Helmet, check. Backpack, check. Sunglasses, check. All that’s left is your cycling water bottle and you’ll be set for the road. There’s no denying that hydration is important—especially when you’re out and about on your bike. Regardless of the weather conditions, you’ll want to stay hydrated while riding. And it’s not just about performance but also your general safety. The slightest bit of dehydration can affect your ability to focus on your balance and—well—not crash into something. That’s where a cycling water container (also known as a bidon) comes in handy. Of course, there are many options to choose from. But we’ve made it easier for you by going over the key features and listing a few of the best water bottles for bikes.
What to Look for in the Best Water Bottles for Bikes
There are certain factors to keep in mind when shopping for a cycling bidon. After all, you’ll want to get the use out of it while making sure it meets your needs and preferences. Taking these factors into consideration will help you find the best water bottle for bikes.
Shape
Your bike’s water bottle and holder need to be a good fit. This means the bottle shouldn’t rattle when it’s in the bottle cage—too loose and it may even fall out. It needs to be compatible with most standard holders. For a snug fit, go for one where the indent isn’t too high up.
Nozzle
Make sure the nozzle on your cycling bottle closes tightly. This keeps the water from leaking, whatever the type of terrain. Sports caps allow for no-hands control when you need to open or close the bottle. You may also want to have a cap for the nozzle—especially if you’re mountain biking and don’t want any mud splatter on your bottle.
Squeezability and Flow Rate
A flexible bottle will give you a good gulp of water when you squeeze it. Your bottle’s squeezability also helps in boosting the flow rate at the valve. This makes it all the more convenient to hydrate yourself during the ride, and you won’t need to make frequent stops just to take a sip.
Grip
When you need to take quick sips on the go, a bottle with a textured exterior will be ideal. The last thing you want is for it to slip away when your hands are sweaty or wet.
Neck Width
Another factor to account for is the neck width—the wider the neck, the better. This makes it easier to refill your bottle from drinking taps or fountains. You’ll also have more space for adding energy powders. A wide neck also allows for more effortless cleaning, which we’ll discuss next.
Ease of Cleaning
In addition to a wide opening at the neck, it’s also a good idea for the cycling water bottle to have removable parts. Being able to remove the nozzle or the valve will make it easier to clean the bottle inside out and prevent bacteria from building up.
Material
Look for bottles made of materials that are durable, lightweight, and BPA-free like food-grade plastic or stainless steel. These materials tend to be easy to clean while maintaining the water’s temperature. They also help in reducing odor and taste retention.
Insulation
An insulated bottle will help retain the temperature of your beverage, whether it’s keeping it cool on warm days or preventing it from freezing on cold days. This feature is especially useful for longer rides or when temperatures are soaring.
Capacity
The capacity of your cycling bottle should suit your hydration needs during a ride. Make sure it’s large enough to contain enough water for the whole cycling session without being overly bulky or heavy. Aim for a bottle that holds at least 500ml of water, which is the standard for short rides.
Leak-Proof Design
Make sure the bidon features a reliable leak-proof design that prevents water from dripping or spilling out during bumpy rides. A secure lid and a tight sealing mechanism will keep your gear and clothing nice and dry.
1. Camelbak Podium
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️Great color options | ❌Hard to drink the last bit of water |
| ✔️The valve can be taken apart for cleaning | ❌Somewhat pricey |
| ✔️Leak-proof design |
Specifications:
- Capacity: 21 or 24 oz (620 or 720ml)
- BPA-free: Yes
- Insulation: Insulated options available
One of the best water bottles for bikes you can find on the market is the Camelbak Podium. It features a valve that you can open just by gently squeezing the bottle, and you never really have to deal with opening or closing it. The Podium also has a lock that you can use to make sure it doesn’t leak when you’re riding. As for cleaning, you can disassemble the whole thing without much effort. Camelbak bottles will stay put on whatever terrain you’re riding on as their shape is optimized to fit standard cages.
2. Specialized Purist
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️Customizable with a wide range of caps, colors, and designs | ❌Pricier than other options |
| ✔️Easy to clean | ❌Too mainstream for some |
| ✔️Purist technology prevents weird taste |
Specifications:
- Capacity: 22 or 26 oz (650 or 750ml)
- BPA-free: Yes
- Insulation: Insulated options available
Does that logo seem familiar? Walk into just about any sporting goods shop and chances are you’ll find Specialized Purist bottles. There’s a good reason why you can see them everywhere; they’re simply great. The bottle’s interior features an ultra-thin silica coating that prevents mold or bacteria from sticking to it. All you need is a bit of soap and water to clean it all up. And if you don’t want to end up having the same bottle as others, Specialized provides a customization tool on their website where you can choose from a wide variety of colors and designs.
3. Elite Fly
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️Super lightweight | ❌No other valve options |
| ✔️Variety of colors and designs | ❌Can leak |
| ✔️Great value for money |
Specifications:
- Capacity: 18, 25, or 32 oz (550, 750, or 950ml)
- BPA-free: Yes
- Insulation: No
Featuring a design that’s thinner in the middle and thicker at the top and bottom, the Elite Fly offers stability in a bottle cage while being easy to squeeze. Its enhanced flexibility means you can get a good gulp without much effort. The company also claims that it uses 30% less plastic than average to produce this bottle, which weighs in at just 54 grams for the 550ml option. All three sizes have a compact design, making it easier to place on smaller bicycle frames.
4. Camelbak Podium Dirt Series Chill
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️The cover guards against dust and dirt, ideal for mountain biking | ❌Not available in larger sizes |
| ✔️The valve can be taken apart for cleaning | ❌Somewhat expensive |
| ✔️No need to open and close the valve |
Specifications:
- Capacity: 21 oz (620ml)
- BPA-free: Yes
- Insulation: Yes
Another great option on our list of the best water bottles for bikes is Camelbak’s Podium Dirt Series Chill. The last thing you need is a mouthful of dirt every time you go for a sip. This cycling bottle is designed to prevent that. It also provides insulation, maintaining your drink’s temperature for those longer mountain biking adventures. For more casual rides, a non-insulated version of the same model is also available. What we don’t like about the Dirt Series is that there is only one size option, but you can buy the cover separately for standard Podium bottles.
5. Elite Deboyo Race
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️Maintains the temperature of your drink | ❌Limited capacity |
| ✔️Classic design | |
| ✔️Comes with two different caps |
Specifications:
- Capacity: 18 oz (550ml)
- BPA-free: Yes
- Insulation: 12 hours for hot beverages and 24 hours for cold
Elite’s Deboyo Race cycling water bottle is the equivalent of a Thermos. It will hold the temperature of your drink for longer periods of time. A high-flow cap allows you to get a decent gulp of your beverage. But if you’d rather sip your drink, the Deboyo Race comes with an additional cap that you can screw on and off for quicker access. We also love the classic stainless steel design, which looks quite “elite” (pun intended). The only downside of this model is that it’s available in just one size.
6․ Science in Sport Water Bottle
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️Wide neck | ❌Too firm to squeeze |
| ✔️Easy to clean | ❌Can leak |
| ✔️Budget-friendly |
Specifications:
- Capacity: 20, 25, or 34 oz (600, 750, or 1,000ml)
- BPA-free: Yes
- Insulation: No
Also common as a fitness water bottle, the Science in Sport bottle comes in three different volumes and can be a go-to choice if you’re on a budget. The extra-wide neck means that you should have no problem adding in an energy or hydration powder—cleaning it will also be a breeze. While the 600ml version fits nicely into standard bottle cages, the firm plastic might make it harder to grip than other bottles. You may also have some difficulty controlling the flow rate, too.
7. Elite Jet
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️Biodegradable | ❌Fewer color and design options than the brand’s other series |
| ✔️Various size options |
Specifications:
- Capacity: 12, 19, 25, or 32 oz (350, 550, 750, 950ml)
- BPA-free: Yes
- Insulation: No
The environmental concerns being raised in the world of cycling have led to Elite coming up with the biodegradable Jet water bottle for bikes. The bottle is designed to break down within five years. You can find it in four different sizes. But for hydration purposes, we recommend opting for the larger ones—especially if you’re going on longer trips. The Elite Jet doesn’t change the taste of your drink and is also dishwasher-safe. Needless to say, it’s one of the best water bottles for bikes.
Conclusion
Whether you’re going on a casual ride or exploring a new biking trail, staying hydrated should always be on your mind. Having said that, a cycling bottle within arm’s reach will come in handy as you’re pedaling on. It’s safe to say that the market is never scarce on options when it comes to choosing your hydration gear. And once you know what you’re looking for, you’ll be sipping from one of the best water bottles for bikes in no time.
