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Which Hydro Flask Lid is the Best? (Wide Mouth Edition)

2/26/2024

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Which Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Lid is the Best?
Which Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Lid is the Best?

Which Hydro Flask Lid Should You Get?

Hydro Flask currently has 7 wide mouth lid options, so which one is the best for you?  I'll review each lid available, including 2 that many people have not seen before.  Each Hydro Flask lid has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it can help to know more so you can get the best lid for you and your situation.
Here's the quick list showing each of Hydro Flask's 7 available wide mouth lids as of today.  Keep scrolling down for the full details.
Hydro Flask Flex Cap
Hydro Flask Flex Cap
Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Flex Cap
Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Flex Cap
Hydro Flask Trail Series Flex Cap
Hydro Flask Trail Series Flex Cap
Hydro Flask Flex Sip
Hydro Flask Flex Sip
Hydro Flask Flex Chug
Hydro Flask Flex Chug
Hydro Flask Flex Straw
Hydro Flask Flex Straw
Hydro Flask Original Straw

Video Review of Hydro Flask's Wide Mouth Lids

​​We also cover this in a YouTube video if you'd prefer to watch the recap!​

First, Some Overall Guidelines about Hydro Flask's Lids

Before we dive in, I'm going to review some of the most common general questions we see about Hydro Flask's lids.
Are Hydro Flask's Wide Mouth Lids Interchangeable?
For the most part, yes!
​
With one exception, all wide mouth Hydro Flask lids fit all wide mouth Hydro Flask bottles.  If you're buying a new lid, just double-check that it's a wide mouth lid, not a standard, aka "narrow" mouth lid.
Picture
Exception: Beer Growler
Hydro Flask's 64 ounce beer growler has a different lid designed specifically to work better with carbonated drinks.
See on Amazon
Are Hydro Flask's Lid Dishwasher Safe?
Yes. Technically Hydro Flask's lids are all top-rack dishwasher safe according to Hydro Flask, as mentioned here.

From Hydro Flask: "All Hydro Flask powder coated bottles are dishwasher safe. Hydro Flask Coffee Mugs are not powder coated, and they are not dishwasher safe."
Should you hand-wash Hydro Flasks?
Even though Hydro Flask lids are all technically dishwasher-safe, I typically recommend handwashing so you can make sure some of those hard-to-reach areas are scrubbed.  Also, some of the lids have small pieces and seals that are better left to handwashing.

Either way, it's a good idea to also use Bottle Bright cleaning tablets or a similar alternative every month or so to give your bottle a deep clean.  These things really work!
How to Contact Hydro Flask Directly
I'm giving this information based on what I've read online, seen in person with their products, or heard back from Hydro Flask when I've submitted questions.  If you have additional questions, either leave a comment on our Youtube video or send us a message and I'll try to answer it, or you can out to Hydro Flask directly with the link below.  They're usually pretty good about getting back with answers within a couple days, and I've had great experiences with their customer support.
Contact Hydro Flask

Here are Hydro Flask's Available Wide Mouth Lids

Hydro Flask's Flex Cap
Hydro Flask's Flex Cap
Hydro Flask's Flex Cap (Lid #1)
This is the standard lid that comes with most Hydro Flasks that you unscrew completely to take a sip.

Pros
  • Typically comes standard so it doesn't cost extra
  • It is fairly easy to clean

Cons
  • Very basic
  • Prone to spilling water in your face, especially when you're on the road
See on Amazon
SplashPro Splash Guard
SplashPro Splash Guard
 Optional Add-On: SplashPro Splash Guard
Our SplashPro splash guard is designed specifically to fit around Hydro Flask's Flex Cap, so that's a great, cost-effective way to keep water out of your face.
See on Amazon
Hydro Flask's Stainless Steel Flex Cap
Hydro Flask's Stainless Steel Flex Cap
Under the Stainless Steel Flex Cap
Under the Stainless Steel Flex Cap
Hydro Flask's Stainless Steel Flex Cap (Lid #2)
I personally think should have been called the Flex Steel but maybe that's just me.  This is identical to the Flex Cap with one obvious difference: other than the handle and the seals, it's made entirely of stainless steel.

Pros
  • This is Hydro Flask's only option that has stainless steel instead of plastic under the lid
  • Prevents plastic contact with your water

Cons
  • Heavier
  • Have to buy it separately (unless Hydro Flask is running a promotion)
See on Amazon
(To select this lid, first click on the Flex Cap variation, then select the Stainless Steel color option.)
Hydro Flask's Trail Series Flex Cap
Hydro Flask's Trail Series Flex Cap
Hydro Flask's Trail Series Flex Cap (Lid #3)
​The 3rd lid is another variation on the Flex Cap.  Hydro Flask's Trail Series bottles are engineered to be more lightweight, and these changes are very obvious in the lid.  The handle is perforated and overall it just feels lighter than the standard Flex Cap.

Pros
  • Lightweight

Cons
  • Unable to purchase by itself, so you'll likely need to buy a Trail Series bottle
See on Amazon
Hydro Flask's Flex Sip
Hydro Flask's Flex Sip
Hydro Flask's Flex Sip (Lid #4)
This is designed for coffee or tea, and you simply twist the top a quarter turn to open and close it.

Pros
  • Leak-free (can be a problem with some other sip-style lids and covers)
  • Able to fully-disassemble for cleaning
  • Comes standard if you buy one of Hydro Flask's Coffee series bottles or can be purchased separately

Cons
  • Quite a few steps to clean properly (not bad once you're used to it though)
See on Amazon
Learn about Cleaning a Flex Sip
Hydro Flask's Flex Chug
Hydro Flask's Flex Chug
Hydro Flask's Flex Chug (Lid #5)
This lid has a narrower spout that has a separate cap, similarly to YETI's standard chug lid.

Pros
  • Simple and easy to clean
  • Easier to take big gulps of water without it splashing in your face
  • Good alternative to a Flex Cap with a SplashPro

Cons
  • The handle is much smaller than other Hydro Flask lids
  • Spout cap is completely detached instead of a tethered design like with Takeyas that I prefer, especially when driving so you don't have to worry about dropping the spout cap
See on Amazon
Takeya Active Spout Lid
Takeya Active Spout Lid
 Optional Alternative: Takeya Actives
Takeya has one of my personal favorite spout lids with a wide handle and tethered spout cap.
See on Amazon
Hydro Flask's Flex Straw
Hydro Flask's Flex Straw
Hydro Flask's Flex Straw (Lid #6)
I personally love this lid, but some customers have valid reasons for it not being their favorite option.

Pros
  • Removable insert makes it easier to clean more areas around the spout
  • Great handle for a straw lid

Cons
  • The spout must be completely flipped open to take a drink.  If it's rotated back even just a little, you'll be sucking air instead of water and it seems to be less forgiving than some other straw lids.
  • While I mentioned it's easier to clean more areas around the spout, that doesn't mean you can clean 100% of these spots and you'll probably want to pop the spout off every now and then to get to those hard-to-reach areas.  You have to be careful though, as this can lead to some wear-and-tear on your lid.
See on Amazon
Learn about Cleaning a Flex Straw
Hydro Flask's Original Straw
Hydro Flask's Original Straw
Hydro Flask's Original Straw (Lid #7)
My personal opinion is that this lid is the worst of them all, but I think it's still worth knowing about in case you have a different viewpoint.

Pros
  • Some people prefer the classic, simpler design
  • It's easier to pop off the spout to clean all areas around where the spout pivots compared to the Flex Straw
Cons
  • It feels like this lid is just a private label lid without any engineering because Hydro Flask needed a straw lid quickly years ago
  • Small single-finger handle
See on Amazon
FlavorFuze Pod Fruit Infuser
FlavorFuze Pod Fruit Infuser
Optional Add-On: FlavorFuze Pod Drop-In Fruit Infuser
Make your water more fun to drink by adding natural flavors!  Each FlavorFuze Pod comes with two lids.  One is design for drop-in infusing and fits in nearly any wide mouth bottle.  The other is our splash guard style that is sized to fit snugly in wide mouth Hydro Flasks.
See FlavorFuze Pod
HikerPouch Leather Bottle Sling
HikerPouch Leather Bottle Sling
Optional Add-On: HikerPouch Bottle Sling
Carry your Hydro Flask in style!  HikerPouches are designed specifically for larger bottles like 32 and 40 ounce Hydro Flasks.  They come with an adjustable shoulder strap and have a phone pouch on the side.  There's also an extra D-ring on the rim, which makes it easy to snap onto a bag or pouch with a carabiner.
See HikerPouch

Buying a water bottle?
​Keep us in mind!
​See our Amazon store for helpful accessories, like fruit infusers, cup holder adapters, and carrying slings.
See Our Store
See BottlePro's Amazon Store
See BottlePro's Amazon Store
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What is the Best Water Bottle, and Which One Should You Get? (The Ultimate Guide)

7/7/2023

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What is the Best Water Bottle, and Which One Should You Get?

What is the Best Water Bottle?

It’s 2023, and there are literally hundreds if not thousands of water bottle brands to choose from that initially can appear very similar.  With such a saturated market you might be wondering, what is the best water bottle today?  But really, that’s an impossible question to answer since different bottles are better for different situations.

The better question to ask is, which water bottle is best for you based on how you plan to use it?

Content Overview:

Heads up, this is a pretty long post with a lot of information.  Here's what we'll cover in case you'd like to skip ahead to a certain point.
  • Link to our video review (covers the same info as this article)
  • Part 1: Questions you should ask yourself before your start searching for a bottle
  • Part 2: Review of popular and notable water bottles and brands
  • Part 3: Our recommendations for best water bottles by category (hiking, commutes, tea, value...)

Our Video Review

Our YouTube video covers the same information in this post, so click the link if you'd rather see the video.  Otherwise, keep reading the full post below!

First, a few things to note.
  1. We’re reviewing a fairly arbitrary selection of 13 brands and 15 bottles.  It’s a decent number of options, but there are way more out there that could be compared.  We can only do so much in one video, and this is meant to be a good starting point.
  2. We’re primarily focusing more on the more established brands.  And we are exploring a few non-mainstream brands, but for the most part, we’ll stick to the big dogs.
  3. We also mostly stick to insulated stainless steel bottles with wide mouth openings, with a few notable exceptions.  Dual-wall vacuum insulated bottles are very popular in today’s market, and we generally like wide mouth bottles more than narrow mouth ones.  See our other video for more about why.
  4. Two of the bottles we’ll talk about have triple-layer insulation.  Many people think this means three layers of stainless-steel, but it actually refers to a layer of copper.  We won’t go into much detail about that distinction in this video, but we have another video in the works that focuses entirely on insulation where we’ll test them to see if these triple-layer bottles really hold up.
  5. And lastly, our recommendations are mostly based on our own opinions.  Let us know in the comments if you agree or disagree, and especially if you have any other thoughts or considerations that could help other buyers hone in the best bottle for them.

Part 1: What Questions to Ask Yourself before Looking at Bottles

What Type of Water Bottle Do You Need?

Before you even look at any bottles, ask yourself these questions.
  1. WHERE: Where will you primarily use it?  Around the house or at work?  On your commute so you need something that’s easy to use in the car?  On hikes?  There will always be some crossover use, but think about how you’ll use your bottle most of the time.
  2. WHAT: What will you be drinking?  Water bottles don’t need to just be used for plain water.  Many people use them for tea, coffee, fruit infusing, or adding ice, and some bottles are better for these than others.
  3. BRANDING: How important is branding to you?  This is directly related to cost, since most of the prominent brands like Hydro Flask and YETI come with higher price points than brands like Nalgene and Iron Flask.
  4. LID: What type of lid do you prefer?  Most lids fall into four basic categories: standard, straw, spout, and sip.  Standard lids that you screw on and off completely are a good starting option that comes with most bottles, but they don’t offer many additional advantages.  Straw lids are the easiest to drink from but are typically harder to clean.  Spout lids are pretty good all-around options and are generally an improvement over standard lids.  And sip lids are best when used for coffee, tea, or other hot drinks.
  5. VOLUME: And finally, think about how much volume you will need.  According to the University of Missouri, a good rule of thumb is to take your weight in pounds, divide it in half, and the result is how many ounces of water you should drink per day.  Use this to calculate how many ounces you should drink per hour, and then consider how easily you can refill your bottle.  When taking all of these factors into account, you should be able to get a good idea of which volume water bottle makes sense for you.
And if your main use will be hiking or some other physical activity, there are some other factors to consider, like heat and elevation gain.  Check out our video where we do a deeper dive into this topic.

Part 2: Reviewing Popular and Notable Bottles and Brands

Popular and Notable Water Bottles and Brands

​Now let’s look at some of the more popular bottles and brands.  We'll cover:
  • Nalgene
  • Klean Kanteen Classic
  • Klean Kanteen TKWide
  • Hydro Flask
  • Hydro Flask Trail Series
  • YETI Rambler
  • Takeya
  • Iron Flask
  • ThermoFlask
  • Stanley
  • Camelbak
  • S'well
  • FJbottle
  • Steepware
  • EcoVessel

Nalgene

Nalgene Water Bottle Review
Nalgenes are lightweight, inexpensive, dishwasher safe, and they come in many color options.  And while all of the bottles in this review are pretty durable overall since most are made of stainless-steel, Nalgenes are also much more dent resistant because of the plastic construction compared to stainless-steel bottles which can dent more easily.  Nalgene is also the only bottle brand we looked at that is made in the USA.

​​Some drawbacks are that they only come in plastic, they don’t have a built-in handle if you don’t count the tether for the lid, they don’t have an insulated version, and there aren’t many options to choose from for lids.  It doesn’t feel like the brand has innovated like others have, which has left Nalgene struggling behind other bottles in many aspects. But they still make a great, dependable bottle at an affordable price point, which makes it a good option for many people.
See Nalgene Listing

Klean Kanteen Classic (Non-Insulated)

Klean Kanteen Classic Review
Klean Kanteen has a mix of insulated and non-insulated bottles.  Non-insulated Klean Kanteens are lighter than dual-wall bottles, and they have a simple design that is very easy to clean. They’re also notable for how the standard cap has steel on the bottom, so your water never touches plastic. Most other stainless-steel bottles on the market, including Klean Kanteen’s own TKWide Series, have plastic under the lid.

​Some drawbacks are that we don’t like the standard loop caps very much, and they aren’t insulated.
See Klean Kanteen Classic Listing

Klean Kanteen TKWide Insulated

Klean Kanteen TKWide Review
Klean Kanteen recently came out with their TKWide insulated bottles.  They have a range of well-engineered lid options that feel unique compared to other brands.  The rigid handle feels very sturdy, and one unique benefit is the Impact Base Cap on the bottom.  This is a hollow cap that absorbs an impact if you drop your bottle, which lessens the chance that a dent could affect the vacuum insulation.  This is one of the easier bottles to clean because the threads on the bottle are made of small bumps in the stainless-steel instead of traditional thread grooves.

​Some downsides are the overall bulk, both in terms of weight and size for a 32-ounce bottle.  We also wish the spout cap was a little easier to keep out of the way.  You have to snap it onto the metal handle, which isn’t as easy as some other bottles like Takeya, Camelbak, and FJbottle.  There aren’t too many color options for Klean Kanteens, so keep that in mind if you’re looking for your own style.
See Klean Kanteen TKWide Listing

YETI Rambler

YETI Rambler Review
​YETI is in the top-tier for brand prestige, and therefore cost.  They are notoriously expensive, but their products are generally very high-quality, which has led to a devoted following of fans and supporters.  There are six lid options for their Rambler series wide mouth bottles, so you can pick what’s best for you.
​
​
Downsides are definitely the cost, but also that these bottles are heavier than some comparable ones on the market.
See YETI Rambler Listing

Hydro Flask

Hydro Flask Review
Hydro Flask is the brand that really catapulted dual-wall insulation into the mainstream, and they’re also a top-tier brand on par with YETI.  Their bottles come in a wide range of colors, and they have a good range of well-engineered caps and accessories to choose from, though some are better than others.  We love the Flex Straw, but we’re not huge fans of the Flex Chug.

​You can expect to pay a premium for any Hydro Flask, but the customer service is very good and the company stands behind their products.
See Hydro Flask Listing

Hydro Flask Trail Series

Hydro Flask Trail Series Review
​Another Hydro Flask bottle that’s good to know about is their Trail Series lineup.  These bottles have the same great insulation, branding, and look, but Hydro Flask really focused on reducing the weight of the bottle so it’s easier to hike and get around with.  This makes it one of the best insulated bottles for hiking compared to really heavy options like Klean Kanteen’s TKWide and YETI’s Rambler.
See Trail Series Listing

Takeya

Takeya Review
Takeya is a good mid-range alternative to Hydro Flask, and their Takeya Actives bottles in particular are a great all-around option.  The spout lid is a really good design with a wide handle, a spout cap that locks out of the way for when you need to take a drink, and a nice textured grip.  It also comes with a matching bottle boot to protect your bottle from dents and scratches.

​There aren’t many downsides and this is a jack-of-all-trades kind of bottle, but some people do prefer rigid handles instead of the hinged Takeya design.
See Takeya Listing

Iron Flask

Iron Flask Review
​Iron Flask is an Amazon-focused knock-off of Hydro Flask, but they’re notable for a few reasons.  They come with three cap options, so that helps you figure out which style you like without having to buy more lids.  Iron Flask is definitely a good brand to consider if you’re looking for unique color options, including gradients.

One downside is that the caps are good, basic options, but they do feel more standard and less engineered than Hydro Flask’s lids.  
See Iron Flask Listing

ThermoFlask

ThermoFlask Review
ThermoFlask is a bottle brand that we’ve always thought was a ripoff of Takeya, but while editing this video we found out that’s because ThermoFlask is a brand registered by Takeya.  So if you notice a lot of similarities between the two, that’s why.  But one difference we’ve noticed is that ThermoFlask seems to have more 2-pack options available on Amazon, which means you can get an even better value.

One downside is that there don’t seem to be as many color options.
See ThermoFlask Listing

Stanley Quencher

Stanley Quencher Review
Stanley has been around a long time, but in recent years it has had a major resurgence thanks to their Quencher Series insulated tumblers.  The main difference between this bottle and every other bottle on this list is the built-in handle on the side.  Most of the other bottles have handles on the lid, but Stanley’s side-mounted handle, while not our personal favorite, is a big hit with many people.  It’s also more tapered at the bottom like a classic tumbler-style, so it fits in more cup holders without needing an adapter.

​The biggest downside is the overall bulky design.  Yes, this is easier to manage because of the handle and the tapered base, but it’s still a very bulky bottle. 
See Stanley Listing

Camelbak Chute Mag

Camelbak Chute Mag Review
Camelbak is a well-known brand that really made a name for themselves with hydration bladder packs for biking and on longer hikes, but they have also released some solid bottle options as well.  They are more reasonably priced than the other well-known brands like Hydro Flask and YETI, and the Chute Mag bottles in particular are very popular because of the magnets that lock the spout cap back when you go to take a sip.

​We’re not huge fans of the hinge design though, as it doesn’t flip open as smoothly as other spout caps like Takeya and FJbottle.
See Camelbak Listing

S'well

S'well Review
Many bottles on this list can be difficult to distinguish at first glance, like Hydro Flasks, Iron Flasks, Takeyas, and ThermoFlasks.  On the other end of the spectrum, you have S'well, which is another high-end brand on par with Hydro Flask and YETI.  The aesthetic design and sleek look are the main selling points, and they’ve also come out with many narrow mouth lids, including a filter cap that’s unique to this list.  They are also the first brand we’ve talked about that has triple-wall insulation.

​However, they are pretty expensive, and there aren’t many lid options for their wide-mouth Traveler series bottles.
See S'well Listing

FJbottle

FJbottle Review
The next brand is FJbottle.  Quick disclosure, they reached out to us and sent us a bottle to test.  We told them we would only cover the bottle if we liked it, but after using it for a few weeks, we can honestly say that we like this bottle way more than we thought we would.  It’s right up there with Takeya for our favorite spout-style lid.

Like Camelbak’s Chute Mag, it uses magnets to keep the spout cap out of the way when you’re taking a drink, but the hinge design is much better and is easier to open, especially if you’re just using one hand like when you’re driving.  The spout cap also takes the least amount of turning to unlock compared to any of the other spout lids, which is also helpful when driving.  There’s a silicone grip pad on the bottom that keeps your bottle from sliding around and protects against some scratches, though not on the outside edges.  There’s also a strap on the side, and we’ve ended up using this strap all the time.  They also include a brush with each bottle to help with cleaning right out of the gate.

​One downside is that the spout cap doesn’t flip out of the way as much as Takeya’s version, but you can either tilt your head more or angle the bottle to get around this issue.  Also, the rigid handle on top is a little small, but in our opinion the strap on the side more than makes up for this.

​Overall, we honestly do like this design, and it might become our go-to bottle for a while.
See FJbottle Listing

Steepware Everest

Steepware Review
​Steepware’s Everest tumbler was made primarily for one thing, and that’s brewing tea.  And they really do have a good product for this purpose.  There’s a built-in tea strainer that you can use for loose-leaf tea, or you can use it as an ice strainer if you’re looking for a cooler drink.  The strainer is pretty big too, so there’s quite a bit of surface area for your loose-leaf tea to steep.  You could always take out the strainer and use it like a regular bottle, but the larger strainer is really the feature that sets this bottle apart.
See Steepware Listing

EcoVessel Boulder

EcoVessel Review
The last brand we’re discussing is EcoVessel.  Their Boulder series bottles might have the most features and accessories packed into one bottle that we’ve seen yet.  It has a strainer for ice and fruit, comes with a silicone bottle boot to protect the base of the bottle, and has triple-layer insulation.

​Some drawbacks are that the strainer is smaller compared to Steepware’s version, so it’s not as good for loose leaf tea, especially in larger 32-ounce bottles.  We’re also not a huge fans of lid tethers that double as handles in general, but that’s more of our personal preference and at least EcoVessel has a wider tether compared to Nalgene.  It’s hard to put our finger on it, but the construction feels cheaper in a way compared to some other bottles we’ve reviewed.  But with so many extra features and a reasonable price, this bottle has a lot going for it.
See EcoVessel Listing

Part 3: Our Recommendations and Favorite Bottles

Our Recommendations for Best Water Bottles

Now let’s move on to our recommendations by category.  We’ll give you a few of our favorites, and we encourage you to check out each one to decide which is the best fit for you.

Best Water Bottle for Hiking

Best Bottle for Hiking
​For hiking, we like Nalgenes because they are lightweight, but we highly recommend getting a carrying pouch like this one because the lid tether isn’t much of a handle.  For insulated bottles, FJbottle is a great choice because it has both a rigid handle and a strap, and the lid is the spout style that we prefer when hiking.  Hydro Flask's Trail Series bottles are also worth a look because they are the lightest insulated design.
Nalgene
Lightweight and durable
See Nalgene Listing
Nalgene Carrying Pouch
Recommend a pouch for bottles without good handles
See Nalgene Pouch Listing
Hydro Flask Trail Series
Lightweight and insulated
See Trail Series Listing
FJbottle
Carrying strap and good lid
See FJbottle Listing

Best Water Bottle for Sporting Events

Best Bottle for Sports
​When it comes to sporting events, there are some different considerations compared to hiking.  You don’t have to worry as much about the weight of the bottle, and you don’t have to carry it around for long distances.  Because of these reasons, it really opens the door on the number of bottles that we recommend, and we really think you should just get a bottle with a spout cap.  This cap style lets you get a good amount of water quickly without it all splashing in your face.  Our favorite spout cap bottles are Takeya and FJbottle, and keep in mind that ThermoFlask has a 2-pack option with a lid that’s nearly identical to Takeya’s.


Hydro Flask and YETI have pretty good spout cap design options that many people love, but they’re not our favorites for varying reasons.  Honorable mention in this category goes to EcoVessel’s Boulder series bottles because they have spout caps and you can use the strainer for ice.
Takeya Actives
Good spout lid
See Takeya Listing
ThermoFlask
Good spout lid
See ThermoFlask Listing
FJbottle
Good spout lid
See FJbottle Listing

Best Water Bottle for Road Trips

Best Bottle for Road Trips
​For road trips and driving in general, we like straw lids because you don’t need to tilt your head back and potentially take your eyes off the road.  Stanley’s Quencher is a good choice because it has a large volume but still has a better chance of fitting in your car’s cup holder.  We also like Hydro Flask’s Flex Straw more than most other straw lids because it’s easier to clean thoroughly without popping off the spout.  We don’t recommend using standard lids when driving because it’s so easy to splash water all over your face.

Spout or sip caps are OK if you’re not into straw lids, but we recommend getting one that’s easier to use one-handed.  For example, FJbottle and Takeya’s spout lids are a lot easier to open one-handed than Camelbak’s design, and the spout caps are attached so you can’t accidentally drop it like you could with YETI or Hydro Flask.
Hydro Flask Flex Straw
See Hydro Flask Listing
Stanley Quencher
See Stanley Listing
Bottle doesn't fit in your cup holder?
Picture
If you want a bottle that doesn’t fit in your car’s cup holder, like a large Hydro Flask in most cases, consider buying our BottlePro Max cup holder adapter, which fits any of the bottles on this list.  ​
See BottlePro Max Listing

Best Water Bottle for Commutes

Best Bottle for Commutes
​For shorter commutes to and from work, we’d wager you’re probably drinking coffee or tea.  Any sip-style lid is pretty good for this, but we really like Hydro Flask’s Flex Sip Lid in particular because, like with their straw lid, their sip lid is easy to disassemble for cleaning.  YETI’s Hot Shot Lid is another good option too because you can take a sip from any angle.  And you’re probably OK with a smaller bottle like a 16 or 20 ounce, which means you’re less likely to need a cup holder adapter.
Hydro Flask 20oz with Sip Lid
Easy to disassemble for cleaning
See Hydro Flask Sip Lid Listing
YETI 18oz Hot Shot Lid
Can sip from any side
See YETI Hot Shot Listing

Best Bottle for the House or Office

Best Bottle for Around the House or Office
​For general use around the house or office, it’s really up to you.  Any of these bottles can be a good option since you probably can refill it easily, and the lid style doesn’t need to factor as much in your decision compared to other situations like driving.  The Stanley Quencher is a good one to consider though because of the big handle.
Stanley Quencher
See Stanley Listing

Best Water Bottle for Tea

Best Bottle for Tea
​The best bottle for loose-leaf tea or coffee infusing is without a doubt Steepware’s design, with EcoVessel coming in second because the strainer is much smaller and is really better for blocking ice or fruit instead of brewing tea or coffee.  For wide mouth Hydro Flasks and similar bottles like Iron Flasks and ThermoFlasks, you can also look at our FlavorFuze Steel infusers.  They come with a small and large size infuser, and they are specifically designed to fit wide mouth Hydro Flasks.
Steepware Everest
Biggest built-in strainer
See Steepware Listing
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Has strainer, but smaller size
See EcoVessel Listing
FlavorFuze Steel
Sized for wide mouth Hydro Flasks
See FlavorFuze Steel Listing

Best Water Bottle for Ice

Best Bottle for Ice
​For ice, EcoVessel is a good option because of the built-in strainer.  Other spout lids can have ice cubes sneak out once they melt down some.  Straw lids are also a good option, and as mentioned before, we really like Hydro Flask’s Flex Straw.  If you have a Hydro Flask with a standard Flex Lid, you can also use our SplashPro splash guard.  We designed it specifically for Hydro Flask lids so it fits around the insulation.
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Built-in strainer
See EcoVessel Listing
Hydro Flask Flex Straw
Straw lids are good for ice
See Hydro Flask Listing
SplashPro Splash Guard
Sized for wide mouth Hydro Flasks
See SplashPro Listing

Best Water Bottle for Fruit Infusing

Best Bottle for Fruit Infusing
​For fruit infusing, you can also go with Steepware or EcoVessel and add the fruit so it’s loose behind the strainer.  Alternatively, try our FlavorFuze Pod fruit infuser.  Just add your fruit into it, pop on the lid, then drop it into any wide mouth bottle.  Our FlavorFuze Straw infuser is a really good option too for Hydro Flask straw lids.  Just slide and snap it onto the straw.
Steepware Everest
Built-in strainer
See Steepware Listing
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Built-in strainer
See EcoVessel Listing
FlavorFuze Pod Fruit Infuser
Drop-in lid fits in any wide mouth
See FlavorFuze Pod Listing
FlavorFuze Straw Infuser
Snaps on Hydro Flask straw lids
See FlavorFuze Straw Listing

Best Water Bottle for Limiting Plastic Contacting Water

Best Bottle for Limiting Water Contacting Plastic
We also wanted to highlight which bottles do the best job limiting how much plastic touches your water.  Nalgenes are the only all-plastic bottles in our video, but most of the other bottles also have exposed plastic under the lid that can touch your water.  The only bottles that have all-stainless-steel interiors, including under the lid, are Klean Kanteen’s non-insulated classic bottle and EcoVessel’s Boulder series.
Klean Kanteen Classic
Stainless-steel under the lid (classic, non-insulated only)
See Klean Kanteen Classic Listing
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Stainless-steel under the lid
See EcoVessel Listing

Best Spout (Chug) Lid

Best Spout Lid
​For spout lids, we love Takeya and FJbottle.  They’re a little different from each other, but they both do several things well.  The spout cap is easy to open, stays attached so you can’t drop it, and locks into the open position easier than some other designs.  They are also easier to carry around because of Takeya’s good handle and FJbottle’s strap. 

ThermoFlask has a spout cap that is essentially the same as Takeya, and you can get them in 2-packs for a better deal.

Klean Kanteen's TKWide has a few novel features as well.  The threads on the bottle are rounded metal bumps that are much easier to clean thoroughly than traditional threads, and impact base cap can absorb dents that may otherwise have affected the dual wall insulation.
Takeya Actives
Wide handle, connected spout cap
See Takeya Listing
FJbottle
Handle and strap, connected spout cap
See FJbottle Listing
ThermoFlask
2-packs for better value
See ThermoFlask Listing
Klean Kanteen TKWide Chug Cap
Easy-to-clean threads and impact base cap
See TKWide Listing

Best Straw Lid

Best Straw Lid
​For straw lids, we really like Hydro Flask’s Flex Straw because it’s the easiest straw lid to clean more thoroughly without having to pop off the spout.
Hydro Flask Flex Straw
Easier to clean thoroughly than other straw lids
See Hydro Flask Listing

Best Sip (Cafe/Commuter) Lid

Best Sip Lid
​For sip lids, we also like Hydro Flask’s version, the Flex Sip, because it’s easy to disassemble for cleaning.  YETI’s Hot Shot is a good one to consider too because you can sip from any angle.
Hydro Flask 20oz with Sip Lid
Easy to disassemble for cleaning
See Hydro Flask Sip Lid Listing
YETI 18oz Hot Shot Lid
Can sip from any side
See YETI Hot Shot Listing

Best Value Water Bottle

Best Value Bottle
​The best value bottles in our opinion are Nalgene, Iron Flask, ThermoFlask, and FJbottle because they’re more affordable but they are still great at what they do.
Nalgene
Lowest cost bottle in this article, and most durable
See Nalgene Listing
Iron Flask
Includes three lid styles
See Iron Flask Listing
ThermoFlask
2-packs available
See ThermoFlask Listing
FJbottle
Inexpensive, and many features other bottles don't have (carrying strap, good spout cap, no-slip base)
See FJbottle Listing

Best Looking Water Bottle

Best Looking Bottle
​The best aesthetic design goes to S’well, and brands like Iron Flask and Hydro Flask are great options too with so many color choices.
S'well Bottle
Sleek design and prints
See S'well Listing
Iron Flask
Many colors, including gradients
See Iron Flask Listing
Hydro Flask Flex Straw
Many colors
See Hydro Flask Listing

Best Water Bottle Brand

Best Bottle Brand
​The best brands in terms of brand power in today’s market are YETI and Hydro Flask, with an honorable mention to Stanley and S’well because of their unique designs really being core to their brand.
YETI Rambler Bottle
See YETI Listing
Hydro Flask Flex Straw
See Hydro Flask Listing

Best All-Around Bottle

Best All-Around Bottle
​We thought about giving our recommendation for best all-around bottle, but we decided against it because of the countless variations for each person, like budget, preferences, lifestyle, and plenty of other factors.  For us, we will probably use the FJbottle because it impressed us so much, but we encourage you to make your own decision.  If you’ve made it to this point in the video, you’ve already heard more than you ever thought you ever needed to know about water bottles so hopefully you have a better idea of which bottle will work best for you.

​And that’s it!  Hopefully this helps you figure out which bottle works best for you.  Again, we'd love it if you could use our links to purchase since we get a small referral fee, but either way we hope this information helps you on your path towards better hydration habits.  Thanks again!

Buying a Large Bottle?  Keep Us in Mind!

Check out our Amazon store for fun and helpful accessories, like fruit infusers, cup holder adapters, and carrying slings.
BottlePro's Amazon Store
BottlePro's Amazon Store
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Narrow Mouth vs Wide Mouth Bottles - Which is Better?

12/1/2022

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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

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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
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Which Hydro Flask Lid is the Best? (We Have a Favorite)

7/8/2022

1 Comment

 

Which Hydro Flask Lid Should You Get?

Congrats, you have a Hydro Flask (or are thinking about getting one soon)!  It's hard enough deciding which Hydro Flask bottle to get, but have you also thought about which lid you'll use?

Hydro Flask has four (4) lids available right now on Amazon: Flex Cap, Flex Sip, Flex Straw, and Straw Lid.

In this video, we go over how each one works, what we like and don't like about each design, and how we use them.

If you'd rather read through the review than watch the video, see the written summary below.

Summary

​Hydro Flask has four lid options, and you might be asking which lid is best for you. We've reviewed and tested each lid extensively, and here's what we think.  Links are in the description.

Which one is best for you?  Well, it depends on how you want to use it, but we can tell you how we like to use them.
  • We like using a Flex Cap with a SplashPro in our largest bottles when we're doing something active. We find it easier to get smooth pours and bigger gulps of water while also keeping water out of your face.
  • For sipping at work or in the car, we like using Flex Straw with a FlavorFuze Straw infuser to add some flavor.
  • And for coffee and tea in the morning, we prefer to use the Flex Sip lid with a smaller Hydro Flask like a 16oz.
  • The only lid we recommend against using is the original straw lid. If you want a straw lid, just get the Flex Straw.

Flex Cap

Hydro Flask Flex Cap Lid
Hydro Flask Flex Cap Lid
First is the Flex Cap, which is their "standard" lid.

Pros:
  1. Simple to clean.
  2. Nice handle for easy carrying.
  3. Insulated (better than the other lids).​
Cons:
  1. Unscrew the cap each time to take a sip.
  2. Without a splash guard, it's easy for water to splash in your face.  If you're using this lid, check out our SplashPro splash guard to help keep water and ice under control.
Our Rating: 3/5 Stars
See Pricing on Amazon
Make It Even Better with a SplashPro Splash Guard

Flex Sip

Flex Sip Lid
Flex Sip Lid
Next is the Flex Sip lid that was released in 2020.

Pros:
  1. No need to unscrew the cap to take a sip.  Just twist the cap to the right.
  2. Keeps water and ice from splashing in your face.
  3. It has the same great handle as the Flex Cap. 
  4. Insulated.

Cons:
  1. There are a lot more steps to clean the lid properly. It's not hard, it just takes a little more time than you would have with the other caps.
  2. ​Bulkier than the Flex Cap
Our Rating: 4/5 Stars
See Pricing on Amazon
Make It Even Better with a ​FlavorFuze Steel

Flex Straw

Flex Straw Lid
Flex Straw Lid
Third we have the Flex Straw lid, and this is their newest lid that was released in 2022.

Pros:
  1. The spout snaps closed securely and doesn't leak.
  2. Easy to clean.
  3. Good handle.
  4. Insulated.

Cons:
  1. Not as easy to take big swigs of water as with Flex Cap.
  2. Not much else.  We love this lid, and it's our favorite one right now.
Our Rating: 5/5 Stars
See Pricing on Amazon
Make It Even Better with a FlavorFuze Straw Infuser

​Straw Lid (Original Design)

Straw Lid (Original)
Straw Lid (Original)
And last is the original straw lid.

Pros:
  1. It's a little simpler to clean than the Flex Straw, but that's about where the benefits end.

Cons:​
  1. Bad handle.
  2. Not insulated.
  3. Leaks more.
  4. More expensive for some reason (as of July 7, 2022)
  5. Design feels like an afterthought
Our Rating: 2/5 Stars (Just get the Flex Straw)
See Pricing on Amazon
​Also works with a ​FlavorFuze Straw Infuser

Want to take your Hydro Flask to the next level?

Check out our Amazon store for fun and helpful accessories, like fruit infusers, cup holder adapters, and carrying slings.
See BottlePro's Store
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Hydro Flasks and Ice - A Summer Essential

6/18/2022

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Hydro Flasks and Ice (and SplashPro) - A Summer Essential
With summer in full gear and news of heat waves across the country, make sure you stay safe out there.  Keep cool by adding ice to your bottle, and if you're using a Hydro Flask with the Flex Cap, use SplashPro to keep your ice at bay. Designed specifically to fit wide mouth Hydro Flasks. It also fits Iron Flasks and Takeyas, but not Nalgenes.

SplashPro is compatible with Hydro Flask's Flex Cap lid
Hydro Flask's Flex Cap
See Hydro Flasks's Listing
Fits around the Honeycomb insulation in the cap.
Fits around Hydro Flask Flex Cap
See Our Splashpro Listing

Want to see it in action?

Click below to see our quick video!
Click to see our SplashPro video
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Let's Go Hiking - Palisade Rim Trail (Upper Loop)

6/1/2022

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Follow along as we tackle this tough, but fun hike!

Located in Palisade, Colorado off of G Road.
  • .5 miles R/T
  • ~1350' elevation gain
  • We went in May.  It was overcast and EXTREMELY windy, so we didn't feel much heat.  But the trail is very exposed with limited shade, so don't forget sunscreen and plenty of water, especially in the summer when it could reach 100 degrees.

Hydration products we used (follow the links to Amazon)
1) Hydro Flask 40oz Wide Mouth

2) BottlePro Cup Holder Adapter
3) SplashPro Splash Guard
4) HikerPouch Leather Bottle Sling

Click the link below to see the video on Instagram

See Video
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How I Kicked My Soda Habit (And You Can Too)

4/27/2022

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How I Kicked My Soda Habit, and You Can TooPicture

My Soda Habit Story

I'll be 35 years old tomorrow, and I've had a soda habit since I was a kid.  Growing up, it wasn't uncommon for me to drink 2, 3, or even 4 sodas per day.  As you might guess, I've also been overweight most of my life too, which is certainly not a coincidence.  But at 35, I finally kicked my soda habit.  I'm down almost 10 pounds this year, and best of all, I feel like what I'm doing is sustainable.

​Here's what's working for me, and hopefully it'll help you on your journey too.

Step 1: Know the Problem

​If you're reading this, then you've likely already heard or read about the major health issues that can result from regularly eating or drinking high levels of sugar.

And a lot of other people have too, judging Google Trends.  The interest-over-time for "Low Sugar" has been slowly-but-steadily increasing over the last several years.
Google Trends - Searches for "Low Sugar" for the Previous Five (5) Years

Of all the ways that consumers regularly ingest sugar, sugary beverages are the primary culprits.  These include:
  • Sodas 
  • Sports drinks
  • Fruit juices
  • Energy drinks
  • Coffee or tea with added sugar
20oz Coke Bottle
20oz Gatorade Bottle
12oz Minute Maid Orange Juice Bottle
16oz Rockstar Energy Can
18.5oz Pure Leaf Sweet Tea Bottle
According to the American Heart Association, the maximum recommended sugar intake is 36 grams of sugar per day for men.  For women, it's 25 grams.  Each one of the drink examples above is either right at those limits or way above them, all from one drink.

Seeing how bottle and can sizes vary, it's also interesting to look at the sugar concentration as shown below.

​One of the more surprising realizations for most people is how most fruit juices really aren't good for you.  Sure they provide some benefits like vitamins and other nutrients, so in that way they are better than sodas.  But the sugar content per ounce for Minute Maid orange juice is essentially the same as a Coke!
Grams of Sugar per Fluid Ounce
There are plenty of people smarter than me that study this topic for their day jobs, so I'll leave it to them to provide additional details and research about sugar and health.  Here are some of the more helpful articles we've read.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Guidance on Added Sugars

WebMD: How Sugar Affects Your Body

American Heart Association: How Much Sugar is too Much?

Healthline: 11 Reasons Why Too Much Sugar is Bad for You

And keep in mind that diet sodas aren't free-and-clear of problems either.  There is growing evidence that drinks with artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose are bad for you as well, as discussed here.

Step 2: Find Your Real Motivation

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Many other articles online start with the facts about sugar and then move onto discussing strategies for reducing sugar intake, but that's not what we recommend.

Knowing how to cut back on sugar won't help you change your habits if you don't also figure out your reasons for why you're seeking change.

***Notice that I underlined "your."  Once you find out what really motivates you, that's when you can achieve sustainable change.  Some motivations that may work for you include:

Losing Weight

Weight loss can lead to many measurable and immeasurable health benefits.

Feeling Better in General

Studies indicate that cutting out sugar can lead to better focus, more energy with less crashes, and reduced muscle aches and joint pain.

Better Sleep Habits

Limiting sugar intake, particularly at night, can improve health sleeping habits and quality of sleep.

Long-Term Health

Reducing sugar is proven to help prevent chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic liver disease, cancer, among others.

Saving Money

Many sugary drinks are expensive, and the costs add up over time.  Water is usually much less expensive.

Peer Pressure (Secondary)

Normally I would say that peer pressure is bad.  But constructive and positive peer pressure can be very effective motivation.  This can come from friends, family, or a group of health-focused people who can help keep you on track and accountable.  But the key is for this to be a secondary motivation.  Find a primary motivational focus that works for you first, and use positive peer pressure to help stay on course.  And if your group of people uses negative peer pressure or makes you feel bad about yourself, get out.
You can always have a combination of motivations, and many of these are related (like weight loss and long-term health).  ​But whatever the situation, the key is to figure out what primary focus and goal really motivates you.

A Personal Story - My New Motivation

After reading articles about how sugar essentially acts like a poison and how sodas in particular are "empty calories" that provide no nutritional benefit, I knew it was in my best interest to quit.

Each time I tried to change, I would start off a few days or weeks without sodas, but then I would slip and start drinking them again.  The most common backfiring strategies I used were:
  • Comforting: "I had a rough day.  A soda will make me feel better."
  • Celebrating: "I had a good day.  I'll have a soda to celebrate." (ironic, right?).
  • Rationalizing Now vs Future: "I'll have one soda today and get back on the soda diet starting tomorrow."  Or, "I have many more years to develop better habits, so one soda today won't kill me."

The reason that these backfiring strategies worked on me was that I hadn't determined what my real motivation was yet.  I said I wanted to lose weight, and that can work for many people.  But the problem, for me, is that I'm fairly comfortable in my own skin already.  Also, I have always been overweight so it's not easy for me to truly realize how much better I might feel to achieve a healthy weight.  It was more abstract.

But as I got older, something happened.  I started thinking more about how little time we truly have, and how chronic diseases that we always read about and learned of back in school are very real.  And then someone very close to me passed away.  He smoked most of his life, and though he was finally able to quit a few years ago, by then the damage was done.  He developed cancer and passed away earlier this year.  He urged me to improve my habits now and to learn from his life experiences.  This changed my motivational focus.
Instead of just wanting to lose weight, my new focus became achieving better long-term health.  This seemingly small change in my focus and goals made all the difference for me.

Step 3: Strategies for Change

Once you know what really motivates you, it's time to start thinking about how you'll make changes.
​There are many strategies that you can use to cut out soda from your diet.  Here are a few.

#1: Drink More Water

If you start feeling the urge for a soda, drink a glass of water first.  Many times that can satisfy or delay a soda urge.

#2: Don't Bring It with You

Keeping sodas at home or work with you is just asking for trouble.  Don't make it easy to get a soda.  Make it take more effort.

#3: Take a Walk

Make yourself take a walk before grabbing a soda, especially if your soda craving might be happening because you're feeling stressed or tired.  Many times you'll feel better after your walk and won't want a soda when you get back.

#4: Find a Healthy Flavored Alternative

If you're used to drinking sodas like I was, then sometimes plain water just won't cut it and you need flavor.  Find a healthy flavored alternative that you can sip on, like unsweet tea, fruit infused water, or one of many popular flavored seltzers on the market today.

#5: Enable Healthy Peer Pressure

We're counting this as both a motivational factor and a strategy for change.  As mentioned earlier, healthy peer pressure from friends or family can be a fantastic way to help change habits.  Just make sure it stays positive.

#6: Measure the Results

This can be a wonderful tool to stay engaged with new habits.  Measuring weight loss is easy, but the key is to find ways to measure whatever your primary motivation is.  If you're motivated to cut out soda so you'll have have better sleep habits, then keep a sleep journal.  If you want to save money, then calculate out how much you expect to save each week and set yourself regular reminders on how much you're saving each week.  Whatever your motivation is, make it measurable.

A Personal Story - My New Routine

Honestly, I've used all of the strategies listed above to varying degrees.  But the ones that helped me the most are #1 and #4.  By drinking more water, I've been able to feel fuller and am less likely to drive to the store for a soda.  And by using a flavored drink alternative, I can still take a break from "boring" water each day and satisfy my need for flavor.
This is what's working for me.

40oz Hydro Flask and 40oz Iron Flask

Bringing Two Bottles to Work

In the past, I would bring one 40oz Hydro Flask to work.  I would often finish that by noon, and that'd leave the door open to my brain saying "go get yourself something to drink like a soda" in the afternoon.

Now, I bring two 40oz bottles: my old reliable  Hydro Flask and a new Iron Flask.  I typically finish one before noon, and the other before I leave work.

By always having enough water nearby, I'm able to reach for that first instead of going for a soda.
Need another bottle?  Check out Hydro Flask's Amazon store.
Visit Hydro Flask Store

FlavorFuze Straw in a 40oz Iron Flask

Finding a Healthy Alternative

Without a doubt, this has been the #1 most effective strategy for me.

I've always had a craving for flavor instead of just plain water.  Besides, what good is bringing more water to work if I still need to get flavors somehow?

To satisfy my flavor cravings, I started using our FlavorFuze Straw Kit every day.  Today, I cut up some strawberries and kiwi.  It was delicious.
Buy a FlavorFuze Straw Kit

SplashPro Splash Guard in a 40oz Hydro Flask

Having a Cool Drink on a Hot Day

It gets hot here in western Colorado.  We actually broke our all-time record in 2021 and reached 107 degrees!

In the past, I would get a soda on hot days.  Something about Coke's ads from back in the day would trigger me into getting a "refreshing" soda (though in reality, sodas dry you out more than they hydrate).

Insulated bottles like Hydro Flasks and Iron Flasks are key to helping with this.  I just add some ice to my Hydro Flask in the morning and use a SplashPro splash guard as an ice stopper.
Buy a SplashPro

40oz Hydro Flask in a HikerPouch and a 40oz Iron FlaskPicture

Carrying My Bottles

Bringing two large bottles with me to work each day was a pain in the butt because they're so bulky.  I quickly realized it would be a lot easier if I started using a bottle sling to free up some hands.

My go-to nowadays is a HikerPouch, but there are plenty of these on the market today.  See our other post here for a few suggestions.
Buy a HikerPouch

Step #4 (If Needed): Don't Be Afraid to Reset

Stopping any habit can have its ups and downs.  It took me over a dozen attempts over the years before I reached sustainable change.  Don't feel ashamed if you don't succeed initially.  Re-evaluate your motivations and strategies, and keep trying.
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The 10 Best Hydro Flask Accessories

4/20/2022

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The 10 Best Hydro Flask Accessories
The 10 Best Hydro Flask Accessories

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After debuting over 10 years ago, Hydro Flasks quickly gained traction as the go-to insulated water bottle.  For many people, the simple benefit of having a bottle that is vacuum-insulated was enough of a selling point.  For others, it's the clean, yet stylish design.  Whatever the reason, Hydro Flask continues to build its following and shows no signs of slowing down.

It's only natural what happened next.  A whole range of accessories have been developed with the goal of making life with these amazing but cumbersome bottles a little easier.

We here at BottlePro got involved in this niche early with our cup holder adapter, so we've seen it grow over the years, including new notable accessories coming available fairly often.  Here are some of our favorites for the best accessories for Hydro Flasks in 2022 (focusing on 32 and 40 ounce bottles).


ACCESSORIES FOR GETTING AROUND

The most common accessories for Hydro Flasks involve making it easier to bring your bottle wherever your adventures take you.  These include cup holders, bottles slings, and handles.

#1: Cup Holder Adapter

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Swigzy

As mentioned above, BottlePro's first product on the market was a cup holder adapter for large bottles, including Hydro Flasks.  But even though we have our own product in this space, it's hard to argue with the amazing product that Swigzy has put together.

See our separate post for a full recap on cup holder options.

​This recommendation may change when we release our planned BottlePro v3, but for now, we think Swigzy is the best, most versatile cup holder adapter on the market today.
​

See Swigzy Pricing on Amazon

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Honorable Mention for Cup Holders - BottlePro

Our current BottlePro version is adjustable and can fit most cup holders on the market.  It's not quite as premium and versatile as Swigzy, but that's also reflected in the price.

​So if you're looking for a cup holder on a budget that still fits a wide range of situations, give us a try!

See bottlePro Pricing on Amazon

#2: Stylish Bottle Sling

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Hydro Flask's Bottle Sling

Hydro Flask doesn't make a very wide range of accessories in general outside of their bottles, containers, and lids, but they do make a great bottle sling.

These carrying pouches fit the Hydro Flask aesthetic for obvious reasons, so they're sure to complement your bottle's look.

​And they're also lightweight and packable so you can avoid carrying around extra ounces on your travels. 
​
See Hydro Flask Sling Pricing on Amazon

#3: Heavy-Duty Bottle Sling

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Wild Wolf Bottle Sling

For a heavier-duty bottle sling, it's hard to go wrong with Wild Wolf Outfitters' carrying pouch.  If you're more into utility than the aesthetic look, then this is a fantastic option.

The military-grade pouch comes with multiple pockets and thicker padding on the shoulder strap.  The pockets in particular are one of our favorite features since it makes day-hiking much easier.  Just stash your keys and phone in the big pocket and you're set!
​
See Wild Wolf Pricing on Amazon

#4: Leather Bottle Sling

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HikerPouch

If you're looking for a carrying pouch that's more premium and different from the rest, then consider HikerPouch.  This is one of products, and we're really proud of how it turned out.

We decided to make HikerPouch because there were a multitude of pouches made of neoprene and synthetic fibers, but we wanted a leather option for a more natural feel and to cut back on plastics.

HikerPouch includes a pocket for your phone and an extra D-ring for flexibility (either clipping your pouch to something else, or clipping on something like a carabiner key ring).  We're also planning to add strap color options very soon, so stay tuned!
​
See HikerPouch Pricing on Amazon

#5: Paracord Handle

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Slolife

Rounding out our 'Getting Around' category is paracord handles.  We love the Slolife ones in particular.  Just attach it under the rim of your Hydro Flask, and you're good to go.

​With 29 available color options, you're sure to find something that fits your bottle's look.

It's also packed with a surprising number of features.  The handle includes a compass, whistle, and has a carabiner attachment that makes it super easy to clip onto your backpack or anything else.

There is also a flintstone and blade (meant for creating chips for sparking fires), but we haven't independently tested how well these actually work.
​
See Slolife Pricing on Amazon

ACCESSORIES FOR PROTECTION

Next, consider investing in something that can help keep your bottle looking great for years to come.

#6: Bottle Sleeve

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Thermi

A bottle sleeve can be a great insurance policy against inevitable drops and slips.  The Thermi silicone sleeve can give you the peace of mind knowing that your bottle will be better protected from denting and damage.

And not only is your bottle protected, but you'll be less likely to drop your bottle in the first place because of the added grip.

​With 11 available color options, it shouldn't be hard to find a good matching (or complementing) color for your bottle.

Side note: if you're purchasing a cup holder adapter for your bottle, double check that your bottle + sleeve combination can still fit whichever cup holder you use.
​
See Thermi Pricing on Amazon

#7: Bottle Boot

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Hydro Flask Boot

If you don't like the look or feel of a full-bottle sleeve, then consider getting a bottle boot.

Hydro Flask has a silicone boot option that is a great add-on for your bottle to give it more protection on the bottom, which is where damage would be most likely to occur in the first place.

​Currently Hydro Flask has 6 available color options.
​
See Hydro Flask Boot Pricing on Amazon

ACCESSORIES FOR FLAVOR AND ICE

Now that your bottle is easier to bring along with you on your adventures, it's time to think about ways to improve what you're actually drinking!

#7: Flavor Infuser

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FlavorFuze (Original)

These are some more of our products, but we think you'll love them.  FlavorFuze lets you get creative by adding any fruit or other flavoring to your bottle.

Personally, these cool infusers have helped me drink more water because it tastes better.  And I was also finally able to stop my soda habit, something I'd been trying to do for over 10 years!

FlavorFuze Original (pictured) has a silicone lid that fits snugly in the neck of Hydro Flask wide mouth bottles.  The lid acts as a splash guard, so you can keep flavoring your water while taking a few sips.
See FlavorFuze Pricing on Amazon

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​FlavorFuze Straw

My personal favorite. It clips onto Hydro Flask straw lids like this one (not Flex Straw lids).  The Kit  (link below) comes with a straw lid too!
See Pricing
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FlavorFuze Steel

For making cold brew coffee.  We're releasing an improved FlavorFuze Steel shortly, along with Steel Mini that will be better sized for loose leaf tea.
See Pricing

#8: Ice Alternative

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Ice Cube Sticks

At first, these Ice Cube Sticks might seem unnecessary, but they can be more handy than you might think!

They are a lot simpler to grab out of the freezer and drop into a bottle, compared to using ice trays or breaking apart ice cubes.

Easy to use, clean, and re-freeze.  And they won't dilute your drink if you're enjoying flavored water or some other kind of beverage.
​
See Ice Cube Stick Pricing on Amazon

#9: Splash Guard / Ice Stopper

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SplashPro

Another one of ours.   This is one I've used almost every single day since making these handy little devices.  It's a great ice blocker and is tremendously helpful for taking sips of water while on the road and has kept my shirts dry.

There are some other great splash guards on the market (looking at you Guyot), but most are designed for Nalgenes and are just barely too small to fit Hydro Flasks securely.  It's only a 1mm difference in diameter (we measured it!), but it's enough to make a difference.  They also get pushed down by the Hydro Flask cap design.

SplashPro is our solution for Hydro Flasks.  The thin-wall allows you to add your Hydro Flask Flex Cap without pushing down the splash guard.
​
See SplashPro Pricing on Amazon

ACCESSORIES FOR CLEANING

It's not the sexiest category, but you should certainly put some thought into cleaning your Hydro Flask.

#10: Brush Kit

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Mosolan

It's hard to find a more complete kit than this one.  It includes:
  1. A large brush to fit down into your big Hydro Flask.
  2. A thin brush for cleaning straws.
  3. A small brush for the finer details, like around the rim of the bottle.
  4. Tools for organizing and storing your brushes.

​You'll have plenty of tools in the tool chest to keep your bottle clean and worry-free.
​
See Mosolan Pricing on Amazon

Bonus: Bottle Tablet Cleaners

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Bottle Bright

We almost didn't include these because our list was getting too long, but they're too useful to leave out.

In addition to regular brushing and washing, Bottle Bright cleaning tablets are good to use every so often to give your bottle a deep clean.  They can help with stains too if tea or coffee is your style!

The tablets are biodegradable, chlorine free, and environmentally safe, so you don't have to worry about using them.
​
See Bottle Bright Pricing on Amazon
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The Best Splash Guards for Hydro Flasks, Nalgenes, and Other Large Bottles

3/16/2022

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The Best Splash Guards for Hydro Flasks, Nalgenes, and Other Large Bottles
(As an Amazon Associate, BottlePro earns from qualifying purchases.)
Have you ever been driving along on a hot summer day and need a sip of water, and when you go to take a drink from your wide mouth bottle, all of a sudden you hit a bump in the road?  Or maybe you're the passenger and the driver brakes or accelerates unexpectedly?  More often than not, you may end up with water in your face.  And if anyone else in the car has seen Airplane!, odds are you might hear a snarky comment like "do you have a drinking problem?"
Splashing water in face. Airplane!

Splash Guards to the Rescue

While most major bottle manufacturers do not tend to sell splash guards within their own brands, a number of 3rd party companies have filled the gap (pun intended).  Not only are these great little products for limiting splashes, they can also be used as ice-stoppers.

​The problem is that some splash guards work better with certain bottles.  We're here to help clear up any confusion.

Best Option for Hydro Flask

SplashPro
This may be a selfish way to start, but we here at BottlePro made this splash guard specifically to fit wide mouth Hydro Flasks.  We tried Guyot's design in our Hydro Flasks at first.  It's a great product, but we found that the honeycomb insulation in the Hydro Flask cap would push the splash guard too far down making it likely to drop into the bottle.  That's why we made SplashPro's design so it would fit around Hydro Flask caps.

Pros:
  1. Works with wide mouth Hydro Flasks, and even fits around the insulation in the cap.
  2. Includes two openings for low-flow and high-flow sipping, and the additional opening also limits "burping" by air pockets.
  3. Also works with Iron Flasks, Thermoflasks, and Simple Modern bottles.

Cons:
  1. Doesn't work with Nalgene bottles (too tight).
  2. The insulated inside of Hydro Flask's standard wide mouth lids can sometimes push the SplashPro down with friction, but this is the best design for wide mouth Hydro Flasks.
See the Latest Price on Amazon

Best Option Specifically for Nalgenes

Nalgene Easy Sipper
This is one of the few bottle manufacturers that makes a branded splash guard for their bottles, so it's a great option for Nalgenes.

Pros:
  1. Works specifically with Nalgenes.
  2. Some customers report that they prefer the harder plastic of the Easy Sipper (compared to Guyot or HydraPak).
  3. Less likely to fall into the bottle than Guyot or HydraPak.
  4. Includes a grip-point for easier retrieval.

Cons:
  1. Doesn't work well with Hydro Flask bottles.
  2. Does not have a vent opening on the opposite side from the drinking spout.  Can lead to your bottle "burping".
See the Latest Price on Amazon

The Original

Guyot Designs
Guyot was the first splash guard for wide mouth bottles and its a great all-around option for Nalgenes and many wide mouth bottles.

Pros:
  1. Works with Nalgenes, Fifty/Fifty, and Iron Flask bottles.  Has many color options (you might have to look for the other Guyot listings).​
  2. Has many color options (you might have to look for the other Guyot listings).
  3. Includes an air vent to limit "burping".
  4. Includes a lip on the top for easier retrieval.
Cons:
  1. Doesn't work well with Hydro Flask bottles because the insulation in the cap pushes the splash guard down.
See the Latest Price on Amazon

A Great Alternative

HydraPak's Watergate
HydraPak's Watergate splash guard has a very similar design to Guyot and functions essentially the same.
​
Pros:
  1. Works with Nalgenes, Fifty/Fifty, and Iron Flask bottles.  Has many color options (you might have to look for the other Guyot listings).​
  2. Includes an air vent to limit "burping".
Cons:
  1. Doesn't work well with Hydro Flask bottles because the insulation in the cap pushes the splash guard down.
See the Latest Price on Amazon
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