So this is a public service announcement. Some people might believe that just any old steel insulated bottle will do. But, we’re here to tell you that’s not true. Two of our favorite bottles are the wide mouth insulated Klean Kanteen and the standard opening Hydro Flask, but even between these two there is a clear winner.
Over at the Wirecutter, a well respected review site, they looked at many of the insulated bottles available and in the end they recommended the wide mouth Klean Kanteen. However, we don’t agree. Our favorite is the standard mouth Hydro Flask.
The Wirecutter gave the nod to the Klean Kanteen because supposedly it is easier to clean without any specialized tools. Now, we’ll agree the wider mouth of the Klean Kanteen is a little easier to get into for a really good scrub. But, the truth is it’s not that much easier, and this minor benefit definitely doesn’t outweigh one of the Klean Kanteen’s major faults. Also, if you really need to scrub a bottle out there’s nothing like a little water, soap, some dry rice, and a good shaking to bring the sparkle out!
So, what’s the Klean Kanteen’s major fault? The bottle threads into the cap.
You might be wondering why this is such a big deal. Well, when the bottle threads into the cap this puts the threads on the outside of the bottle. Now, after a few drinks and repeated openings excess liquid collects on the threads and eventually drips onto your shirt or lap. I’ve had a klean kanteen for years and I assure you this is a real and consistent problem. Now, if you only put water in your insulated bottle then maybe it wouldn’t be such a big deal. However, because we tend to put things like coffee, hot chocolate and tea in them… if they drip on you it can be a problem.
The Hydro Flask addresses this issue by having the cap thread into the bottle. This way any excess liquid build up on the threads ends up back in the bottle and not on your favorite shirt. That’s it… that’s why the Hydro Flask is better.
If this review seems a little excessive and over the top… that’s because it is. Here at the Catamount Trail Association we want you to have the best experience possible and we’ll go to great lengths to make it happen 😉
Have Fun & Think Snow!
