Battle of the Bottles: Hydro Flask vs Nalgene – Which Wins for Your Next Adventure?
When it comes to reusable water bottles, there are two gold standards: the Hydro Flask and the Nalgene. Both are great water bottles.
They both carry around your favorite hydrating liquids, but they are very different types. Today I’m breaking down the battle of the bottles: Hydro Flask vs. Nalgene.
Water bottles are indispensable for hikers and campers. I also love them around the house. But they are not all created equal.
How Does the Hydro Flask Work?
The Hydro Flask water bottle is made of 18/8 stainless steel. It has a vacuum seal and double-wall insulation, making it one of the best hydration bottles on the market.
All of their bottles are covered in special coating, making them dishwasher safe. You can also wash them with soapy water.
Curious how to get stains out of a Hydro Flask? Or maybe how to get a funk out from a leftover drink? Check out How to easily wash your Hydro Flask and other insulated water bottles?
Hydro Flask Temperature Control Properties
The Hydro Flask insulated bottle will keep your cold beverages cold for 24hrs and your hot beverages hot for 12 hrs. No need to get a different type of bottle.
Inside the bottle is their unique TempShield™ technology, with a double-wall vacuum insulation. This, along with the outside coating, prevents condensation to build up and makes sure it doesn’t slip out of your hand.
Before leaving the house, fill it up with ice cubes and water. The ice will melt, but the water stays incredibly cool.
How much does a Hydro Flask Weigh?
The standard 24oz bottle, their most popular weighs in at 13.2 oz. They also make a lightweight trail series that weighs 10 oz.
Does a Hydro Flask Affect the Waters Taste?
When it comes to water, I’m incredibly picky. I cannot drink it out of a glass, it has to be plastic. When my husband brought home a Hydro Flask I was hesitant because it was made from a non-plastic material.
I found that the stainless steel bottle didn’t transfer any taste though. If anything, I enjoyed drinking it as cold as it was.
Activities a Hydro Flask is Best for?
Day Hikes, Car Camping, to the gym, amusement parks, and around town. This bottle is heavier than its counterpart, the Nalgene, so I wouldn’t want to bring it with me backpacking or any place I’m concerned about additional weight.
Any time you might be having it sit in the sun, this is where it shines.
My kids took them to day camp and didn’t have a problem with them. We got them stickers to make it unique.
Hydro Flask Ease of Use?
Having a reusable water bottle is more about its portability for me. If it’s not something that carries well, I won’t bring it when I need it.
A couple of things I don’t like about the Hydro Flask over the Nalgene is that its lid isn’t connected. The lid is also made from a softer rubber, which damages easily. Its loop on the lid makes it easy to carry and the powder coat makes it easy to grip.
It’s taller making it so it doesn’t always fit well into backpack side pockets. But it fits nicely in most car cup holders.
Looking for an inexpensive alternative to a Hydro Flask? Try the Super Sparrow Water Bottle: The Super Sparrow Water Bottle | The Best Insulated Water Bottle
Common Questions about the Hydro Flask
Does Amazon sell fake Hydro Flask?
Yes, there are plenty of other people selling insulated flasks out there. I won’t go as far as to say they are fakes, just a different variety. Hydro Flask is the gold standard due to its lifetime warranty and exceptional customer service.
Does dropping a Hydro Flask ruin it?
No, Hydro Flasks are a double-wall insulated bottles. Dropping it can cause dents to the exterior wall but it will still maintain its temperature control properties.
Why is Hydro Flask so expensive?
I’m not going to lie, when I found out how much my husband paid for a water bottle in the store I was a little frustrated. After one adventure with the bottle, we went out and got three more.
When it gets hot out, there is nothing better than an ice-cold beverage. We probably saved ourselves so much money with this investment on gas station visits to pick up sugary-filled drinks.
Upgrade your Hydro Flask
There are two things I’ve done to upgrade my Hydro Flask. The first is getting a straw lid. It has made drinking one-handed and super easy to do while hiking or biking. When I’m not out, I have it on my desk for all-day sipping. We have one for every bottle.
The other indispensable accessory is a Bottle Sling. We keep this in the car so we can quickly make our bottle hands-free when we don’t have a daypack with us.
