How to carry water while hiking?

I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in order. —John Burroughs

Hiking is a process that helps humans rejoin the connection with nature they lost a long time ago. Humans are just caught in a daily regular work cycle with no endpoint, just like a circle. 

We are just so busy in our lives because even if we don’t have time for ourselves, that causes severe health and psychological issue. 

Therefore, we should spend a little time in our nature that can be helpful for our long and healthy life. 

Hiking is one of the best methods we can use while reconnecting with nature. Always remember to carry enough supply of water before going on hiking. 

Because this type of activity needs a lot of water, if you go hiking and don’t take enough water, it can cause serious health issues, such as dehydration, fatigue, frequent illness, constipation, and poor skin health.

There are three best tips on:

How to carry water while hiking.

1) Hiking with Collapsible Bottles – Plastic Bottles

Carrying water in collapsible bottles can be cheap and convenient. Let me tell you if you don’t get it. Why? 

The first condition is that you plan for one day or a brief hiking period and only have a little time to find a better-quality bottle. These collapsible bottles can be helpful because you can find them in any general store or mart. 

The second condition is if you have the will to carry a lightweight hiking bottle, you will have to take this because it’s exceptionally light. Women and young children can easily carry them.

The third condition, it is easily accessible. You have to put it in the side pocket of your hiking backpack. Stop and put out the bottle from your bag and drink water while hiking at any spot.

The Con of carrying a collapsible bottle is you can use it once or twice. After that, you have to buy a new one. The other drawback is sometimes it can cause pollution in nature. So always carry your waste material before leaving the hiking site. 

2) Hard Water Bottle

The second option for carrying water while hiking is hard bottles that come in plastic and stainless material. Both materials are suitable for retaining water temperature in summer or winter.

If we consider the durability factor while buying a rigid water bottle, then stainless steel bottles have a better edge than plastic bottles. It can use for a long time.

Which one is easily accessible? Both can easily refill and be assessable for drinking water.

3) Water Bladder (Hydration Bladder)

A well-known quote fits here; Modern problem needs a modern solution. Nowadays, a modern and more effective solution for carrying water is a hydration bladder that is much better than other options. 

In easy words, it’s just a water-carrying bag but more valuable and durable than plastic or hard bottles. It is available in different water sizes, small to very large, and some standard sizes are 1L, 2L, and 3L.

Some other qualities are reliable in extreme temperatures, easily fillable, Leakage or puncture-proof, and easily carryable while hiking or on a trip.

You can assume the importance of the bladder by that all new hiking or camping backpacks come with proper compartments for a hydration bladder. 

These have zero maintenance cost, but on the other hand, the bottle plastic taste may be more irritating than the only Con.

How Much Water to Carry When Hiking?

Now, this thing can take much time thinking or planning, “How much water should I carry?” Because it takes a lot of work to take a bottle, fill it and start a journey.

These unexpected things can cause water dehydration or other related problems. So, to avoid such an inconvenient situation, you should plan accordingly.

Some of the important things are given below that you consider for calculating the right amount of water.

Location

Take all available information related to hiking trails from reliable resources. 

Information should contain enough water refill points available on not water quality; if water quality could be better, then you should also carry a water purifier with you.

If there are not enough water resources, then mush carries water according to your body’s demand.

Temperature / Weather

Hiking trails, temperature or weather can be essential in planning how much water you should take.

In hot weather, more sweating will happen, demanding more water to stay hydrated, so always consider an extra water bottle.

Hiking Distance

Long-distance hiking means more sweating, fatigue, and thrust, while in short distances, these happen the least. So, always plan how much water you need for a specific interval.

Water per Hour

Pre-hydrate means continuously drinking a small amount of water before being caught by thrust. According to further research, an adult needs ½L to 1L of water per hour hiking.

Luggage 

The luggage you will carry can play a valuable role because it will require you to drink more water to stay energetic.

So, if you’re on a long and hard day hike, plan to drink more water before and after hiking.

Food & Hygiene

On the way to hiking, you must carry the required water for cooking and washing. 

If you have to extend your hiking trip, you may also have water for these conditions.

Personal Condition

Mean to say, some people drink low water amount while others do too much, so always carry as much water as your demand.