Glaceau SmartWater Bottle Review

Bottom Line

If you cross paths with any thru-hiker, there’s a very good chance you’ll see them carrying a bottle of Glaceau SmartWater: the bottled water that has become synonymous with ultralight backpacking. Available at almost every grocery store and gas station, SmartWater is accessible – whether you are in a pinch or are planning on hitting the trail for several months. 

Intended as a single-use plastic water bottle with a future in the recycling bin, SmartWater’s design is unencumbered by features and accessories. For a more conventional water bottle, see our full guide. The most bare bones option of any bottle we tested, such a spartan bottle has little appeal to the majority of people. However, the ultralight weight of SmartWater earns it a spot in the most serious ounce-counter’s pack. 

How We Tested

Gear analyst Marion Tucker researched 35 water bottles and tested the top 13 in the field while hiking and climbing in Southeastern Utah. She conducted drop tests to evaluate their durability and ranked each bottle’s ergonomics, insulation, weight, and features after side-by-side comparisons.

Durability

SmartWater bottles are meant for single use, but they are made with plastic sturdier than most disposable water bottles. This makes it possible for them to be reused multiple times. Though lacking the burliness of hard shell bottles, the SmartWater bottle held its own against drops, sustaining very little damage during our field tests. 

We’ve used a SmartWater bottle on multi-day backpacking trips in Wyoming’s Wind River Range. Over the course of several days and almost 100 miles, the SmartWater bottle handled driving rain, below-freezing nights, and many falls in scrambles over jagged talus without structural impact. By the end of the trip, the only blemish was a severely scuffed exterior. 

It’s probably not a bottle you’ll use for years to come, but the Smartwater bottle is tougher than your average single-use plastic bottle. It’s more than capable of withstanding rough use on the trail.

Ergonomics

The long, slim, cylindrical design of SmartWater bottle can fit into packs, backpack pockets, and cup holders. Made of a softer plastic than hard shell bottles, the more supple construction offers some flexibility in squeezing the bottle into the tighter corners of a bag. 

SmartWater features a very narrow mouth, which makes for quick and easy sipping and keeps spillage to a minimum while drinking on the move. However, the smaller opening creates a challenge when trying to add hydration mixes. Plus, adding ice can be impossible, depending on the size of the cubes. The biggest issue with the narrow mouth is the challenge it poses in keeping the bottle clean. The SmartWater bottle cannot be put in the dishwasher, leaving hand washing as your only option. 

Overall, though, SmartWater’s sleek shape makes it adept at fitting into all the spots bulkier bottles cannot. 

Insulation

As a single-use water bottle, you won’t find any insulation in the Glaceau SmartWater bottle. For those looking for a level of temperature control in a bottle, SmartWater is not an ideal choice. This disposable bottle is made from a thinner, lower grade plastic that makes it particularly susceptible to external shifts in temperature. On a freezing cold night, you might wake up to a bottle full of ice. On scorching summer days, the SmartWater bottle won’t stay cold for long. 

If insulation is a desired element, other bottles will be better. SmartWater’s biggest selling point is its weight. 

Weight

Weight is the SmartWater bottle’s defining and most important aspect. At 0.07lbs, its weight elevates it from a grocery store buy to coveted backcountry water system. The bottle is already stripped to its most basic form, so there’s no need to modify it in order to shave off an extra half ounce. 

The incredibly low weight of the SmartWater bottle makes it an obvious choice for ultralight backpacking, so it’s no wonder why it has been embraced by thru-hikers everywhere. Tying a little loop of cord around the neck, we’ve also clipped this bottle to our climbing harness to keep us hydrated during multi-pitch routes. Especially after scaling several hundred feet, we have appreciated having a bottle that quenches our thirst without adding to the already heavy weight of climbing gear. 

Features

As one of our most basic bottle recommendations, SmartWater does not offer many features or options for customization. Although, bottles are available in 500mL, 700mL, and 1.5L sizes for some choice in capacity preference. 

However, SmartWater is compatible with the Sawyer Squeeze filter, a filtration system whose threads enable it to screw directly onto its mouthpiece for immediate, filtered drinking. Paired together, they’re an ultralight hydration system which allows backpackers and thru-hikers to filter out bacteria and protozoa on the go. 

SmartWater may not come with the personalization options that make other water bottles so appealing. However, when saving weight is your sole focus, it’s easy to appreciate the simplicity of SmartWater. 

Should You Buy the SmartWater bottle?

Is a thru-hike in your future? If so, Glaceau SmartWater is many ultralight backpackers go-to choice. Especially when used in tandem with the Sawyer Squeeze, the exceptionally light weight of this bottle makes it the undeniable top pick for best ultralight hydration system. Plus, SmartWater’s low cost makes it the cheapest piece of ultralight gear you’ll probably ever buy. For the average person, it is not necessary to sacrifice longevity and durability in favor of a single-use bottle. But for the situations when every ounce counts, the Glaceau SmartWater bottle is a cheap and obvious choice.

What Other Water Bottles Should You Consider?

For a full list of recommendations, please see our guide to the best water bottles. 

Platypus Platy Bottle Review: An ultralight bottle that is intended for multiple uses, the 2L Platy Bottle can bend, roll, fold, and squeeze into whatever form you need. 

HydraPak Flux Review: Although a bit heavier than the SmartWater bottle, the HydraPak is a soft shell bottle that’s designed for flexibility and compact storage.

Nalgene Wide Mouth Review: For a bottle that’s light enough to take on your next long distance hike or backpacking trip, the Nalgene Wide Mouth is a timeless classic that’s durable, affordable, and lightweight.