Table of contents2 sections
Carrying around a heavy water bottle is not exactly fun. Imagine hauling a two-pound bottle up a mountain or even just through your daily routine. No thanks. Even if you are not into hiking, a bulky bottle can start to feel like an unnecessary burden by the end of the day.
That is why I put together this list of the best lightweight water bottles. These are the ones I personally use, so I know just how easy they are to carry around.
Of course, you can probably find bottles that are even lighter, but weight is only part of the equation. A good bottle has to check a few other boxes too.
Let’s find the right lightweight bottle for you.
| Final score ranking | #1 Winner 66.5 Above Average | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Product3 bottles |
Hydro Flask Lightweight (Trail Series)
|
Highest WBA Score
Nalgene Wide Mouth
 |
Platypus Platy
|
| Weight | 6.32 oz | ||
| Body material | Tritan Renew | ||
| Typical price | $17.00 | ||
| Cleaning time | 1 min 28 sec | ||
| Buy now |
Buy on Amazon
From $13.99
|
1st place: Hydro Flask Trail Series 32 oz
KEY FEATURES
PROS
CONS
You’ve probably heard of Hydro Flask, but have you ever come across their Trail Series? If not, let me introduce you to one of the most underrated bottles in the world. It’s also the lightest stainless steel bottle I own.
I freaking love this bottle. Call me biased, but Hydro Flask knows how to make a darn good bottle that keeps drinks cold for a long, long time. Their Trail Series has almost the same insulation as the regular Hydro Flask, keeping drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12, but there are a few key differences.
The biggest one is the weight. A standard 32 oz Hydro Flask weighs around 15 to 16 oz when empty. The Trail Series cuts that down to 12.5 oz.
It may not seem like much on paper, but believe me, you can feel the difference, especially if you carry both for a while.
That is why this is my top choice for hiking. It is lighter and just feels better to hold. I do not even bother putting it in my backpack most of the time. It is comfortable enough to carry by the strap, which has small cutouts to reduce weight even further.
Even though it was designed with hiking in mind, it works just as well for everyday use. For example, I remember being grateful I brought my Hydro Flask on a train ride with no AC. It helped me get through a very long trip by keeping my iced tea perfectly cold the entire way. I could go on and on about all the situations where I’ve loved having this bottle!
If you want to know more about this amazing lightweight bottle, check out my full Hydro Flask Trail Series review.
1st place: Nalgene 32 oz
WBA Test Results
Nalgene is obviously lighter than the Hydro Flask Trail Series, which makes sense since it is plastic. Whether you like that or not is a personal preference.
I don’t mind modern plastic bottles, especially from brands that are upfront about being free of harmful substances like BPA.
Nalgene is one of those brands. Since 2008, they have been making safe plastic bottles, and their 32 oz model weighs only 3.75 oz. To be fair, most plastic bottles are under 10 oz, but Nalgene is still the lightest one in my collection.
It has a few things going for it besides weight. One is the Tritan plastic material, which is about as durable as plastic gets. Some people have used their Nalgene bottles for years, and I have heard stories of them rolling down steep slopes with nothing but a few scratches to show for it.
I also appreciate the simplicity. It is just a bottle with a lid and an attached strap. Nothing fancy, but that is part of the appeal. This straightforward design, along with the wide mouth, also makes it easy to clean.
Of course, plastic has its downsides. It tends to hold onto tastes and odors more than stainless steel, and it scratches easily, which can create little hiding spots for bacteria.
The strap is another thing I am not a fan of. It is plastic too, and after a while, it gets uncomfortable to hold.
But if all you need is a super lightweight plastic bottle without insulation, Nalgene is a solid choice.
3rd place: Platypus Platy 70 oz
KEY FEATURES
PROS
CONS
If you are into collapsible water bottles to cut down on both weight and backpack space, the Platypus Platy is right up your alley. It holds an impressive 70 oz of water while weighing just 1.3 oz when empty, which is about as light as a bottle can get.
The downside? Cleaning it is a nightmare. Even though I only use mine for water, it still needs a rinse now and then, and that tiny opening makes it nearly impossible to scrub properly. Drying it takes forever too.
That said, if you are deep in the wilderness on a long hike, having 70 oz of water stashed away is a lifesaver. And if you are camping overnight, you can even use it as a makeshift pillow. Not exactly memory foam, but it works in a pinch.
If insulation is not a priority and your main concerns are weight and space, this bottle is worth considering, especially if you are a serious hiker or backpacker.
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of lightweight water bottles out there, but the ones I have listed are the ones I actually use and trust. After months of putting them through all kinds of situations, I can confidently recommend them.
Think about what you need. If you want something light for daily use that can also handle the occasional outdoor trip, I would go with the Hydro Flask Trail Series or Nalgene.
If you are deep into backpacking and need to save every ounce, the Platypus Platy is as light as it gets.
How we test products
Every product we review is tested using the same structured process, with dozens of measurements and checks covering areas such as thermal performance, lid usability, cleaning, durability, portability, and everyday use. Those results feed into the WBA Score, which helps us compare bottles using consistent criteria instead of relying only on manufacturer claims.
You can read our full product testing protocol, learn more about Water Bottle Advisor and how we test products, or see how the WBA Score works.
About the author
Jeremiah Kowalski
Jeremiah Kowalski founded Water Bottle Advisor to make drinkware reviews more useful and less dependent on manufacturer claims. He has personally tested 50+ products, putting them through measuring, cleaning, leak testing, durability testing, and everyday use before sharing his conclusions. It also means occasionally explaining why yet another large box of bottles has arrived at his door.
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
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