Clients and employees that enjoy promotional items will almost always adore getting a reusable water bottle as a present. After all, it’s a product that we can reuse multiple times, with a long shelf life. More importantly, it’s a green, eco-conscious option. In other words, the more people buy reusable water bottles, the fewer single-use plastic bottles will pollute the environment.
Naturally, not all clients, including the outdoorsy, hiking types, like the same variant of the water bottle. Some will prefer hard plastic, others will go for metal. Really, it comes down to different designs, sizes, materials, colours, and many other details. Therefore, when we opt to order a bulk of water bottles as promo materials, we have to consider our user base.
In this article, we will go over different types of water bottles for outdoor activities. We will also cover the best way of figuring out what products our customers will enjoy.
What to Consider With Water Bottles
A water bottle ought to cover all of the needs of an outdoorsy individual. Broadly speaking, there are roughly nine categories we have to look into before we click on that shopping cart. Let’s go over each and every one.
Price
No matter what product we’re considering buying, we have to keep the bulk within our designated budget. Spending far too little for a bulk of bottles will inevitably result in low-quality items that break easily and that people will not want to buy. On the other hand, if we overpay for the items, we will be in the red financially. And that might prove dangerous if the bottles we chose don’t sell.
The best way to go about it is to spend just a bit more than usual, provided that the product has some additional features. Customers love getting a little extra for their money, and the same goes for buying products such as water bottles.
Versatility
And speaking of extra features, versatile water bottles are immensely popular. For example, we can get a single product that will serve as a hot beverage carrier, a cold beverage carrier, and an item that keeps liquid food fresh.
But versatility can show in minor ways as well. Something as simple as a unique colour palette or design quirk can go a long way. The same goes for additional straws, different mouth openings, or even tiny bottle sacks.
Insulation
A lot of reusable water bottles don’t really retain the heat or the coldness of our beverages, and they’re not meant to. In other words, they’re often just regular bottles, meant to hold any liquid during long trips such as hikes. But what if we want something that can actually maintain the temperature of the liquid? Well, we then turn to insulated water bottle.
Typically, an insulated bottle is heavier and bulkier than a non-insulated one. With that in mind, they may not be the best hiking or backpacking option, simply due to their weight. However, our daily commutes to the office will greatly benefit from these items. A single insulated bottle can maintain the heat and freshness of coffee for up to 24 hours.
Weight/Packability
As stated earlier, a bulky bottle weighs a bit more than non-insulated models. Therefore, it will add extra weight to our backpacks if we decide to explore the great outdoors. Furthermore, it may be too massive to actually pack.
If our customers prefer lightweight materials for long hikes, then we ought to consider what type of water bottle works best for them. The same goes for the size of the bottles and their shape. After all, a huge bottle will also not fit in a typical backpack, making it difficult to actually walk around with it in our hands or a separate bag.
Functionality
A bottle has to have a defined function. After all, if our client requires something more durable and less lightweight, they won’t enjoy getting a typical plastic water bottle as a promo gift. Alternatively, a typical hiker might require precisely that kind of bottle.
At this point, it pays to know our customers. When we have a firm grasp of what they like and how they spend their free time, we can adapt our promo items to their wishes.
Durability
If we aim to sell reusable products, we have to make sure that they are strong and won’t bend or break easily. That’s more difficult than most people realise, because even some of the sturdiest-looking products can snap within the right (or rather, wrong) conditions.
By far, the most durable options for reusable water bottles include those with a stainless steel exterior. There are other metal bottles out there, but their exterior often warps and dents easily. Furthermore, if it isn’t made well enough, the metal can break after prolonged use, meaning the client will have to buy a new reusable bottle fairly soon after getting the first one.
Eco-Friendliness
Getting a reusable water bottle is, in and of itself, an eco-friendly decision. After all, it reduces the number of single-use bottles we would normally buy over the course of a year. But some manufacturers actually go even beyond that concept. In other words, they produce bottles that contain zero harmful materials, or are completely made from recycled matter. The latter option is incredibly useful, since such bottles are biodegradable and actually help the environment heal.
Mouth Size
Some bottles come with wide mouths. Normally, such an option would not be particularly useful if we’re on the move or in a vehicle. Due to the wide, flat opening, these bottles are more likely to spill the liquid inside of them. However, they have one major advantage over regular, narrow-mouth bottles. Namely, if we want to add ice or bits of fruit to our water, we can do it more easily with a wide-mouth bottle. Furthermore, cleaning these bottles is incredibly easy, or at least easier than cleaning narrow-mouth products.
Handle
Yes, lots of reusable water bottles come with handles. Some of them are part of the cap, others are part of the bottle itself. In addition, these handles may or may not be removable, depending on the model. Their size and shape may also vary.
Handles have the disadvantage of making the bottles a bit bulky, therefore, a bit difficult to pack. However, we can carry our water more easily if it has a handle. For instance, lots of hikers simply clip the bottle onto the bag using the handle and a sturdy keyring.
List of Best Outdoor Activities Bottle Options
Insulated Bottles
When opting for an insulated bottle, we should always look for a vacuum-sealed one made out of stainless steel. The vacuum is what will keep the beverage inside either hot or cool for a long period of time. Some models can maintain the coolness for a period of 48 hours, all without any condensation. And since the vacuum stands between us and the beverage inside, we won’t get any hot or cold burns when we carry the bottle.
Insulated bottles come in a variety of colours and designs. As a promo product, if it’s made out of solid steel, it can even handle some top-level embossing. And while it may not be ideal for hikes and long walks, it’s excellent for business commuters who also like the outdoors.
Budget-Friendly Bottles
Is it possible to get a decent bottle for as little as 1 pound sterling? Well, actually, it is, and it’s fairly common. Lots of low-cost bottles are made out of durable, BPA-free plastic, making them long-lasting and easy to clean. What’s more, they tend to contain a push/pull cap, which is practical for drinking while we’re out on the run. Shapes, colours, and textures are also limitless with these items, since we can experiment with plastic any way we see fit.
Obviously, the biggest drawback is the fact that we may feel the heat or the coldness through the walls of the bottle. Plus, unlike insulated bottles, these items can’t really maintain the same liquid temperature over a long period of time.
Plastic Bottles
Of course, plastic bottles can cost a bit more than a single pound. And the ones that do nowadays are quite exquisite. In fact, if we were to recommend buying plastic water bottles, we would definitely recommend the ones certified by the Environmental Product Declaration.
These particular plastic bottles contain 50% (and more) recycled materials, making them green and environmentally sound. Moreover, they are light in weight, so we can take them anywhere, be it on a hike or on a bus. And while they may not be as sturdy as stainless steel options, they are still durable enough to last us for years.
Collapsible Bottles
What makes a plastic BPA-free bottle even more attractive to the shopper than its shape, colour, texture, and durability? Well, when it comes to this particular bottle type, it’s flexibility. And we mean that in the most literal sense possible.
Namely, there are so-called collapsible plastic bottles out there that fold or extend like an accordion. There are tons of benefits to such a product. The first and obvious one is the fact that we can fold it so that it takes up very little room in our backpack. In addition, since it can expand, we can double or even triple the amount of liquid we can store in it. And to top it all off, it’s an item that we can either hand-wash or put in a dishwasher overnight. All in all, collapsible water bottles are absolutely amazing and we cannot recommend them enough. What’s more, their shape alone will be an excellent marketing method to get as many new clients as possible.
Bottles With Straws
Bottles with flip-top lids and built-in straws are more popular than one might imagine. They are perfect for runners, since they allow quick and immediate access to the beverage inside. We simply have to pop the lid and take a sip. The straw will do the rest.
Due to their ergonomic shape and high-quality material, the straw bottle is an incredibly sought-after promotional item. We can combine between different colours, shapes, and designs for either the lid or the bottle itself. And since the cap is easy to remove, cleaning this bottle is not an issue.
Lightweight Bottles
When do we need a bottle that’s lightweight? Well, more often than not, it will be during a hot summer day when we’re out running or working out. Normally, a lightweight bottle will not hold the temperature of a drink for too long. However, since most people exercise roughly between an hour and two hours each day, that point won’t matter. After all, we will consume the entire bottle well before we stop working out.
Of course, lightweight bottles are also excellent for picnics, road trips, and even brief hikes. They will fit any backpack and won’t take up any room. We also recommend buying lightweight water bottles with Hydroguard, a special technology that prevents microbial growth in and out of the bottle itself.
Durable Bottles
Quite a few bottles that we’ve listed so far fall under the title ‘durable’. But if we want the sturdiest of the sturdiest out there, we will have to aim for some heavy-duty bottles. And one such option will contain a stainless steel body, double-walled insulation, and a non-slip silicone base for better gripping. In addition, the cap will have a functional lock-up feature, as well as a strong handle. That way, we can literally snap the bottle to the back of our backpack and walk around without worrying about spills.
Large Bottles
One person will likely benefit from a single small bottle of water. But what if we’re hiking in a group, with at least three other individuals? Alternatively, what if we had to hike for a long time, spanning multiple hours, in the hot sun?
At that point, we need more water than usual. And a single 36 oz/1 l bottle will do the trick. These big water bottles tend to have the same features as their small counterparts. The biggest benefit they offer is the fact that they literally carry more liquid. That will inevitably make them bulkier and heavier than the regular ones, but the whole point is to take as much water with us as possible. And since they often come with tethered caps, we don’t have to put them in our backpacks. We can simply carry them by the tether along the way.
Easy-Carry Bottles
Sometimes, it’s easier to chuck a bottle in the backpack and start trailblazing. However, with all of the items we need on a hike or a walk, we might not have room for water. That’s where easy-carry bottles shine.
More often than not, the best options in the easy-carry category will have handles or tethered caps. But there are items that come with a carabiner, and carrying them is easy enough. We merely need to clip them onto our gear and be on our way. The best part is that they’re made out of lightweight material, so even when they’re full of water, they won’t weigh us down.
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Finding a Bottle That Fits
If possible, a brand owner will always try to pick several different types of reusable water bottles. After all, different clients have different tastes, and managing to satisfy all of them will result in lots of financial gain. Hopefully, our list of the best water bottles for outdoor activities has given entrepreneurs out there some idea on where to start with promo merch shopping.
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Check out our full collection of promotional drinkware which includes mugs, travel mugs, and crystalware. If you’re looking for something else, see our collection of branded bestsellers. We are always here to help, so don’t hesitate to give a member of our experienced team a call on 0800 0148 970 or simply email us today.
