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 turn out to be synonymous with ultralight backpacking. Accessible at nearly each grocery retailer and gasoline station, SmartWater is accessible – whether or not you’re in a pinch or are planning on hitting the path for a number of months.
Supposed 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 choice of any bottle we examined, such a spartan bottle has little attraction to the vast majority of folks. Nevertheless, the ultralight weight of SmartWater earns it a spot in probably 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 subject whereas mountain climbing and climbing in Southeastern Utah. She performed drop assessments to guage their sturdiness and ranked every bottle’s ergonomics, insulation, weight, and options after side-by-side comparisons.
Fast Specs
Glaceau Smartwater
Greatest Water Bottle for Ultralight Backpacking
CleverHiker Score:
3.9/5.0
Worth:
$3
Weight:
1.3 oz.
Insulated:
No
Professionals
- 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 attainable for them to be reused a number of occasions. Although missing the burliness of arduous shell bottles, the SmartWater bottle held its personal towards drops, sustaining little or no injury throughout our subject assessments.
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 lots 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 in all probability not a bottle you’ll use for years to return, 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 arduous shell bottles, the extra supple development affords some flexibility in squeezing the bottle into the tighter corners of a bag.
SmartWater includes a very slim mouth, which makes for fast and straightforward sipping and retains spillage to a minimal whereas ingesting on the transfer. Nevertheless, the smaller opening creates a problem when making an attempt so as to add hydration mixes. Plus, including ice will be unimaginable, relying on the dimensions of the cubes. The largest challenge 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 modern 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 in search of a stage of temperature management in a bottle, SmartWater is just not a super alternative. This disposable bottle is constructed from a thinner, decrease grade plastic that makes it notably inclined to exterior shifts in temperature. On a freezing chilly night time, you may 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 factor, different bottles will likely be higher. SmartWater’s greatest promoting level is its weight.
Weight
Weight is the SmartWater bottle’s defining and most necessary 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 change it to be able 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 surprise why it has been embraced by thru-hikers in every single place. Tying a little bit loop of twine 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, now we have appreciated having a bottle that quenches our thirst with out including to the already heavy weight of climbing gear.
Options
As one in all our most simple bottle suggestions, SmartWater doesn’t supply many options or choices for personalization. Though, bottles can be found in 500mL, 700mL, and 1.5L sizes for some alternative in capability desire.
Nevertheless, SmartWater is suitable with the Sawyer Squeeze filter, a filtration system whose threads allow it to screw straight onto its mouthpiece for fast, 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 simple to understand the simplicity of SmartWater.
Ought to You Purchase the SmartWater bottle?
Is a thru-hike in your future? If that’s the 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 simple high decide for greatest ultralight hydration system. Plus, SmartWater’s low value 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 affordable and apparent alternative.
What Different Water Bottles Ought to You Take into account?
For a full checklist of suggestions, please see our information to the perfect water bottles.
Platypus Platy Bottle Assessment: An ultralight bottle that’s supposed 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 Broad Mouth Assessment: For a bottle that’s mild sufficient to take in your subsequent lengthy distance hike or backpacking journey, the Nalgene Broad Mouth is a timeless traditional that’s sturdy, inexpensive, and light-weight.
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