BOTTLEPRO
  • Home
  • Learn
    • Gear Reviews
    • Instructional Videos
    • Hydration Information
  • Shop
    • Cup Holder Adapter (3rd Gen)
    • Cup Holder Adapter (2nd Gen)
    • Splash Guard
    • Infusers >
      • FlavorFuze Pod
      • FlavorFuze Straw
      • FlavorFuze Steel
    • Carrying Pouches >
      • Leather Bottle Carrying Pouch
      • Neoprene Bottle Carrying Pouch
    • Cooler Dividers
    • Arm Rest Cup Holder
  • Demos
  • Hydration Blog
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Our Review of Klean Kanteen's TKWide Chug - Is It Good?

12/16/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture

Klean Kanteen's Best Bottle?

​Klean Kanteen quickly became one of the leading bottle brands when it burst onto the scene with its stainless-steel bottles in 2004.  But more recently, other brands have caught up with, and in some cases overtaken, Klean Kanteen’s market share by introducing stylish bottles with dual wall insulation.  In late 2020, Klean Kanteen finally released an insulated bottle called the TKWide series.

So was the TKWide bottle worth the wait?  We purchased a 32-ounce TKWide with a chug cap to find out.  We’ll let you know our thoughts and what you can expect if you buy one for yourself.

Hydro Flask's Flex Chug - A Video Review

If you'd rather watch a video, then check out our Youtube video below!​

Price

​Starting with the price, the TKWide bottles are on the expensive end of the spectrum.  You can expect to pay around the same amount as you would for a Hydro Flask for the same size bottle.
See Klean Kanteen's Listing
See Hydro Flask's Listing
Picture
If you’re looking for a less expensive option, consider a brand like Iron Flask (currently around $25 for a 32oz).
See Iron Flask's Listing
Picture

Insulation

​We’re fans of insulated bottles in general, so that’s a big plus.  We’ll be testing the TKWide’s insulation in a future video to compare it against bottles like Hydro Flasks and YETIs, but we expect the insulation is good for most daily activities.

Style

​Once we had the bottle in front of us, the first thing we noticed was the style.  This might be the coolest-looking bottle we’ve ever tested.  The main feature and focal point that really helps this bottle stand out from other similar ones is the stainless-steel carrying handle.  It gives a much different look than other bottles like Hydro Flasks, and we really like it, though we acknowledge to some degree this is just a personal preference.  Other handles like Takeya’s chug cap have a hinged plastic handle, and while this offers some benefits because the handle can flip up or down, the plastic just feels cheaper.  The TK Wide’s stainless-steel handle is very durable, and it helps achieve the feel of a premium bottle.
Picture
Every other part of the bottle also looks great, including the spout cap and the stainless-steel base.
Picture

Size and Weight

​The other thing we noticed right away is the size.  This bottle is huge for a 32-ounce.  It’s because of the Impact Base Cap adding another inch or so to the height.  The bottle is also heavier than other 32-ounce bottles.  A 32-ounce TKWide is a full 5 ounces heavier than a 32-ounce Hydro Flask, or about 32%.  This isn’t a big deal most of the time, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re going hiking or on a long walk with your bottle.
Picture
Picture

Spout Cap

​The spout cap is connected to the cap base with a flexible tether.  Even better, the material feels like a silicone or flexible elastomer that should hold up really well over time compared to hard plastic tethers found on some other bottles.
Picture
Another cool feature is that you can snap the spout cap onto the stainless-steel handle to keep it out of the way.
Picture

Spout

​The spout itself is a good size.  It lets you chug a good amount of water, but it’s not so large that it’s difficult to drink from.  The spout is made of a flexible material, probably silicone.  This is a small detail you probably wouldn’t even notice until you have the bottle in person.  It’s honestly not that big of a difference-maker to us, but we think it helps the bottle stand out from competitors and feel a little more premium.
Picture

Inside

​When you take off the cap and look inside, you’ll find the comically large instruction booklet translated into 8 languages.  There’s also a thank you note that reviews all the social programs and environmental commitments that Klean Kanteen is involved with, so if you’re into supporting environmentally-focused causes and companies then you’ll probably feel pretty good about your purchase.

Threads

​The threads on the bottle are internal and formed from bumps in the stainless steel rim, and while it looks interesting, we find that this makes the cap a little more difficult to align compared to traditional threads.
Picture

Plastic

The inside of the bottle is made is food-grade stainless steel.  But if you’re looking for a bottle where water never touches the plastic, then please be aware that the TKWide Chug Cap has exposed plastic on the underside of the cap.
Picture
For a completely plastic-free option, consider getting a 40-ounce non-insulated Klean Kanteen with the classic wide loop cap.  Please note that this cap only fits Klean Kanteen’s wide mouth bottles with external threads, which does not include TKWides.
Picture
See Klean Kanteen's Classic 40oz Listing
Picture
See Klean Kanteen's Wide Loop (Cap Only) Listing

Our Conclusion

In conclusion, we really like Klean Kanteen’s TKWide bottle.  It looks fantastic, is very durable, and has a premium feel that’s hard to describe.  The minor issues like the weight and how the internal threads are more difficult to align than standard threads can be overlooked for the most part, though if you’re going on a long walk or hike, we recommend bringing a lighter bottle.

So overall, this is a great go-to bottle that will help you stay hydrated throughout the day.

Do you agree with our conclusion?  Let us know!
See Klean Kanteen's TKWide Chug Listing

Buying a wide mouth bottle?  Keep us in mind

Check out our Amazon store for fun and helpful accessories, like fruit infusers, cup holder adapters, and carrying slings.
Picture
See BottlePro's Store
0 Comments

Our Review of Hydro Flask's Newest Cap - The Flex Chug (New in 2022!)

12/8/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture

Is Hydro Flask's New Flex Chug Lid Good?

​Hydro Flask just released a brand new cap in late 2022.  It’s called the Flex Chug, and it’s Hydro Flask’s first true spout-style chug lid.  We ordered one, and we have been testing it for a few days, and we’ll let you know our initial impressions as well as what to expect if you’re thinking about buying one for yourself.

Hydro Flask certainly needed a chug-style lid to compete with ones that many of their competitors already have, including ThermoFlask and Takeya.  But while we’re fans of most Hydro Flask products and have built our company around making complementary products for Hydro Flasks, we have to admit that we think they missed the mark on the Flex Chug cap.

Hydro Flask's Flex Chug - A Video Review

If you'd rather watch a video than read our post, then check out our Youtube video below!

What We Like

Hydro Flask's Classic Design
Hydro Flask's Classic Design
Style and Durability
​We like how Hydro Flask stayed true to their traditional look, including the stainless-steel pegs that the handle connects to.

The lid also feels solid and durable, just like all Hydro Flask products that we’ve tested.

​And the lid does its job by giving you the easy-drinking benefits of a narrow mouth bottle with the benefits of a wide mouth, like being easier to clean and add flavors.

What We Don't Like

Spout Cap is not Connected
Spout Cap is not Connected
#1: Spout Cap is not Connected
The spout cap is essentially a baby version of their standard lid.  It’s not connected to the base of the chug cap and comes completely off.  There’s a chance you could drop the spout cap when trying to take a sip, and then it could get dirty if it drops on the floor of your car or on the ground.
Takeya's Hinged Spout Cap Connection
Takeya's Hinged Spout Cap Connection
Other spout-style lids from competitors like Takeya have hinged connections that keep the spout cap secured even when you unscrew it, and we prefer this design a lot more so it’s easier to take one-handed sips without potentially dropping the cap.
Interested in a Takeya 32oz bottle like this one?  Click the link below to see it on Amazon.
See Takeya's 32oz Bottle Listing

Size: Takeya's Chug Cap (Left) vs Flex Chug (Right)
Size: Takeya's Chug Cap (Left) vs Flex Chug (Right)
#2: Spout is too Big
​We think the spout is a little too big.  Here is Hydro Flask’s Flex Chug side-by-side against Takeya’s chug-style lid.  You can see that Hydro Flask’s spout opening is much bigger.

​Takeya has a good size spout that gives you plenty of water when you need it without having to open your mouth too wide, but Hydro Flask’s spout size is bigger and is a little more difficult to get your mouth around.  Then you can end up accidentally chugging more water than you wanted.

Picture
#3: Aesthetics - Looks Big and Bulky
We recognize that this is more of a personal preference, but in our opinion, the lid looks bulky and awkward.  From a design perspective, there’s just something about how tall the lid is and has two layers that that seems off to us.

And once someone commented on how it looks like a wedding cake, we can't un-see the resemblance!

Our Conclusion

So overall the Flex Chug cap is an OK option and does a decent job at what it’s designed for, but we wish that Hydro Flask had taken some of the aspects of other proven spout lids and incorporated them into their design.

Do you agree with our conclusion?  Let us know!

Buying a wide mouth bottle?  Keep us in mind!

Check out our Amazon store for fun and helpful accessories, like fruit infusers, cup holder adapters, and carrying slings.
Click to see BottlePro's Amazon Store
See BottlePro's Store
0 Comments

Narrow Mouth vs Wide Mouth Bottles - Which is Better?

12/1/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture

Are Narrow or Wide Bottle Openings Better?

When you’re buying a reusable bottle, one of the first decisions you’ll have to make is whether to get a narrow mouth or wide mouth bottle.  Virtually all bottle brands have narrow mouth and wide mouth options, so this is something you’ll need to think about whether you’re looking to buy a Hydro Flask, Nalgene, or any of the countless other bottle brands on the market today.  We’re going to review the main factors you should be thinking about when making your decision.  And spoiler alert, we have a pretty strong opinion on this one.

Please note that some bottle brands have different terminologies.  For example, Hydro Flask has a “standard mouth,” and that’s what we would classify as a narrow mouth design. 
​​
Links are given to the Amazon listings for each product.  Thanks for your support!

Narrow Mouth vs Wide Mouth - A Video Review

If you'd rather watch a video than read our post, then check out our Youtube video below!  We review the same information and give our recommendation on whether narrow mouth or wide mouth bottles are better.

​Factor #1 – How Easy is it to Drink from a Narrow vs Wide Mouth Bottle?

One of the most common reasons that someone might prefer a narrow mouth is that it’s easier to take sips of your drink, and this is certainly true with the base bottle.  With wide mouth bottles it’s not uncommon to take a sip of water and accidentally splash yourself in the face.  Then don’t be surprised when your friends and family make an Airplane reference about having a drinking problem.  Narrow mouth bottles help prevent this issue.

But if you have a wide mouth bottle, you can easily avoid this problem by purchasing a different style lid, like a straw, sip, or chug style.  For Hydro Flasks, see our videos reviewing their Flex Straw and Flex Sip lids to take a closer look.  Or get a splash guard, like a SplashPro for Hydro Flasks, or Guyot or Watergate for Nalgenes.
​
So all-in-all, there’s not much of a difference here between narrow and wide mouth bottles, other than the small cost you might run into if you’re buying a different lid or splash guard.

Lids to Prevent Spills

Hydro Flask's Flex Straw Lid
Hydro Flask's Flex Straw Lid
Straw Lids
Generally speaking, straw lids are a great option to prevent spills.  But be aware that some lids tend to leak, especially through the air hole on top.

Pictured is Hydro Flask's newer Flex Straw lid offering that has several improvements compared to their original straw lid design.
See Flex Straw Amazon Listing

Hydro Flask's Flex Sip Lid
Hydro Flask's Flex Sip Lid
Sip Lids
Sip lids, as the name suggests, are great for sipping smaller amounts of your beverage.  This usually makes them a great option for hot drinks like coffee or tea.

Pictured is Hydro Flask's Flex Sip.
See Flex Sip Amazon Listing

Picture
Tzuoieo's Chug Lid
Chug/Spout Lids
Some companies call these chug lids, while others call them spouts.  But the design is usually pretty similar.  You screw your lid onto your bottle like normal, but there's a smaller threaded cap that you can remove.  This lets you drink from a smaller opening.

Pictured is Tzuoieo's chug lid that fits Hydro Flasks.
See Tzuoieo's Chug Lid Amazon Listing

Alternative: Splash Guards

SplashPro Splash Guard
SplashPro Splash Guard
For Hydro Flasks: SplashPro
We designed our SplashPro splash guard to fit around Hydro Flask Flex Lids (the standard ones that you screw on and off each time you take a drink).
See our SplashPro Listing

​Factor #2 – How Easy is it to Clean a Narrow vs Wide Mouth Bottle?

First off, regardless of which bottle you use, we highly recommend getting a bottle brush to help make cleaning your big bottle more easy.  But in general, you’ll find narrow mouth bottles more difficult to clean than wide mouth bottles.

Narrow mouth bottles limit the size of a bottle brush you can fit, and with smaller brushes, the bristles usually aren’t long enough to easily reach the spot where the bottle widens just under the neck.  Wide mouth bottles can fit bigger brushes with longer bristles, so it’s easier to clean this area.
​
So when it comes to ease of cleaning, wide mouth bottles are the clear winners.

MOSOLAN's Bottle Brush with Straw Cleaner
MOSOLAN's Bottle Brush with Straw Cleaner
Bottle Brush with Built-In Straw Cleaner
We like this bottle brush because the straw cleaner is easy to use and wash, and screws into the handle of the brush.  It also comes with a smaller "detailing" brush that's great for cleaning the threads on the caps.
See MOSOLAN's Bottle Brush Amazon Listing

​Factor #3 – Adding Ice and Flavorings

Many people like to add ice or flavorings to their water to change things up, but if you get a narrow mouth bottle, you’re really limiting what you can do.  Adding ice is more tedious, and that’s if your ice cubes even fit.  Some bottles, like narrow mouth Nalgenes, have really small openings that don’t even fit most standard ice cubes.  And odds are you won’t have an easy time adding fruit or tea leaves since most infusers won’t fit.  You can add liquid flavorings and flexible tea bags to narrow mouth bottles, but that’s about it.

Wide mouth bottles are much more versatile than narrow mouth bottles.  Its easier to add ice, fruit and tea infusers, and other natural flavorings.  Our FlavorFuze Pod fruit infuser fits great in most wide mouth bottles, and you can fit many common tea infusers as well.  So when it comes to adding ice or other flavorings, wide mouth bottles are better than narrow mouth bottles.

Accessories to Add Flavoring (Narrow Mouth)

Mio Liquid Flavoring
Mio Liquid Flavoring
Liquid Flavorings like Mio
You won't be able to fit larger fruits or infusers in narrow mouth bottles, so you'll probably have to stick with Mio or a similar liquid flavoring.
See Mio's Amazon Listing

Accessories to Add Flavoring (Wide or Narrow Mouth)

Be sure to check your bottle's mouth diameter before buying an infuser.  But in general, most popular wide mouth bottles tend to have mouth openings that are at least 2.0 inches diameter.  So get infusers that are less than 2" around and you should be good.
LULLATTI Tea Infusers
LULLATTI Tea Infusers
Tea Infusers
Brew loose-leaf tea in your bottle! LULLATTI makes a tea infuser that fits in wide mouth Hydro Flasks and other similar bottles.
See LULLATI'S Tea Infuser Amazon Listing

FlavorFuze Pod Fruit Infuser
FlavorFuze Pod Fruit Infuser
FlavorFuze Pod and Straw
Get a fruit infuser for your wide mouth bottle to have truly natural flavorings each day.

FlavorFuze Pod has two lid: a drop-in lid for wide mouth bottles (opening at least 2.0" diameter), and a splash guard lid that fits Hydro Flasks.

Or try our FlavorFuze Straw infuser (different listing) that clips onto straw lids.
See FlavorFUze Pod Amazon Listing

​What about the Cost?

​You might be asking if narrow mouth or wide mouth bottles are more expensive, but the opening style really is not much of a factor.  The variables that make the most impact on the bottle cost are the brand and bottle size, not the opening style.

Our Recommendation

So when it comes to deciding whether narrow or wide mouth bottles are better, our opinion is that wide mouths are the clear winners.  They’re easier to clean, they’re more versatile when it comes to adding ice and flavorings, and you can make it just as easy to take sips as a narrow mouth bottle by getting the right lid or splash guard.

Do you agree with our recommendation?  Let us know!

Buying a Wide Mouth Bottle?  Keep us in mind!

Check out our Amazon store for fun and helpful accessories, like fruit infusers, cup holder adapters, and carrying slings.
See BottlePro's Store
0 Comments
    Follow us for more hydration-focused updates!

      Subscribe for Updates and Product Deals!

    Subscribe

    Try searching for things like "infusers" or "hiking".


    Categories

    All
    Bottle Cleaning
    Bottle Protection
    Bottles
    Bottle Slings
    Coffee
    Cup Holders
    Fruit Infusers
    Healthy Lifestyle
    Hiking
    Hydration Products
    Hydro Flasks
    Ice
    Iron Flasks
    Klean Kanteens
    Soda Habit
    Splash Guards
    Tea
    Weight Loss
    YETI

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022


    Amazon Associates Program

    BottlePro is part of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.  We strive to provide helpful information and product recommendations, and we receive a commission on purchases made after you click through our links.
Contact Us/Returns
Refund Policy
Shipping Policy
Influencer Program
Wholesale Inquiries
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
PS Kreative, LLC, Licensed in North Carolina, USA (ID # 2514262), DBA "BottlePro"
  • Home
  • Learn
    • Gear Reviews
    • Instructional Videos
    • Hydration Information
  • Shop
    • Cup Holder Adapter (3rd Gen)
    • Cup Holder Adapter (2nd Gen)
    • Splash Guard
    • Infusers >
      • FlavorFuze Pod
      • FlavorFuze Straw
      • FlavorFuze Steel
    • Carrying Pouches >
      • Leather Bottle Carrying Pouch
      • Neoprene Bottle Carrying Pouch
    • Cooler Dividers
    • Arm Rest Cup Holder
  • Demos
  • Hydration Blog
  • About Us
  • Contact Us