Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle, 32 oz (Very, Very Dark)

Recovery starts with the least glamorous tool in the kit: a full bottle of cold water that is already waiting when you get home. The FreeSip holds 32 fl oz (946 ml) in double-wall stainless steel, and its spout works two ways – sip upright through the built-in straw, or tilt the bottle back and swig from the wider opening. A push-button lid covers the spout, and the carry loop folds over to lock it.

The maker says drinks stay cold for up to 24 hours, so a bottle filled before a morning run is still cold after it. At 10.6 in (27 cm) tall it is a bottle for the bench by the door, not for the run itself, and the listing says plainly that it does not fit standard car cup holders.

Tip: Fill it and add ice before you lace up – the wide opening takes whole cubes, and the first step of the routine is done before you leave.