A child grabbing his water bottle from his cage on his Riverside hybrid bike

How to Choose Your Cycling Bottle?

It’s really important to stay hydrated, especially whilst exercising— here's how to choose the best cycling bottle to keep you hydrated on your rides.

If you haven't already, you'll want to start by getting yourself a bottle cage for your bike.

The good thing about using a bottle cage for your bike is you don’t have to sacrifice your hands or bring a bag for your water bottle – just attach the bottle cage to the frame of your bike, pop your cycling bottle securely in the cage, and you're good to go.

But what kind of bottle should you choose?

A child and his dad riding Rockrider Electric Mountain bikes in the countryside

Our Cycling Brand

Decathlon's cycling brand offers handy tips to help you have the best cycling experience.

How to choose your water bottle

How much liquid your water bottle holds is worth considering – if you’re only going on a short ride then your bottle won’t need to be as big, whereas lengthy trails make for thirst-inducing rides, therefore you'll most likely be needing a bigger bottle to hold more water.

You also need to think about thermal insulation and the material your water bottle is made from.

1. Capacity

When slipped into your bottle cage, your cycling water bottle should be easy to grab, even while you’re pedalling. And for longer rides, you may want o kit your bike out with multiple bottle cages, one for water and another for an energy boost or isotonicn sports drink.

But first thing first, you'll want to make sure your bottle is the right capacity and size for it to fit securely in your bottle cage.

650 ML M CYCLING WATER BOTTLE SOFTFLOW - BLACK

The Best Cycling Bottle For Short Rides

A bottle holding up to 650ml will be enough.

800 ML L CYCLING WATER BOTTLE SOFTFLOW - BLUE

Cycling Bottles For Medium Rides

From 600 to 800ml should be more than adequate.

950 ML CYCLING WATER BOTTLE SOFTFLOW - BLACK

Cycling Bottles For Long Rides

The longer the ride, the more water you'll need. Go for a bottle that holds more than 650ml – or consider taking two with you.

2. Thermal Insulation

Not all bottles will keep your drink at the same temperature. And when the weather is hot, thermal insulation is an absolute must – no one wants to sweat it out and then sip a warm drink.

Cycling Bottles That Keep Your Drink At The Same Temperature

Choose an isothermic model. This will stop your drinks from heating up or cooling down quickly whilst you're out riding.

3. Materials

Plastic or aluminium? Each material has its advantages and drawbacks, so you need to make sure you choose the right one to suit your particular needs.

Plastic Cycling Bottle

The main advantage of a plastic bottle is its weight. Plastic bottles are generally light and inexpensive, as well as being practical and easy to use while on the move.

Aluminium Cycling Bottle

An aluminium water bottle has the advantage of being more durable than a plastic bottle. Its other advantage is that it keeps your drink at the same temperature. On the other hand, it will be heavier than a plastic bottle and a bit less practical for drinking on the go (you can't squeeze it in the same way), which makes it a better option for hybrid or mountain bike rides.

Shimano team bottle 600 Clear

Find the best water bottles in our Decathlon range to enjoy a better and longer ride with easy-to-access hydration on the go. 

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