collapsible water bottle

Check out Platypus Soft Side Softbottle. Super packable, lightweight and durable! Have used mine on 2 international trips, planning on taking the same for a 20 day trip next month!

Being able to roll-up your water container when empty is an efficient space saver.

I carried a 1L bottle from Vapur several years ago through Austria, Slovenia & Italy, super solid and had no issues with cracking, leakage or, unusual smells. If you get a weird scent, a bit of baking soda and warm water does the trick.

Another brand I've had good luck with is Hydrapak their soft flasks are popular in the running community. The Stash and Stow water bottles are more general use, again, I've had no issues with smell or, durability.

I have had the same impulse but had the same research results--bad reviews. I know I'll be buying water at some point just because that's what I drink, so I just reuse that bottle.
I love my stainless bottle, and since it takes up no more room than the bottle of water I'd buy at the airport does, I sometimes use that.
I clearly just cannot trust a collapsible bottle, lol--Let us know if you find a good one!
If you are going to be doing really hard core hiking where you will need more than a couple bottles, Camelbaks are great and they pack relatively flat.

I bought a couple Hydaway Collapsible bottles a few years ago when we went to Italy. We loved them! I take them on every trip now. They hold about 17oz, come in a variety of colors and are even dishwasher safe.

Thanks! I will look into these.

And no, I am not hiking enough to make a camel pack worthwhile. I am looking for something to put in a small day pack.

I love my Platypus! Have used them for years. I accidentally left one in a lodging and had to look for a new one. By that time, they had stopped making the 0.5 liter bottle, so I had to buy a 1.0 liter. I wanted it to fit in my fanny pack as it always had, so I folded the bottom up and secured it with packing tape and it functions beautifully. I don't leave home without it!

I also love Platypus. I have them for water, and I also have one that holds a bottle of wine. I use the wine one often at home and have taken it traveling if we are staying in apartments. Once the wine is opened I pour it in the bag to stay fresher. I know you were asking about water bottles, but thought someone might find the wine option useful. 😉

On the recent Monday Night Travel episode with Cassandra Overby, she showed her Platypus holding wine!

I also love Platypus. I have separate ones for water and wine. It’s nice to take that leftover wine on the train or to the next hotel or on a picnic. Works perfectly!

I also use a Platypus 0.5 liter bottle - mine has a push/pull top but here's a similar model with a screw top closure: https://www.sierra.com/softbottle-soft-water-bottle-05-l~p~68ffj/

It has survived about 10 overseas trips so far. I like that it rolls up when empty and I've never had issues with smells or leaking, though it is looking a bit worse for wear so I'm going to test it before my upcoming trip.

I use a Coca-Cola bottle. It doesn't collapse, but my pack is never so full that that is a problem. I just fill it from a tap in the airport or hotel room or - in Italy - from one of the many public taps.

When it no longer seems sanitary I just buy a new Coca-Cola. In civilised countries I can return the empty bottle and get my deposit back.

I now have ordered four collapsible bottles! I ordered a vapur and hydaway one a few days ago. I liked the size of the vapur and the design of the hydaway. I thought the hydaway would not have issues with falling over.

But then there was this chorus for platypus and I couldn't resist. So this morning I ordered one of their water bottles and then a wine bottle. Not sure if I will take the wine one on the trip or not but we always have unfinished bottles of wine at home!

I avoid filling my hydration bladder with anything but plain water because the flexible bladders are harder to clean than rigid bottles. (I use a bottle briush on my Nygene bottles that carry energy drink mixes.)

See Platypus FAQs re cleaning and drying their flexible bottles:
https://www.platy.com/faq?cat=faq&folderId=platy-bottles

How do I clean my Platypus bottle?

How do I dry my Platypus bottle?

Can I put beverages other than water in my Platypus bottle, reservoir,
or storage product?

How do I disinfect my Platypus bottle?

Report back:

I am keeping the vapur and the platypus. Very similar design. Rinsed both out and put water in and didn't have a "taste". Ironically, I was most predisposed towards the hydaway but like it the least. It is really quite heavy which I didn't like. My husband thought it was too small. So am returning it.

I don't know of course how well the vapur and platypus will hold up long term but right now I am just focused on our upcoming trip!

I had a Vapur bottle that leaked horribly. Scrapped it for a Platypus and loved it; many trips, never an issue. Except that I spaced out on the way home from Venice and filled it before security (doh!) and it was confiscated.

So now I have another one!

I have a Nomader and just used on a trip to Italy. It folds up, had no problem with leaking. Followed the tips before use to avoid smells and I didn’t notice an issue at all. Holds cold and hot liquids