How Much Water Should I Bring for a Two-mile Hike?

Q: How much water should I bring for a two-mile hike?
— Jonah, Monrovia, California

A: Two miles might not sound very strenuous, especially during a cool autumn day. Still, no matter the weather, you’re going to get thirsty.

Plan to drink about 16 ounces for every hour of hiking. But it might be more: Weather, the terrain and your body’s needs dictate how much you’ll need to hydrate. Drinking plenty of fluids is just as important on cold days as it is on hot ones. Drink enough so your urine remains clear.

Be Prepared by packing more water than what general rules suggest. One investment to consider is a water filtration system, like the CLEAR2O Personal Dual Water Filtration System ($37, clear2o.com). For longer hikes when you can’t carry a lot of water, you can turn freshwater sources along the way into drinkable water with a filter. The CLEAR2O system comes with a filtration straw that fits over an included 1-liter collapsible water bottle.

Another collapsible bottle that can fit a filter inside is the MODL Bottle ($25, modloutdoors.com). The filter can be used nearly 3,000 times before it needs to be replaced. You can also attach hydration tubing to the 38-ounce silicone bottle or a cap with holes in it so you can wash your hands.