Gear Review – Bottles from Nathan, REI, Klean Kanteen

All the bottles fared well, but the Nathan entry stands out.

When it’s summer in the southwest, you need water. Lots of it. If you’re not currently drinking, you should probably be thinking of when you’re going to drink next. If you’re not doing that, you’re probably already on your way to dehydration and lethargy.

That’s why I decided to start taking a bottle with me everywhere. I also wanted bottles that could attach easily to a backpack, either on their own or using a carabiner. There’s also a nice green factor – when you can fill up on water anywhere, you’re using fewer plastic bottles and disposable cups. Merchants have to love this since it’s cutting their costs, too. Everyone wins.

Here are some bottles I tried to stay hydrated and be more green.

Nathan Steel Flip Straw Bottle – 24-oz ($19.95)
This one has a nifty lid with a flip-top that channels water up from a straw inside the bottle. It also has a built-in clip. I’m not fond of the clip’s construction and have doubts about its lifespan. But the top is by far the best of all three bottles I’ve tested. The stainless steel stays clean and the wide mouth accepts ice cubes. Unfortunately, the steel also heats up in directs sun – which we have plenty of in Arizona. But that’s true of any steel bottle.

REI Flip Top Steel – 18-oz. ($14.50)
This bottle is typical REI construction – solid, durable, full of value. I’m not a big fan of its lid, which can interfere with the generously nosed – like me! Also, the rubber gasket around the top comes unseated frequently, which forces me to wrestle it back into place. This bottle requires a carabiner to attach to a backpack, and there’s not exactly a generous amount of room. It also requires hand-washing.

Klean Kanteen Classic with Loop Cap - 27-oz ($17.95)
This bottle is durable and hardy despite an appearance that nicks and dents easily. It’s still not going to break. The mouth, though, is too wide for easy drinking. It has a generous amount of room for carbiners, so you could hang a bunch off your pack. It’s also available with a “sport” top, which I have not tried.

Overall, I’ll have to give the Best of Show award to the Nathan bottle.

More From wandering_justin

• REI’s Ripstop Cargo Pants Update the Military BDU
• Forget Where You’re From – Be Where You Are
• Gear Review – The North Face Rock 22 Tent

wandering_justin Recommends

• How to Pack a Backpack – 7 Tips from the Happy Camper  (Gear Up and Play)
• Glacier Glove Review  (Gear Up and Play)
• How to Buy Climbing Gear  (Gear Up and Play)

Ask wandering_justin To Recommend Your Posts