Size: When choosing a bottle, think about how much water you need to carry. Are there places on your regular routes where you can refill it, or do you need to carry every drop with you? In general, the smaller the bottle, the less distracting it will be to carry, but you also want to make sure it holds an adequate amount of liquid to keep you hydrated.

Comfort: Water bottles can be carried in a variety of ways, and which method will work best for you will depend on how far you typically run as well as your preference. Whether you like to carry one in your hand or wear it on your waist or even over your shoulders, look for a fit and materials that won’t chafe, bounce, and otherwise distract you from your running.

Features: If you just want to carry water, then a basic bottle and carrier are adequate, but there are also models that allow you to carry other items including your phone, keys, nutrition, and more. Consider how easy it is to access the water you’re carrying so water breaks don’t slow you down.