Top 11 Best Water Bottles for Running and Biking

One of the most important things you can do for your body is to keep hydrated. When you’re running and/or cycling, hydration becomes even more important. It’s important to consider what works best for you in your workout, however, there are so many choices out there to pick from. Inside are the top 11 water bottles for running and biking, so you don’t have to spend hours researching.

Why You Need Water While Running or Biking

When you exercise, you sweat. This sweat then evaporates off your skin to cool you. However, that does not solve the first issue sweating causes. When you sweat, you lose water from inside your body. That water performs a variety of functions within the body.

Muscle Performance

You want the most out of your workout, whether that’s sustaining performance or improving it. The loss of water through sweat decreases the blood volume within the body. Blood volume may sound magnanimous, however, that blood volume affects performance. With less blood volume, there are fewer vessels for oxygen floating around your body. Fewer vessels mean less oxygen reaching your muscles. With less oxygen, your muscles cannot sustain the chemical reactions necessary for peak performance.

As complicated as that sounds, it does not have to be. Your body will let you know when it’s thirsty. Following the prompts your body gives will keep you at your best throughout your workout.

Dehydration

The biggest issue with water while working out is the risk of dehydration. The Mayo Clinic defines dehydration as losing more fluids than you take in to the point of having inadequate fluids to carry out the body’s functions. For a runner or cyclist, this usually happens through excessive sweating over an extended period, if it happens at all.

The symptoms of dehydration are unique to each individual person. Common symptoms though include fatigue, dizziness, and confusion. When dehydrated, urination will become less frequent. When urination does occur, it will be darker. Most people also experience an extreme thirst when they dehydrate. If you are unable to keep fluids down, it’s time to go to a medical professional.

Proper hydration does not always mean the complete replacement of fluids. The older method required athletes to stand on a scale before and after a long workout. They then had to drink enough fluids to make up the weight. This is unnecessary if you follow your body’s prompts before, during, and after the workout. Carrying a water bottle makes hydration easier since you can sip when you’re thirsty.

Importance of BPA Free Water Bottles

What is BPA?

BPA is short for Bisphenol A. BPA is commonly found in polycarbonate plastics. Drinking bottles, compact disks, and medical equipment may have these plastics. Some epoxy resins used to seal metal containers such as food tins may also have BPA.

Why be Concerned about BPA?

The long-term effects of BPA exposure have not been studied. BPA has only been around since the 1960s. However, in a CDC study, 93% of 2517 samples contained signs of BPA exposure in 2003. That level of exposure is considered pervasive.

There is growing concern about children and BPA. Dr. Bauer explains that BPA exposure may alter brain and behavior, particularly in young people. The FDA has said very low BPA exposure is normal and safe. However, reduction in exposure is recommended should you feel concerned.

How is BPA Ingested?

Making items that have BPA is not inherently bad. However, there is growing concern about its ingestion. BPA is common in food and liquid storage. Over time, BPA may leach into the items contained inside it. Leaching happened quicker when the container is exposed to heat over time, such as repeated microwaving. It may also occur in reaction to certain nutrients.

How Can I Avoid BPA?

BPA free items are becoming more common. Many food container brands chose to remove BPA, as have water bottle companies. However, it’s still important to research products to ensure their compliance and decide what measure you’re comfortable with. You may wish to start by buying a water bottle free of BPA, or you may choose to boycott canned goods entirely.

Regardless of your choice, remember to keep abreast with current research on BPA in your exercise equipment. You spend too much time in it to do less.

Top 11 Best Water Bottles for Running and Biking

Polar Insulated Bottles

Perfect for: Cyclists

Polar water bottles are specifically designed to be a biking water bottle. Each water bottle fits in a standard bike cage, so the bottle needs no special equipment to mount. The bottles come with a double wall for insulation and it does keep liquids cool for long rides. With one of the more affordable price points, it’s a strong contender for the top bottle.

Polar Thermal Insulated Water Bottle, 24oz, Spin Steel
  • Polar POLAR Thermal Insulated Bottle Bottle Polar 24oz Spin Steel

Polar makes their bottles in a variety of sizes and colors, so you can pick what you need. Many people find the bottles to be durable and easy to use. However, lids have been known to leak, and it does sweat.


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