A Water Bottle Purse Is One of Oprah’s Favorite Things—And It Could Help Boost Your Hikes and Walks
With all the focus on water these days, you likely know that staying hydrated is essential to getting the most out of any workout. But just carting around your Stanley Tumbler in your hands when you're heading out for a walk isn't exactly practical—or comfortable.
One solution: the water bottle purse. Listed as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things for 2023, the WanderFull HydroBag (currently on sale for $47) is a match made in function-meets-fashion heaven. This stylish crossbody bag allows you to focus on stability and arm movement without throwing you off balance on your walks and hikes. So long, hand cramps!
- April Gatlin, CPT, ACE-certified personal trainer and master coach for STRIDE Fitness
What makes Oprah love it so much? Her Favorite Things list shares this insight: “Now, this is a design I haven’t seen before—cute and multifunctional. It holds my water bottle when I’m hiking in Maui; for city walkabouts, the pocket holds a phone and a credit card.”
Crossbody bag with a big enough opening for an 11″ x 4.75″ water bottle, worn at the hip.
Pros:
- Two zippered pockets secure essentials
- Adjustable two inch–wide strap distributes bottle weight comfortably
- Water-resistant inner lining helps to keep contents dry
Cons:
- No option to shorten the strap to wear closer to the chest like a sling bag
Walking without holding onto anything has real benefits. “Since we are a society of multitasking—always on the phone, in social situations, etc—everyone can benefit from having their hands free while walking,” says April Gatlin, ACE-certified master coach for STRIDE Fitness. “Hands-free walking is the best way to walk.”
The reason is pretty simple. When you carry something in your hands, even something small like a water bottle, your body can get a little off balance, allowing for less natural movement. “Hands-free is always the best option for stability," Gatlin says. "The arms provide natural balance and allow the body to move naturally.”
"Hands-free walking is the best way to walk." —April Gatlin
Not having to hold anything also allows you to better focus on your stride. You can pay attention to the terrain to avoid falls, or ensure you’re moving your arms for an intentional power walk. “Free arms help with mobility and stability, providing balance to the body,” says Gatlin.
Meanwhile, the ease of carrying your water also, well, makes you more likely to actually carry water with you. “It's a great reminder to have the water bottle in view as much as possible to aid with daily water intake,” Gatlin says.
The HydroBag not only keeps your water bottle out of your hands, it also allows you to safely and comfortably store a few essentials like your phone, credit cards, and AirPods in a couple of sleek zipper compartments that are water resistant to keep everything safe. You could even stash a small snack in there if you're crafty. Meanwhile, the two inch–wide strap helps comfortably distribute the bottle's weight evenly over your shoulder so it doesn't pinch your skin in one particular spot.
“The company made an item that most people get for a specific function into something beautiful as well,” one reviewer wrote about the bag, giving it five-star praise. “I got it for festivals because I always like to have water with me, but also like to have my hands free.” Yes, you can use this bag anytime you want to stay hydrated on the go without having to manually carry your water.
It's official: Oprah’s fav bag is now our go-to walking companion. See you on the (well-hydrated) trails.
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