--- title: "Water bottles and bags" description: "Collapsible water bottles and bags you can use for filtering water and easily fold into your backpack when empty. Choose by thread, volume, and activity." canonical_url: "https://gramino.com/c/gear/hydration" last_updated: "2026-10-08" --- # Water bottles and bags In our selection, you'll mainly find **soft collapsible bottles and water bags**. On treks, we've found that they pack down easily when empty. They're also easy to squeeze when filtering and don't deform as much as classic PET bottles. Their necks fit standard [water filters](/c/gear/water-filters), so a soft bottle also works for collecting untreated water. You can choose from bottles by CNOC, Platypus, Sawyer, Montane, and HydroBlu. This category is also available as [HTML](/c/gear/hydration). ## Products Showing the 24 most popular of 35 products. The [category page](/c/gear/hydration) lists all of them, with filters. - [Platypus Softbottle 1.0 L Platy Logo Closure Cap](/p/platypus-softbottle-1-l-platy-logo-closure-cap.md) - [CNOC Vecto 2 L 28 mm](/p/cnoc-vecto-2-l-28-mm.md) - [Platypus Big Zip EVO](/p/platypus-big-zip-evo.md) - [CNOC Vecto 3 L 28 mm](/p/cnoc-vecto-3-l-28-mm.md) - [CNOC Vesica 1 L 28 mm](/p/cnoc-vesica-1-l-28-mm.md) - [CNOC Hydriam 750 ml 28 mm](/p/cnoc-hydriam-750-ml-28-mm.md) - [Platypus Platy 2.0 L Bottle](/p/platypus-platy-bottle-2-l.md) - [Montane Ultraflask 500 ml](/p/montane-ultraflask-500-ml.md) - [CNOC Vesica 1 L 42 mm](/p/cnoc-vesica-1-l-42-mm.md) - [CNOC QuickCap](/p/cnoc-quickcap.md) - [CNOC Hydriam 500 ml 28 mm](/p/cnoc-hydriam-500-ml-28-mm.md) - [CNOC Hydriam 750 ml 42 mm](/p/cnoc-hydriam-750-ml-42-mm.md) - [Montane Softflask 360 ml](/p/montane-softflask-360-ml.md) - [CNOC 28 mm Tethered Cap](/p/cnoc-tethered-cap-28-mm.md) - [CNOC Vecto 2 L 42 mm](/p/cnoc-vecto-2-l-42-mm.md) - [CNOC Vecto 3 L 42 mm](/p/cnoc-vecto-3-l-42-mm.md) - [CNOC Hydriam 500 ml 42 mm](/p/cnoc-hydriam-500-ml-42-mm.md) - [CNOC QuickStraw](/p/cnoc-quickstraw.md) - [CNOC Tethered Slider](/p/cnoc-tethered-slider.md) - [Platypus Softbottle 1.0 L Waves Closure Cap](/p/platypus-softbottle-1-l-waves-closure-cap.md) - [HydroBlu Collapsible Canteen](/p/hydroblu-collapsible-canteen.md) - [Platypus Softbottle 1.0 L Platy Logo Push-Pull](/p/platypus-softbottle-1-l-platy-logo-push-pull.md) - [Sawyer 2 L – set of 2 pcs](/p/sawyer-2-l-bottle-set-2pcs.md) - [Platypus Softbottle 1.0 L Waves Push-Pull](/p/platypus-softbottle-1-l-waves-push-pull.md) ## How to choose a water bottle 1. **What kind of water do you need it for?** On a trek, it pays to have two kinds of bottles, for clean and dirty water. For **unfiltered water**, it's handy to have a large, durable bag that's easy to squeeze. We carry the CNOC Vecto: it has a large capacity, can take a real beating, and thanks to its loop, you can hang it from a branch and filter by gravity. For **filtered water**, a lightweight soft bottle in your backpack's side pocket is all you need. We most often take the Platypus Softbottle. 2. **What filter do you have?** It all comes down to the diameter of the **neck thread**. Sawyer filters (Squeeze, Mini, Micro) use **28 mm**, just like regular PET bottles. Katadyn BeFree and filters of similar design use **42 mm**. That's why you'll find the CNOC Hydriam, Vecto, and Vesica lines in different neck widths – just pick based on the filter you use. 3. **How much water do you need to carry?** For shorter treks, one or two bottles of around **0,5–1 L** are usually enough. If you're planning a multi-day crossing or expect longer stretches without a water source, add a **2–3-liter** bag to them. Empty collapsible bottles weigh next to nothing, so it's worth having a spare one in your backpack. 4. **Bottle or hydration bladder?** [A hydration bladder with a tube](/p/platypus-big-zip-evo) lets you drink on the move without stopping. You can also put together a hydration system from a CNOC Vecto bag, a QuickCap adapter, and a [QuickHose](/p/cnoc-quickhose) tube. For running and fastpacking, the best choice is a **soft flask** (Montane, CNOC Hydriam), which fits perfectly in a running vest. **Unfiltered water** The soft CNOC Vecto bag is ideal for unfiltered water. **Filtered water** You can keep a lightweight Platypus Softbottle of clean water within reach in your backpack's side pocket. ## Comparing the types | **Type** | **Best for** | **Pros** | **Cons** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **Large collapsible bag (CNOC Vecto)** | unfiltered water, deserts and areas with few water sources | large volume, easy to squeeze when filtering, can be hung up | too big for drinking on the move, doesn't hold its shape when empty | | **Soft bottle (Platypus Softbottle)** | filtered water | very lightweight, you can roll it up when empty, holds its shape when empty | the seam at the neck gets stressed with long-term filtering | | **Soft flask (Montane, CNOC Hydriam)** | running, fastpacking, running vest | water sloshes less in the bottle, you don't have to take off your pack to drink | smaller volume, harder to fill from a shallow source | | **Hydration bladder (Platypus Big Zip EVO)** | drinking without stopping | you don't have to take off your pack, easy hydration | harder to refill and check, the tube needs cleaning too, mustn't freeze in winter | ## Specifications - **Thread (28 / 42 mm):** the thread diameter has to match your water filter. You can filter for compatible bottles right on this page. - **Volume:** keep in mind that when filling a bottle from a natural water source, you may not manage to fill it all the way to the top. - **Material:** bottles made of thin multilayer film (polyethylene with nylon), such as Platypus, hold their shape better and stand up on their own. Bottles made of flexible TPU, such as CNOC, are more pliable and handle repeated squeezing better, for example when filtering. When empty, though, they don't hold their shape. ## Caps, straws, and tubes You can screw various caps onto the neck or attach a straw or tube. - **Screw cap:** you unscrew it to drink. If your cap tends to wander off on the trail, we recommend the version with a retaining ring (CNOC Tethered Cap). - **Sport cap:** you don't have to unscrew it to drink. It comes in two versions: the [CNOC Sport Cap](/p/cnoc-sport-cap-28mm) opens so you can drink, while the [CNOC BiteValve Sport Cap](/p/cnoc-bitevalve-sport-cap-28-mm) stays closed – you just bite down on the soft silicone mouthpiece. Both fit bottles with a 28 mm thread. For the Platypus Softbottle, it's the Push-Pull version. - **Straw or tube:** the [CNOC QuickCap](/p/cnoc-quickcap) adapter turns the neck into a quick connector. You can attach the short [QuickStraw](/p/cnoc-quickstraw) straw to it when your bottle is in a running vest pocket, or the QuickHose tube when you want to keep the bottle or bag in your backpack and drink from it like a hydration bladder. **Screw cap** A classic with a retaining ring. **Sport Cap** You don't have to unscrew it to drink. **Straw-style tube** Ideal for a running vest or a shoulder strap pocket. ## Use and care - **Don't use a soft bottle for filtering long-term.** Squeezing puts the most stress on the seam at the neck. We occasionally handle warranty claims for Platypus Softbottles leaking right at this spot after someone has used them for filtering over a long period. For filtering, we recommend a more durable bag (CNOC Vecto). Better to keep the soft bottle for clean water. - **After a trek, wash it and let it dry open.** Spread the bottle open so the walls don't stick together and air can flow inside. Don't store it damp and closed. - **Odors and residue** can be removed with a baking soda solution or cleaning tablets. Rinse the bottle as soon as possible after sugary and electrolyte drinks. ## What goes well with a bottle - [Water filters](/c/gear/water-filters): the bottle is only half of the filtration system, so check the thread diameter when choosing one. - [Shoulder strap pocket](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-bottle-pocket): your bottle is always within reach, and you can drink without taking off your backpack. - [Sports drink](/p/moonvalley-sport-drink): for those moments when you're sick of plain water and need something sweet. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I use a soft bottle in freezing temperatures? Yes, but the water in it will freeze just like in any other bottle. Don't fill it all the way – ice needs room. If you use it with a filter, it's mainly the filter you need to protect from freezing. For hot tea in freezing weather, you're better off taking a [thermos](/c/gear/thermoses). ### Do caps from regular PET bottles fit bottles with a 28 mm thread? Usually, yes. The 28 mm thread matches regular PET bottles, so in a pinch you can replace the cap with one from a store-bought bottle. This doesn't apply to 42 mm. ### Can I put electrolyte drinks or syrup in the bottle? You can. But rinse the bottle as soon as possible, because sugar in the folds of a collapsible bottle quickly leaves a film and odor. If you also use it with a filter, never drink a sweet drink through the filter. ### Why does water from a new bottle taste like plastic? That's normal. Before first use, rinse the bottle with warm water and a little baking soda or lemon juice, and let it dry open. ### Will an empty bottle get through airport security? Empty, yes. With a collapsible bottle in your carry-on, you can fill it up after security, and it takes up less space than a rigid one. ## Sitemap See the full [sitemap](/sitemap.md) for all pages.