As a runner and personal trainer, staying hydrated is important no matter what sort of training I’m doing. It’s vital to replace fluids that are lost through sweat, but when it comes to outdoor running it’s even more crucial because your access to water becomes more limited.

That’s why finding a suitable water bottle for running is key. The type and length of a run can affect the amount of water you might need to carry, and the different styles of water bottles can make the job of carrying something bulky during your run less cumbersome.

Kielder Handheld Water Carrier

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• Kielder Handheld Water Carrier, £17.34 from Decathlon – buy here

Pros: The strap around the bottle is adjustable which is super handy when managing larger running bottles.

Cons: The pocket on the strap is not big enough to carry a phone

This running bottle and carrier tick a lot of boxes, especially for long-distance runners as the 600ml sizing means it doesn’t need filling up as often.

It’s very well made and has a convenient pocket for keys, cash, bank cards and also gels for longer runs. Despite the 600ml capacity plus carrier, the bottle doesn’t feel bulky because you slide your hand inside the carrier and tighten the strap for a perfect fit.

This, along with the finger indentations on the bottle help keep the bottle stable.

Rating: 4/5

BRITA Active Water Filter Bottle

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• BRITA Active Water Filter Bottle, £12.37 from Amazon – buy here

Pros: Peace of mind that it is filtering any water you put in it.

Cons: Bulky for those with smaller hands, especially on longer runs.

This is a great option for those who find themselves filling up their water bottle on the go as it has a MicroDisc water filter that filters tap water as you run, which not only helps improve the taste of the water but also reduces chlorine and impurities without removing key minerals.

This means there are no worries when using taps in public spaces which I sometimes do when I’m on my longer runs. This bottle holds 600ml and will fit most standard-sized cup holders in running backpacks and running bottle holders/belts.

It also comes with a collar loop that makes it easy to attach to bags and offers an alternative way to hold the water bottle whilst running. There’s an easy-to-open mouthpiece and a detachable cup which I left at home when I took the bottle out.

Rating: 4/5

Chilly’s Series 2 range

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• Chilly’s Series 2 1L, £48 from John Lewis – buy here

Pros: Survived Dubai and it was fantastic at keeping the water cold in the 38-degree heat

Cons: The bottle has a woven nylon collar loop which is good to hold whilst running but steel exterior could be easier to grip

This water bottle for running comes into its own when it’s hot outside as it can keep water cold for up to 24 hours, due to the advanced double-walled vacuum which makes it perfect for long runs.

It also has the ability to keep drinks hot for 12 hours so can double up as a flask – which helps justify the slightly higher cost.

Another hero element is the flip lid which is easy to drink from when on the go and means there are no spillages and wasted water. The antimicrobial drinking surfaces keep bad smells, stains and unhygienic drinking at bay.

Rating: 4/5

Ultimate Performance Runners Bottle 300cc

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• Ultimate Performance Runners Bottle 300cc – Opaque, £5.00 from Amazon – buy here

Pros: Cheap! Easy to grip on your hand or small enough to carry in a running jacket with big pockets.

Cons: The flip lid makes it a little cumbersome to drink out of (but you could remove it).

This is a great water bottle for running and the smaller size, finger indents and the fact you slide the hand through the centre of the running bottle itself means this is one of the easiest bottles to carry.

It’s better suited for short-to-medium-length runs rather than anything too long distance unless you know you’re passing water stations to fill it up, I mostly used it for 10K runs.

At times it was a bit difficult to suck the water out and the cap on top can be a little fiddly but if you squeeze from the middle it does the trick. Overall, for the price it is a fantastic small lightweight water bottle.

Rating: 5/5

Evadict Trail Running Bottle Holder Belt

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• Evadict Trail Running Bottle Holder Belt with 500ml Bottle, £14.99 from Decathlon – buy here

Pros: Comes with a two-year warranty. Can store all your essentials on the belt.

Cons: It can take a bit of getting used to if you usually just carry a bottle in your hand.

This is a good option for runners who do not like holding their water bottles. At 500ml, I expected the running bottle and carrier to feel awkward when running but it was surprisingly secure.

There are velcro straps that allow you to tighten and adjust on your hips providing further comfort whilst running. The rigid tilting holder also gave easy access to the bottle and there wasn’t too much trouble in putting it back into the holder on the go.

There is also ample space for your phone, a small key and gels which pretty much makes you hands-free.

Rating: 4/5

Pure2Improve Running Belt

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• Pure2Improve Running Belt With Bottles, £20.99 from Very.co.uk – buy here

Pros: Comfortable, hands-free running allowing for two different drinks.

Cons: The bottles are small.

This was probably one of the surprise favourites of all the running bottles I tried for this review. I’m not a huge fan of running belts but this lightweight option sits very securely on the waist and there is virtually no movement or bounce once it’s adjusted to fit and it’s easy to forget it’s there.

The belt comes with two small bottles that carry approximately 170 ml each, so this running bottle option has one of the smaller capacities across the board so might be more suitable for shorter runs.

It did mean that I could run with plain water in one bottle and some water with dissolved electrolytes in the other while running abroad on a hot holiday.

The bottles are kept in place with small elastics so they don’t fall out while running and the belt also has a sizable pocket that can fit a fairly large phone as well as keys, cash and some gels if needed.

Rating: 4/5

Kalenji 500ml Flexible Trail Running Water Bottle

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• Kalenji 500ml Flexible Trail Running Water Bottle, £9.99 from Decathlon – buy here

Pros: Handy that it folds very small and light once empty. A removable tab can be used to clip it onto bags.

Cons: There can be a rubbery taste at the start, so give it a few washes before using.

This water bottle is lightweight and holds a large amount of fluid so it’s great for long runs.

Compared to regular bottles it feels more like a water pack and you can compress the empty section as you go, which means there is no noise or sloshing around from the remaining water.

Once the bottle is empty it can be folded up and put away in a pocket. The running bottle is easy to grasp and doesn’t feel bulky when running, and the bite valve works well with the added twist on/off action which means there are no leaks.

Rating: 5/5

Polar Gear

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• Polar Gear, 700ml Large Water Bottle with Handle, £6.45 from Amazon – buy here

Pros: Great value for money and can hold a lot of water.

Cons: The 700ml larger bottle is bulky

This is a good bottle for those who are happy to carry a larger bottle or don’t have the option of passing water stations during a long run.

Although it’s a good price and has a handle to slide the hand through for a secure hold, I did find it a little heavy and cumbersome on the first few runs while I tried to get used to the larger size.

After a few shorter runs, I took it out for a 12-mile run and really appreciated the extra hydration – I’m a convert!

Rating: 5/5

Osprey Duro Dyna Handheld Unisex Hydration

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• Osprey Duro Dyna Handheld Unisex Hydration, £38.99 from Amazon – buy here

Pros: Ultra-light and slimmed down. Minimalist and made out of 100% recycled materials.

Cons: Expensive, small.

You can tell Osprey has engineered quality into this water bottle just by the look and feel, but what’s key here is how the bottle shape and carrier are designed to sit so comfortably on the hand while you run.

It offers 360ml of hydration and the design is a great alternative to conventional running water bottles. It has an ambidextrous-handed fit so you can carry it palm-facing or top-of-hand fit, my preference is palm so I could grasp the bottle better.

The carrier pack attached to the bottle also has a little pocket so you can fit in some running essentials like gels or your keys and some cash.

Osprey has made this hydration flask to fit perfectly into Osprey running vests and belts if you are looking to match your running gear.

Rating: 4/5