Keeping your water intake up is crucial when pushing yourself on a bicycle. However, you don’t want to lose the momentum to step aside for a moment and have a drink. This is exactly the situation where water bottles for cycling come into play. These tumblers are squeezable, allowing you to have a quick sip while focusing on the road.
Having water bottles for cyclists will solve your hydration problems while not interrupting your riding session. And to help you decide, today we’ve curated a list of the best water bottles for bicycles. We try to take many things into account, including construction, features, and price, so you should have plenty of options here. Without further ado, let’s get started!
Table of contents
- Elite Fly
- Polar Bottle Breakaway
- CamelBak Podium
- Specialized Big Mouth
- Fabric Cageless
- Fix It Sticks Back Bottle
- CamelBak Podium Dirt
- Tacx Shanti
- Fabric Gripper
- Osprey Hydraulics SoftFlask
- Zefal Sense
- Fidlock Twist Bottle
- HydroFlask
- How to Choose The Best Water Bottles for Cycling
- How Do You Carry Water When Cycling?
- Why is a Water Bottle Called a Bidon?
- How Much Water Do I Need for Mountain Biking?
Elite Fly
13
Elite Fly was made with speed in mind. This bottle is extremely lightweight so it won’t interfere with your bike’s performance. Made primarily of plastic, this tumbler is 30 grams lighter than most similar products. This bottle is fantastic if you’re obsessed with having the most lightweight setup.
These water bottles for cycling are made from thin BPA-free plastic as we said earlier. This makes them super easy to squeeze, which is a crucial feature if you’re a serious cyclist. With a capacity of 18.6 ounces, the Elite Fly isn’t exactly the largest bicycle bottle around. But if you’re not doing a long ride, this should be more than enough.
Pros
- Made of plastic
- 100% BPA-free
- Lightweight
- Easy to squeeze
Cons
- It’s not sturdy enough
Polar Bottle Breakaway
12
There’s nothing better than the Polar Bottle Breakaway when it comes to temperature resistance. This plastic tumbler comes with triple-walled insulation to keep your water icy cold all day long. This bottle will make an incredibly worthwhile investment if you live somewhere hot. Some reviewers on Amazon say this product performs well, even at 100 degrees.
Being one of the best water bottles for cyclists, the Polar Bottle Breakaway is BPA and Phthalate free. It’s also easy to maintain and completely dishwasher safe. The twist cap is a breeze to remove. These bottles come in 20oz and 24oz, depending on your needs.
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Pros
- Tri-layer insulation
- High flow
- Designed for bike cages
- Easy to clean
Cons
- A little too stiff to squeeze
CamelBak Podium
11
The CamelBak Podium is probably one of the best water bottles for bicycles that money can buy. It boasts a jet valve that allows you to have a drink without sticking the bottle in your mouth. We didn’t have a chance to test the tumbler ourselves, but most shoppers on Amazon say that the Podium can provide optimal flow and is completely leakproof.
As you would expect from the best water bottle for bicycle, the CamelBak Podium is BPA, BPS, and BPF free. It’s capable of holding 24 ounces of liquid and comes with a TruTaste material to prevent contamination. Our only complaint is that the valves come with a rather complicated design, which makes them require some effort to clean.
Pros
- High flow
- Self-sealing cap
- BPA-free
- Cage fit
Cons
- Slightly difficult to clean
Specialized Big Mouth
10
By design, there’s nothing really special about the Specialized Big Mouth. This squeezable bottle doesn’t offer anything new or innovative, but that’s where the greatness lies. Over the years, these plastic containers have established their reputation as one of the best water bottles for cycling in the community. It’s simply perfect. The lid is leakproof, the mouth is wide enough to fit ice cubes in, and lastly, squeezable, as we said earlier!
As of this writing, the Specialized Big Mouth is on offer at around $13. If you ask us, it’s pretty cheap, especially considering the fact that this bottle comes from one of the most respected bicycle manufacturers in the industry. And with a 24 oz capacity, this tumbler will be more than enough to accompany your short to medium ride.
Pros
- Simple
- Leakproof
- Squeezable
- 24 oz capacity
Cons
- It doesn’t have good temperature retention
Fabric Cageless
9
Fabric Cageless isn’t your regular bicycle bottle. This thing is designed for minimalists. It has the whole mounting system embedded on one side. Therefore, as the name suggests, you don’t need any additional cage or mount to attach this bottle to your bike’s frame. It’s also lightweight, which is why it is often considered one of the best water bottles for cyclists.
There are two small studs used to install the bottle onto your bike. Once you do, you just need to slide the tumbler to pick it up and have a drink. Our only complaint is the fact that this tumbler is pretty stiff. It’s not as squishy as the other products on this list. But if you value minimalism above all else, Fabric Cageless will make an impressive choice.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Comes in many colors
- No cage required
- Easy to use
Cons
- It’s quite stiff
Fix It Sticks Back Bottle
8
If you’re someone who loves doing grand Fondo or simply thinks that two bottles of water will never be enough, the Fix It Sticks Back Bottle is for you. This tumbler is made as your hydration reserve. It doesn’t require an extra cage since you can simply stuff it in one of your jersey pockets.
That sounds like a pretty neat idea, doesn’t it? Well, that’s until you realize that when you’re done drinking, you still have a water bottle for bicycle in your pocket. However, carrying water while riding has never been a simple thing to do. So if your bike happens not to have a third cage and you’re not interested in installing one, this bottle would be nice to have.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Doesn’t require an additional cage
- Stick in your jersey pocket
- Easy to use
Cons
- You’ll have extra bulk on your jersey
CamelBak Podium Dirt
7
Cycling through wet and muddy tracks requires careful preparation. That includes your water bottles for cycling. Drinking anything that splatters and flies into your bottle can get you serious health conditions. Therefore, you need a tumbler with an extra tight valve to keep all dust and debris away, just like the CamelBak Podium Dirt Edition.
The mud cap is designed to minimize spills and splatters. It allows you to enjoy dust-free water, perfect for mountain biking. Meanwhile, caring for the bottle is super easy. The self-sealing cap is easy to remove and clean, while the bottle is dishwasher safe. If you don’t mind spending $14 on your new water bottles for cycling, the Podium will make a great investment.
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Pros
- Cage fit
- Self-sealing cap
- Sophisticated graphics
- Mud cap
Cons
- There have been several reports regarding the smell of plastic
Tacx Shanti
6
The Tacx Shanti water bottle utilizes a small pressure valve to deliver a decent flow with a minimal squeeze. In other words, you don’t have to put the tip of the bottle in your mouth, bite, and pull just to have a drink. This allows you to focus on what lies ahead instead of your plastic tumbler.
Being one of the best water bottles for bicycles, Tacx Shanti boasts a twist cap as a locking mechanism. It’s made to minimize spill and splatter, keeping your precious H2O in the bottle. As for fitting, this tumbler fits in most of the cages we’ve tried. If you’re interested, the Shanti is now available on Amazon for around $11.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Membrane cap
- Hygienic locking system
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- It doesn’t get many reviews on Amazon
Fabric Gripper
5
The grip is everything when you’re looking for water bottles for cyclists. They need to be textured so that they won’t slip away from your hand during the heat of the moment. This is why we don’t hesitate to recommend you the Fabric Gripper Water Bottle. We also love the fact that it comes with a wide-mouth design. This allows you to add some ice cubes or energy powder when you need it.
There’s a side note, though. Based on our short test, this bottle doesn’t fit very well in some cages. So if you’re not too sure, you can always get the official Gripper Cage. But apart from that, this tumbler is pretty good. It’s easy to squeeze, simple to clean and works exactly as expected.
Pros
- Non-slip surface
- BPA-free
- Silicone mouthpiece
- Available in two versions
Cons
- Only comes in one color
Osprey Hydraulics SoftFlask
4
The Osprey Hydraulics Soft Flask is perhaps one of the most compact water bottles for bicycles we’ve come across. It can hold no more than 500ml of liquid and shrink with less content in it. If you plan to do a quick, short ride, this tumbler will be perfect.
We’ve been trying to use this flask for a while, and we’re impressed. There are no leaks, and drinking from this bottle is super easy. As long as you tighten the lid, you won’t have any spill or splatter. If there’s one thing we hope to improve, it’s the opening. It would be better if it were bigger, so you can put some ice cubes or energy powder.
Pros
- BPA-free
- Lead-free
- Guaranteed
- Sport cap and bite value
Cons
- The opening should be bigger
Zefal Sense
3
The Zefal Sense comes with a decent valve system. It’s guaranteed not to splash water all over your jersey. The material, however, is a little stiff. This means you need to apply more force to get optimal flow. But once you get used to it, we promise that this 22 oz tumbler is one of the best water bottles for cycling you’ll ever come across.
Apart from that, this French-made product is entirely BPA-free. It also comes with a large neck to put in some energy powder. As of this writing, the Zefal Sense is being offered at around $12 on Amazon. That’s an amazing offer if you ask us. Compared to other bidons, this one will give you the best value for money.
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Pros
- Odorless
- Ergonomic control
- Grip-cap
- BPA-free
Cons
- The material is quite stiff
Fidlock Twist Bottle
2
The Fidlock Twist Bottle is perfect when you don’t want to make your bike look messy. It has a magnetic twist feature that allows you to attach the tumbler to your frame with minimum effort. The same function also helps you grab the bottle and have a drink while on the bike with relative ease. No more wrestling a bidon through a shock or tool pack because the Fidlock Twist Bottle is your genius hydration solution!
As for the size, this bottle is pretty standard. It can hold 20 oz of fluid, which should be more than enough for short to medium rides. Some reviewers on Amazon say they’ve tested this bidon on some of the most brutal tracks and never once had the magnetic system dislodged. So if you want to have less clutter on your bike, these are the water bottles for cyclists you’ve been looking for.
Pros
- Dishwasher safe
- BPA-free
- Easy to use
- Innovative design
Cons
- It creates some noise
HydroFlask
1
For our number one, we chose the famous Hydroflask. This tumbler’s stainless steel body is far from ideal for intense riding or racing situations. Nevertheless, it would be perfect for commuter bikes. You can tuck it in your bag or put it on your pannier rack (if you have one). Apart from that, this 21 oz flask can handle both hot and cold liquids well, making it perfect for all types of beverages.
Bikepackers will love this water bottle for bicycle. It boasts an insulated chamber that can keep your water icy cold for almost 24 hours! And in case you run into some trouble while trying to drink on your bike, you can always buy a different cap to suit your riding style.
Pros
- Steel construction
- Insulated
- BPA-free
- Lightweight
Cons
- It’s not squeezable
How to Choose The Best Water Bottles for Cycling
Water bottles for cycling are designed with a specific purpose in mind. Therefore, you need to set your priorities. Below we have listed three crucial things to consider when you get water bottles for cyclists. So when you finish reading this, you will be able to find the best water bottle for bicycle in no time. Without further ado, let’s get started!
Material
Most cyclists tend to avoid plastic bottles since they create a weird aftertaste. So if you love to keep your water fresh, consider getting water bottles for cyclists with stainless steel construction. Alternatively, you can pick bottles with an internal lining to prevent contamination.
Size
Next, determine how big a water bottle you need. This will completely depend on your ride and the weather. You should consider picking a larger tumbler during hotter days or longer rides to keep yourself hydrated. However, don’t forget to consider your bike. For example, most gravel bikes have three cages that can hold 26 oz bottles each.
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Cleaning
Lastly, see if the bottle is easy to clean. Most water bottles for cyclists are dishwasher-safe. However, some tumblers only allow for gentle cleaning. Therefore, you need to decide based on your riding habits. If you don’t have much time to maintain your water bottle for your bicycle, then make sure it’s a breeze to clean.
How Do You Carry Water When Cycling?
The easiest and most common way is to install a bottle cage and get a compatible bidon. But if you’re not interested in putting some extra weight on your bike, you can try using a hip flask or bum bags. However, these options may limit your range of movement and cause some uncomfortable sensations while you pedal.
Why is a Water Bottle Called a Bidon?
It’s taken from the French word, a container or vessel. Decades ago, bidon was made of aluminum and featured cork stoppers. These days, bidons are mostly made of plastic and are squeezable.
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How Much Water Do I Need for Mountain Biking?
You must drink at least 16 oz of water before starting your ride. After about two hours, you should reduce the amount of H2O you’re taking since your body needs some time to absorb the water you drink before you hit the trail.