The Best Water Bottles for Cycling

Staying hydrated is critical to having a good day on the bike, particularly if you’re working hard or riding in the heat of summer. But when you’re focused on the road ahead, a no-brainer plan like “drink when you’re thirsty” can completely fall apart with even the tiniest barrier to fluid intake—like a leaky bottle valve, a hard-to-open mouthpiece, or a gross plastic taste to your water. The best water bottles solve those problems and make staying hydrated a little easier, so you don’t have to think about it.
Cyclists have to consider fluid capacity, bottle placement with cage mounts, and valve types when choosing a water bottle, and often we like to ride with more than one type. This can change based on conditions (do you need an insulated bottle, or will a single-wall bottle suffice?), and necessary capacity. If you know you’ll have a chance to fill up along the route, you might not need to have multiple bottles on your bike. Valve types are another important choice. From a one-way squirt valve to push-pull to covered caps, there are options for all preferences and conditions.
From adding high-flow valves that deliver more water at once, to inner silica coatings to fight odors and weird aftertastes, water bottle design has come a long way in recent years. Here are our current favorite water bottles for cycling—all of which will fit into a standard bottle cage.

What to Consider

Fluid Capacity
Depending on how long you’ll be riding for, you probably want a bottle with between 21-26 ounces of capacity. Most athletic-oriented cycling water bottles fall into this range, and are easy to fit into standard water bottle cages. For shorter commutes or in-town riding, a smaller capacity will work just fine, but be aware of your full water capacity for extended rides, and consider carrying multiple bottles if you think water access will be an issue.

Valve Type
Most cycling water bottles have either a one-way squirt valve or a push-pull valve. A one-way squirt valve can be used by squeezing the water bottle and forcing the water out of the valve. A push-pull valve is a soft rubber valve that can be opened and closed with your teeth by pulling up on the valve to open, and pushing it back down to close.

Insulation
This is a matter of preference. If you’ll be riding in extreme conditions—either hot or cold—you might prefer a double-wall insulated water bottle. These will keep your water cooler for longer on hot days, and help keep water from freezing during cold rides. They are harder to squeeze and heavier though, so if you don’t need the insulation, a soft plastic single-wall bottle will do the trick. These can be easier to squeeze and drink from while riding, and are often lighter weight.