We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
Stay hydrated while you're out running and training Hair Spray Bottle
Whether you’re marathon training, running in the heat or just really thirsty, sometimes carrying a drink with you is the only solution when it comes to staying hydrated on the move.
When you fail to drink enough to replenish the fluids lost through urination, sweating, and even breathing (yup, it's a thing), you begin to enter a state of dehydration. Being dehydrated doesn’t just make you feel thirsty — it can also have a major impact on how your entire body functions. That’s why we’ve round-up the best water bottles for runners to help you stay hydrated as you clock up the miles.
These options are designed for short to medium length runs, so if you’re looking for something more substantial, check out the hydration packs we've tested for long runs, or backpacks multi-day adventures.
Dehydration means your body loses more fluids than you take in. Here are some of the symptoms to look out for, especially in the summertime:
Obviously, you don’t need to carry litres of water with you, but it’s a good idea to have water with you on a warm, or long run, and drink to thirst.
It’s not unusual for a highly active person to lose up to two litres of water via sweat during a workout. To prevent dehydration, the fluids lost need to be replenished. The best way to do this is to listen to your body and drink water when you feel thirsty. You should also drink water before, during, and after any physical activity.
It's a simple piece of kit, but choose the wrong type of bottle and you'll end up with an aching hand from having to grip, or water spilling everywhere from a leaking valve.
A smaller, soft flask from Decathlon, with a simple elastic loop design to make it easier to hold as you run. This can also be used with a hydration vest or belt.
Another great hand-held option, this one has a handy zip compartment for your keys, credit or cash. We’re big fans of the reflective detailing on the strap too, which gives extra visibility during low light conditions or when running at night. The bottle will hold up to 600ml of water, and it’s got a non-leak spout that’s easy to pull up or push down on the move.
An old-school, plastic water bottle you can hold in your hand as you run. It won’t be for everyone - if you’re not used to running with something in your hand it might feel annoying, plus runners with smaller hands might find this style a little hefty. That said, if you’re only using this on warm sunny days, it’s a good option to have in the cupboard.
It’s not the cheapest option on our list, but with Osprey you know you’re getting a quality product that’s built to last. This hand-held comes with a 360ml soft flask and has a small mesh zipped and shove-it pocket for small essentials like gels and a whistle if you’re hitting the trails. It’s also made from 100% recycled materials.
Designed to be strapped to your hand as you run, this soft water bottle can hold up to 500ml of water and compresses as you drink to save space. There's no room for keys or a phone, mind, so you might want a pair of shorts with a zippy pocket or a phone holder.
If you want to keep your hands entirely bottle-free, this Ultimate Direction hip belt has enough space for a phone, as well as 2x 300ml bottles. We like the buckle waist strap for easy on/off, and there’s lots of adjustability to help you find a secure fit.
If you have a running belt or hydration pack you can slot soft water bottles into, these affordable 250ml bottles collapse down as you run. The bite valve is designed to make it easy to sip water as you move.
If you’re used to running with a belt already, you might find it more comfortable to find one with an attachment for a plastic sports bottle, or one of the softer flasks we’ve mentioned above.
If you have already invested in a running belt during lockdown, this handy water bottle attaches to ones that have an elastic loop designed for gels. Designed to be used specifically with a SpiBelt, but an affordable option if you’ve already invested.
Another simple clutch design, this Ultimate Direction bottle also has a zip pocket for your key, credit card and lip balm.
The issue with most non-soft flask water bottles is that they tend to be bulky to carry while you run, giving you hand-ache within a couple of kilometres. Not the new Elite Running Bottle from Science in Sport. We’ll admit, when we unboxed it our tester thought it had shrunk in the wash – but the 400ml size is deliberate, making it easy and effortless to carry while you run. In fact, it’s been developed for – and is used by – elite marathoners, designed to be picked up at speed or carried for long durations. It’s also got a leakproof, lockable valve so you don’t have to worry about losing any of your precious fuel.
Another quality hand-strap option, this one from Nathan is fully adjustable and includes a 355ml flask with a push/pull valve nozzle, so no leakage here. There’s a dedicated phone pocket, large enough for most smart phones, and a smaller zipper stash pocket for valuables. An integrated reflective print keeps you visible in the evenings or early hours too.
First look: Tracksmith is releasing a super shoe
Saucony vs Brooks running shoes, reviewed
Best phone holders for hands-free running
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: Tried and tested
Best cheap running shoes for £100 or less
Puma Fast-R 2 Nitro Elite: First impressions
Asics vs New Balance running shoes 2024
Apple Watch vs Garmin: Which is better?
11 of the best changing robes for 2024
The best women's running leggings 2024
Best shoes at the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials
New Balance SuperComp Elite v4 is its fastest yet
Runner's World, Part of the Hearst UK Wellbeing Network
Runner's World participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
Cream Jars ©2024 Hearst UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 30 Panton Street, Leicester Square, London, SW1Y 4AJ. Registered in England 112955. All rights reserved.