I’m So Green I Sweat Chlorophyll! (Stainless Drinking Bottles – Review)

17 Responses to “I’m So Green I Sweat Chlorophyll! (Stainless Drinking Bottles – Review)”

1. Mark September 30th, 2009 9:09 am

   I deal with the BPA questions almost daily, and stainless is definitely a good alternative. Main complaints are price and lame lids. And I have yet to hear of any definitive research or case studies that show that BPA actually causes health problems in humans. There is a mountain of hype the size of Everest regarding this stuff, yet I can’t argue with vigilance in the end. Just wondering how much research has been done on stainless food and beverage containers…

2. Mark September 30th, 2009 9:11 am

   The other upside to the BPA outcry is that there are now more reusable water bottle choices on the market than anyone had ever dreamed, which is good for the retail market. So many exist that there is even one company dubbed Poison Bottles. Go figure!

3. Chris September 30th, 2009 9:14 am

   “…We use these more for indoors hydration, driving, and summer hiking than we do for winter backcountry skiing…”

   What do you use in the winter – BPA-laced plastic? Figuring out a new way to deliver fluids to my body in a robust and convenient manner is a yearly ritual for me.

4. Mike September 30th, 2009 9:56 am

   My wife and I have tried the Stainless water bottle rave – but we’re not sold. In fact, those bottles are now set aside for the dog. 1. Why can’t they make them with a wide mouth cap? You can’t even fit a standard ice cube in it. 2. You can’t put them in the dish washer. 3. It is difficult to scrub clean b/c of the small opening.

   Now, it seems most “Nalgene’s” are BPA-free for half the price, are top load dishwasher safe, and come in wide mouth lids.

   So, for now, we look old school with our family of opaque Nalgenes.

5. Lou September 30th, 2009 10:22 am

   Don’t worry, I’m still using plastic where appropriate, but have to say I’ve always tried to use stainless and glass to contain things I drink and eat. Thing is, what’s next after BPA?

6. Mark W September 30th, 2009 11:45 am

   Klean Kanteen, among others, now sells bona fide wide mouth stainless bottles.

7. Dave Field September 30th, 2009 12:02 pm

   For winter use, the good old nalgene polyethylene is still available and lighter than the other plastic options. I’m not aware that polyethylene has any issues other than becoming brittle over time due to ozone exposure and getting stinky if left in the sun. I just try and keep mine fresh. Hmmm…. maybe if they get stinky they have a similar leaching potential? Most hydration bladders are poly as well. Does anybody know if polyethylene has health concerns?

   For above freezing temps there are several wide mouth stainless options out there that are light weight.

8. CCD September 30th, 2009 2:04 pm

   Does anyone know if Camelbak type hydration packs are reasonably safe, with the plastic bladders they come with?
   We use these for biking and sometimes consume a lot of liquid during the hot dry days here in northern Cal.

9. john Gloor September 30th, 2009 9:43 pm

   A few years ago when the plastic alarm went out, I had just lost my last nalgene bottles and replaced them with stainless bottles. They look just like the ones reviewed by Lou. I have faith that the stainless ones are safe, but who knows about any plastic lining or bottle/bladder. I like the quality feel of steel, and the bottles have a lot of character (dents) but the reality is I will use any bottle or bladder.

10. Don September 30th, 2009 10:53 pm

    I can’t bring myself to actually read this boring stuff, but don’t you guys know everything is bad for you?

    http://www.springerlink.com/content/u1l7163m7w82m016/

    Have you ever seen the inside of an old water line? Whatever your plastic bottle is leaching, it’s likely nothing compared to what you’re getting from the water distribution system. There are more important things to worry about.

11. Mark W October 1st, 2009 6:29 am

    I think Camelbak bladders are polypropylene which, along with polyethylene, has never had BPA.

12. Kris October 1st, 2009 6:43 am

    I’m glad all the comments are about the BPA and not the “eco-friendliness” of stainless bottles. It always bugs me when they try to brand themselves as somehow more environmentally friendly than plastic. I have a hard time believing that the mining and chemical processes involved in making stainless steel are noticeably less destructive than those involved in plastic. Just my $0.02.

13. Lou October 1st, 2009 7:20 am

    Kris, I’d agree. That’s why my post title was an attempt at sarcasm, though I do like stainless steel for anything culinary.

14. Lou October 1st, 2009 7:26 am

    To CCD and all, my view of all this after research is it’s the day-in day-out exposure one needs to be aware of, not things like what you use to drink out of periodically while doing athletics. In other words, if you’re into hydration and go everywhere with a water bottle, a stainless one is a good idea, but when it comes to using a hydration bladder such as Camelback, I don’t worry about the plastic. Besides, this whole thing is way overblown.

15. Bar Barrique October 1st, 2009 8:27 pm

    I’m worried that my lips might freeze to a stainless bottle at 30 below, of course my water usually freezes on those cold weather trips anyway.

    Bar

16. Steve October 2nd, 2009 5:07 am

    Try the GSI Outdoors Dukjug.

    + Wide mouth
    + With an insert so you can drink without spilling
    + Cap twists off in about 2/3 turn
    + But stays on very well
    + And has a keeper that won’t let you ever lose the cap
    + And the keeper is repairable
    + Cap threads are outside the lip and plastic, so your lips don’t touch cold metal when drinking and you can actually take it skiing
    + Grippy rubber stuff on the outside so you won’t drop it

    I don’t work for them, I’m just very happy with mine.

17. Flax Fjord October 6th, 2009 10:45 am

    Lou-
    The Klean Kanteen is the original 304 stainless steel bottle.
    It has an electropolished interior and does not rely on a coating or liner for safety.
    All BPA safety hype aside, I use them exclusively because they do not impart a plastic taste to my water which is great because then I can taste the water the way nature intended. Second, they work well with wine, scotch, and my favorite Kentucky Bourbon, Black Maple Hill.
    Salud!!

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