Walking Equipment and Accessories

Hydro Flask Lightweight Trail Series | Review

A lightweight and well insulated bottle fit for the demands of the life on the trail

Why we chose them: Lightweight, slick, and environmentally-friendly

While we’ve long been big fans of Hydro Flask’s insulated bottles here at Outdoors Magic, this new launch, we reckon, is actually even more likeable, bringing all the same benefits but at a much lighter weight. Perfect for hiking trips then.

The 21 oz Standard Mouth Lightweight Trail Series. Photo Credit: Chris Johnson

Who Is The Trail Flask For?

If versatility and a low pack weight are your priorities, this could be the range for you. The smaller sizes will fit nicely into most standard cup holders, as well as some bike bottle mounts, whilst the bigger sizes will keep you hydrated for multiple hours at a time. The look itself is very sleek so if a nice aesthetic is high on your list, these flasks should do the trick.

Design

The range includes four colours: obsidian, topaz and slate. There are three size options of 621ml, 710ml, and 946ml with all coming at the same height of 10.2 inches, but with diameters ranging from 2.8 to 3.3 inches. The flask pictured here is the 21 oz Standard Mouth Lightweight Trail Series which is the lightest in the collection.

“All flask sizes are BPA-free and phthalate-free”

The infrastructure itself consists of a TempShield double-wall vacuum insulation that’ll keep your drink cold for up to 24 hours, and hot for up to 12. This double-wall set-up also helps eliminate condensation build-up from the bottle, so you needn’t worry about cross-contamination with your kit.

As a bonus, all flask sizes are BPA-free and phthalate-free, have a lifetime warranty, and should fit most outdoor hydration filters. The two larger sizes are additionally both compatible with Hydro Flask’s very own Hydro Flip™ Lid, and Wide Mouth Straw Lid.

Materials

The Trail Flask is made from 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel – super tough then. It has a thick base, where it’s more likely to be bear the brunt of a fall, and then slightly thinner walls up top (compared to a standard Hydro Flask) to bring down the overall weight.

“The trail flask is made from 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel a.k.a. the good stuff”

While stainless steel is obviously useful for its toughness, the other benefit is that it doesn’t retain or transfer flavours from drink to drink. Want to switch from coffee in the morning, to water in the day, and wine in the evening? No problem.

The leakproof Flex Cap features Hydro Flask‘s Honeycomb insulation. There’s also a handle that features laser cut perforated holes and aluminium pivots – both deliberate design details to bring down the overall weight. Marginal gains and all that.

Tester’s Verdict

Will Renwick, editor of Outdoors Magic

“I’m a big fan of the 21 oz flask in the Trail Series collection. The insulation is excellent; no different, I’d say, to a standard Hydro Flask, with a warm drink guaranteed even at the end of a long day of hiking.

“For me, this is a much more attractive option to take out on a hike than the standard flask, weighing not that much heavier than some non-insulating water bottles I’ve owned.

“The durability is good. After a heavy winter of use there are no scratches on the one I’ve been using. There are, however, a few very small dents, but I kind of like them. You don’t want your flask looking too perfect, do you?”