The Best Waterbottle
I’ve had about ten different water bottles, and they’ve all had massive flaws. Here’s my opinion about the best bottle out there now.
The Opening
The opening of a water bottle should be small, no more than the size of a quarter. Large lipped bottles make it harder to drink, and usually result in water spilling on you.
Nalgene realized this and implemented a crappy solution involving a plastic piece to place on top. I prefer the simpler solution: a small opening – like a regular SmartWater bottle.
The Lid
The lid has to protect the mouth of the bottle. Tossed in a bag, sediments have a tendency to cover the place where your mouth touches.
Sigg doesn’t properly cover the lid, and neither do most of Kleen Kanteens. I did find one Kleen Kanteen with a wide mouth, but the bottle sweats and is quite large:
Sweating
Sweating wasn’t one of my main concerns until I bought a backpack that didn’t have an outer compartment for my water bottle. Then my bottle had to go in my bag with everything else (papers, electronics, etc).
In that type of situation, a bottle that doesn’t sweat is necessary. Most bottles do, especially the cheap ones with only one layer between the inside and the outside.
But Sigg & Klean Kanteen run $20-30, about the same as my current bottle of choice.
Closing
Perhaps this should be included in the “lid” section. Too late now…
The closing must be airtight. But even more important – it must be a twist involving rings and ridges.
Liberty Bottle Works got me all excited with their “Made in America” bottles and lid that appeared to cover the mouth of the bottle. After a couple months of terrible communication and customer service, I finally got my bottle and was disappointed.
The bottle’s lid was one of the worst I’ve ever used in terms of securing. When I use the bottle now on occasion, it’s with the perpetual worry that I’ll grip it wrong (by the top) and the lid will come flying off. And my Liberty Bottle will never go inside a bag because the last few times, water got everywhere.
Another point – so called “sports lids” that encourage sucking at a teat-like top aren’t comfortable for me. I much prefer the capacity to gulp as much water as I want. Besides, previous teats in the past (I’m looking at you, Klean Kanteen) have made a high pitched squealing noise as I’ve sucked. It’s a poor experience.
The Material
No plastic since the BPA scare, so no Nalgene. Glass is nice, but too delicate. Metal is the best option, and preferably without a synthetic lining like my Liberty Bottle. Linings, at least in my experience, have a tendency to disintegrate and that’s scary/disgusting.
Thin materials, like Klean Kanteen and Sigg, have a tendency to dent very easily. The bottom of one of my bottles is so dented, when I put it down it wobbles. That’s no good.
*My Bottle
After four years, I’ve found a bottle I love. Meet my S'well:
I don’t love the name, but I love the lid. I love the metal lining, the insulation that keeps the water cold throughout the day, the subtle design and the lid. Oh man, do I love this lid.
It’s the design that I’ve sought after for most of my life. It fits in a cup holder (unlike Klean Kanteen’s wide mouth). It’s a good size, although I wish it held more water.
Aside from the name and slightly small size, my other complaint is the overflow. The lid is like a cork to insulate and keep the water cold, but if you fill it too much and put the lid on, it’ll overflow.
The little things I’m willing to accept for an amazing bottle…