Hydro Flask Water Bottle Review

Hydro Flask has cultivated a devoted following in the last several years, especially among the outdoorsy crowd. It has even been deemed the unofficial bottle of Coloradans who seem to prefer this one over any other brand. This was not by accident either. Hydro Flask states their products are inspired by outdoor recreation and their branding indicates they try hard to connect with this audience. It’s not complete corporate fluff either; Hydro Flask is true to the outdoors and even has a charitable program, Parks for All, that has donated millions of dollars to benefit public green spaces.

Hydro Flask offers a wide range of colors and styles. Their bottles are available in over 15 different shades, offering a full spectrum of natural tones and brighter options. If the base product colors don’t fit your look, you have option to customize using “My Hydro,” a service available on the Hydro Flask website where you pick a unique strap, cap, bottle and boot. This is without a doubt the most customizable brand we’ve reviewed!

We tested the 21oz version and found it was a practical combination of size, weight and capacity. It held up well in all areas of testing and our team appreciated the quality and experience when using it. Speaking of quality, readers should know it comes with a lifetime warranty and their US-based customer service team was very responsive when we reached out with questions. Overall, we consider the Hydro Flask worthy of the praise it receives. Whether it’s for a backpacking trip up in the mountains or simply for use around the house, we think this bottle is a great option and a must-add to your collection.

The Hydro Flask feels strong in the hand when gripped, just as you’d expect from a top stainless steel brand. This strength is enough to deflect minor damage as we saw firsthand during testing. Only a few scratches were noticed after daily use that included gym sessions, commutes, use during the work day and short hikes. We consider this level of damage normal and on par with other stainless steel bottle we’ve tested.

A higher degree of damage was noticed when the product was subjected to more intense testing. One of our team members carelessly dropped his Hydro Flask on a concrete surface at roughly 75% capacity and reported moderate denting at the base where it made contact with the ground. Some paint chipped off which exposed the metal underneath, but thankfully the damage was mostly aesthetic. The bottle still worked well and the paint peeling wasn’t exacerbated after hand washing and running it through the dishwasher. The reviewer noted a slight imbalance to the bottle when rested on a flat surface.

If you’re like us and know that a few drops are inevitable, we recommend you purchase the “flex boot,” a rubber attachment that wraps around the bottom of the bottle. It’s made of a durable rubber material that will certainly prevent scratches and scrapes and help you protect your purchase. Unfortunately, at this time, the flex boot does not come with the bottle.

The Hydro Flask is as durable as any other stainless steel bottle out there. It held up well during our end-to-end testing that included exposing it to the outdoor elements.

Hydro Flask is one of the few double walled stainless steel bottles that is 100% dishwasher safe, including the cap. Be careful though, only bottles made in 2020 and later fit this description which is when Hydro Flask updated their bottles with a proprietary powder coating that can withstand the heat of a dishwasher. We admire their innovation, especially in an area that is important to consumers.

If washing by hand, the standard mouth is wide enough to allow a scrub brush to enter and fully clean the bottle. Interestingly, their customer service team encourages hand washing for “best results.” Rest assured, we noticed no damage during our extensive testing period that included dozens of dishwasher runs.