Staying hydrated on the road and in your van is not just a recommendation, it’s one of the fundamental necessities of Van Life! Sometimes when we need to take our water with us on the go, regular water bottles just don’t cut it. Keeping your water cool on a hot day or keeping it from freezing in cold weather are vital to staying hydrated and healthy! These water bottles aren’t just for holding water, but they have some really cool and practical applications that make them really stylish and unique! Whatever your needs, we can help you find the perfect bottle to keep your water fresh, clean and ready for use whenever or wherever you need! Let’s take a look at some of the best options available for water portability and safety.

#1 – LARQ Insulated Self-Cleaning and Stainless Steel Water Bottle With UV Water Purifier

When you think about the type of water bottle you would need to commit to the van life, it obviously needs to be reusable, but it also needs to be insulated and kept clean. Wherever you decide to venture off to, you’ll need the bottle to easily regulate its temperature. A water bottle like the LARQ is the first of its kind; not that it’s the first water bottle to use UV light for self-cleaning but it’s the first to use an intelligence component that automatically activates every 2 hours to ensure you’re getting the cleanest water possible with the touch of a button. It has three modes besides its automatic setting: Normal (press once for a 60-second cleaning cycle), Adventure (press twice for a 3 minute cleaning cycle), and Travel (press and hold to turn off the automatic setting so as not to use up the battery). This bottle is double insulated and keeps liquids cold for 24 hours and hot for 12 hours. With a self-cleaning tool it needs a charger, but it’s easy to use with its micro-USB compatibility. It also doesn’t need to be charged often as a single charge will last you one full month. This may be in the higher price range, but it’s well worth the investment if you’re looking for something that will last and will consistently give you the cleanest drinking water you could imagine!

#2 – Hidrate Spark 3 Smart Water Bottle

If you’re deciding to pursue Van Life, you likely are planning on traveling a lot and taking a lot of pit stops along the way. With your new busy schedule, you might not have the time to always be thinking about your water intake. That’s why a water bottle like this would be perfect for you if you need that extra reminder. Its intelligent Bluetooth technology keeps track of your water intake and lights up when you need another sip. It pairs with a free hydration tracker app which you can set at certain intervals otherwise it will automatically remind you when you need to drink up when it lights up. You also have three light pattern options to choose from to customize your colorful reminder. It also has a battery that is easily replaceable and long-lasting. Although this bottle is only really for water and not for other liquids (especially not hot liquids) and doesn’t have a built-in filter or self-cleaning tool, it is still a great option if you’re able to keep it clean and you want to stay hydrated!

#3 – MiiR 23oz Insulated Narrow Mouth Bottle

If you’re looking for a more affordable and dependable option, this might be the bottle for you! Whether you’re drinking coffee, tea, water, juice, etc., this bottle can accommodate. The MiiR is one of the best-insulated bottles on the market; its thermo 3D double vacuum wall insulation will guarantee no condensation and will keep whatever you put in hot for up to 12 hours or cold for up to 24 hours. Its stainless steel design gives it impressive durability. With reusable water bottles, there’s often the worry of a metallic aftertaste but its design guarantees that there won’t be any of that. It’s easy-twist handle top ensures that nothing will come out or get in, helps regulate the temperature inside the bottle, and makes it easy to clean. It also makes it easy to hold or keep with you as you can attach it to a belt clip or hold it from the top by its handle. When you take off the easy-twist top, it reveals a narrow mouth opening that prevents easy spills and leaks but still allows you to stuff in as many ice cubes as you want; and with a capacity of 23 oz, you’re set for most of the day! Not only will you make a difference using this bottle in place of single-use plastic bottles, but every MiiR product is “product to project” which means that each one sold helps contribute to a trackable project!

#4 – CrazyCap UV Water Purifier Cap and Insulated Self Cleaning Water Bottle

This multipurpose bottle comes in three colors: Sapphire, Teakwood, and Carrara. Like the LARQ, it has a self-cleaning/sterilizing feature. But the cap itself has some features of its own. Not only is it compatible with almost any size bottle, but when you take it off it can be used to sanitize ANY surface (be it counters, keyboards, phones, you name it!). Its Deep UV-C LED light lasts for up to 500,000 cleaning cycles! It has different modes as well: Normal mode (tap twice to activate a 1 minute cleaning cycle for water from the sink or public fountain) and Crazy mode (tap five times to activate a 2-minute cleaning cycle for water from a lake or pond). Not only does it purify your water, but it sterilizes your bottle too. Basically, this bottle allows you to drink water from any source safely. One single charge of this bad boy lasts a week. Better yet by purchasing one of these bottles, 5% of proceeds go towards water.org who help guarantee safe and clean water across the globe. This water bottle is not only effective at getting the job done, but it’s sleek and stylish as well! So if you’re looking for a multipurpose, self-cleaning bottle a bit closer to the affordable side, then this is the bottle for you!

#5 – Neboic 2Pack Hydration Backpack Pack with 2L Hydration Bladder

Now we can’t talk reusable water bottles without also including hydration backpacks! These Neboic Packs are super lightweight and great for hydration on the go. Whether you decide to go biking, hiking, or running, this is a great affordable option! These packs hold a TON of water in the hydration bladder (2 liters in fact) and keep water cool for up to 4 hours. They also have 3 pockets (one mesh pocket in the front for easy access, and two zippered pockets on the sides) that can be used to carry other essentials (phone, keys, etc.). This feature eliminates the hassle of keeping everything in the pockets of your pants and/or trying to find a comfortable way to carry a water bottle with you when you leave your van to venture out for long periods of time. The hydration bladder has a wide mouth opening which allows for easy refills and general cleaning/maintenance and the tube disconnects easily from the hydration bladder with just a press of a button. This product includes 2 Hydration Backpacks, 2 Hydration Bladders and 2 Packing Bags. If you run out of hydration packs, don’t fret! The universal design of the backpack makes it compatible with almost any hydration pack on the market. The backpack is also adjustable and has a mesh back which guarantees a comfortable fit. Also ranked as one of the top hydration packs on Amazon with hundreds of rave reviews, this pack proves to be a great companion for all your adventures!

#6 – CamelBak Rogue Hydration Pack

CamelBak is probably the most well-known brand on this list, and for good reason! They are one of the top brands for outdoor hydration. Their Rogue Hydration Pack in particular holds a whopping 85 oz of water (2.5 liters). It’s super lightweight at 0.5 lbs (not including the water weight) and is environmentally sustainable with a BPA free tube and reservoir. The external reservoir is located right under the front flap which makes the hydration pack accessible and easy to refill; plus it eliminates the hassle of having to take out the hydration pack to fill it. It includes an on/off lever on its tube to prevent leakage. It’s super lightweight at 0.5 lbs (not including the water weight) and is environmentally sustainable with a BPA free tube and reservoir. It also comes with two zippered pockets for your essentials. And if you’re going biking, it has an external hook to attach your helmet to. If you choose to venture off into the night or get in an early morning hike, the reflective accents of its design make it safe for adventures at any time of day! Plus, the breathable mesh that lines the back and straps keep you comfortable and cool. It’s a sturdy pack that will last you for a long time to come!

#7 – Sojourner Rave Hydration Pack Backpack

Stay hydrated in style with the Sojourner Hydration Pack! Its sleek and lightweight design allows for maximum comfort with fully adjustable back and chest straps. It comes in four holographic colors: purple, blue, silver, and pink; as well as a Luminous Green and Black Shimmer. Sojourner’s new 2020 model is completely leak-free so you never have to fret about getting your belongings wet! It includes 2 sizable zippered pockets that can fit your cell phone, keys, wallet, and even water bottles! The front pocket where the included 2 liter hydration bladder sits is even roomier! This FDA-approved bladder is also BPA and PVC free. Its 2-inch screw cap allows enough space for you to stuff in some ice cubes to keep the water inside cold and makes cleaning a breeze. If 2 liters isn’t enough or you need to replace your hydration bladder, the pack can easily fit a 3 liter bladder due to its spacious design! So if you want a durable hydration pack that stands out so you can pretend you’re at a music festival (or actually go to one), then this is the pack for you!

#8 – Healthy Human Stein Water Bottle

Originating in Charleston, South Carolina, since 2015 Healthy Human has been known for their mission to support a healthier planet with their environmentally sustainable products and their #LiveLifeHealthy campaign. Their reusable Stein water bottle was ranked the #1 Best Water Bottle by CNN for 2020. It’s double-wall vacuum insulation keeps liquids piping hot for 6 hours, hot for 12 hours, and cold for 24 hours. Its steel lined lid ensures that your water will never come in contact with any form of plastic. It comes with a carabiner so you can easily keep it with you wherever you’re off to (whether it’s attached to a fanny pack, belt clip, or backpack)! It’s also easy to carry around thanks to its handle which doubles as a leak-proof screw top. It also comes in 38 colors so there’s tons of options to choose from! It’s BPA and toxin free as well as rust proof so not only is it environmentally conscious, but it will last a long time, too! It comes in 16 oz, 21 oz, 32 oz, and 40 oz sizes! So if you’re looking for a customizable water bottle that’s durable, environmentally sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing, this is the bottle for you!

Wrapping things up…
We’ve outlined some of the best water bottles and hydration packs you can find online for all your different van life needs. Whether you prefer to discover hiking trails & need a bottle that stays cold all day or want to spend a few hours of the day biking & need an easy way to hydrate, we’ve got you covered with these dependable options! Make sure you remember to thoroughly wash out your bottles/bladders before first use as well as in between uses. Don’t let water sit more than 12-24 in any bottles as even water has a time limit to how long it can be fresh and safe to drink! Of course, be sure to drink plenty of fluids throughout your day to maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep your van life going strong!

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