CamelBak BPA-Free Better Bottle with Bite Valve
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List Price: Our Price: $6.00 Category: Sports See more product details |
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Description of CamelBak BPA-Free Better Bottle with Bite Valve
The spill proof bottle that makes it easy to stay hydrated on the go. Available in 3 sizes and BPA FREEThe CamelBak Better Bottle represents a new standard of performance and convenience in re-usable water bottles. Available in multiple colors and in three sizes--1 liter, 0.75 liter, and 0.5 liter--this innovative bottle is also BPA- and Phthalate-free. The bottle's integrated handle makes it easy to carry with the crook of a finger or clip to a backpack with a carabiner. CamelBak's Big Bite Valve offers a proven design that contains no moving parts--just bite and sip for easy hydration. The cap fits most other bottles and the Better Bottle attaches to most water filters and fits in most cup holders. It's dishwasher safe.
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 The Better Bottle with Big Bite Valve makes it easy to hydrate on the go. |
Bisphenol-A is an ingredient used to make polycarbonate. In recent months, there has been increasing consumer demand for a bottle that is not made with Bisphenol-A (BPA), and CamelBak is proud to introduce BPA-free bottles with the same great properties customers have come to expect from polycarbonate: vibrant color, clarity, durability, dishwasher-safe, and with no residual taste. As of the end of April 2008, the entire CamelBak bottle line will be available in BPA-Free materials in North America.
What are phthalates?
Phthalates (pronounced thal-ates) are a component added to some plastics to make them soft and pliable. None of CamelBak's bottles have ever contained phthalates.
What is the BPA-free Better Bottle made from?
The CamelBak Better Bottle line is made from a new copolyester polymer called Tritan, made by Eastman. It offers the same great qualities that we have come to expect from polycarbonate bottles and is 100 percent BPA-Free. The Big Bite Valve is made of medical-grade silicone for long life and taste-free performance.
About CamelBak
CamelBak is the originator and world leader in hands-free hydration systems. The first CamelBak products proved to be very popular among mountain bikers and motocross riders, because it allowed them to drink without taking their hands off of the handlebars in technical terrain. The product began to cross over into other sports when scientific studies showed athletes drank more fluids and performed better when they wore a CamelBak. Since then, athletes from an ever-growing list of sports and activities use CamelBak hydration systems for their convenience and performance benefits.
In addition to cycling, CamelBak has Hands-Free Hydration systems for hiking, running, snowboarding and skiing. CamelBak?s state-of-the-art packs and hydration systems have benefited athletes, outdoorsmen, and soldiers around the world. While CamelBak has grown tremendously since the early days, one thing hasn't changed: CamelBak still believes in the performance advantage that proper hydration delivers for just about any activity. The privately-held company is headquartered in Petaluma, California.
Sports reviews of CamelBak BPA-Free Better Bottle with Bite Valve
Customer Review: Best bottle
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
I got mine as a gift two years ago before I left for China. It'd been used six months without ever seeing a dishwasher (I used cotton swabs to clean it). I'm not sure if this is as a result, but mine gets very dirty. Mildew gets trapped in the mouthpiece constantly to the point where it can't even be wiped out; it's hardened to the rubber. The lid itself is difficult to clean. I bought one of the reservoir-cleaning brush kits, but the brushes are not maneuverable enough to clean the twist-ridges and mouthpiece, or too small to clean the straw. The mouthpiece never comes clean, and I had a heck of a time cleaning under the plastic part on the lid that's screwed down. Camelbak put a special screw there so we can't open it up and clean out the mildew (and after two years, it was disgusting). That disappointed me because it seems like after all the hype about health and helping the environment, these bottles are still designed to be thrown away.
I think regular washing in a dishwasher would prevent these things.
I also use mine for tea, hot or cold. When drinking things other than water, make sure you clean the bottle immediately after use. The bottle is great at keeping hot liquids hot (especially with the insulator-thing I bought with a handy clip for attaching your bottle to your backpack or pants), but the pressure will cause pressure to build up around the mouthpiece. Sometimes it sprays hot liquid if it's REALLY hot, but other times, it'll burst at you when you go to take a sip. It's best to open the lid until it's cool enough. Microwave safe, if you can find a microwave large enough.
Since I've owned it, this bottle has seen four countries and been on countless excursions. I'm not gentle with my things, and the only wear it has to show is the little tab near the mouthpiece has broken off (recently--I dropped it on hard wood). The measurement numbers on the side of the bottle are still intact, the lid screws on fine, though it does get dirty. It really only needs a new mouthpiece, but they aren't sold separately from straws.
It's my favorite bottle, and if it were to shatter into a million pieces right now (though I can't imagine why it would), I would buy another one, I'd keep it a little cleaner this time.
Customer Review: great high quality bottle with one caveat: may be difficult to clean
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
I am a recent CamelBak convert, after being a decade-long Nalgene user. This CamelBak design offers a few design innovations that make it more convenient than Nalgenes. I own 2 Camelbaks (500ml & 750 ml). I use them every day, so the small price I paid has been rewarded many times over.
I found the 500ml way too small for my hydration needs and upgraded to a 750ml. The 1 liter bottle is probably too big. I do an intense elliptical workout 3x/wk (1.5-2 hours each), and the 750ml is just the right size for my needs.
Pros:
- very attractive product design and stylish looking; comes in a large number of fun colors
- high quality, heavy plastic. I've dropped mine a few times. There are visible scuffs, but no cracks. The thumb tab used to swivel up the bite valve did break off on one bottle though.
- enables 1-handed use. No cap to unscrew.
- tall, slender shape fits easily in pockets, backpack bungee pouches, exercise machine water bottle holder slots, car cup holders
- looptop allows easy carrying with 1 finger, or attaching via carabiners
- BPA-free
- transparent, so you can see the volume of water left and any grime that accumulates inside
Cons:
- underside may become very difficult to clean if you let it get moldy
This is the one major caveat about the product. If you rinse out the bottle and let it dry after each use, you'll probably never encounter this problem. But if you leave it filled and forget it for a few days, the humidity inside the bottle can cause mildew to form. Once mold or mildew gets in there, the cap becomes very hard to clean because of all the ridges, grooves, and crannies on the underside.
A pipe cleaner (doubled or folded over twice to increase thickness) can get at the inside wall of the straw and bite value nib, but the small spaces under the cap are difficult to get at with a sponge or brush.
Overall, 4.5 out of 5. Still highly recommended.
Customer Review: Whole new Era of drinking bottles.
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
I've been reading so much about the leaching chemicals from plastic drinking cups and bottles. Also the aspect of landfills. I searched Amazon and was going back and forth Stainless Steel or this new BPA free plastic. I got this in the Berry color.
Number one I like that it arrived with plastic safety protectors on all surfaces so you know you are the first person to use it. Number two it truly doesn't leak even upside down. I keep water by my bed and even though it was in one of those "mart" store with the pop up drinking top I still spilled water on myself in bed.
I must admit it is an adjustment to learn to bite the tip to drink. I do hope that doesn't wear out too soon. I keep tipping it up out of habit but no need. It does require more sucking power than a straw.
The flip top works nice and takes only one hand. Some have said the straw doesn't touch the bottom of the bottle, mine does and that may be why it takes power to suck the water up. I may snip a tad off. I just did it and now it's easy. So if you get it and think you are weak, just snip off a tiny bit at the bottom and it's easy.
It is an investment as far as cost goes but when I think how many cheap ones I've went through this seems reasonable as it looks like it will last years.
I've pitched and donated all plastic drinkware and now use glass and this new bottle.
UPDATE: I've come back for a second one to have for taking with me. I tend to want to leave my bedsite one there and fill fresh filtered water each night. I'm so amazed the water tastes fresh and doesn't take on any plastic taste like my other cheap ones did. I'm a very happy camper with this bottle.
I don't think you will be disappointed with this choice.
Customer Review: Best water bottle I have ever owned
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
I live in San Diego county and am an avid hiker. I've been to probably every trail in the region. I've also recently been out to the Anza Borrego to do some bouldering. Remaining hydrated has always been a challenge, and I typically neglect to bring enough water. I also have been trying to transport my water in a container that is not likely to give me health issues in the future (ie, BPA-free platic only). The material the container is made from makes a big difference in the ability to get good use out of the bottle as well. For example, on the Anza Borrego trip I was testing out a stainless steel water bottle, and accidentally left it on the front seat of my car. After baking in the sun for about four hours the water inside was virtually steaming. I haven't used that bottle much since then.
So one of my good friends with whom I often hike had an extra one of these bottles and gave it to me. Right away I was pleased to see "BPA Free" inscribed on the outside of the bottle. I also noticed that the bottle does not spill if it tips over (if it is sealed tight - a user error issue rather than any sort of a design flaw), unlike some of the ones I have bought in the past. It also does not heat up like the stainless steel one that I retired after Anza Borrego. I tend to remove the lid and drink directly from the bottle, since the bite valve is a little hard to clean (as some other users have mentioned here). But the bite valve is very convenient when I need to use it. I bought a second one of these as well and they accompany me on shorter hiking trips (I have a full-on Camelbak hydration pack for longer ones).
This really is a better bottle.
Customer Review: Very nice bottle.
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
I decided on this water bottle after reading all the great reviews. It is definitely so much better than any others I have had, but I wanted to add a few of my observations. First, I ordered the color called Ice and thought I should point out that it looks nothing like the picture. It is actually a light periwinkle color...which is fine but not exactly what I was going for. To me I thought it looked like a frosty beige in the picture. I love having the straw in it and find that I do drink more water this way. The one minor downside is that if you forget and tip it up to drink, it makes a loud slurping noise since the straw is then out of the water. The bite valve was a little weird at first but once you get used to it, it is great! It is perfect for the treadmill or elliptical because you don't have to take a lid off/on to drink. This bottle is definitely no-spill, but not 100% leak-proof. When you drink from the straw, some water stays inside the bite area so if it falls over or when you close it, that water sometimes sprays out. Very minor issue though and still so much better than any others I have tried so I kept it at 5 stars. The lid is nice and tight so no water leaks out around that part which is great. If I could change one thing about it, I would prefer that the bottle be more ergonomic. It is too wide to carry in my hand comfortably, but at least it comes with a loop so you can carry it like that instead. My son liked mine so much that I have already ordered another one for him which he received yesterday.