As everybody knows, drinking enough water throughout the day is important, but it can be challenging.
The innovative line of Camelbak® water bottles, also known as the “Better Bottle”, claim to encourage increased water consumption by up to 24%.
I’m usually skeptical when I read statistics of this sort, however I do agree that whatever the amount, Camelbak® water bottles do make on-the-go water consumption throughout the day easier and more convenient. The one-handed Flip-Bite-Sip functionality is the key reason this water bottle has become so popular with athletes, fitness enthusiasts and practically everybody else.
Camelbak® Better Bottle features include:
- Bisphenol A (BPA) free
- Phthalate free
- Innovative no-spill Bite Valve made from medical grade silicone
- One hand usage – no tipping required
- Slim bottle design with wide mouth top
- Dishwasher safe
- Integrated carry loop
- Comes in 500 ml, 750 ml and 1.0 liter sizes
- Comes in 400 ml kids size
- Milliliter (ml) and ounce (oz) side markings
- Plenty of colors available
- Also comes in stainless steel and insulated versions
- Replaceable parts and accessories available
- Lifetime warranty against any manufacturing defects
The Better Bottle pros:
A lot of thought went into the design of the Camelbak® Better Bottle as you can tell from the above feature list. The most important aspects for me were the convenience and durability. Simply put, with one hand, you can easily flip the bite valve up, bite and sip, and set or toss the bottle aside for next time – no leaking.
As for durability, I’ve been using one of the Better Bottles for over a year and a half now and it’s starting to show a bit of wear. Surprisingly enough, I would have expected the Bite Valve to deteriorate, but it’s the bottle itself that is becoming cloudy from many scratches and scuffs.
To be fair, I take this water bottle almost everywhere I go and don’t treat it gently. It’s with me at work, it’s in the gym bag, it’s clipped to the day pack during bike rides, it’s in the car cup holder, or it’s laying on the grass when I’m out doing yard work.
I would have thought the bottle would start leaking by now, but except for it’s scruffy exterior, the Camelbak® Water Bottle performs as the day I bought it. The Better Bottle has proved to be quite durable.
Have a look at the following video for a interesting look at the Camelbak® testing facility and some of their methods:
The Better Bottle cons:
The Camelbak® Better Bottle is a little more pricey than the average sport bottle, but not excessively so. With the Better Bottle and all Camelbak® products, you’re paying extra for the quality materials and designs.
Now this is not really a negative, but initially I found the bite valve a bit strange. I had never used a Camelbak® before and my first impression with the Better Bottle felt like I was sucking on a baby bottle. However, in no time at all, I got used to the bite-sip action and now find it very natural.
Cleaning:
I thought it important to note, contrary to some I spoke with, Camelbak® Better Bottles do need to be cleaned regularly. About twice a week, I unscrew the lid, remove the bite valve and straw, and put everything on the top rack of my dishwasher. Easy and convenient. With this method, I’ve never had funky smells or strange growths in my bottle.
For more comprehensive cleaning tips for your Better Bottle, go here to the Camelbak® website support.
Where To Get It:
You can get the Better Bottles almost anywhere: REI, MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op in Canada), Amazon, or your local fitness store or outdoor retailer. I picked up my 0.75L bottle at MEC for $15. As well, I purchased two bottles for my kids through Amazon for about the same price.
The Bottom Line:
The Camelbak® Better Bottle is a good durable bottle with an impressive design and quality that exceeds expectations. These bottles cost a bit more, but given a person could go through three or four lesser bottles in the lifespan of a Better Bottle, I don’t find the price to be an issue.
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