CamelBak insulated Better Bottle

Well, turns out that the CamelBak Stainless Steel Better Bottle (BPA Free) has a upped the Klean Kanteen on several fronts.

First, they offer an insulated water bottle. The CamelBak Insulted Stainless Steel Better Bottle is pretty amazing. It’s been my water bottle of choice for the past few weeks.

The insulation does two things: 1) It keeps the water cool and 2) it prevents “sweating” or condensation build up on the bottle.

While my Klean Kanteen gets hot in the sun, the CamelBak does not. I had my CamelBak insulated bottle filled with water while gardening in the sun for several hours and the water didn’t get warm. Or if I fill it with ice water and set it on my nifty roll top desk, I don’t have to worry about water marks from condensation.

Second, the Bite Valve is a nice addition to the water bottle. At first I was wary of the CamelBak bite valve — the water bottle acts more like a glass with a straw than a traditional water bottle. But, it turns out the Bite Valve is handy because while driving, working out, or sitting at your desk, you don’t have to turn the bottle upside down and awkwardly tilt your head (dribbling water down your shirt).

CamelBak Stainless Steel Better Bottle: What’s Not to Love

While the new addition to stainless steel water bottles is pretty amazing, the CamelBak Better Bottle falls short in a few ways:

• Not 100% Stainless Steel – The straw and cap of the CamelBak is BPA free and Phthalates free, but they are still made out of plastic and silicone. If you’re looking to get rid of plastic in your life, then you’ll have to look elsewhere. Here’s what CamelBak says about what’s in the cap: “The CamelBak Better Bottle caps used on our stainless steel bottles are made primarily from polypropylene, with other plastics that are all BPA- and Phthalates-free. The bite valve is medical-grade silicone for long life and taste-free performance. The straw is made of polyethylene, the same material used in milk jugs.”
• Not Dishwasher Safe – In our new house we don’t (yet) have a dishwasher, but for folks who do – know that the CamelBak Stainless Steel Better Bottle is not dishwasher safe. The cap is, but the bottle itself isn’t.
• Only holds a .5 Liters – Unfortunately the insulated bottle only holds .5 liters of water. This is good enough for short treks, but not for longer ones. The .5 liter insulated bottle is actually the same size as the .75 liter non-insulated stainless steel bottle. But because of the vacuum insulation the insulated bottle weighs more and holds less.

Overall Review

My dislikes aside, I think the CamelBak Stainless Steel water bottles are a great addition to the stainless steel water bottle market. If you’re already a CamelBak user and like the bite valve, I highly recommend either the insulated version or the regular version. If you don’t currently have a CamelBak water bottle and are looking for an insulated bottle, the insulated version is definitely worth purchasing. You’ll no longer have to worry about BPA.

CamelBak Frequently Asked Questions

On the CamelBak website they have a great question answer set about their water bottles. Check it out:

What are CamelBak® Stainless Steel Bottles made of?

All materials in CamelBak bottles are selected for their safety, durability, and cleanability. All materials are BPA-free, phthalate-free and safe for use in a hydration bottle.

The new CamelBak Better BottleTM Stainless Insulated .5L, Better BottleTM Stainless .75L, and CamelBak Kids BottleTM Stainless .4L are made with medical-grade stainless steel. Stainless steel is a special type of steel that is naturally stain-resistant, corrosion-resistant and taste free. Because of these unique benefits, stainless steel is used in a variety of products from cookware and mugs to medical and surgical devices and food processing equipment. Stainless steel is strong, scratch-resistant and provides a naturally bright, clean finish without coatings or paints.

The CamelBak Better Bottle™ caps used on our stainless steel bottles are made primarily from polypropylene, with other plastics that are all BPA- and phthalate-free. The bite valve is medical-grade silicone for long life and taste-free performance. The straw is made of polyethylene, the same material used in milk jugs.

Why stainless steel and not aluminum?

When we design a product we look for the best material to satisfy customer requirements. For metal bottles, consumers tell us they prefer the durability and purity of stainless steel. Aluminum bottles have to be made with an inner coating or liners—often with undisclosed ingredients—to protect the metal, which isn’t required on a stainless steel bottle. Stainless steel is also stronger, harder and more scratch resistant than aluminum, making a more durable long-lasting bottle for all your adventures.

What is BPA? Are the CamelBak stainless steel bottles BPA-Free?

Bisphenol-A is an ingredient used to make polycarbonate and certain other plastics. In recent months, there has been increasing consumer demand for a bottles made without Bisphenol-A (BPA). CamelBak is proud to offer all of its bottles in BPA-free materials, including the Better Bottle, the Classic Bottle, the Podium Bottle and the Performance Bottle. The new Stainless Steel bottles are also all BPA-Free.

All of our bottle products receive rigorous 3rd party testing to ensure that no harmful chemicals have been detected to come in contact with, or leach into food/beverage surfaces. Testing is completed to demonstrate compliance with the following US and international standards:

U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) food safety standards

European Community food safety standards

Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare

California Prop 65

What are phthalates (pronounced Thal-ates)?

Phthalates are a component added to some plastics to make them soft and pliable. None of CamelBak’s bottles have ever contained phthalates.

Some other bottles talk about “extruded” construction. How are your stainless steel bottles constructed?

Metal extrusion is a process by which a single piece of metal is compressed under extremely high pressures to stretch it into a new shape, like a bottle. Extrusion processes place a lot of stress on the material and also consume a lot of energy. Our stainless steel bottles are made with a welded construction. At the start, a precision-rolled sheet of steel is cut and formed under low pressure into the shape of the bottle, then welded. Finally the bottle is ground and brushed to provide a finished appearance. Welded construction gives more freedom and control over product shape and design, and also enables us to create a lightweight double-wall vacuum bottle for our .5L insulated Better Bottle.

What is vacuum insulation and how is it made?

To make our Insulated .5L bottle we first construct an inner and outer bottle which are sealed together and welded shut to be completely air-tight. Then the bottle is connected to a high-power vacuum pump which removes all the air from the gap in between the inner and outer bottle. Since there’s nothing to conduct heat across the gap, vacuum insulation is more effective than foam or other common insulating materials. Vacuum insulation works so well, it is the technology of choice for cryogenic storage tanks and other high-performance insulating vessels. Our vacuum insulated bottle can keep your beverages cool for hours.

The Better Bottle Stainless Insulated .5L and Better Bottle Stainless .75L are the same size and shape. Why the volume difference?

Both the .75L and Insulated .5L bottles feature the iconic shape and design of the award-winning original Better Bottle. The double-wall construction of the Insulated .5L occupies some of the internal volume of the bottle, resulting in the reduced water capacity.

I prefer the Stainless .75L bottle but still want insulation. What other options do I have?

One option we can recommend is the CamelBak Insulated Bottle Sleeve. This neoprene sleeve fits the bottle like a glove, insulates the bottle in hot and cold weather, and comes in three color options.

Do I need to clean the bottle before first use?

The stainless steel bottle is easily cleaned by hand with a bottle brush, using warm water and mild soap if desired.

The cap assembly can be cleaned in the top rack of a household dishwasher. The straw and bite valve may be removed from the cap to help provide better cleaning of the inside passages of the cap. It’s a good idea to place small parts in a top-rack basket, if available.

What’s the clear thing (or pink or green or blue) on top of the bottle for? Do I remove it or cut it to drink?

The silicone ‘cap’ is the CamelBak Big Bite™ Valve. This patented feature provides easy drinking and spill-proof safety. Do NOT remove or cut this piece to drink. Simply bite it slightly and sip as you would out of a straw.

What happens if I put sports drinks/juice in the Better Bottle?

Use of any of these drinks in the bottle is fine, but thorough cleaning after each use is recommended.

Can I use carbonated beverages?

We do not recommend the use of carbonated beverages in the bottle. Because of the spill-proof sealed construction of the bottle, carbonated beverages can cause pressure build-up in the bottle. This is not at all dangerous but can result in an experience like opening a shaken-up can of soda! If you want to use carbonated beverages with the Better Bottle, we recommend that you remove the straw and drink via “tip and sip.”

Can I put hot liquids in it?

We do not recommend using hot beverages in the stainless steel bottles. The experience will be similar to drinking hot liquid through a straw, with similar risk of burns. Additionally, the single-wall metal bottle (.75L and .4L sizes) does not insulate your hand from the heat of the contents.

Is the CamelBak Better Bottle microwave safe?

Like any metal product, the stainless steel bottles should not be used in a microwave oven.

Can I freeze the CamelBak Better Bottle with Bite Valve?

You can freeze the bottle but make sure:

1. The bottle is not completely full when you do this (we recommend only 3/4 full to allow for expansion of the water as it freezes to ice).

2. The bottle is right side up

We also recommend that the bite valve stem NOT be flipped up or down if there is any frozen water in the tube. Wait until thawed.

Does the CamelBak Better Bottle work with filters?

The CamelBak Better Bottle is compatible with filters that adapt to a 63 mm screw top opening (in other words, it’s compatible with most filters on the market).

What happens if I take the straw off?

Removal of the straw allows a “tip and sip” mode of drinking.

Can I use the CamelBak Better Bottle in high-altitude/ low-pressure environments? (i.e. airplanes, mountain altitudes, etc)

Yes, but with special care. Keep the bottle right side up with the bite valve in the closed position. Remove the straw for additional protection. Expect a bit of “spurt” during the first sip.

How do I clean the CamelBak stainless steel bottles?

The stainless steel bottle is easily cleaned by hand with a bottle brush, using warm water and mild soap if desired.

The cap assembly can be cleaned in the top rack of a household dishwasher. The straw and bite valve may be removed from the cap to help provide better cleaning of the inside passages of the cap. It’s a good idea to place small parts in a top-rack basket, if available.

Giveaway

Coming up in the next few days watch for a giveaway of a CamelBak Stainless Steel Water Bottle, right here at Go Green Travel Green.

originally posted at Go Green Travel Green

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