This is a 20+ Year Product Review

When I started backpacking there was no such thing as “specialized” water bottles. We just used canteens. At first heavy aluminum ones then these plastic ones below – all found at Army-Navy surplus stores for really cheap!

Today, we have so many specialized water bottles available to us, which is kind of crazy. Do we need to purchase hiking specific bottles just to walk, when we can get free ones?

If you do a search for “water bottles” on www.rei.com   the result lists 222 items!

So which is “best?” If you do a Google search for “backpacking water bottles” many of the search links will include “best backpacking water bottles.” 

Best is what works for you. For me, most of the time, best is a re-purposed (recycled) Gatorade bottle.

Continue reading The “Best” Water Bottle (backpacking & hiking) is Free →