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Insulated Water Bottles Compared

There’s nothing worse than drinking warm water – we can all agree on that. It’s especially tragic when you’re working out, or adventuring in the great outdoors and you reach for your water bottle only to discover you may as well just drink out of a kettle. Well, luckily for you, there is such a thing as insulated water bottles.

Not only do they keep your water (or any sort of beverage!) cold for 12-20 hours (and some up to 500!), they can also keep tea, coffee and any other drinks hot for 6-14 hours. What a solution if we’ve ever heard of one! Not only will these bottles leave you satisfied in summer and winter, but reusable water bottles are a great way to reduce unnecessary plastic waste. Sustainability Matters reported that one million single-use plastic bottles are purchased around the world every minute.

Read on as we reveal some top picks for insulated water bottles available in Australia.

S’Well Original Bottle – Teakwood

Swell Teakwood

You’d have to be living under a rock not to recognise this brand. Founded and created in 2010 by Sarah Kauss (who still owns 100% of the now $100 million company) S’Well was one of the first companies to release a stylish, environmentally friendly insulated water bottle – and subsequently was almost entirely responsible for the rise in popularity of re-usable insulated water bottles. Their combination of a slick, stainless steel design, creative styling and eco-friendly approach skyrocketed them onto the global stage – and people couldn’t get enough. Soon enough, the water bottles were splashed all over Instagram, and found in shops on every corner.

This bottle, labelled ‘Teakwood’, is arguably S’Well’s most recognisable design – from their ‘Wood Collection’ which imitates the ‘charm of natural fibres from the world’s most picturesque forests’. The bottle (like all S’Well designs) keeps beverages cold for 24 hours and hot for 12, is BPA-free and reusable, condensation-free (the exterior will always remain dry) and the stainless steel is tripled-walled.

The bottles come in three different sizes, 260ml, 500ml, 750ml and cost $29.95, $59.95, $69.95 respectively. They can be purchased from the official website in America, but to avoid shipping costs we would suggest purchasing them either online at somewhere like Rushfaster or in-store in Australia at a shop such as Kitchen Warehouse Australia.

Kathmandu Top Ring Insulated 500 Drink Bottle

Kathmandu Top Ring Insulated 500 Drink Bottle

If you’re the kind of person always chasing their next adventure, then this one’s for you. Kathmandu has released their Top Ring Insulated 500 drink bottle, designed to take hot and cold beverages into the outdoors. Kathmandu is a retailer in Australia, New Zealand and the UK renowned for their travel, adventure and outdoor apparel and equipment. The company was founded in 1987 and since then has gone on to expand to 163 stores across the three countries. Much like everyone else, they couldn’t say no to jumping on the insulated water bottle bandwagon.

If you’re looking for a water bottle a little bit less heavy duty and on the cheaper side, this bottle is perfect for you. The Top Ring bottle is made from double-walled stainless steel, insulated so drinks can stay cold for up to 12 hours and hot for six, but is currently retailing for only $26.98 on the Kathmandu website for a 500ml bottle. The loop on top of the bottle is great for outdoor adventuring, as it can be clipped onto and easily attached to a carabiner and onto a backpack/hiking pack etc.

Klean Kanteen Classic Stainless Steel

Klean Kanteen Classic Stainless Steel

Before S’Well made stainless steel cool again, Californian-born Klean Kanteen was way ahead of the trend as they launched the very stainless steel, BPA-free, reusable water bottle in 2004. The company is family-owned by a brother-sister duo, who started the company because they wanted a non-toxic solution to single-use plastic water bottles.

Fast forward 15 years, Klean Kanteen is a certified B Corporation, which according to their website means that they meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. Besides water bottles, the company also sells thermals, food canisters, accessories (such as steel straws!) and cup and tumblers.

It was, however, the Insulated Classic that started everything. The water bottle keeps water and other beverages cold for a whopping 50 hours, and drinks hot for 20 hours! The bottle has a double-walled vacuum insulation, an environmentally friendly powder coat finish, is chip resistant and features a leak proof loop cap/handle. Shop the 20oz (592ml) classic on Klean Kanteen’s Australian website for $48.95.

Hydro Flask Standard Mouth

Hydro Flask Standard Mouth

Another big name to join the list is Hydro Flask – it would be wrong to leave them off. Originally from Bend, Oregon USA, Hydro Flask is a company whose mission is to “save the world from lukewarm,” – no matter the beverage. Originally starting off with water bottles, Hydro Flask has since dipped its toes into coffee, beer and wine – what a beautiful combination. So, not only can Hydro Flask’s keep your water cold, they have designed specific pint and wine bottle cups and bottles so you can keep your alcohol cold when there’s no access to a fridge.

But enough of that for now, because it’s their Standard Mouth we want to shine some light on. One of the first products to launch for Hydro Flask, this cute little bottle is made with TempSheild insulation which eliminates condensation and keeps drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12. The bottle also comes in 11 different colours! So what are you waiting for? Get your hands on an 18oz (520ml) for $39.95 from Hydro Flask’s Australian website.

EcoCocoon kid-friendly Insulated Bottle

EcoCocoon kid-friendly Insulated Bottle

Last, but certainly not least, is EcoCocoon’s Insulated Bottle. EcoCocoon was launched in 2009 by a mother, Libby Versace, after learning of health concerns over a synthetic chemical that was widely used in the manufacturing of plastic drink bottles, as stated on the brands about page. Much like the others water bottles, EcoCocoon’s design is made from 18/8 food grade stainless steel and is double-walled vacuum insulated which keeps drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12.

The greatest part of these drink bottles however, is the ‘Cocooncap’ – a soft touch sports drink bottle mouthpiece which is uncommon on insulated, stainless steel water bottles. As the company was founded by a parent, the lid was created first with children in mind – the one-way valve provides a fast flow of water along with instant closure when pressure stops being applied.

This results in no leakage in school and gym bags! (They do, however, recommend that if the bottle is being used for hot beverages, the regular screw top lid is used). With hundreds of bright colours and patterns to suit any age, this is the perfect back-to-school purchase! Purchase a 500ml bottle for $39.9 at the Australian website.

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Original Author: Maddy Morwood

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