Hydration Basics for Walkers

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I know I say it often—and I may sound like a broken record—but hydration is important. Sure, I remember a time when we just never drank water. We didn’t carry jumbo tumblers of water wherever we went—and if we had, we probably would have been laughed at. But, hey—we also lived without things like seatbelts and infant car seats in those days, so it was basically the Wild West.

Now, however, we know better. We know that it’s important to stay hydrated throughout the day—and it’s even more important when you’re exercising. When you’re walking, you need to replenish the fluids you’re losing as you sweat—to keep you moving while preventing things like headaches and cramps.

There isn’t a whole lot of gear that’s absolutely necessary for walkers, but hydration is one of my four essentials. When I see someone out on the trail without water, I cringe. And when I have friends join me on a walk, I always remind them to bring water.

There are a number of different ways to keep your hydration handy—so today we’re taking a look at the basics.

Handheld Water Bottles

When you’re out and about, handheld water bottles are pretty common. Whether you’re getting groceries or watching your kid’s soccer game, you’ll probably see a bunch of whichever style is currently the most fashionable. They might be insulated or stainless steel or plain old plastic. They might have a handle on top or on the side. They might have a straw or a screw-off top.

You’ll see a variety of these handheld containers on the trail, too. You’ll see people carrying everything from disposable water bottles to big, bulky (and incredibly heavy) stainless steel tumblers. And that does the trick. Those people are staying hydrated. But they’re probably also realizing that carrying a water bottle on a walk is just…a nuisance.

If you want to go with something small and handheld, I recommend picking up a handheld flask that will strap to your hand. That way, you’ve got something small and portable and always at hand (pun totally intended)—but you don’t have to keep gripping it throughout your walk.

If you want to take a closer look, check out my review of the Nathan SpeedShot Plus Handheld Flask—or find it on Amazon.


Pros:
– Always handy—no need to dig through pockets

Cons:
– Can be heavy
– Unless you’ve got a hand strap, you might end up dropping it
– Depending on your bottle of choice, it might not carry enough water for long walks

Waist Packs

If you prefer to keep your hands free while you’re walking—but you still want to carry your water and a few extras—you might want to consider a waist pack.

Fortunately, thanks to Lululemon and their ultra-popular Everywhere Belt Bag, you won’t look like someone’s dad in 1985 if you wear one. Since I’m definitely a function-over-fashion kind of girl, though, I’ve been wearing mine on the trails since before Lulu made them cool—so you could call me a trendsetter.

Waist packs come in all varieties and price points. Personally, I have three or four different kinds—from the $2 Temu pack that holds a standard bottle and a couple of extras to fancier ones with extra pockets and room for two small bottles (and I still have this one on my wish list). For the most part, you get what you pay for. The $2 one from Temu probably won’t last long-term, but it’s nice to have a backup for vacation walks or lending to a friend (or your kid—though my daughter has a habit of breaking hers).

Waist packs have a variety of different features. They’ll hold different sizes and types of water bottles—from standard-size bottles to small sports-style bottles. Some will fit a phone—and some will even include a touch-screen-friendly window. They’ll have different sizes and numbers of pockets. And some will even hold energy gels and/or race bibs. So you can choose what’s best for you.

Admittedly, if you don’t find the right style and fit, these packs can bounce a bit, and you might find yourself adjusting and readjusting them—which can be frustrating on longer walks. But that’s more maddening for runners than it is for us.

Pros:
– Hands-free carrying for water bottles and extras
– A variety of options available to fit every need
– Can be worn in front or back—however it feels more comfortable

Cons:
– Can sometimes bounce or need adjusting
– Can be awkward when dealing with jackets and extra layers
– Capacity is still limited

Hydration Vests

For most daily walks (and even most races), hydration vests may seem like overkill, but they definitely meet some important needs.

Like waist packs, hydration vests come in all different varieties. They wear like a regular vest and tend to close with a clasp or two in front. They come with plenty of pockets and little extras, and they often include a large pocket in the back that can carry a large bottle—usually a liter or two—for ultimate hydration. The bottle usually hooks on to the back of the vest and includes a very long straw that wraps around the vest and can be easily accessed for quick sips on the go.

Again, for most people, this may seem excessive—especially for everyday walks. But they’re perfect if you’re walking long distances or in steamy climates or in events that require extra storage. When I’m hitting the trail for a long walk on a hot day, the extra hydration comes in handy. And on half-marathon days, the extra pockets are great for carrying everything I need—from extra snacks to the warming sleeves and gloves that I didn’t need after Mile 5.

You can find my favorite hydration vest on Amazon.

Pros:
– Can carry extra water for hot days and long walks
– Lots of pockets for extra gear, extra snacks, and water bottles

Cons:
– Most are made from breathable fabric, but it’s still an extra layer that can get warm
– Can get heavy, depending on how much you’re carrying
– Can be challenging if you’re wearing extra layers that might need to come off

With so many different options for every need, there’s absolutely no reason to end up dehydrated on your daily walks. Just pick the one that works for you (or, in my case, one—or more—of each!), and you’ll be able to stay hydrated, no matter where your walk takes you.

How do you stay hydrated on your walks? Do you have any favorite hydration gear?