My Quest For The “Perfect” Water Bottle

Last year, I wrote about the BPA in our water bottles and my quest for finding the perfect (according to me) water bottle. Since the summer I’ve been using the plethora of different sized, double-walled stainless steel thermoses we already owned and that was great for keeping things cold and avoiding the BPA in the polycarbonate bottles (and there are no plastic liners in our thermoses). But I dearly missed having a straw top on my water bottle like I did with all of my polycarbonate bottles.

Here is my list of what a perfect water bottle would consist of:

• BPA-free
• Double-walled stainless steel
• Straw top
• Cover for straw
• Non-leaking
• Attractive
• Fit in my car’s cup holder
• Hold more than 2 cups of water
• Reasonably Priced

I received a free Camelbak “Better Bottle” that is BPA-free and has the straw top but it is not insulated. It works fine as my household water bottle but is not so good for taking with me when it’s hot out plus it does leak a little when it’s on it’s side which is what happens in the car or in my tote bag. That is a deal breaker for me. At least the variety of thermoses I have been carting around in the car keeps the water cold for a long time and they don’t leak but having to unscrew the top each time I wanted a drink was annoying and time consuming.

I did check out the Klean Kanteen water bottles but never bought one because they are only single walled stainless steel and you have to unscrew the cap, too. What I already owned was better, IMO and I have a variety of sizes.

A few months later, I had finally found my perfect water bottle! The only problem was that every time I went to purchase it at the store, they were out of the nice, attractive bottles and all that was left were ones for kids with characters on them like Dora the Explorer or Spiderman. Even though I was looking for a bigger, better water bottle for my son as well as myself, I didn’t want the superhero on it. So I waited. I kept using what I had while I periodically checked for the bottles I wanted to be in stock at a few different stores. The stores told me they only receive a few of the non-character ones but many of the ones I didn’t want!

Finally, in late October, my local Target had a few non-character water bottles available and I got the blue striped one for my son as one of his Christmas gifts. He loves it and so do I! It does NOT leak, has the straw with a one button pop open top that both protects the straw and keeps it from leaking and it even fits in my car’s small cup holder and holds 18 oz of water (more than 2 cups!). That is good enough for running errands for me and for longer trips, I will fill my big double-walled stainless steel thermos to leave in the car to refill my perfect carrying sized new water bottle. And the price? it’s around 15 bucks. Oh happy day for me!

This water bottle is made by Thermos and it is the Intak Steel Hydration Bottle.  For some reason on the web page it does not say that it is BPA-free but the tag on the bottle itself lists it in a few places. I will be getting myself the purple flower design one since I must have this bottle now!

For little kids, Thermos makes the BPA-free Foogo line of stainless steel food and beverage containers (smaller size).

I have to say, we’ve owned several stainless steel products made by Thermos for many years and they have never failed us in what they are designed to do so I have faith that this new, “perfect” water bottle will provide us with years of drinking enjoyment!

January 05 2009 10:12 pm | BPA and Leif and green living and water

7 Responses to “My Quest For The “Perfect” Water Bottle”

1. Nicole Says:
   January 6th, 2009 at 12:37 pm

   Simon has the Spiderman one, which came in a lunchbox. I never knew they made bigger ones!

   I’m picky too – I want a straw and would prefer it hold 32oz. Why can Nalgene hold 32oz, but BPA-free can’t!? I was very attached to my 32oz bottle, can you tell?

   Thanks for doing the research. I’ll have to check these out.

   Nicoles last blog post..Maybe we’re entering the Twilight Zone? Or the next dimension!

2. Richard Says:
   January 8th, 2009 at 8:39 am

   I love the portability of camelbacks when I’m out and about on a warm summer day. I also use a nalgene but usually when i’m caring around a bag or something that I can put it in when i’m not drinking.

3. Fill 'er up: Reusable water bottles | Crunchy Domestic Goddess Says:
   January 8th, 2009 at 5:43 pm

   [...] on what makes a water bottle right for them. Melissa at Nature Deva recently wrote about her Quest for the “Perfect” Water Bottle and put together a list of criteria the “perfect” water bottle should [...]

4. Kelly Says:
   November 17th, 2009 at 5:25 am

   Thanks for the recommendation. I have been on a similar search, but for a larger version. I drink fresh-brewed iced tea every day along with water, and the bigger, the better.

5. Kelly K Says:
   December 18th, 2009 at 7:27 pm

   I just wanted to comment that I have one of these Thermos Hydration bottles and I am in love with it. About a year and a half ago, I found it at ROSS for $5.99. Ever since, I’ve been using it every day. It keeps the water cold for so long (8-10 hours). I can’t leave the house without it. I could just kick myself for not buying the other 3 that were on the shelf that day at ROSS….They are awesome water bottles!

6. Cathy Says:
   January 6th, 2010 at 1:15 pm

   I would like to know if you have a BPA free spider water bottle. How many oz is it. You can email me @ myonlywater@gmail.com

   Thanks

7. Julie Says:
   February 25th, 2010 at 5:53 pm

   Thanks for the review! I bought one of these today and I love it. However, I would love that blue striped one but I can’t find it anywhere! Does anyone know where I could get one…or where online that design is? Thanks!

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