bottle? If so, the Nomader Collapsible Water Bottle is an excellent choice due to its design, flexibility, and ease of use. Unlike the Hydrapak Stash water bottle, it rolls up quickly, even when you are walking.
The cap is fixed with the bottle so it won’t get lost in the backcountry accidentally. It’s freezable and dishwasher-safe, handy for home and outdoor use.
This bottle is made from silicone material, which is BPA-free. However, it tends to attract dirt, which can be pretty annoying. When used the first few times, this bottle has a distinct rubber hose taste.
You will have to wash it properly before using it. But it will take time to get rid of the bad taste fully, and we did not like it. It also takes a little bit extra effort to fully roll up and collapse this bottle.
It uses the standard mouth opening rather than wide, which makes it easier to drink while on the go. Most users praised the customer service of Nomader, which is an excellent advantage for hassle-free replacements or refunds.
This comes in various beautiful colors, making it a good daily-use bottle. However, this is suitable mainly for travel, backpacking, or hiking trips instead of daily use.
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Pros
- 11 color options
- Dishwasher safe
- Durable
- Leakproof
- Carry strap
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- A touch expensive
6. Hydrapak Stow Collapsible Water Bottle
Hydrapak Stow is a perfect flexible bottle whether you go camping, hiking, or outing in the backcountry. We are impressed that this is sustainable, packable, and ultra-light, allowing easy drinking water on the go.
The Hydrapak Stow Flexible Bottle is the best trail companion as it fits easily in the pocket, fanny pack, or jacket pocket. We really liked its spill-proof nozzle, that not only keeps the nozel area clean but also keeps water secure inside the bottle. Moreover, the bail handle is an added advantage to easily attach to the backpack and drink water without opening the pack.
The bottle is water filter compatible, which makes it ideal for backpackers to refill the water from natural resources like streams and rivers and then drink directly from the bottle by the water filter. Like, the Sawyer Squeeze Mini or the Micro version.
If we talk about its ease of use, it’s pretty easy to fill, compress, and roll up in seconds. Another best thing is that it does not leak as the lid closes tightly even when you collapse it. However, the mouthpiece gives little taste of the plastic despite washing, especially when it’s new.
The only thing we would change about this water bottle is the mouthpiece. This is a budget-friendly option but less durable and functional than Platypus SoftBottles, but that is expensive. If budget is your concern, you can opt for this water bottle.
Pros
- Compatible with the water filter
- Easy to carry
- Top cap
- Compactible design
- doesn’t leak
Cons
- Bit plastic taste at the start
How To Choose Collapsible Water Bottle: Buying Guide
After extensive and rigorous use of flexible bottles, we have written this guide to help you better understand the process of buying a quality collapsible bottle.
We considered and compared various performance parameters such as weight, capacity, mouth opening, plastic taste, storage space, BPA-free, cup holder, etc.
Material
No compromise on health. Looks for a bottle that is designed from quality BPA-free material. Plastic and material need to be safe for long-term usage so it doesn’t affect health. Remember that not all BPA-free products are food safe.
Around 70% BPA-Free products still emit unhealthy chemicals in food or water. Cheaply made plastic bottles, especially single-use, are harmful, primarily if they are used for an extensive period.
However, some companies are committed to making BPA-Free bottles for long-term use. They mainly use BPA-free silicone products to design the bottles. Also, read the label to see if the water bottle is fit for hot and cold liquids.
That said, it is tough to eliminate BPA-free factors in the material entirely, but buying quality bottles from reputable companies committed to designing safe-to-use products is a great way to minimize this factor. Therefore, we created this list by giving good scores to BPA-free bottles.
Capacity
Capacity is something that you decide based on the hiking duration, trail length, availability of water on the trail, temperature, etc. One to two liters collapsible bottles are common that most backpackers choose.
Most of the top bottles that we reviewed are available in different sizes. We usually take a hydration bladder and a flexible bottle on extended hikes depending on the availability of clean water on the trails.
If you are concerned about the extra water weight, take a backpacking water filter. This saves us plenty of space as we don’t have to carry more than a couple of liters if water is available on the trail.
That said, collapsible water bottles are compact, packable, and take up relatively little space. So size reduces after every ounce you drink from them. You can opt for a bottle with a larger capacity. But as mentioned, it depends on all the factors we wrote above.
Durability
Collapsible water bottles are made from soft, flexible materials like silicone or BPA-free plastics. You can squeeze and fold them, unlike traditional bottles. However, this compromises their durability compared to hard water bottles.
In general, flexible bottles are less durable than hard water bottles. But quality loose water bottles like Platypus SoftBottles, and Vapur Solid Flexible Bottles have much better durability than cheaply made bottles.
Flexible bottles beat the hard bottles in terms of convenience and space-saving functionality. Yet, these are more prone to wear and tear due to their plastic nature.
Make sure you fold them after releasing the air and slowly toward the upward direction. Taking little extra care of these bottles, you can easily extend the life of these bottles.
Mouth Opening
Mouth opening is crucial to look for as it impacts how easily you can clean or refill the water. A bottle with a wide opening mouth makes cleaning effortless and convenient filling. But this also increases the chance of leakage.
Look for a bottle with a reasonable mouth opening and no leakage risk. Some bottles, like Vapur Solid Flexible Water Bottle, provides two mouth opening, one small to drink the water and another bigger one to refill and clean quickly.
Summary
Collapsible water bottles are good at saving space and are much lighter than hard ones. We shortlisted the collapsible water bottles based on our research, comprehensive analysis, and personal experience.
We considered material quality, durability, leak-proof design, and ease of cleaning while preparing the list. Additionally, we explained how to choose these bottles with our comprehensive buying guide.
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