Choose Your Hydration Experience-A Review of 5 Top Bottles

We all agree that hydration is an important part of our workout, however your choice of water bottle is a personal preference.  What is going to work for you?  What is the “ride for the day” going to be?   Are you hard core or just cruising around the neighborhood?  It really is something to think about.  What features does your water bottle need?  (I have never really thought about what a big deal your “container full of water” would be … have you?!)

Cycle and Style would like to share a few of our picks from Outdoor Retailer - pros or cons – that is your decision … you’ll have to decide.

Klean Kanteen

This 27 oz Kanteen Classic with Sport Cap 2.0 is shown here in Prevention Purple.  The original Klean Kanteen is still the company’s most popular bottle.   This water bottle is also available with the Loop Cap and comes in 14 different colors to choose from. Picking the color would be the hardest part for me.  The Classic is made from a high quality, 18/8, food-grade stainless steel.  It is easy to clean the rounded corners and treads.  The Klean Kanteen won’t retain or impart flavors and is BPA-free.

If you are worried about it not fitting into the water bottle cage that goes on your bike, don’t fear,  Klean Kanteen has designed a lightweight and durable Bike Cage just for this bottle.  If you are a biker chick with a basket, the Classic will sit nicely in your basket or a messenger bag / backpack.  If stainless steel is your favorite the 27 oz Kanteen Classic may be an option.

Camelbak

The NEW Podium Ice from Camelback is considered one of the ultimate insulated bike bottles on the market.  This 21 oz water bottle keeps water cold four times longer than standard bike bottles thanks to the lightweight, high-tech Zeroloft insulation.  How great is that for a hot summer ride … cold longer and lightweight!! But wait … what about a cool weather??  Don’t worry warm beverages can be taken in the Podium Ice during those cool weather rides!!  Other features include:  TruTaste polypropylene with HydroGuard to let you taste the water not the bottle and a self-sealing Jet Valve to eliminate splatters and spills on your ride.

This water bottle is available in 3 different colors:  Frost / Black (shown in our photo), Frost / Blue and Frost / White.  It is great for road biking, mountain biking or just cruising   around on your bike.  It has a nice snug fit into most water bottle cages, so your bike could already be ready for the Podium Ice.  And lastly, this bottle features positive lockout for leakproof transport.  See the messenger bag / backpack are protected!!

KOR

KOR ONE Hydration Vessel Water Bottle … is just a cool way to get proper hydration. The KOR ONE is a 25.3 oz BPA-Free vessel made from Eastman Tritan.  Tritan stands up to extreme use and repeated dishwasher cleanings (top rack – but hand-wash is recommended).  It is odor, taste and stain-resistant.  And get this … KOR ONE is safe to use with hot liquids!!  I never would have guessed that when we saw it for the first time at Outdoor Retailer in Salt Lake City.

The KOR ONE has an easy-open hinged cap with and ergonomic spout which delivers the perfect flow and feels great on your mouth.  This vessel has a cushioned base to protect furniture and prevents slipping. Vessels come in four colors: Ice Blue-Ocean Protection (shown in the photo), Sawgrass Green-Watershed Protection, Sunrise Orange-Bottle Container Recycling and Orchid Pink-Globall Water Crisis. ((KOR donates 1% of all sales to these select groups of non-profits that focus on water related issues.)  This particular vessel is not designed for riding in a water bottle cage on your bike – but they are looking into the biking market.  But don’t worry all of you bike commuters will love this vessel!!  Tuck in to a compartment in your travel bag and hit the road. Probably the best part of this “vessel” for me was the unique shape/design and you can personalize your vessel with a KOR Stone cap.  “BETTER ME … BETTER WORLD”  Thanks, KOR – what a great idea!!  Mine might say “I <3 CYCLE AND STYLE!!”

Clean Bottle

Are You Riding Dirty??  Well not anymore after you get a hold of the Clean Bottle.  Clean Bottle introduces the first bottle with a leak-proof screw-off bottom.  As founder, Dave Mayer says “gone are the days of trying in vain to wash out that funk at the bottom of your bottles.”  It will be easy now to get this 22oz bottle clean and dry.  This bottle is made with non-toxic, leach-free plastics, making it safe to use over and over again.

Clean Bottle isn’t just a career, it’s a cause.  They donate 10% of profits to eco and cycling friendly charities.  I think this removable bottom bottle is excellent.  I always worry it’s just not clean and if I don’t get it dried out … what is growing in there?!      Clean Bottle … Ride Clean!!  Thanks Dave!!

Polar

The Polar Bottle Insulated Sport Bottle is constructed of low density polyethylene (LDPE): a durable, lightweight and FDA food grade approved material.  The bottle does not contain BPA or Phthalates.  The Polar Bottle has a wide mouth for easy filling and has an insulated double-wall construction with a foil layer. With a thermal barrier of air keeping heat out and cold in.  This bottle is not designed for hot liquids and is not recommended.

Polar has a bike friendly design that fits into standard bicycle cages and is dishwasher safe. What is so great about this product in the soft rubber bite valve.  This urethane drinking valve is removable for cleaning … how GREAT is that!!!!  Shown in our photo in blue, this 24 oz insulated water bottle comes in several colors, patterns and illustrations. See Polar’s website for more details.  Another great water bottle on the market!!

Just chillin' out: there are some good choices out there for keeping your water icy-cold!

So as you can see … you have some choices to make in the Water Bottle (or Vessel) department.  Check them out for yourself.  It kind of comes down to that “personal preference”!!  What’s your preference?  Cycle and Style would love to hear what you think – either about one of these bottles or maybe you have a “FAVE” of your own to share with us and all of our readers.  Leave us a comment!!  THANKS and HAPPY HYDRATING!!