Backside Line
If you happen to cross paths with any thru-hiker, there’s an excellent probability you’ll see them carrying a bottle of Glaceau SmartWater: the bottled water that has grow to be synonymous with ultralight backpacking. Out there at nearly each grocery retailer and fuel 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 typical water bottle, see our full information. Probably the most naked bones possibility of any bottle we examined, such a spartan bottle has little attraction to the vast majority of folks. Nonetheless, 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 area whereas mountain climbing and climbing in Southeastern Utah. She performed drop checks 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 facet 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 attainable for them to be reused a number of instances. Although missing the burliness of laborious shell bottles, the SmartWater bottle held its personal towards drops, sustaining little or no injury throughout our area checks.
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 nearly 100 miles, the SmartWater bottle dealt with driving rain, below-freezing nights, and plenty of falls in scrambles over jagged talus with out structural affect. By the top of the journey, the one blemish was a severely scuffed exterior.
It’s in all probability not a bottle you’ll use for years to come back, however the Smartwater bottle is more durable 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. Manufactured from a softer plastic than laborious shell bottles, the extra supple building 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 consuming on the transfer. Nonetheless, the smaller opening creates a problem when attempting so as to add hydration mixes. Plus, including ice may be inconceivable, relying on the dimensions of the cubes. The largest concern with the slim mouth is the problem it poses in protecting the bottle clear. The SmartWater bottle can’t be put within the dishwasher, leaving hand washing as your solely possibility.
Total, although, SmartWater’s smooth form makes it adept at becoming into all of the spots bulkier bottles can’t.
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 is just not a perfect alternative. This disposable bottle is made out of a thinner, decrease grade plastic that makes it notably inclined to exterior shifts in temperature. On a freezing chilly evening, you would possibly get up to a bottle filled with ice. On scorching summer season days, the SmartWater bottle gained’t keep chilly for lengthy.
If insulation is a desired component, different bottles shall be higher. SmartWater’s largest promoting level is its weight.
Weight
Weight is the SmartWater bottle’s defining and most vital facet. 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 elementary type, so there’s no want to switch it with the intention to shave off an additional half ounce.
The extremely low weight of the SmartWater bottle makes it an apparent alternative for ultralight backpacking, so it’s no marvel why it has been embraced by thru-hikers all over the place. Tying a bit of 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 ft, we have now appreciated having a bottle that quenches our thirst with out including to the already heavy weight of climbing gear.
Options
As one in every of our most elementary 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 alternative in capability desire.
Nonetheless, SmartWater is suitable with the Sawyer Squeeze filter, a filtration system whose threads allow it to screw instantly onto its mouthpiece for quick, filtered consuming. 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 could not include the personalization choices that make different water bottles so interesting. Nonetheless, 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 alternative. Particularly when utilized in tandem with the Sawyer Squeeze, the exceptionally mild weight of this bottle makes it the plain prime decide for finest ultralight hydration system. Plus, SmartWater’s low price makes it the most cost effective piece of ultralight gear you’ll in all probability ever purchase. For the typical 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 alternative.
What Different Water Bottles Ought to You Contemplate?
For a full record of suggestions, please see our information to the perfect water bottles.
Platypus Platy Bottle Overview: 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 type you want.
HydraPak Flux Overview: Though a bit heavier than the SmartWater bottle, the HydraPak is a comfortable shell bottle that’s designed for flexibility and compact storage.
Nalgene Vast Mouth Overview: For a bottle that’s mild sufficient to take in your subsequent lengthy distance hike or backpacking journey, the Nalgene Vast Mouth is a timeless traditional that’s sturdy, reasonably priced, and light-weight.
