Links on this page are affiliate links. That simply means when you make a purchase via the link, someone will send me a pittance. They won’t charge you anything more than what they were already going to charge you. Making purchases via these links help me continue to create content for y’all. Thank you.
If you follow on Facebook, I ask you just about daily if you’ve filled your water bottle. If you’re into that kind of thing, and you’re not yet following on Facebook, go follow on Facebook! We have a good time over there.
A Member of Community asked for water bottle recommendations, and then I remembered maybe not everyone has a water bottle. So I wanted to offer some guidance for those who’ve not chosen one yet.
Lifestyle
First thing’s first, what fits your lifestyle? I have designated bottles and cups that are ONLY for water. But I don’t leave my house often. So there’s little fear of misplacing them in the wild.
A few frens have super inexpensive plastic containers that they refill while on the go. One in particular has a HUGE McDo cup that can be replaced daily for next to nothing. Some use and reuse 20oz bottles of some brand that is refilled with tap over the course of the day. If the container is misplaced, it’s not a huge deal. Another can be acquired with ease.
So though I have purchased bottles for my water, don’t marry yourself to the idea. Anything that will hold water is sufficient. Invite ease into this consideration. If the bottle will be moving and shaking along with you over the course of the day, how can you make that process as easy as possible?
Does it need to fit into a cupholder? A pocket on a bag? Does it need its own strap to hang crossbody while you move about? Does it need to be disposable because you don’t want to feel bad if you lose it?
Material
Next consideration, what material do you want your bottle to be. Most common are glass, plastic, and stainless steel.
For past me, glass was immediately no. I had toddlers, AKA sentient black Air Forces. A glass bottle would not last long. For me now glass is a no. My hands are not as reliable as they once were due to MS. I be droppin’ shit.
Then plastic was no because I was afraid the bottle would pick up scents and flavors over time. And also this was around the time that companies were labeling everything “BPA free”, and I’m like what… is a BPA? I did not want to go through the process of researching and toiling to find the least harmful plastic bottle.
So I went with stainless steel. But again, do not marry yourself to the idea of getting what I got. There may be more variety in plastic and a pretty bottle will make you feel happier. Or perhaps seeing the amount of water you have left to drink helps motivate you to finish your bottle, so a glass container will serve you well. What is going to bring ease and joy to your daily hydration?
Form
After you choose your material, then choose the form.
A plus with stainless steel is often they come double walled with vacuum seal tops. Which means my water stays at pretty much the same temp no matter how long it’s in there. That is important to me because I don’t like room temp water. Single walled bottles would get to room temp before I could drain them unless I got a really small bottle, which meant more refills each day, which was… not acceptable.
My first water bottles were screw top. There was such a variety! And lots came with their own handle, making portability simple.
Later, though, I realized lifting the bottle Every. Time. I wanted to take a drink was tedious. Also, drinking in the car was A Trial. I needed a straw. I am very happy to have made that switch now because, again, with the MS, some times my hands are unreliable. Gripping and lifting are not promised.
How Big?
Final consideration is how much water do you aim to drink per day. My minimum is half my body weight (in pounds) as ounces. So, right now, I’m ’round about 170. So my daily minimum is 85 ounces.
My first go at a ‘forever bottle’ was 30 oz. This was 100lbs ago and pre-MS onset. So I was fine with refilling 4xs a day. One pregnancy and MS symptoms later, I’m not doing all that. So I bought a second bottle that is 64 oz. I fill them both in the morning, and if I empty them both, I know that I made it!
So to recap. When choosing a water bottle, consider your lifestyle, the material, the form, and how much water you aim to drink per day. You want to make drinking water as easy as possible.
Do you have any other criteria that you would add to this list?
8 thoughts on “Choosing a Water Bottle”
I love this blog, it’s very helpful, thank you! I’m trying to drink as much water as possible and your posts about it have been reminding me often enough for it to start to form a habit! I’ve bought a stainless steel bottle online & it will arrive tomorrow. I got one with a straw, straw cleaner and a shoulder strap so I can easily keep it with me. I can’t carry things up and down my stairs because I need my hands for balance so the strap will help me lug it around the house. I’ll report my progress! Thank you for sharing!
I wish you much success in your hydration aspirations.
For me, high capacity, a straw, leak-proof, and integrated handle or option for carrying strap were necessary, and clear/translucent to watch my water level was a high priority.
I ended up with the Blogilates gallon jug from Target. It has two handles- one as part of the bottle, one as part of the lid, plus a wrist strap. It has a locking flip up cap with a gasket to keep it from spilling, and a straw that has the silicone bottom to *pop* up when I open the lid.
Noice! I think I saw a picture of it before. How has cleaning and maintaining been for it?
For those of us who are neurospicy, consider a boot for the stainless bottles. Having the clank dulled is worth it.
The bottle I have came with one and I forgot to secure it. It got lost. I miss it daily.
Oooh I’ll investigate and see if I can’t find one to link. Thank you for the tip!
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I do not know who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!