Are you tired of struggling to fit your UV purifier into narrow water bottles while on the trail?
Finding the best wide mouth bottle for SteriPen use is the secret to fast, effortless water purification.
In this guide, I break down the top-rated containers that make stirring easy and ensure your UV light reaches every drop.
My favorite wide-mouth bottle for a Steripen is a bladder!
Keep reading, and I’ll go over 3 of the top choices, if metal, plastic, or glass is ideal, and 2 secrets to cleaning them.
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Why a Wide Mouth Matters for UV Purification
It’s good to stir the UV light around so that it ensures it kills all the viruses, bacteria, and even parasites.
Crazy enough, many water tablets don’t even kill the parasite “cryptosporidium.” Only 1 does, and YES, the Steripen makes the parasite harmless.
I wrote a whole post on the top 3 water tablets in detail.
If you don’t stir the UV light enough, little pathogens may be floating in dead zones near the bottom and the UV light will NOT kill them.
Plus, some of the bacteria can clump together, and stirring helps hit them all.
To ensure the Steripen kills 99.99% of viruses and bacteria, the UV light must hit all the water.
Yes, stirring can be annoying, BUT it’s way easier than the Sawyer water filter, which I used to use. I found out about the Steripen on the Pacific Coast Trail and switched.
That Sawyer water filter, you need an iron grip, and it’s WAY more work. Stirring with UV light is MUCH easier.
Top 3 Pick: The Best Overall Wide Mouth Bottle for SteriPen
Unigear Hydration Bladder
This is my top pick.
If you’re backpacking around Europe or in the backcountry, these bladders are nice because they hold so much water.
It’s also nice on buses.
Most people buy expensive water bottles because they run out while they are in a touristy area, or what I call “tourist traps.”
The locals know you have money, you’re thirsty, and thus sell you water at a premium.
Also, it’s just best to carry more water than you need, especially for hot days. Dehydration is no joke.
I recently watched a video where a family of 4 used 3 liters of water on a 10-mile hike on a very hot day, and they all died due to dehydration.
Another benefit is that some modern cities and airports have hydration stations where you can fill a 3 L bladder in a second, whereas individual bottles can be a hassle (especially if there is a line).
With a bladder, I own this 3 L bladder, which is very inexpensive, and it’s hands-free. I don’t have to stop, take my backpack off, and fumble for water and unscrew it.
Easy access keeps me moving and my hands free.
Because the drinking piece is at my shoulders, I’m more likely to take small, frequent sips. This is more efficient than slugging a whole bottle when I stop.
Lastly, the bladder helps with weight distribution.
The bladder sits against your spine in the center of your day pack. Oh, and I also own this daypack, which is very nice because it folds up into the size of a sock if not being used.
If you have 2 heavy 1.5L bottles swinging on the sides of your bag, it can cause back pain because it’s not centered.
Hydroflask 32 oz
These are very nice because they keep water ice cold for up to 24 hours.
Another benefit is that they can keep a hot beverage hot for 12 hours. The Tempshield double-wall insulation eliminates condensation, so it doesn’t sweat in your backpack.
It’s made from 19/8 pro-grade stainless steel, so it’s resistant to drops.
It doesn’t switch flavors, meaning you can drink coffee in the morning and then switch to ice-cold water without any lingering effects.
Oh, and it’s customized, meaning you can put different lids, straws, Flex Chug Caps, and that is cool.
Nalgene 32 oz
If you want something small and inexpensive, then the Nalgene 32 oz is a great fit.
It’s made from 50% recycled content.
The bottles are BPA/BPS free and can handle extreme temperatures. They are impact-resistant and very durable.
The wide mouth makes it easy to add ice cubes or UV pens like the Steripen, and this is the one I use and recommend.
The attached loop-top lid ensures you never lose your cap, and it provides a convenient carry handle or clip point to attach to a backpack.
Glass vs. Plastic vs. Metal: Which Is Safest for UV Light?
Glass and Plastic are nice because you can see the UV light.
Metal, you have to be a little more careful.
It’s more challenging to see inside, and you don’t want to bang the UV light against the metal too hard.
| Feature | Glass (Borosilicate) | Plastic (Tritan/BPA-Free) | Metal (Stainless Steel) |
| UV-C Resilience | Excellent. Does not degrade or leach under UV light. | Good. Specifically Tritan is designed for high-intensity use. | Excellent. 100% opaque and UV resistant. |
| Purification View | Total Visibility. You can see the light working from all angles. | High Visibility. Most clear plastics allow for easy monitoring. | Zero Visibility. You must look through the top to see the light. |
| Durability | Fragile. Can shatter if dropped on rocks or frozen. | Durable. Impact-resistant and perfect for backpacking. | Indestructible. Can dent, but will never shatter. |
| Weight | Heavy. Usually the heaviest option for hikers. | Lightweight. The gold standard for long-distance travel. | Moderate/Heavy. Especially if double-wall insulated. |
| Safety Factor | No chemical leaching; stays pure forever. | Look for “BPA-Free” to avoid chemical leaching over time. | 100% safe, but may add a “metallic” taste if low grade. |
Maintenance Tips: Keeping Your Wide Mouth Bottle Mold-Free
What I do and recommend is getting a small amount of white vinegar and adding it to the water bottle.
In fact, I have a massive jug and use it to clean my house and all kinds of things.
Another wonderful idea if you’re backpacking overseas is Dr. Bronn’s liquid soap. I have a small bottle so I can do my own laundry, and you can use a tiny amount to clean a bladder or water bottle.
Dr. Bronn’s is nice because it uses plant oils, so it’s great for the environment, and if you ingest a tiny amount, it’s non-toxic.
Some women, like my friend or mom, don’t like to travel due to safety concerns.
What I recommend is a tactical pen.
Not only is it good for self-defense, but it also has lots of uses, such as breaking glass if you’re trapped.
It has a whistle for emergencies, a flashlight, a screwdriver, a bottle opener, plus it writes all in a VERY tiny package.
They can also be a great present too. They are durable and very inexpensive.
During the Pacific Coast Trail hike, I carried bear mace, and boy, did I feel like a dork. A tactical pen you can also take anywhere, from the country to a city, and it’s more discreet.
It’s a nifty way to be safer traveling!
If you’re interested in other ways to save cash and improve the environment while traveling, I wrote a detailed post on 11 ways to reduce plastic and put money in your pocket.
Closing: Best Wide Mouth Bottle for SteriPen
I hope this post on the best wide-mouth bottle for Steripen was helpful.
You might be wondering how to afford travel.
What helps me is affiliate marketing. I recommend it because you can do it anywhere, anytime around your schedule, in nearly any niche (like traveling), and it can be a ton of fun.
Oh, and you can earn some extra cash.
I made some easy free cheat sheets on the system I use that I’m giving away.
Affiliate marketing can take time, and if you want something quicker, there are TONS of work-from-home jobs.
I wrote a post on 10 steps to finding the right work-from-home job for you.