International Header

Gear Junkie: Say Goodbye to Smartwater Bottles — These Dialed Alternatives Have Refined the Design

Branded alternatives are emerging that refine the single-use design.

Gear Junkie: Say Goodbye to Smartwater Bottles — These Dialed Alternatives Have Refined the Design

Last updated:
December 22, 2025
|  5 min read

Gear Junkie: Say Goodbye to Smartwater Bottles — These Dialed Alternatives Have Refined the Design

Gear Junkie: Say Goodbye to Smartwater Bottles — These Dialed Alternatives Have Refined the Design

YouTube video highlight

Branded alternatives are emerging that refine the single-use design.

Read more about the project

Gear Junkie: Say Goodbye to Smartwater Bottles — These Dialed Alternatives Have Refined the Design

Aucun élément n'a été trouvé.

Say Goodbye to Smartwater Bottles — These Dialed Alternatives Have Refined the Design

From collaborations with high-fashion brands to apparel made with graphene and Kevlar, there were plenty of cutting-edge gear innovations this year. However, sometimes innovation comes from rethinking the simplest things. Take, for example, the humble water bottle. In 2025, creative advancements have helped replace one of backpacking’s most ubiquitous pieces of gear: the disposable Smartwater bottle.

Thru-hikers have long loved this simple $2 water bottle for its easy storage and ultralight profile. Pick any popular long-distance trail, and you’re bound to see a handful of Smartwater bottles tucked into hikers’ packs.

However, the arrival of more sustainable alternatives may finally spell the end of this single-use item’s popularity.

Continue reading to learn more about reusable water bottles, written by Mary Andino.

Gear Junkie: Say Goodbye to Smartwater Bottles — These Dialed Alternatives Have Refined the Design

Say Goodbye to Smartwater Bottles — These Dialed Alternatives Have Refined the Design

From collaborations with high-fashion brands to apparel made with graphene and Kevlar, there were plenty of cutting-edge gear innovations this year. However, sometimes innovation comes from rethinking the simplest things. Take, for example, the humble water bottle. In 2025, creative advancements have helped replace one of backpacking’s most ubiquitous pieces of gear: the disposable Smartwater bottle.

Thru-hikers have long loved this simple $2 water bottle for its easy storage and ultralight profile. Pick any popular long-distance trail, and you’re bound to see a handful of Smartwater bottles tucked into hikers’ packs.

However, the arrival of more sustainable alternatives may finally spell the end of this single-use item’s popularity.

Continue reading to learn more about reusable water bottles, written by Mary Andino.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Rédacteur collaborateur
Mary Andino
Mary Andino is a regular contributor to GearJunkie.
Mentions dans les médias

Gear Junkie: Say Goodbye to Smartwater Bottles — These Dialed Alternatives Have Refined the Design

Say Goodbye to Smartwater Bottles — These Dialed Alternatives Have Refined the Design

From collaborations with high-fashion brands to apparel made with graphene and Kevlar, there were plenty of cutting-edge gear innovations this year. However, sometimes innovation comes from rethinking the simplest things. Take, for example, the humble water bottle. In 2025, creative advancements have helped replace one of backpacking’s most ubiquitous pieces of gear: the disposable Smartwater bottle.

Thru-hikers have long loved this simple $2 water bottle for its easy storage and ultralight profile. Pick any popular long-distance trail, and you’re bound to see a handful of Smartwater bottles tucked into hikers’ packs.

However, the arrival of more sustainable alternatives may finally spell the end of this single-use item’s popularity.

Continue reading to learn more about reusable water bottles, written by Mary Andino.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Rédacteur collaborateur
Mary Andino
Mary Andino is a regular contributor to GearJunkie.
Mentions dans les médias
browse all articles
Ici, à Sawyer
February 3, 2026
6 Min
Treeline Review: PCT Southbound Gear List & Strategy 2026
Read More
Explore more content

Mentions dans les médias

43.2% of hikers used the Sawyer Squeeze, the most common hollow membrane squeeze filter (and the most common water treatment overall).

Mac
Rédacteur collaborateur

Mentions dans les médias

Randy Patton’s late father, Biff Patton, launched the water filter program in 2010.

Conner Beene
Rédacteur

Mentions dans les médias

The most significant being its positive impact on our health after using it, its capacity to reduce our expenses on water treatment and access to safe water, and the time it saves by eliminating the need for boiling or treating water.

Teburenga Geraldine Tabwebweiti
Communications and Engagement
<<  Previous Post
No previous post!
Check out our Directory
Next Post  >>
No next post!
Check out our Directory