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Whether you love hiking, backpacking through the countryside, or simply keeping things light when you travel, a collapsible water bottle is a great accessory to have on hand. Typically made of plastic or silicone, these bottles can often fold or roll down smaller than a pair of sunglasses and slide right into your pocket. Minimalists and ultralight enthusiasts, these are the bottles for you.
Collapsible bottles come in a variety of materials, sizes, and shapes with some models looking like something humans will drink from on Mars in the year 3000. You can even find collapsible bottles that hold hot beverages and others that filter out bacteria. But, if you’re looking for the best collapsible option around, the Nomader bottle is our top pick due to its innovative design, durability, and easy-drinking spout.
Our Top PicksBest Overall:Nomader Collapsible Water Bottle at AmazonJump to ReviewBest Budget:Tomnk Collapsible Water Bottle at AmazonJump to ReviewBest for Hot Liquids:Semetor Collapsible Water Bottle at AmazonJump to ReviewBest Bag-style:Vapur Solid Flex at AmazonJump to ReviewBest Wide-mouth:Hydrapak Stash at AmazonJump to ReviewBest High-capacity:HydraPak Seeker at AmazonJump to ReviewBest Grip:Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle at AmazonJump to ReviewBest Compact:Platypus Flexible Water Bottle at AmazonJump to ReviewBest Filter:Lifestraw Peak Series Collapsible Bottle at AmazonJump to ReviewBest Temperature Retention:Nefeeko Collapsible Water Bottle at AmazonJump to Review
Best Overall
Nomader Collapsible Water Bottle
Amazon
View On AmazonView On WalmartWhy We Love It
It’s sturdy, shatterproof, and insulated.
What to Consider
It doesn’t collapse down as small as other options on this list.
Founded by a digital nomad, this water bottle has everything you could ask for as a traveler. It’s light, has an easy-to-drink-from cap, and it won’t leak thanks to a spout that’s protected from germy places like airports. But the true genius of the Nomader is its ability to roll up small, so you can toss it in a bag or fanny pack and just go.
The Nomader is made with shatterproof silicone that’s BPA-free and dishwasher safe. The company has so much faith in the bottle’s durability that it’s covered with a lifetime warranty for defects. A carrying strap (that helps it stay rolled up) and multitude of color options round out this excellent top choice.
Price at time of publish: $35
The Details: 22 ounces (capacity) | 7 ounces (weight) | 5 x 4.25 x 3.75 inches | Silicone
Best Budget
Tomnk 9-piece Collapsible Water Bottle
Amazon
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It’s a cheap bottle for you and eight of your friends.
What to Consider
They’re small and the least durable option on this list.
While you can get collapsible water bottles a few bucks cheaper, this one comes in a pack of nine, so you can stash one in every bag or hand ‘em out to your friends or family. The material is food-grade plastic, and the lid is your classic pop-up with a transparent cap to keep it from getting dirty in your bag. Plus, each bottle in the pack is a different bright color.
Each bottle is just 16 ounces, so you might want to pack two or three if you’re a big drinker.
Price at time of publish: $16
The Details: 16 ounces (capacity) | 8.8 ounces (weight) | 4.72 x 10.43 inches | Plastic
Best for Hot Liquids
Semetor Collapsible Water Bottle
Amazon
View On AmazonWhy We Love It
It’s a sturdy, funky-looking bottle that’s perfect for your hot and cold beverages.
What to Consider
It’s on the heavier side.
Whether you want to sip ice-cold water or piping-hot coffee, this collapsible silicone water bottle has your back. It can withstand a temperature range from minus-40 degrees Fahrenheit through to 480 degrees Fahrenheit, though I wouldn’t try and pick it up if you put in anything that hot. The bottle is sturdy when standing up and, when you’re done, it collapses to less than a fourth of its max height, taking on the shape of a little puck. Plus, a carabiner makes transporting it outside your bag a snap.
Price at time of publish: $13
The Details: 18 ounces (capacity) | 5 ounces (weight) | 3.7 x 1.5 inches | Silicone
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Best Bag-style
Vapur Solid Flex
Amazon
View On AmazonView On WalmartWhy We Love It
It’s freezable and ultra-lightweight.
What to Consider
Being so light means it lacks durability.
A classic since it was released, the “anti-bottle,” as its nickname suggests, isn’t your typical water bottle. It weighs almost nothing — nearly 90 percent less than a typical bottle — and flattens or rolls up (with the help of the carabiner) to a minuscule size. An innovative “super cap” seals the bottle to prevent liquids from spilling out, while remaining pretty easy to flip open. Also, it’s freezable, dishwasher safe, and available in a variety of cool colors.
Price at time of publish: $11
The Details: 23 ounces (capacity) | 1.05 ounces (weight) | 10 x 5 x 1.5 inches (flat) | Polyethylene, nylon
Best Wide-mouth
Hydrapak Stash
Amazon
View On AmazonView On Leisurelakesbikes.comView On Moosejaw.comWhy We Love It
It’s a durable bottle with a big mouth for easy cleaning.
What to Consider
It’s bigger than other options when collapsed.
A stiff competitor for the top spot, HydraPak’s Stash is a light collapsible bottle that has no trouble standing up, even when you’re filling it. The mouth is a nice and wide 2.5 inches, so it’s easier to clean than other bottles, though you can also just throw it in the dishwasher.
Probably the best aspect of the Stash, which also comes in a 26-ounce version, is its durability. Made of abrasive-resistant TPU, the company stands by its product with a lifetime warranty to the point where if you experience any issue, they’ll repair or replace it for free.
Price at time of publish: $25
The Details: 34 ounces (capacity) | 3.7 ounces (weight) | 4 x 3.8 inches | Thermoplastic polyurethane, polypropylene
Best High-capacity
HydraPak Seeker
Amazon
View On AmazonView On REIView On Moosejaw.comWhy We Love It
It’s an oversized, rugged bottle with a multitude of uses.
What to Consider
It can’t stand up very well.
Great for camping trips and treks, this collapsible water bottle is light and highly durable with a big handle to make pouring into a kettle or pot a cinch. It’s freezable, so it can turn into one big ice pack, or you can fill it with hot water — just be sure not to surpass 140 degrees Fahrenheit. As with the Stash, a lifetime warranty means you don’t have to worry about it breaking. Plus, it comes with a storage bag and you can pair it with a water filter (sold separately).
The Seeker also comes in 67-ounce and 135-ounce versions.
Price at time of publish: $25
The Details: 100 ounces (capacity) | 3.2 ounces (weight) | 4 x 4 inches | Thermoplastic polyurethane, polypropylene, nylon
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Best Grip
Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle
Amazon
View On AmazonView On WalmartWhy We Love It
It comes in fun colors and collapses down to a tiny, portable disk.
What to Consider
The spout can leak a bit and is uncovered so it’s exposed to germs.
A Kickstarter success story, this futuristic-looking bottle is certainly an eye-catcher. The bottle collapses down to a tiny 1.5-inch saucer that you can slip into your pocket, bag, or hang off your pack with the help of a carabiner (not included). The spout is easy to drink from and the diamond-like shape fits into most cup holders. Speaking of the shape, it’s easy to hold onto, which is ideal if you’re the kind of person who tends to let your bottles slip. However, while it’s great for cold drinks, we don’t recommend it for hot beverages.
Price at time of publish: $32
The Details: 25 ounces (capacity) | 6.3 ounces (weight) | 4.25 x 1.5 inches | Silicone, plastic
Best Compact
Platypus Platy 2-Liter Flexible Water Bottle
Amazon
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It’s a big camping or backpacking blatter that weighs barely anything.
What to Consider
It isn’t the most durable.
A tried, tested, and true backpacking blatter, the Platy is nice and big (it holds 70 ounces), though it remains extremely light (weighing just 1.3 ounces). Compared to your typical water bottle, it’s 80 percent lighter and about a fifth of the size when empty. Simply pack it in a side pocket or toss it in your bag. You can also freeze the bottle beforehand, so it’ll work as an ice pack.
Platypus also sells a GravityWorks water filtration system that you can buy separately to work with this pack.
Price at time of publish: $19
The Details: 70 ounces (capacity) | 1.3 ounces (weight) | Plastic
Best Filter
Lifestraw Peak Series Collapsible Water Filter System
Amazon
View On AmazonView On REIView On Cabelas.comWhy We Love It
It filters water super quickly.
What to Consider
It’s pricey for a water bottle and won’t stand on its own.
A light and squishable water bottle, LifeStraw uses its sand filter to get rid of 99.999999 percent of bacteria (yes, we counted the 9s). Great for hiking in the backcountry or in places where you can’t drink the water, just dunk or fill it and let the filter do its thing. And don’t worry about having to wait — LifeStraw’s filter can transform up to 3 liters per minute.
You can also feel pretty good about purchasing this one: every time you buy one of these bottles, LifeStraw pledges to give one child a year of safe drinking water.
Price at time of publish: $38
The Details: 33 ounces (capacity) | 8 ounces (weight) | Plastic
Best Temperature Retention
Nefeeko Collapsible Water Bottle
Amazon
View On AmazonView On WalmartWhy We Love It
It’s extra insulated and won’t break easily.
What to Consider
Steer clear of liquids hotter than 140 degrees Fahrenheit, and be sure to boil the bottle before using to get rid of the rubber taste.
Whether you’re using it for water or coffee, this accordion-like bottle is great at retaining cold and hot beverages. The durable silicone material is easy to grip, too — and looks mighty cool if you ask me.
The bottle comes with a carabiner for attaching to your bag, and you definitely don’t need to worry about leaking with its screw-on top.
Price at time of publish: $13
The Details: 18 ounces (capacity) | 8 ounces (weight) | 2.75 x 2.75 x 5.5 | Silicone
Tips for Buying a Collapsible Water Bottle
Know the pros and cons of different closures
Each bottle on this list approaches the collapsible concept a little differently; there are different sized mouths, ways to prevent leaks, and packing methods. Consider your preferences and choose accordingly.
Look for durable, easy-to-use materials
While thin and light, some plastic bag bottles aren’t the most durable. Silicone and TPU will probably last longer, but they will be heavier and less flexible. You’ll also want to choose a collapsible bottle that is easy to drink from and stays durable when expanded. Some, especially bladder-style water bottles, may not stand on their own, so be sure to opt for a more sturdy bottle if you want it to remain upright when you set it down.
Carefully consider capacity
If you like going on big hikes or backpacking trips, chances are you’ll need more than 16 ounces of water. But do you really need 100 ounces? The bigger you go, the less packable the bottle will be and the more weight you’ll add to your load when it’s full.
Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do I wash my collapsible water bottle?
Many of the collapsible bottles on this list are dishwasher safe. Others can be boiled. All are hand-washable, but bottles with smaller spouts are clearly more difficult to scrub clean.
Do collapsible bottles keep water cold?
Certainly, your beverages will stay colder with a metal water bottle — plastic and silicone aren’t the best for retaining heat. That said, many collapsible water bottles may not have insulation, but they are made with materials that are thick enough to keep liquids cool for a set amount of time. Check the bottle’s instruction guide before buying if you prefer a bottle that will keep water cold.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
For this article, writer Joel Balsam, a frequent traveler who has visited more than 50 countries, reviewed and selected from the industry’s best collapsible water bottles.
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Updated byTravel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over seven years.” tabindex=”0″ data-inline-tooltip=”true”>Taylor Fox
Taylor Fox Taylor Fox is a Commerce Updates Writer at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over seven years.learn more
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