Anyone use collapsable water bottles on runs?

ziplockbag, aka collapsable water bottle

Not really sure what kind of capacity you’re considering, but Hydrapak makes a 500ml softflask which is great for when you need to carry some water. Handheld, comfortable to carry, and folds up quite small when empty.

I don’t tend to carry water very often, but it has served me well on longer runs and hotter days when I do.

They also make a bottle for Katadyn with a built in filter if you want to refill on the go, but the filter is a little fragile to stuff in a pocket.

i bought a few many years ago. They don't smell good and were hard to keep clean. I don't think they last very long if you have any standards whatsoever for what you're drinking out of. Maybe they have advanced since then.

Collapsible soft flasks are commonly used with they hydration vests favored by many MUT runners, and occasionally they are used with some kind of fanny pack or something else.

I am curious about how people keep these collapsible soft flasks clean.

I think about 16-20oz will be enough. Maybe I’ll check out those flasks and can put them in my shorts pockets as I hate holding water bottle while running.

JjisaB wrote:

Collapsible soft flasks are commonly used with they hydration vests favored by many MUT runners, and occasionally they are used with some kind of fanny pack or something else.

I am curious about how people keep these collapsible soft flasks clean.

They don't have to. If they are anything like the Hydrapak softflasks that came with my Salomon pack, they spring pinhole leaks in the welded seams after a few uses, and then you stop using them. At least with the three that I had (Two came with the pack. Got a free replacement for the first that leaked, then didn't bother when the other original and then the replacement leaked.) Also, the chemical taste coming off the valve cap is really bad.

outside running wrote:

They don't have to. If they are anything like the Hydrapak softflasks that came with my Salomon pack, they spring pinhole leaks in the welded seams after a few uses, and then you stop using them. At least with the three that I had (Two came with the pack. Got a free replacement for the first that leaked, then didn't bother when the other original and then the replacement leaked.) Also, the chemical taste coming off the valve cap is really bad.

Been running at least 1-2x a week with the Salomon Hydrapak flasks for a bit over a year (started using them last may). I've never experienced a chemical taste in the valve caps. Also, the hydrapak flasks have not sprung any leaks yet. Dunno what to tell you except maybe you got a bunk batch or maybe you are rougher with them than I am.

Maybe it's the particular Salomon 17 oz Hydrapaks. I have two sitting on my table here. With the caps on and air inside, squeezing the bottle, I get pinhole streams of air from both top "shoulders" of both softflasks (same location as the first softflask, which I no longer have). The other seams on the sides and bottoms hold air and water. The pack/softflasks was a fancy S-Lab 2014 model purchased in 2015, and the warrantied replacement softflask was 2015.

Though the bite valve design is nice, the taste from the valve is very strong. Looks like Hydrapak uses the same design now. Maybe the taste goes away with some wash cycles that the flasks never made it to. The softflask itself doesn't seem to have a taste (and is labeled PVC free and BPA free) when I drink from it without the valve on.

Looking at the Hydrapak website, it looks like they redesigned all the softflasks to have only seams without sharp corners. That seam corner was an obvious design flaw.

Looks like they still have lifetime warranty. Just sent this picture to them in the online claim:

https://ibb.co/zNTp4D7

JjisaB wrote:

Collapsible soft flasks are commonly used with they hydration vests favored by many MUT runners, and occasionally they are used with some kind of fanny pack or something else.

I am curious about how people keep these collapsible soft flasks clean.

I have one for occasional use on long days - after use I rinse it out and store it in the freezer

If by collapsible you mean the soft flasks that the other commenters have been referencing, I have tried those -- specifically the Hydraflask brand. I absolutely hated the way it felt when running. Even when it was completely full, the portion above and below my fingers flexed with every arm swing, and of course that only got worse as I drank.

To be fair, I am super neurotic about that sort of thing and on the whole I hate carrying anything in my hands while running. When it's super hot and there aren't fountains around, I've taken to just using a Poland Spring bottle with the label ripped off. The plastic is thin enough that you can squeeze it down as you drink from it so there's minimal sloshing and it's lighter than a full-fledged water bottle. It also basically conforms to your hand as squeeze it down, but it's still rigid enough near the ends to not flop all over the place. They even make a really small bottle (8 oz?) that essentially fits entirely in your hand.

If you're going to do really long runs on the trail, consider getting either one of those belts that holds a full-size water bottle behind your back or one of the super minimal hydration packs. They have ones that are essentially just a little mesh netting and 1L water bladder -- none of the big pockets or bulky straps. Looks totally normal out on the trails and is way more comfortable than lugging 20oz of water in your hand.

I purchased a "Naked" running belt and use a 600ML Hydrapak bottle. The Naked belt comes in sizes and its designed to sit right at the top of your hips so it is very secure. It could probably carry a slightly larger bottle than what I'm using. For me this is enough for a 2 hour run on a hot day

I have an AONIJIE that so far is working well. Has a soft shell that holds the flask. Strap cinches down.

Your options depend on your preferences and intended distance or time, among other variables. I often use my Inov8 All Terrain pro vest, which came with two 500-mL (roughly 17 oz each) hydrapak/soft flasks with tubes. Incidentally, I logged on because I have a hydration question, but it's a somewhat different angle so I'll keep that separate.

A vest may be considered overkill for runs of around 2 hours, but that's generally when I start using mine (without the detachable rear pack unless longer duration and/or variable weather requires). Always with at least one soft flask, plus or minus the other soft flask or a more traditional bottle. I practice with carrying different fuel and gear in different pockets, even if I don't 'need' all that stuff for a particular training run. In general, I like having two hydration options (one water, one electrolyte bev) when feasible. About the tubes: I like having the bite valve positioned near my mouth, although the tubes in general do annoy at times (I get whipped on occasion, not in a fun way). I think for trail running, having the soft flasks with tubes are rather helpful, as it tends to take less focus to hydrate as compared to pulling a water bottle out, let alone putting it back. That experience may vary a bit depending on the specific vest or waist pack.

I have a very simple race belt, which I have not yet worn. I am hoping that it will be useful when I only want to carry a small bottle (maybe two?) plus a little fuel. I've seen many belts/waist packs out there that should fit the bill if your primary concern is hauling a little bit of liquid.

Handhelds... I haven't used one, save for back in the day when I occasionally carried just a bottle with me. I think I'd prefer to keep my hands truly free. Still...anybody want to donate a handheld, in the name of research? :)

For most runs less than ~1.5 hours, I can get away with not bringing any hydration with me, so long as I am well hydrated (and salted) beforehand. I also don't live in the mountains, though. :)

Happy trails.

the little water bottles that come in 24 packs and 35 packs are quite collapsable. Just smash it really good and put the lid on tight while its smash and it will stay small. A couple of them with fit in a small waist pack of some kind. Recycle them when you get home.

Nathan makes an overpriced one that’s hand held. I believe it’s $30 for the regular bottle and $40 for insulated.

Check out this bottle:

Simple Hydration

simplehydration(dot)com

I've had mine for about 8 years and love it. Perfect size and yes, it does stay in place in your shorts liner.

MeHereYouWhere?! wrote:

Check out this bottle:

Simple Hydration

simplehydration(dot)com

I've had mine for about 8 years and love it. Perfect size and yes, it does stay in place in your shorts liner.

I second this--the butt bottle works far better for me than handhelds, running vests, or waist belts. It only comes up short if you need more than 13 ounces for a run, which for me is 0 - 1 times per year.