Plastic Water Bottles

• For hiking. Choose a durable bottle that’s not too heavy. Stainless steel or aluminium is a good choice – maybe with a practical hanging loop?

• For working out. Choose a lightweight plastic bottle that holds enough water so you don’t have to keep refilling it.

• For the office. If your water bottle spends most of its time on your desk, the weight won’t really matter. A glass bottle is beautiful and won't give taste to your water, which might happen with certain plastic or metal bottles.

• For backpackers. A water bottle with a filter purifies the water. These are suitable if you’re travelling or hiking somewhere with questionable water quality. Remember that tap water in the UK is usually of excellent quality and does not require additional filtration.

Water bottles come in a wide choice of materials. We take a look at some of the pros and cons that are worth knowing about before you buy:

• Glass water bottles are both environmentally friendly and beautiful. They’re also recyclable. The disadvantage is that they can break.

• Stainless steel bottles usually cost a little more, but are durable and often have insulating properties.

• Plastic sports bottles are lightweight but have a shorter lifespan than other bottles. Choose a model made from recycled and BPA-free plastic.