Backside Line
In the event you cross paths with any thru-hiker, there’s an excellent likelihood you’ll see them carrying a bottle of Glaceau SmartWater: the bottled water that has develop into synonymous with ultralight backpacking. Accessible at virtually each grocery retailer and gasoline station, SmartWater is accessible – whether or not you might be in a pinch or are planning on hitting the path for a number of months.
Meant as a single-use plastic water bottle with a future within the recycling bin, SmartWater’s design is unencumbered by options and equipment. For a extra standard water bottle, see our full information. Probably the most naked bones choice of any bottle we examined, such a spartan bottle has little attraction to the vast majority of individuals. Nevertheless, the ultralight weight of SmartWater earns it a spot in essentially the most severe ounce-counter’s pack.
How We Examined
Gear analyst Marion Tucker researched 35 water bottles and examined the highest 13 within the discipline whereas mountain climbing and climbing in Southeastern Utah. She carried out drop exams to judge their sturdiness and ranked every bottle’s ergonomics, insulation, weight, and options after side-by-side comparisons.
Fast Specs
Glaceau Smartwater
Finest Water Bottle for Ultralight Backpacking
CleverHiker Score:
3.9/5.0
Value:
$3
Weight:
1.3 oz.
Insulated:
No
Execs
- Ultralight for backpacking,
- Appropriate with Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
- Suits in cup holders/backpack aspect pockets
Cons
- Shorter lifespan than most different bottles (however will nonetheless final a very long time if handled with care)
Sturdiness
SmartWater bottles are meant for single use, however they’re made with plastic sturdier than most disposable water bottles. This makes it doable for them to be reused a number of occasions. Although missing the burliness of onerous shell bottles, the SmartWater bottle held its personal in opposition to drops, sustaining little or no harm throughout our discipline exams.
We’ve used a SmartWater bottle on multi-day backpacking journeys in Wyoming’s Wind River Vary. Over the course of a number of days and virtually 100 miles, the SmartWater bottle dealt with driving rain, below-freezing nights, and plenty of falls in scrambles over jagged talus with out structural influence. By the tip of the journey, the one blemish was a severely scuffed exterior.
It’s most likely not a bottle you’ll use for years to come back, however the Smartwater bottle is harder than your common single-use plastic bottle. It’s greater than able to withstanding tough use on the path.
Ergonomics
The lengthy, slim, cylindrical design of SmartWater bottle can match into packs, backpack pockets, and cup holders. Fabricated from a softer plastic than onerous shell bottles, the extra supple development affords some flexibility in squeezing the bottle into the tighter corners of a bag.
SmartWater encompasses a very slim mouth, which makes for fast and simple sipping and retains spillage to a minimal whereas ingesting on the transfer. Nevertheless, the smaller opening creates a problem when attempting so as to add hydration mixes. Plus, including ice could be inconceivable, relying on the dimensions of the cubes. The most important subject with the slim mouth is the problem it poses in maintaining the bottle clear. The SmartWater bottle can’t be put within the dishwasher, leaving hand washing as your solely choice.
General, although, SmartWater’s smooth form makes it adept at becoming into all of the spots bulkier bottles can not.
Insulation
As a single-use water bottle, you gained’t discover any insulation within the Glaceau SmartWater bottle. For these on the lookout for a degree of temperature management in a bottle, SmartWater will not be a super selection. This disposable bottle is made out of a thinner, decrease grade plastic that makes it notably vulnerable to exterior shifts in temperature. On a freezing chilly evening, you may get up to a bottle stuffed with ice. On scorching summer time days, the SmartWater bottle gained’t keep chilly for lengthy.
If insulation is a desired ingredient, different bottles will probably be higher. SmartWater’s greatest promoting level is its weight.
Weight
Weight is the SmartWater bottle’s defining and most vital side. At 0.07lbs, its weight elevates it from a grocery retailer purchase to coveted backcountry water system. The bottle is already stripped to its most simple kind, so there’s no want to switch it with a purpose to shave off an additional half ounce.
The extremely low weight of the SmartWater bottle makes it an apparent selection for ultralight backpacking, so it’s no surprise why it has been embraced by thru-hikers all over the place. Tying a little bit loop of wire across the neck, we’ve additionally clipped this bottle to our climbing harness to maintain us hydrated throughout multi-pitch routes. Particularly after scaling a number of hundred toes, we’ve got appreciated having a bottle that quenches our thirst with out including to the already heavy weight of climbing gear.
Options
As one among our most simple bottle suggestions, SmartWater doesn’t supply many options or choices for personalisation. Though, bottles can be found in 500mL, 700mL, and 1.5L sizes for some selection in capability desire.
Nevertheless, SmartWater is suitable with the Sawyer Squeeze filter, a filtration system whose threads allow it to screw instantly onto its mouthpiece for speedy, filtered ingesting. Paired collectively, they’re an ultralight hydration system which permits backpackers and thru-hikers to filter out micro organism and protozoa on the go.
SmartWater might not include the personalization choices that make different water bottles so interesting. Nevertheless, when saving weight is your sole focus, it’s straightforward to understand the simplicity of SmartWater.
Ought to You Purchase the SmartWater bottle?
Is a thru-hike in your future? In that case, Glaceau SmartWater is many ultralight backpackers go-to selection. Particularly when utilized in tandem with the Sawyer Squeeze, the exceptionally mild weight of this bottle makes it the plain prime choose for finest ultralight hydration system. Plus, SmartWater’s low price makes it the most cost effective piece of ultralight gear you’ll most likely ever purchase. For the common particular person, it isn’t essential to sacrifice longevity and sturdiness in favor of a single-use bottle. However for the conditions when each ounce counts, the Glaceau SmartWater bottle is an inexpensive and apparent selection.
What Different Water Bottles Ought to You Contemplate?
For a full checklist of suggestions, please see our information to the very best water bottles.
Platypus Platy Bottle Assessment: An ultralight bottle that’s meant for a number of makes use of, the 2L Platy Bottle can bend, roll, fold, and squeeze into no matter kind you want.
HydraPak Flux Assessment: Though a bit heavier than the SmartWater bottle, the HydraPak is a gentle shell bottle that’s designed for flexibility and compact storage.
Nalgene Huge Mouth Assessment: For a bottle that’s mild sufficient to take in your subsequent lengthy distance hike or backpacking journey, the Nalgene Huge Mouth is a timeless basic that’s sturdy, inexpensive, and light-weight.
