On-the-Go Hydration: 10 Best Water Bottle Slings for 2024
A water bottle sling is an amazing accessory to travel with, no matter where you’re headed or what season you’ll be in. Rather than throwing your travel water bottle in a purse or tote and risk having it leak all over your phone, a sling makes sure your bottle stays upright so you can avoid those day-ruining sorts of spills. Read on to discover all our favorite water bottle slings for 2024.
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10 best water bottle slings: our top picks
1. Best overall water bottle sling: Calpak
There was no question that this water bottle sling from Calpak would be at the top of our list. This pick truly has it all: multiple exterior pockets, insulated interior, top carry handle, detachable shoulder strap, and water-resistant ripstop nylon that’s easy to clean. Along with those features, this sling comes available in a wide range of fun patterns and prints to choose from — which will definitely add some flair to an otherwise monochrome or minimalist travel outfit. While there are some solid colors in this collection, our favorite options have to be the daisy, cheetah, and polka dot patterns that are sure to make a statement while you’re out and about.
Price: starting at $42
2. Best affordable water bottle sling: AUPET
AUPET's water bottle carrier is an affordable option that’ll definitely get the job done. The neoprene material makes this sling super lightweight, but it also protects the surface of your bottle from scratches and scrapes. Whether you want to use this carrier while you’re on a walk, out for a run, or cycling around town, it’s sure to come in handy in all kinds of situations. Wear this pick slung across your chest or carry it by hand if that’s more comfortable for you.
Price: starting at $11
3. Best versatile water bottle sling: Beis Travel
This sling from Beis Travel fits up to 32 oz water bottles and comes with a drawstring/cord lock closure to keep things secure. On top of that, this smart design has a U-zip cargo pocket that’s perfectly sized to fit your phone (or other small essentials, if you’d rather). But our favorite feature has to be the 3-way carrying options. The adjustable strap lets you wear this sling on your shoulder or as a crossbody — or you can use the side web handle to carry it by hand.
Price: starting at $44
4. Best sustainable water bottle sling: Baggu
While we love all the fun patterns and colors of this Baggu sling, we love the sustainability aspect even more. This design is made using 100% recycled nylon yarn that’s produced from pre-consumer waste, which “saves scrap material from being landfilled, conserves petroleum resources, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.” But that’s not all! The polyfill interior is also made with 100% post-consumer recycled PET (AKA the clear plastic used for water bottles).
Price: starting at $34
5. Best flatback water bottle sling: YETI
YETI’s Bottle Sling is a simple, yet practical solution to “transporting your H2O hands-free.” The great thing about this holder is that it has a flatback design. In other words, it has a sturdy, flatback structure that lets the carrier rest comfortably against your body (and stop rolling all over the place en route). Better yet, the compression-molded base keeps your bottle upright so you don’t have to worry about spilling any water or losing out on much-needed hydration.
Price: starting at $35
6. Best packable water bottle sling: Hydro Flask
Need a water bottle sling you can take with you while running errands, doing some sightseeing, or hanging out at a festival? Look no further than the Packable Bottle Sling from Hydro Flask. This little number keeps a super low profile when it’s not in use — that is, it packs down into its own pocket for easy storage and convenient transport. And if that wasn’t enough, there’s also an adjustable strap, stretch mesh pockets, and some great color options to choose from.
Price: starting at $24
7. Best vegan water bottle sling: Corkcicle
Corkcicle’s Carry Sling Bag is a “high fashion, high function” solution for all your water bottle-carrying woes. This minimalist design has a sleek, vegan leather exterior, an adjustable crossbody strap, and a handy interior pocket for storing your small valuables. There’s also a magnetic closure for added security — meaning, you can forgo carrying a water bottle altogether and instead use this bag as a compact crossbody to hold your travel essentials.
Price: starting at $25
8. Best insulated water bottle sling: Herschel Supply Co.
Herschel’s bottle sling is full of clever design details that make this purchase well worth the $30 price point. For starters, the foam-padded insulation on this carrier keeps your water bottle cold on every journey (so you always have a refreshing drink on hand). There’s also a leak-proof liner, drawcord closure, and adjustable shoulder strap to give you the most comfortable fit possible. Take this sling with you on a hike, to the park, or for a full day of exploring a new city.
Price: starting at $30
9. Best minimalist water bottle sling: Lululemon
This water bottle crossbody from Lululemon doesn’t come with a lot of flash or frills. Instead, it’s just a well-made, minimalist sling that holds an impressive 2.5 L of water. That’s right — this humble-looking bag can carry ~84 oz of water. So if staying hyrdated is your goal, this purchase can help you make it happen. Other useful features include the exterior zippered pocket to secure your valuables, and the cinch closure to provide easy access to your water at any time.
Price: starting at $38
10. Best wide-mouth water bottle sling: Go Time Gear
More than any other sling on our list, this design from Go Time Gear works well for wide-mouth water bottles. For example, if you’re someone who has a 40 oz Klean Kanteen, a 38 oz Nalgene, or a 32 oz Hydro Flask, then you’ll need a sling this size to fit those larger bottles. Other selling points of this design are its weather- and water-resistant materials, and its reinforced stitching to make sure it’ll withstand all the wear and tear of being on the go.
Price: starting at $23
Water bottle slings - common FAQs
Are water bottle sling bags worth it?
Water bottle slings are a totally worthwhile purchase for people who want to stay hydrated but also stay hands-free. A sling bag can be worn over your shoulder or across your body, and keeps your water bottle right where you can always reach it. Alternatively, you can always carry a coffee travel mug in one of these slings if that’s a better fit for what you’ve got planned.
Which brands carry water bottle sling bags?
These days, tons of brands carry their own version of a water bottle sling bag. That said, some of the brands with the best sling designs include Baggu, Beis Travel, YETI, and Calpak.
Should you carry your water bottle everywhere when traveling?
Ideally, you would carry around a reusable water bottle everywhere you travel. With a reusable bottle in tow, you have a better chance of staying hydrated and can avoid the hassle of trying to find a shop or a vending machine every time you feel thirsty. Plus, a reusable water bottle is a much more sustainable and eco-friendly option than all the single-use plastic sold in stores.