The Hydro Flask Trail Series, also known as the Hydro Flask Lightweight, holds a special place in my outdoor-loving heart. This model is specifically designed for hiking, a rare feature among water bottles.
But don’t think it stops there – far from it! This bottle is one of the most versatile in my collection. Whether I’m hiking, traveling, or heading to work, I never hesitate to take it along.
In this review, I’ll describe and explain every detail of the Hydro Flask Trail Series. Stick with me until the end, and you’ll know if this bottle is worth your investment (though I bet you’ll decide it is!).
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KEY FEATURES
PROS
CONS
Portability
Let’s start by describing the selling point of this bottle – its portable design. The Trail Series is 25% lighter than regular Hydro Flasks, tipping the scales at just 11 ounces for the 24 oz. version. In a world filled with heavy stainless steel bottles, that’s quite a feat.
But it isn’t just about shedding pounds as the Trail Series also fits into even the smallest cup holders. My 24 oz. version, with its 2.75-inch diameter, slips easily into any car cup holder with room to spare.
Even the largest 40 oz. version fits without a hitch. To me, that’s a huge advantage because you wouldn’t expect such a narrow bottle to pack so much capacity.
While I adore how this bottle squeezes into tight spots, its narrow design comes with a trade-off. The towering height, standing at 10 inches, can be a bit unwieldy.
I’ve never had my bottle fall out of my backpack’s side pocket, but I can see how it might happen, especially with the behemoth 32 or 40 oz. versions stretching up to 14 inches tall. It’s like carrying a tiny skyscraper around!
Portability Score
★★★★★
Lid Usability
The Hydro Flask Trail Series lid is a bit of a show-off in the best way possible. At first glance, it looks almost identical to the standard Hydro Flask lids, but there are some nifty differences.
The best feature about the lid must be the perforated strap. You might wonder why anyone would bother with holes in a strap, but since this bottle focuses on minimizing weight, those little holes actually help shave off some ounces.
And indeed, it feels noticeably lighter in your hand compared to the standard Hydro Flask Flex Cap.
The strap is also ridiculously comfortable to hold. I’ve carried it around on long hikes, during my daily commutes, and even when it’s packed to the brim with water. No hand cramps or discomfort here.
The strap’s flexibility is very useful too. It’s super bendy, so you can easily clip it onto your backpack, harness, or pretty much anything you can think of. I’ve even clipped it onto my belt loop during a particularly hands-free kind of day. It stays put and doesn’t complain.
Lid Usability Score
★★★★★
Leakproofness
The Hydro Flask Trail Series is as leakproof as you can get. I’ve been dragging this bottle along on almost every hike for the past year, and it’s been nothing short of fantastic. No leaks whatsoever. It’s a Hydro Flask, after all.
You’ll be surprised at how forgiving this bottle is. It’s not just 100% leakproof; it’s also designed for those of us who sometimes forget to double-check things.
One day, I didn’t even screw the cap on fully. I only noticed my mistake hours later and immediately started to panic, bracing myself for the lake that was surely sloshing around in my bag. To my surprise, not a drop had escaped.
I’m not suggesting you make a habit of leaving the lid half-open, unless you enjoy a good adrenaline rush. But knowing that it’s got your back even when you slip up is a huge relief.
Leakproofness Score
★★★★★
Insulation
In my insulation tests, I started with a basic setup: room temperature environment and water without ice. Over a 24-hour period, the water temperature rose by almost 23°F, starting from an icy 33°F (0.5°C) and inching up to 56°F (13.3°C). Even after a full day, the water was still refreshingly cold.
In comparison, my standard Hydro Flask Wide Mouth kept the water at 54.5°F, just a smidge lower. It’s not a night-and-day difference, but worth noting if you’re a stickler for the coldest sip possible.
So, while the Trail Series’ insulation meets the gold standards of the high-end water bottle industry (24 hours cold), there are other bottles that can keep your water cold for longer.
If you want to maximize the insulation capabilities of your Trail Series, adding ice is an obvious solution. When I tossed in 5.6 ounces (160 grams) of ice to my already cold water, the temperature barely budged. Over 19 hours, it increased by only 4.1°F (2.3°C), leaving me with some ice still floating after 24 hours.
Heat Retention
We already know that the Trail Series can keep your water cold for a long time, but how well does it handle heat?
To find out, I poured 203°F (95°C) water into the flask and waited 12 hours. After that time, the temperature was 122.2°F (50.1°C), which can still be considered “hot” by many people.
Insulation Score
★★★★★
Ease of Cleaning
Here comes the first significant issue with the Trail Series – it’s NOT dishwasher safe. Unlike the regular Hydro Flasks, the Trail Series doesn’t come with a powder coating so if you put it into the dishwasher, it can end up looking like this:
The only way is to wash your Trail Series manually. It shouldn’t be a dealbreaker though because cleaning this bottle is as easy as it gets.
With no small, complicated parts, you won’t find yourself spending precious minutes digging out gunk from nooks and crannies.
However, keep in mind that the cleaning process can become more cumbersome if you opt for the 40 oz. version. At 14 inches tall, reaching the bottom can be a bit tricky. It’s not impossible, just a bit more effort than its smaller siblings.
Ease of Cleaning Score
★★★★☆
Durability
Hydro Flasks have always been incredibly sturdy for me, even when I’ve treated them more like rugged tools than delicate drinkware. The Trail Series follows suit but brings some unique features to the table.
One standout feature is its tapered walls that are thicker at the bottom. These are designed to boost durability and protect against denting.
This feature clearly does its job well, although it doesn’t mean that your Trail Series bottle will be completely dent-proof. It’s a stainless steel bottle, after all, and even the most premium stainless steel can dent from time to time.
However, the Trail Series seems more prone to scratches compared to my regular Hydro Flasks. The reason? It lacks that lovely powder coating.
So while the bottle holds up against dents, it’s more susceptible to picking up cosmetic blemishes. I must admit, every new scratch really hurts me, especially when I remember the steep price I paid for my Trail Series.
Another thing I’ve noticed is the texture. Without the powder coating, the Trail Series feels a bit more slippery. Not drastically so, but enough that you need to pay a bit more attention to how firmly you grip it, so you don’t end up with dozens of dents.
Durability Score
★★★☆☆
Versatility
When I first bought my Trail Series, I ordered it with hiking in mind. Little did I know, it would turn out to be an amazing companion for many other settings as well.
You can bring it on almost any type of hike or camping trip, or tote it to school, work, road trips, travel, commutes, and so much more.
The only place I probably wouldn’t take my Trail Series to is the gym. Its capacity isn’t quite enough for my hydration needs during a workout session (unless you opt for the 40 oz. version), and it does tend to scratch rather easily. But aside from that, it’s one of the most versatile bottles I own.
Another thing that really boosts its versatility is its ability to handle both cold and hot beverages, which is not always a given. In fact, I’ve been using it for tea most of the time because it keeps it hot (yes, HOT, not just warm or lukewarm) for 12 hours straight in moderate conditions.
Versatility Score
★★★★★
Price/Value Ratio
The price of $45 for a 24 oz. version is steep, no doubt about it. The Trail Series is definitely overpriced, but what bothers me the most is that I paid the same amount for my standard Hydro Flask with a much larger 32 oz. capacity.
So, in a way, Hydro Flask outdid themselves by overpricing the Trail Series even more than their standard models, which I didn’t think was possible.
Fortunately, the more I use it, and the more adventures we go on, the more I appreciate its value. This bottle is a versatile, durable, and incredibly reliable piece of gear, not just a container for water. The deal also looks a bit better if you take into account the limited lifetime warranty Hydro Flask offers.
Price/Value Ratio Score
★★☆☆☆
Bottom Line
Hydro Flask Trail Series is versatile enough to accompany you on everything from mountain climbs to office days. It’s portable and can keep your drinks at the desired temperature, whether hot or cold.
The colors you can choose from are stunning too! The Jasper color I ordered looks downright fantastic, especially against a mountainous backdrop. It’s like the bottle was designed for Instagram moments as much as practical use.
If you’re on the fence about buying this bottle, I’d say go for it. It’s a unique Hydro Flask that you’ll find yourself reaching for more often than you’d think!
Hydro Flask Trail Series |
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Overall Score: 4.2/5 |
Jeremiah Kowalski
Hey there! I’m Jeremiah, the guy behind WaterBottleAdvisor.com. I used to have a bad habit of guzzling sodas while working remotely, but thanks to reusable water bottles, I’ve turned my hydration game around. After testing over 50 bottles, I’m here to help you find the perfect one to make staying hydrated a joy, not a chore. When I’m not reviewing bottles, you’ll likely find me scaling steep trails around the world, trusty water bottle in hand.
