If you’re anything like us, you never leave home without your favorite Nalgene bottle in hand. Not only do we love how our bottles put recycled plastics to work and reduce landfill waste, but maybe, most importantly, they help you stay hydrated. We all know that staying hydrated is incredibly important, and it’s easy to say: “drink more water,” but why do we really need to do that? 

Depending on how active you are, and how your body is built, you likely need to drink several liters of water each day to keep your body running like a well-oiled machine. And while hydration may seem like common sense, you might not realize just how necessary proper hydration really is for your entire body. For example, not only does water quench your thirst, but it’s also responsible for vital body processes such as regulating your temperature, keeping your organs working properly, and even preventing infections. 

So yes, staying hydrated is extremely important, but what are the best ways to actually stay hydrated in any situation? From avoiding sugar and alcohol to drinking water before you’re thirsty, there are tons of techniques and practices you can use to make sure that your body is properly hydrated. And on the trail, there are even certain water techniques that can help ensure that you never run out of h20, such as being able to find water sources, and knowing how to purify them. 

Lastly, while we love all of the water bottles that we make equally, we here at Nalgene make bottles of different shapes and sizes, which can help you stay optimally hydrated in any and all circumstances. So no matter where you are, or what you’re doing, you’ll always have a Nalgene bottle that’s full to the brim of drinkable water to keep you and your family healthy, happy, and hydrated.

Water is what keeps us going, and staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do for your body. Humans are made up of up to 60% water, and frequent hydration is necessary to keep us healthy. Let’s break it down: what exactly does water do for your body? While hydration has an incredibly long list of benefits, here are some of the basics.

First, hydration is responsible for many major body functions, such as keeping your digestion running smoothly, keeping migraines and headaches at bay, delivering nutrients to cells, and even helping you sleep soundly through the night. Hydration is also responsible for helping your body keep a normal temperature, lubricating and cushioning joints, protecting your spinal cord, and eliminating waste. Proper hydration helps athletes perform better, allows your body to better absorb nutrients, improves circulation, and fights off illness and infection. 

While that just scratches the surface of the benefits of hydration, it’s also important to understand what can happen when we’re not properly hydrated. Dehydration can quickly lead to many problems. Some of the signs of dehydration include fatigue, dizziness, confusion, less-frequent urination and extreme thirst. Lack of proper hydration can lead to lower energy and even irritability. Not only that, but being dehydrated can negatively impact cognitive function, with even mild dehydration having the potential to impact your memory and mental alertness.

While drinking plenty of water is common sense, dehydration isn’t always so obvious, and can even be tricky to spot. Aside from just feeling thirsty, you might also feel tired, lightheaded, or might need chapstick more than usual because dehydration can lead to chapped lips. 

For your other family members, it’s even more important to know certain signs of dehydration. The very young and the elderly actually can experience dehydration differently. For example, when babies, infants and children are dehydrated, they might become irritable, lethargic, have a dry mouth, or lack tears. They might even play less than usual, be excessively sleepy, or have wrinkly hands.

Dehydration can also be difficult to spot in older adults because the symptoms can often be confused for other medical conditions such as muscle cramps and dry mouth. But there’s another reason to be aware of dehydration in older adults: as we age, our sense of thirst actually diminishes. That means that the elderly are even less likely to notice when they’re thirsty.

So whether you’re keeping an eye on your own h20 levels, or ensuring your teeny tykes are well hydrated, understanding the signs of dehydration can help you remember to sip water frequently. And the best part? Your Nalgene bottle is always at the ready, for whenever you need it.

Staying hydrated is crucial, but sometimes things are easier said than done. Remembering to frequently drink water and ensuring others are hydrated is no small task. It can be especially difficult if you’re doing an activity that we here at Nalgene love, such as hiking, biking, or going on an adventure wherever life takes you.

Here are some of our favorite ways to ensure that you’re properly hydrated both on and off the trail:

• Always carry a bottle with you: Whether you’re running errands or running miles, aim to always carry a source of water with you. You’re much more likely to sip from your Nalgene bottle throughout the day if you have one by your side. The great news is that Nalgene bottles range in size, from a very portable 10oz all the way up to 64oz. That means that whether you’re traveling light or packing for a big trip, you’ll always be able to take a Nalgene bottle with you. Keep in mind that if you’re going to hit the trail,  you should calculate how much water is best to carry with you.
• Drink water before you’re thirsty: When you’re thirsty, this actually means that your body already needs water. A great way to get ahead of dehydration is by drinking water before you’re thirsty. This means that before you head out on that next big hike, it might be a good idea  to drink some water before you leave the house. But also keep in mind that you shouldn’t force water intake, because it’s also possible to drink too much.
• Avoid alcohol and sugar ahead of activities: Both alcohol and sugar are among the things that can actually dehydrate you, so it might be best to steer clear of them ahead of physical activities, such as the night before a hike. Caffeinated drinks can also lead to dehydration.
• Carry rehydration tablets: When you’re doing an intense physical activity, such as a long hike, it might be a good idea to carry rehydration tablets, salts, or powders. These contain electrolytes, which are the minerals found in your blood which help regulate your fluids. Rehydration tablets and powders can be helpful in keeping you hydrated, or rehydrating you during and after a strenuous physical activity. Not all rehydration products are created equal, and it’s important to learn how to read the label, so you know you’re using a product that’s helpful..
• Know where water stations are: Before you enter any wilderness area, it’s important to find out where water refill stations are. Not every trail, campsite, and park will have ample water refill stations, and while this is especially true of very remote areas, this can happen even in very established wilderness areas. For example, White Sands National Park only has water available at the Visitor’s Center, and not in the main portion of the park, which is large, typically hot, and has no shade. Knowing where water refill stations are can help ensure that your Nalgene bottle is always full, and that you’re never left thirsty.
• Know how to purify water on the trail: If you need to fill up water on the trail, there are plenty of water purification methods you can use to drink water from different sources, and ensure that it is safe for drinking. For example, using proper water purification techniques can allow you to drink water from natural sources you find along the trail. The main methods of water purification commonly used are chemical treatment (iodine or chlorine), filtration, ultraviolet light, or boiling.

Now that you know just how important it is to stay hydrated, you can decide which Nalgene bottle is best for your needs. Here are some of the ways we decide which Nalgene bottle we’re going to take with us for the day:

• By volume:  From 10oz to 64oz, there are plenty of different volumes of Nalgene bottles to choose from. A smaller size might be great for your children to carry around, or for you to throw in your bag while running errands or visiting a friend’s house. Our bigger bottles are great for ensuring you have enough water to keep you going for long journeys and strenuous activities.
• By cap design : Our different top and straw options make it easy to find a Nalgene that works best for you. We have wide mouth, lock top, and pull top caps, as well as straw tops and screw tops. This means you can pick a cap design that makes it easy and enjoyable to sip from your Nalgene bottle. 
• By accessory: Our Nalgene accessories make drinking from your bottle a real breeze. For example, our 30oz Neoprene Sleeve will keep your bottle sweat-free, and comes with a Mini Carabiner to easily clip your bottle to your backpack.
• By age: Here at Nalgene, we know just how special your little ones are. That’s why we have bottles which are perfect for kids. Some of our favorites are our Grip-N-Gulp, which is a spill-proof sippy cup, and our On-The-Fly Lock-Top, which allows for controlled sipping and is leakproof.

When you choose to sip from your favorite Nalgene bottle, not only are you choosing a bottle that is born from science, durable, and reducing plastic landfill waste. You’re also taking your hydration into your own hands, and ensuring that you and your family are healthy, no matter where life takes you.