I’ve tried just about every portable water option for running you could imagine. I’ve worn belts and vests, carried hard and soft flasks, and tried many sizes and shapes. Some of them I’ve liked very much and others I’ve hated with a passion. Different distances call for different options but overall, I’ve found that I like to carry as little as possible for longer runs, so this limits me a bit. For trail runs, I’ll always opt for a hydration vest, but for roads I prefer a specific belt with pockets and very little jiggle. I’m always stuffing a bottle in there and digging around for it when I start to feel thirsty, and that sometimes requires stopping, which can be really hard once you get going.
Simple Hydration seemed like a great alternative that I hadn’t tried before. The Simple Hydration Water Bottle has a unique shape, wider at the top than at the bottom, which makes it easier to slide into a waistband, pocket, or even a women’s sports bra. Why has no one thought of this before?
I liked the concept behind this immediately, but as we all know, concept and execution are two different animals, especially when it comes to a long run. When I first saw the Simple Hydration bottle, I honestly wasn’t sure if it would work. It’s made of a hard plastic like many running water bottles, which you may or may not like depending on your preference, and the “thin end,” (for lack of a better term,) was thicker than what I’d pictured in my head. I wasn’t sure how comfortable that would feel in a waistband or bra.
As it turns out, it worked out just fine. The first time I ran with the water bottle, I tucked it away in that favorite running belt mentioned above, and it fit like a glove. It really depends on the kind of belt you are using, but mine has a great loop on the front that the bottle slid into easily. There’s a little hook where the bottle widens, and it’s great placement for looping it onto the lip of your running clothes or belt. The contoured shape of the bottle is also comfy and easy to carry and drink from.
My runs with the Simple Hydration bottle have been successful. There has been no leaking from the bottle or lid. It doesn’t jiggle or move in my hydration belt, and in fact is barely noticeable. There’s no fumbling to retrieve it at any time, and it’s easy-grip design is top-notch.
The new design of these bottles has a translucent lid. The older model is still available on Amazon, but the new design is available on the Simple Hydration website. You can order the bottles individually for $18.99 or you can get a 2-Pack for $35.99. There’s also a 3-pack ($52.78) or a 5-Pack ($87.51.) They are all 13 oz bottles, all BPA-Free, and all made in the good ol’ USA.
These water bottles are also super easy to clean. Not only are they top rack dishwasher safe, but they have a nice wide cap which makes washing and rinsing them easy-peasy. As someone who is often exhausted after a long run, I am super appreciative of an easy clean up so I can rest instead. Because that’s really what all runners need.. Something to make the journey a little easier.
Company:
- Simple Hydration – Find them on Facebook here
Products & Price:
- Water Bottles with New Translucent Lids (2-Pack for $35.99. Also available is 1-Pack, 3-Pack, and 5-Pack) –Find it on Amazon here
Specs (from website):
- 2 – 13 oz Simple Hydration Water Bottles with New Translucent Green Lids
- Contoured shape for a great fit
- Rests comfortably in the hand when drinking
- LDPE
- BPA-Free
- 53 mm new cap makes for easy filling and cleaning
- Top rack dishwasher safe
- Made in the USA
More about Simple Hydration:
The idea for a hook-shaped water bottle hit me on a sweltering summer day while training for the Louisville Ironman Triathlon back in 2010. I hated carrying water and didn’t like bulky hydration belts bouncing around. I thought there has to be a better way. What if a bottle could slide into your waistband and stay secure. That way a runner can maintain natural run form while staying light and fast.
One year and a few prototypes later we launched the Simple Hydration Water Bottle. What makes this bottle unique besides the design is that it was successfully crowd funded on the web site Kickstarter. Runners and Run Shops from all over the world backed our product and let us know that they wanted to “Run Simple,” as we say.
Simple Hydration continues to grow and expand around the world. It’s very cool to see other runners love the Simple Hydration Bottle as much as I do. I’m just an average runner that loves the sport of running. We have fans like Simple Hydration Run Team member Elle Park using her bottle at a 5K in New York to top USA ultra runner David Laney using it at UTMB. There’s a great chance this bottle might fit your running hydration needs.
Thank you to Simple Hydration for providing us with a sample pack. Please read our transparency page for info on how we do our reviews.
