Your old Nalgene has survived four girlfriends, 19 summits, and 96 drops, but now, scientists warn, it may be killing you softly. The trouble is bisphenol-A (BPA), a toxicant that’s found in the translucent, polycarbonate plastic used in many bottles and that can leach into water. BPA may mess with the endocrine system and possibly lead to infertility and testicular cancer. Companies have been frantically replacing their products with BPA-free bottles, and so should you. Ditch any with the letters “PC” on the bottom, and grab one of the six safer alternatives we tested. by Tobin Hack
Camelbak Better Bottle with Classic Cap
Yes, it looks like BPA polycarbonate, what with its hard, clear plastic body, but flip the Better Bottle and you won’t see the telltale PC stamp. That’s because Camelbak now uses a copolyester replacement instead. The solid twist cap means you can toss it upside down in your bag and everything stays dry. For less than 10 bucks, it’s cost-effective, if basic. [$9; camelbak.com ]
Sigg BottleThis Swiss-made lightweight favorite is lined with…something. Sigg won’t reveal what’s in its “patented secret formula liner,” but says the mystery material shows zero percent leaching in lab tests, even when the liner is cut, dented, or subjected to acidic liquids. Good to know, since the thin aluminum skin is prone to divots when dropped or smacked against something hard. [$22; mysigg.com]
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UPDATE: Sigg recently announced that the liner of all bottles made before August 2008 contained trace amounts of BPA, but maintains that in testing the BPA never leached. Every Sigg bottle made since August 2008 uses a newer, BPA-free liner.
Kleen Kanteen 27 Oz.
This stainless-steel bottle is simple and bulletproof — a beefier cousin of the Sigg (and heavier, too, by nearly three ounces). Our biggest gripe: The cap squeaks so loudly with every twist that you’ll wish WD-40 were edible. The lack of insulation makes the Klean Kanteen a bad choice for hot liquids, as well as condenstation-slicked when carrying really cold ones. [$20; kleankanteen.com ]
Bilt Fresco
The stainless-steel Bilt earns top marks for presentation, and the interior is liner-free, so no BPA here. Don’t let that chemical smell inside alarm you: One wash and it goes away. We like that the rim is plastic (not the bad kind) and that its threading fits most attachable filters. Just like the Klean Kanteen, it doesn’t have any insulation, so don’t mistake it for your coffee cup. [$14; bilt.ca ]
Nalgene OTG Tritan
Made with the same durable copolyester as the Camelbak, this fancy flip-top bottle is great for one-handed hydration situations (car, gym, bike). Just don’t chuck it in a backpack for a day of skiing, because the cap opens with little effort. For those who prefer a more classic design, Nalgene has reissued a BPA-free bottle from the 80′s that’s opaque, with a widemouth screw-cap. [$12; nalgene-outdoor.com ]
Watergeeks 16 Oz. Filtered Sport Bottle
It looks like a regular sport bottle, but inside is a level-two filter that removes chlorine and heavy metals. Consider it a mobile Brita: You may notice that your tap water tastes better, but it won’t protect against bacteria floating in yonder creek, like giardia or cryptosporidium. Also, the filter slows the flow, making a guzzle-friendly stream impossible. [$18; thewatergeeks.com ]
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October 16th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
You can’t beat the classic Sigg.
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October 17th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
absolutely awesome
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November 14th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
There is yet another water bottle that you did not mention. Aladdin makes a 24oz BPAfree water bottle as well. I like there design better that others on the market. It’s a bit more ergonomic and retails for about $12. To many bottle on the market look very masculine. It’s geared more toward women which is I think it deserves a little attention.
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November 26th, 2008 at 3:52 am
I bought the Nalgene OTG Tritan which sometimes partially pops open to spill water at inopportune times like when I brake suddenly while driving so that the bottle bounces off the glove compartment and drops onto the floor where it empties its contents. Just today the bottle top popped open when I dropped the bag that contained it on the gym floor. I think I will replace this bottle with one that has a design with a screw top or some opening that doesn’t leak liquids when subjected to my abuse.
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