Nalgene Wide-Mouth Review

If you've spent any amount of time participating in outdoor activities in the last few decades, chances are you have seen or even owned a Nalgene Wide-Mouth. There is no mystery why this particular model has earned legend status as a tried and true classic – it's simple, it's light, and it's affordable. Without the heft of insulated metal models or the shatter factor of glass, this plastic classic is our hands-down go-to for multi-night human-powered activities.

Tested and Rated

Like we do for every review at GearLab, each product went through extensive hands-on testing, side-by-side versus the top competing products. We bought the Nalgene Wide-Mouth ourselves, as per our strict policy of never accepting free units from manufacturers. I tested the Nalgene extensively, and of course, it wasn't the first time I'd used a Nalgene since it is a brand I've used for years. Below, I will share my thoughts and observations from testing and rating it versus today's top competition.

Performance Comparison

Closure

This bottle is super simple. It consists of a cylindrical body and a screw cap, with a retaining strap that attaches the two main components. This allows you to take a gulp while hanging out on a cliffside without having to worry about losing your cap. I used the retaining strap for clipping onto our favorite backpacking backpack, but this isn't necessarily for how it's designed.

The design is so simple leakage is not a problem with this bottle, even though it doesn't have a gasket. It passed our leak test with a score of 100 percent. We gave this bottle our complete confidence, and it did not fail us when being jumbled around inside backpacks while backpacking and hiking. It is also reasonably quick to open and close, requiring only one half-cap revolution to screw/unscrew the cap.

Insulation

While the Nalgene can claim to be many things, insulated is not one of them. The plastic is relatively thin (which is why it's lightweight) and transparent. It will keep your liquids contained in a pack, but it will not keep them cool in the sun. How many of us have memories of drinking warm Tang out of a Nalgene in the desert? Certainly, more than a few. If you want a bottle to keep your liquids cool, then check out an award-winning insulated bottle.

During our insulation test with the full bottles out in the sun for six hours, the Nalgene didn't get the hottest, but it was over 105 degrees F at its peak temperature. This certainly isn't the most quenching of gulps when your body is already hot and sweaty. It is drinkable, though, and it will keep you hydrated. Again, check out an insulated water bottle if you're planning to keep your bottle out in the sun and your preference is for cool water.

Taste

The Nalgene actually surprised us during this test. Normally a plastic bottle will, at some point, impart some plastic chemical flavor. Our reviewer is uber sensitive to plastic taste and smell, and while it's not as clean tasting as drinking from glass or stainless steel, with this bottle, it's nearly indiscernible. If you want to add flavor to your bottle, fear not tainting the Nalgene. We filled it with tea and vitamin powders. After a wash with warm soapy water, the fresh water tasted clean (although a faint smell remains).

For our controlled taste test, each bottle received 100-degree F water and sat for 30 minutes. We expected to taste some plastic here, but the Nalgene surprised us yet again, especially since many of us have memories of older iterations of this bottle tainting our water with that familiar chemical taste after being left in the sun. The upgrade may have something to do with the updated technology in its construction. All Nalgene bottles are now made from a recycled material called Tritan Renew copolyester.

Ergonomics

This bottle is simple. It has no bells, no whistles. It's a plastic cylinder with a plastic lid. Yet, some features contribute to ease of use. For one, it's the lightest of all the rigid bottles that we've tested, at just 6.25 oz. The lid is wide and has ridges, which makes it easy to grip and open even when wearing gloves or mittens. It only takes a half rotation to open the lid. The mouth is wide, which makes it quick and easy to fill. The side has graduated marks in both milliliters and ounces, which makes measuring liquids for backpacker meals or tracking hydration easier. It also pairs with several top-rated backpacking water filters.

That said, it didn't score the highest during this test. The lid retainer, while helpful for keeping track of the lid, isn't a very comfortable carry strap, nor is it designed for this purpose. The edges are actually a bit sharp and dig into the skin. The retaining strap is also the weakest part of this bottle. If this is your only source of water or sole vessel on a trek, don't clip it to your pack by the strap. We've known a Nalgene or two to become lost that way. It's also a wide, bulky bottle – it won't fit in a cup holder, and it can be cumbersome to grip. Despite all that, there are many other reasons why it's an iconic backcountry bottle.

Material Quality

This is a strong bottle. The plastic body and cap can endure many drops and tumbles and still maintain their integrity. It will scuff, for sure, but it will continue to retain liquid. The cap, which is definitely the weakest part of the bottle, will break, but it takes a lot of abuse or a big fall right on the lid to do so. We've known many a Nalgene to take a tumble down a cliffside and be found intact.

All Nalgene bottles are now made from a recycled material called Tritan Renew copolyester, which boasts up to 50% certified recycled content (from recycled plastic bottles). This materials upgrade results in the reduction of fossil fuel consumption and carbon footprint for each bottle. This material is BPA, BPS, and BPF free. Bisphenols are known endocrine disruptors, so it's best to avoid using water containers that contain these chemicals. Due to its durability and considerations for environmental health, we can wholeheartedly recommend the Nalgene Wide-Mouth as a vessel for all your backcountry adventures.

Should You Buy the Nalgene Wide-Mouth?

It's clear why the Nalgene Wide-Mouth has been so loved in the world of outdoor recreation for the past few decades. It's a nearly unbreakable bottle that is also lightweight and easy to clean. It has a few tricks up its sleeve that can make campsite cooking and cold winter nights a bit easier. You can mix drink powders in the bottle without forever tainting its contents. We feel confident in this bottle's suitability for just about any backcountry activity. It isn't our first choice for an everyday bottle, but for the price, we feel that there's still money in the bank for a bottle more suitable for that. If you enjoy the great outdoors, you're going to find lots of uses for this bottle.

What Other Water Bottles Should You Consider?