Best Water Bottles for Hiking
Stay Hydrated On The Trail
For backcountry, off-grid, and more technical hiking, you’ll want to check out our guide for How To Stay Hydrated for Hunting and Fishing.
Here’s how to pick the best water bottle for recreational hiking and which YETI Water Bottles will keep you going, from trailhead to peak — and back.
What to Look for in a Hiking Water Bottle
There are a lot of water bottles out there, but only YETI bottles are built for the wild and can withstand getting dropped on rugged terrain or falling out of the truck and still be trusted to do their job.
Here’s what matters when you’re choosing the right bottle for hiking:
1. Capacity
Short hikes? A 26 oz. bottle works and can be easily carried in your pack or in a bottle sling. Longer or all-day missions? Go 36 oz. or bigger. Don’t worry, they’ll get lighter as you consume the water.
2. Insulation
Double-wall vacuum insulation in our Rambler® Bottles will keep your water ice-cold for hours, because no one wants a sip of warm or hot water when you’re working up a sweat on the trail.
3. Durability
Our Rambler® Bottles are built with 18/8 stainless steel and hold up against the wild’s worst. If you are looking for lighter-weight plastic, our Yonder® Bottles are strategically engineered to be both lightweight and shatter-resistant.
4. Weight & Carryability
YETI Backpacks and Bottle sling help make carrying your water on the trail easy. Of course you could also carry your bottle in your hand for quick sips as you go. The Chug Cap and Straw Cap offer carrying handles that are built in and wont crack off if the bottle takes a hit.
5. Lid Type
Depending on your drinking style preference, our bottles are versatile and can easily swap out lid and cap types to suit you. Chug and Straw caps have carry handles built in. The Cup Cap is a great way to enjoy hot tea from your bottle while you’re out. Check out our bottle accessories.
With those in mind, let’s break down the best YETI bottles for every type of hiker.
Best Overall Hiking Bottle
Rambler® 36 oz. Bottle
The perfect balance of size, durability, and insulation.Why it’s great:
The Rambler® 36 oz. Bottle is built for the trail — big enough to keep you hydrated for a few hours but not so bulky it weighs you down. Double-wall vacuum insulation keeps water cold from sunrise to sunset, and the Chug Cap makes it easy to take quick sips without slowing down.
- Holds more than 1 liter of water (just over 33 oz).
- Keeps water ice-cold for hours.
- Durable stainless steel construction — won’t break, crack, or leak.
- Chug Cap for quick hydration without spilling.
Best for:
Full-day hikes, higher-output adventures. Hikers who want a high-capacity bottle that stays cold all day without adding too much weight.
Best for Short Hikes
Rambler® 26 oz. Bottle
Why it’s great:
Lighter-weight, easy to carry, and keeps water cold all day.
The Rambler® 26 oz. Bottle is perfect for quick-hit trails and moderate hikes where you don’t need to haul a ton of water. It’s lightweight, fits in all our YETI backpacks as well as most other hiking packs, and keeps your water ice-cold for hours.
- Less bulky, easy to carry.
- Fits in most backpack water bottle pockets.
- Comes with a Chug Cap for quick sips.
Best for:
Shorter hikes, half-day treks, and casual outings. Hikers who don’t need a massive water supply but still want cold water on demand.
Best Kids’ Hiking Bottle
Rambler® Jr. 12 oz. Bottle
Why it’s great:
Sized just right for your little wild ones.
Whether you’re hitting the trail, spending a few hours at the beach, or posting up at the playground, kids need water, too. The Rambler® Jr. 12 oz Kids Bottle is sized just right to offer enough water that stays refreshingly cold, without being too big or heavy for them to carry.
- Just right capacity — 12 oz.
- Insulated to keep water cold on hot days
- Rugged enough to survive inevitable dents and dings
Best for:
Day hikes. Ages 3+
Best for Keeping It Light
Yonder® 20 oz. Bottle
This durable plastic bottle, is BPA-free and 50% lighter than Rambler® Bottles.Why it’s great:
If you’re minding the weight in your pack, the Yonder® 20 oz. Bottle is a solid choice for shorter hikes. It fits easily in a hip belt or small backpack pocket, making it a great option for fast-moving hikes.
- YETI’s lightest solution — easy to carry anywhere.
- Perfect for shorter hikes or pairing with a hydration pack.
- Fits in your pack
Best for:
Minimalists and lightweight packers. Fast-moving hikers and those who prefer smaller bottles in ultralight setups.
What About Hydration Packs?
Some hikers prefer hydration reservoirs, but they come with trade-offs:
- Harder to clean.
- Water gets warm faster.
- Require their own pack
Why go with a YETI Rambler® Bottle instead?
- Easier to clean— All parts are dishwasher safe, no hassle.
- Double-wall vacuum insulation keeps water ice cold.
- More durable—won’t puncture or leak.
For longer hikes, some hikers carry both — a hydration pack for easy sipping and a YETI Rambler® for cold water backups.
How Much Water Should You Bring?
Hiking hydration depends on weather, trail difficulty, and your personal needs.
| Hike Length | Water Needed (Per Person) | Best YETI Bottle |
|---|---|---|
| Short hike (1-2 hours) | 16-26 oz | 18 oz or 26 oz Rambler® |
| Half-day hike (2-5 hours) | 26-36 oz | 20 oz Yonder® Bottle x 2 |
| Full-day hike (5+ hours) | 36-46 oz | 36 oz or 46 oz Rambler® |
| Overnight/multi-day | 1+ gallons | 46 oz Bottle + 1-Gallon Jug at camp |
If you’re in hot weather or high altitudes, bring extra. Dehydration hits fast when you’re pushing elevation.
Final Thoughts: Pick the Best YETI Bottle for Your Hike
Short hikes? Go with the 26 oz Rambler® Bottle.
Full-day treks? The 36 oz Rambler® Bottle has you covered.
Backpacking? The 20 oz Yonder® Bottle gives you max hydration (bring 2 bottles).
Packing Light? The 20 oz Yonder® Bottle is your best bet.
No matter where you’re headed, staying hydrated is key. And when the temps rise, keeping that water cold makes all the difference.
Find the perfect YETI Water Bottle for your next hike.
