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Staying hydrated while logging miles has never been easier.

One of the most crucial ways to ensure solid performance when you're running is to fuel and hydrate just as you would on race day. While many races as short as 5 miles will have an aid station for hydration, carrying your own drinking water or sipping an electrolyte mix during your regular jogs (especially in hot weather) will ensure that you get the most out of your training without becoming dehydrated. A lightweight handheld or hip belt water bottle is the perfect way to ensure that you stay hydrated and keep your energy high, no matter where your run takes you.

Product weight, liquid capacity, and storage space are the three most important factors to consider when selecting a running hydration accessory. Determine how much water you’ll need along your longest training run and factor in if there’s anywhere to stop and refill when determining what size water bottle to select. We have included options with capacities ranging from 200 to 600 milliliters in this list.

Also important is how much storage space you want included in this accessory. Most come with a small pocket that will at least hold keys, cards, and maybe a snack. However, some come with a pocket big enough for not only the aforementioned essentials, but your phone, as well. Carefully determining which of these factors are most important will help ensure that you’ll choose the perfect training accessory.

Handheld water bottles were my introduction to on-the-go running hydration. For the past decade, I’ve been experimenting with a variety of different styles and brands of running water bottles and hip belts. I used my own personal data and cross-referenced this with that of my trail-running community and user reviews to select the products you'll find below. Whether weight, storage space, or price point is most important to you, you're sure to find a bottle that meets your needs here.

For more great ways to stay hydrated on the go, check out our picks for the best water bottles for runners, hydration packs, and hydration vests.

Looking for a lightweight accessory to keep you hydrated and hold just a snack or two? The Amphipod minimalist handheld is extremely comfortable and checks both of these boxes.

The water bottle is shaped to fit right inside your grip, while your hand comfortably wraps around a cushioned holder. Gear loops on the adjustable holder are suitable to fit a gel or chews for quick fuel. This running water bottle is perfect for your first handheld, where comfort is most important and you want to forget you’re even carrying it.

I first bought this product six years ago, and I still use it today. It’s the perfect introduction to carrying water on the go, and its features are useful for beginner or expert runners. The bottle is insulated to keep water cool on long hot days, and the twist cap ensures nothing spills or leaks. The zippered pocket fits either my phone or my valuables with snacks.

CamelBak uses a comfortable mesh around the bottle that is easily tightened to keep it firmly in your hand as you move.

Training for a longer race? A running hip belt is the piece of gear for transitioning from short runs that require little to no fuel to multi-hour adventures. The pocket is big enough for your valuables AND snacks, while the hip belt hugs tightly to your body to minimize bouncing.

However, the water bottle is only half a liter capacity. For long runs you may have to plan a water fountain stop to refill. This is a great choice for long races, where you may need to carry extra water and snacks between aid stations.

Craving cool water towards the end of a hot summer run? This Nathan handheld uses double-wall insulation to keep your hydration cold, even as you’re cranking miles under the sun. Even with this great feature, it’s still just 5 ounces. There’s also one storage pocket that’s big enough to hold a phone, card, and key, or a couple snacks. This is a great option for mid-distance runs in heat.

Pro tip: Put some ice in the bottle for ice-cold water when you need it most.

If you're going for runs where you just need a little bit of extra water, but don't want to be weighed down by a bulky bottle, this inexpensive and minimalist handheld is a great place to start. It has a neoprene holster that protects it against the elements and your sweat, and it's ergonomically designed, too. This keeps it comfortable to carry as you run, so you hardly notice the extra accessory as you crank out miles.

This is a great budget-friendly recommendation for runners who are just starting to up their mileage, or for more seasoned runners who don't want to carry heavy accessories.

Not a fan of handhelds? This minimalist running waist belt keeps your hands free and has plenty of storage space, too. This option is very inexpensive, but still has features important to runners of all levels. The two 10-ounce water bottles are distributed on each side to balance out the weight evenly across your back.

Between the two bottles is one large pocket that fits both your valuables and snacks, allowing you to just focus on the run ahead. This is a great choice for long training runs or races where you need your gear accessible, but don't want to have to carry it in your hands for miles.

The ultra-minimalist Osprey Duro is a perfect race or hot weather companion. This product utilizes a soft flask, which contracts as soon as you start to drink. Towards the end of the run when the bottle is empty, it’ll be compressible enough to stash in a pocket. Furthermore, though the overall design is very lightweight, it still has a mesh pocket where you can stash valuables and/or snacks.

Looking to upgrade the liquid capacity of a belt or handheld that you already own? This additional running flask is a great choice. The polypropylene blend material that HydraPak uses is extremely durable, yet it also conforms to whatever extra pocket you’re using to carry it. Furthermore, this bottle comes with two different cap types, depending on your preference.

Carrying multiple liters of water for long trail runs is a huge hassle, and can slow you down dramatically. However, if you’re running in an area with flowing water, this flask includes a filter so you can just fill up as you go. The flask will fit into any hip belt or handheld holster you already own, and compresses as you drink. It works via gravity, so simply screw the filter cap on the bottle and drink through it for clean water as you continue exploring.