Is Hydroflask Too Heavy for Backpacking?

By Alice Nichols

When it comes to backpacking, one of the most important factors to consider is the weight of the items you choose to bring. After all, every ounce matters when you’re trekking up a mountain or carrying your supplies across a desert.

But when it comes to hydration, a Hydro Flask can be a great choice for keeping your water cold and fresh during long trips. However, one obvious concern is whether or not these flasks are too heavy for backpacking.

When empty, the standard 18-ounce Hydro Flask weighs about 12 ounces, which is roughly the same as a regular water bottle. This makes it light enough that it won’t add significant weight to your pack. When it’s full of water, however, the weight will increase significantly – up to two pounds for an 18-ounce flask – so if you’re looking to minimize your load as much as possible then this may not be the best option for you.

On the other hand, if you’re willing to carry an extra pound or two for the sake of convenience and temperature control then investing in a Hydro Flask can be beneficial. The double-wall insulation keeps liquids cold up to 24 hours and hot up to 12 hours – perfect for hot days on the trail or cool evenings by the campfire.

The other concern with carrying a Hydro Flask while backpacking is that they are made of stainless steel, which isn’t great at conducting heat or cold. This means that if you put something too hot or cold into your flask then it could cause some discomfort when handling it. For this reason, it is best to use caution when filling your flask with anything outside of room temperature.

Conclusion:

So while there are some trade-offs when considering whether or not a Hydro Flask is too heavy for backpacking, overall they are lightweight enough that they can still be beneficial in terms of convenience and temperature control without adding significant weight to your pack. However, caution should still be taken when using them with anything outside of room temperature.