The Best Running Hydration Packs and Water Bottles, According to Runners

Like Garvey, Elinor Fish, founder and CEO of Run Wild Retreats + Wellness, thinks comfort is key and says, “It’s worth looking for a gender-specific fit to get a size that works best for you.” She uses a vest similar to this, which is made for women, because “the soft fabric makes it feel like part of my body so I don’t notice at all.” (The specific vest she recommended is now out of stock.) With the ability to adjust the straps around the chest and waist separately, it allows for a more personalized fit for different bust sizes. She’s never experienced bouncing or chafing with it, even while running for hours in the mountains with a full pack. Clark recommends Nathan’s women’s vests as well because they’re comfortable and the front pockets provide easy access to her gear.

According to Tom Daly, co-founder of the running and yoga lifestyle brand District Vision, “Salomon cranks out the best light- and mid-weight vest packs.” For very long runs — especially on trails where you aren’t likely to spot a water fountain — he recommends choosing a pack with a reservoir for water and a drinking straw. “No hands needed and no need to stop. Forrest Gump will be proud,” he says. This vest’s reservoir holds 1.5 liters of water, so you can spend hours on the roads or trails without worrying about running out. Daly adds that the exterior pockets for holding your race nutrition are “a bonus not to be overlooked.”

For a typical run where you won’t be isolated too long, a handheld bottle is great to carry everything you need without getting bogged down. Sean Fortune, the owner and founder of Central Park Coaching, told us that although he does most of his training in the park — where there are operating water fountains from spring through fall — he actually prefers carrying his own bottle so he doesn’t have to stop at one of the public fountains, which are often crowded. Fortune likes this Nathan bottle, primarily because it’s insulated and keeps his water cold. “If my water is warm, I don’t want to drink it,” he says. “It also fits comfortably in my hand and has room for my big iPhone and a gel or two.” Roche, who appreciates the bottle’s simplicity, is also a fan. “The 18-ounce handheld is curved to fit in your hand and I usually forget about it after ten minutes,” he says of the bottle, which also has an adjustable strap that holds it in place and prevents any bouncing around. “I want an option that streamlines the process of getting out the door, and with a bottle, you can just grab it and go.” Fitzgerald likes handhelds, too, and says he’s even used one on runs over two hours.

Run coach Mary Johnson has been using this bottle for the past five years on short and long runs. It’s collapsible, meaning it shrinks with each sip and cuts down on sloshing. Johnson appreciates the lightweight, breathable mesh cover and extra security of the adjustable velcro strap. “You don’t even have to think about it when you’re running,” she says. And even with its streamlined design, it has a pocket for stashing a gel or two.

Physical therapist and run coach Dr. Bonnie Wilder prefers this 17-ounce bottle she bought off of Amazon for under $20. She says it’s easy to hold, thanks to the strap’s extra thumb loop that keeps the bottle from bouncing around in her hands. She mainly uses this on long runs in the summer (ones that last over an hour), and recommends freezing the bottle overnight so it stays cold for the entire run. Like the above, gets smaller as you sip. Wilder typically stashes it in her bra once it’s empty.

Team RunRun coach Elaina Raponi switched from a waist belt to this collapsible handheld flask because the belt would bounce around and required adjusting. “My arms are already pumping when I’m running anyway, so it was very easy,” she says. “I don’t have to unclip something, and I’m not having to fumble around with anything.” While it doesn’t have Velcro straps or storage, it compresses down so small that it can easily fit into shorts pockets.