13 Best Water Bottle Holders & Slings for Everyday Use

When even a daypack is too much to carry, these clever bottle bags help keep you fast, light, and hydrated on day hikes and while running errands

Author

Bob Myaing

Photo courtesy This Thing Of Ours

We love a hyper-specific bag: bags for organizing small accessories, big ole duffel bags for travel, bags for our climbing shoes, and of course, bags for cameras. While perusing the latest and greatest from outdoor brands and small-scale makers, we couldn’t help but notice a growing trend—water bottle holders designed to help you schlep your favorite reusable bottle in style.

(For any lost cyclists tuning in, below we’re focusing on water bottle bags and water bottle slings, not bike water bottle holders or handlebar mounted bottle holders.)

Though we usually head outdoors with a daypack or at least a hip bag, some day hikes—and errands around town—call for carrying less. Even then, it’s best to always pack a reliable, reusable water bottle (down with single use plastic water bottles!) to stay hydrated on the move, be it a classic Nalgene or a modern double wall insulated water bottle. With your bottle hanging by a shoulder strap instead of gripped by hand, you free both hands for clinging onto rocks, snapping photos, or hauling groceries, all while keeping hydration conveniently by your side.

With so many crummy Amazon options out there, we did the research to find the best water bottle holders (bring your own water bottle) made by trusted brands and niche upstarts. Read on below to checkout our top picks for the best-looking, most-functional water bottle slings for toting your hydration wherever you go.

Or save some dough and DIY your own with a paracord crochet using this tutorial!

This London-based gear maker uses scraps of discarded outerwear to sew one-of-a-kind, patchwork water bottle bags. Unlike the other options we’ve dug up, Greater Good’s bottle bag comes in a large size that fits narrow or wide-mouth Nalgene bottles and a medium size that’s a better fit for the slimmer stainless steel bottles or even the #ultralight favorite: a smart water bottle. An adjustable drawstring secures the bottle in the pouch, and a small carabiner attached to a braided nylon cord allows for quick change between crossbody wear and mounting on an impromptu anchor like a branch. Rumor has it that a certain outdoor lifestyle publication has a collaboration with the brand dropping soon!

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Brooklyn-based bag experts add a touch of cozy insulation to their slung water bottle pouch to keep your water vessel safe against bumps and drops–typically evidenced by a gallery of scarred stickers and decals on our bottles and in some cases, dents! We’ve opted for a tame solid, but also look for a rotating selection of exciting prints and patterns the brand is known for.

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It seems fitting that one of the biggest insulated bottle brands offers a line of water bottle slings to tote their wares in subtly branded style. Transforming from sling bag to water bottle sleeve, the adjustable strap unclips, and a set of molle connectors attach to their Day Escape Totes. The sling is available in small, medium, and even kids'' sizes to accommodate various size bottles. For hydro-flaskers looking to carry a little extra, check out the brand’s Slingback Bottle Pack ($60).

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This Chicago-sewn water bottle sling provides extended cargo capabilities to its primary drink holder duties in the form of an exterior elastic pocket, perfect for carrying your keys, credit cards, or cell phone. 1733 tends to sew their goods in one-off colorways and pairings of fabric, so one month might offer X-Pac and Cordura, while another could bring ripstop into the mix, so you just have to stay posted to know what’s coming down the pipe.

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If you’re the proud owner of one of Yeti’s fine Rambler bottles (not to be confused with the tumblers), then why not keep it on-brand with a holder bag to show off your penchant for the cooler kings? Size large and small water bottle slings fit their 18, 26, and 36-ounce bottles, each with an elastic exterior pouch to carry small valuables like credit cards or keys. With the adjustable shoulder strap removed, the water bottle sleeve conveniently clips onto the brand’s molle-equipped Hopper soft coolers.

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Easily the most minimal water bottle holder in this spread comes from none other than outdoor lifestyle originators Snow Peak. Though the harness-style bottle sleeve lacks any significant portaging opportunities, beyond the integrated chopstick case, it’s entirely possible to replace the short length of paracord for something a bit longer for crossbody/shoulder carry. Given its exceptionally low profile, it may slide right into your daily driver’s cup holder or water bottle cage.

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Yup, even the heritage backpack brand knows everyone needs a water bottle carrier! Cashing in on nostalgia and functionality, Jansport fashions their Kitsack water bottle sling bag in a familiar combination of a woven nylon body reinforced by a suede bottom panel; just like the bookbags we grew up carrying through grade school. A flexible mesh pocket on the exterior adds cargo space for cards, keys, or other small items.

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Fashion GORP fave And Wander goes pretty minimal on the materials here but spares no opportunity to shout out the brand over every inch of webbing that makes up the water bottle sling’s harness and shoulder strap. An inner mesh bag secures your water bottle with a sinching cinching cord, and a bonus branded carabiner is included for your keys.

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OG Seattle outdoor lifestyle brand designed their crossbody bag to carry all sorts of beverages in a minimal style mimicing their Peak Seeker Chalk Bag ($24). Using a covert liner under its abrasion-resistant outer fabric, the insulated water bottle holder keeps drinking water cool and cold brew cold while keeping hiker hands free to pick up rocks and point at birds.

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The in-house line of apparel and gear from this Laramie, Wyoming outfitter packs bright colors and simple design that’s won over our hearts in addition to a sizable following overseas. This bottle carrier bag uses a fleece liner that protects precious water bottle stickers, or even artsy labels of small-batch wine bottles. A single exterior zip phone pocket secures a reasonably-sized device or smaller valuables.

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Philadelphia-based outdoor lifestyle brand borrows design cues from its affordable backpacks and injects them into water bottle sling. Both the adjustable shoulder strap and bottle sleeve’s body use 100% recycled polyester, a nod to the brand’s sustainable mission. An exterior stash pocket will fit several small items, and there’s even a neat little lash point that you probably won’t need, even though it looks super cute.

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This Scottish brand sews up utilitarian bags and accessories from the best technical fabrics; X-PAC, Cordura, and high-denier count nylon. Without the addition of exterior pockets, Dangerfield’s bottle sling is notably minimal compared to other options; a design approach we welcome. It’s sized specifically for a 32-ounce Nalgene bottle (both wide and narrow mouth), so measure carefully if you’ve got anything else.

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Growing UK bag co designed their water bottle holder bag to function alone with an included crossbody strap, or integrated into with their technical Sling Pack by taking advantage of the sewn-on daisy chain. The bag uses many high quality, military-grade made-in-UK materials so you’d be smart to trust its durability.

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If you need an equally cool water bottle to put in your new bottle sling, check out these titanium options.

Published 04-04-2023