When I bought my first Nalgene bottle, I found it difficult choosing the right size and model. Most of my friends had the 32 oz but there were a bunch of other options I wanted to make sure I chose the right one.
I ended up getting the 32oz wide mouth because I like putting ice and frozen fruit in my bottle, and I don’t regret it. I now own multiple Nalgene bottles – both wide and narrow mouth and they have all been great.
I’ve been a happy Nalgene bottle owner for years, and love how Nalgene bottles last for ages. If you're buying your first Nalgene bottle or looking for your next one and want to know the specs of each of the bottles then look no further.
Nalgene bottles weigh between 2-13.38 oz (57-379 g) when empty. The narrowest Nalgene bottle is the 16oz narrow mouth at 1.5 inches (3.8 cm), while the widest is the 48 oz cantene at 6.5 inches (165mm) wide. The shortest Nalgene bottles are the 16 oz wide mouth bottles, and the tallest is the 48 oz canteen.
Selecting the right size Nalgene bottle for your needs is important, and it’s worth comparing their weight and dimensions.
Nalgene Bottle Weight and Dimensions
Here’s a useful table to help you choose a Nalgene bottle:
| Empty Weight | Full Weight (Water) | Width/Diameter | Height | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12oz Kids Grip-N-Gulp Sustain12oz Grip-N-Gulp Kids | 3.34oz (95.8g) | 15.83oz (448.7g) | 2.75 inches (7cm) | 7.25 inches (18.5cm) |
| 12oz Kids On-The-Fly Lock-Top Sustain | 4oz (113.5g) | 16.493oz (439.2g) | 2.75 inches (7cm) | 7.25 inches (18.5cm) |
| 16oz Narrow Mouth Tritan | 3.75oz (106.25g) | 20.4 oz (578.3g) | 3 inches (7.6cm) | 7 inches (17.8cm) |
| 16oz Wide Mouth Ultralite | 2oz (56.75g) | 18.658oz (528.9g) | 2.75 inches (7cm) | 6.5 inches (16.5cm) |
| 16oz Narrow Mouth Sustain | 3.75oz (106.25g) | 20.4 oz (578.3g) | 1.5 inches (3.8cm) | 7 inches (17.8cm) |
| 16oz Wide Mouth Tritan16oz Wide Mouth Sustain | 3.125oz (88.5g) | 19.78oz (560.75g) | 2.75 inches (7cm) | 6.5 inches (16.5cm) |
| 24oz On-The-Fly Top Sustain | 4.63oz (131.25g) | 29.62oz (839.71g) | 3 inches (7.6cm) | 9.5 inches (24.25cm) |
| 32oz Narrow Mouth Tritan | 5.88oz (166.5g) | 39.5oz (1. kg) | 3.5 inches (89mm) | 9.25 inches (23.5cm) |
| 32oz Narrow Mouth Ultralite | 3.625oz (102.75g) | 36.83oz (1.05kg) | 3.5 inches (89mm) | 9.25 inches (23.5cm) |
| 32oz Wide Mouth Steel Backpacker | 13.38oz (379.25g) | 46.7oz (1.23 kg) | 3.5 inches (89mm) | 9.25 inches (23.5 cm) |
| 32oz Wide Mouth Tritan *MOST POPULAR | 6.25 oz (177.25 g) | 39.57 oz (1.12kg) | 3.5 inches (89mm) | 8.25 inches (21cm) |
| 32oz Wide Mouth Ultralite | 3.75oz (106.25g) | 37.07oz (1.05kg) | 3.5 inches (89mm) | 8.25 inches (21cm) |
| 32oz Fitness ATB | 4.8oz (136g) | 38.12oz (1.09kg) | 3.5 inches (89mm) | 9.5 inches (24.25cm) |
| 38oz Wide Mouth Steel Backpacker | 12.375oz (379.25g) | 51.94 oz (1.45kg) | 3.5 inches (89mm) | 8 inches (20.3cm) |
| 48oz Wide Mouth Sustain Silo | 7.375oz (209g) | 57.35oz (1.63kg) | 3.5 inches (89mm) | 11.25 inches (28.5cm) |
| 48oz Wide Mouth Ultralite | 4.75oz (134.75g) | 54.72oz (1.56kg) | 3.5 inches (89mm) | 11.25 inches (28.5cm) |
| 48oz Cantene | 2.25oz (63.75g) | 52.22oz (1.49kg) | 6.5 inches (165mm) | 13 inches (33cm) |
See the full range of Nalgene bottles at Amazon.com or visit Nalgene’s online store.
How To Choose The Right Nalgene Bottle
Thinking of investing in a popular Nalgene bottle? Here’s what to ask yourself before buying:
- Do I want to add ice and frozen fruit to my water? I’m a fan of doing this but I wouldn’t be able to do it with a narrow mouth bottle. It's one of the reasons wide mouth Nalgene bottles are better than narrow mouth bottles (in my opinion)
- Does my bottle need to fit into my car’s cup holder? The standard cup holder diameter is 3 inches (7.62cm), so a 32oz Nalgene wouldn’t fit. However, you could always buy an extender along with other Nalgene accessories.
- Do I need a lightweight bottle? I love hiking and find that the ultralite Nalgene bottles really make a decent difference in my backpack. See my comparison between normal Nalgene and Ultralite.
- Am I ok if a little water spills on my face when I drink? I find the only downside with the wide mouth Nalgene bottles is that they sometimes drip a bit of water onto your face. If you like your makeup to be perfect (not an issue with me!), opt for a narrow mouth bottle.
