Customers' Reviews:
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 Not easy enough to use, October 22, 2008
By Nick Perdiew (CA United States)
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I wanted to like the CamelBak Podium water bottle because I'm a big fan of my several CamelBak backpacks. However, I'm retiring this product after a couple attempts to use it while cycling.
Hydration while cycling is best when it's effortless. The largest problem is that the bottle is made of too rigid plastic. This is a problem for me because unlike the Better Bottle by CamelBak, this bottle has no straw and thus needs squeezed. Instead, you tilt it up while squeezing and then you bite the valve to cause the water to flow. Using this bottle will illustrate instantly why most cycling bottles are made of flimsy soft plastic. After several hours on the saddle (heck even on a strenuous part of a short ride), the last thing you want is to strain your hands while biting and trying to squeeze a too rigid bottle.
On top of that, the bite valve that we have come to love of CamelBak's is not part of this product. The biting serves no purpose in a bottle without the straw. In conclusion--I don't recommend this bottle for cycling. It would be better to consider the Performance Bottle which appears to integrate the best elements of this bottle's shape with the best elements of the Better Bottle straw and bite valve.
Too rigid. No straw. Bite valve is not the normal one and besides is not needed on this design. Too hard to use.
30 of 40 people found this review helpful
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 One less distraction, October 22, 2008
By Michael Polakowski (Dayton, OH USA)
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This bottle is designed to eliminate the messes created by normal water bottles. Normal bottles have a valve that pulls open and pushes shut. Often it is loose and doesn't stay open, or it leaks around the sides and the residue eventually runs down the sides of the bottle. That's not too big a deal if all you carry is water, but any sports drink will soon make a sticky, dirty, insect-attracting mess on the bottle, your hands, and the bike frame.
The Podium bottle replaces the normal valve with a membrane that has a tiny "x" cut in it. It won't let fluids out unless there is pressure applied by either squeezing the bottle, sucking on the mouthpiece, or both. The mouthpiece is not the typical CamelBak bite valve; think of it as a short straw. When you drink, the fluid goes through the mouthpiece and into your mouth -- not onto the bottle. You don't have to pull it open with your teeth. You don't have to shut it with your hand (or by pounding it against your chest). It's simple and it works.
There is one moving part: a cutoff valve that will seal off flow even if you squeeze the bottle. However, under normal circumstances, it can be left in the open position. The membrane is enough to keep the contents in, even if the bottle is inverted. For that reason, it also works well for use when running. The plastic is more rigid than most bottles of this type, but I didn't find that to be a problem. These are 2-3 times the cost of a typical water bottle, but you can eliminate the distraction of messy bottles for under $20 (for two), and that's a good deal.
27 of 27 people found this review helpful
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 Great answer for a question no one asked., August 19, 2008
By Chris in St. Pete (St. Petersburg, FL United States)
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Ive used bike bottles for over twenty-five years now and never really had an issue with the bottles I have purchased over the years. From the cheapest to the most expensive they've all featured the simple spout that you pull open with your mouth and close with your thumb as you replace it in the cage.
Cheap ones may not work as well or make your water taste like plastic but they work well enough and were cheap enough that when they were shot or you didn't like them you could simply toss them away. I have water bottles in my collection that are easily ten years old.
Enough of the back story...I decided to test this bottle solely for the reputation of Camelback and the integration of their bite valve into a water bottle. A perfectly logical extension of their product especially among the roadies.
Despite their condescending advertisements I purchased a bottle to test. I can say that the bite valve doesn't disappoint in this application. We are all pretty familiar with the Camelback bite valve and it's a proven performer. It works very well in this application and I enjoyed using the bottle. However, considering the price, did it work four times better than a typical water bottle? probably not.
I think one unexpected market that Camelback may have overlooked is the under 5 year old demographic. The bottle allowed my 3 year old to use the bottle without spilling any water like he normally would with my "regular" bottles. Like a giant sippy cup he was able to drink all the water he wanted and be as care free as he liked without spilling a drop.
one last thought. These bottles are make in China. While not normally an issue I think that considering the price point they could have found a US company to make these for them.
17 of 20 people found this review helpful
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Great bottle but problems with mold in cap, August 17, 2010
By Notmy Realname (Los Angeles, CA United States)
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I bought two of these bottles, and loved them from the start. They worked as advertised, and didn't spill or leak at all. I always washed both bottles immediately after use, and for months everything was great.
However after a few months use, I noticed black mold growing in the nipple of the caps of both bottles. I used q-tips to remove some of the mold, but the rest is inaccessible. Its frustrating that I can see it inside the cap, but there's no way to disassemble the caps to clean (per Camelbak's website, the caps shouldn't be taken apart, since this will cause leaks).
Bottom line: I love the functionality, but not willing to chance my health. I'm looking for replacement bottles now.
Update 9/7/2011:
I went against Camelbak's advice, and took apart the plastic cap. I was then able to completely clean out all the mold. After re-assembling, I haven't noticed any problems (i.e. no leaks). So even though the manufacturer doesn't recommend it, taking apart the cap to clean seems to work.
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
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I have finally found the perfect water bottle, April 30, 2010
By Jordan (Fort Lee, NJ United States)
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I am not often moved to write reviews for products, but I feel such a deep love and appreciation for the Camelbak Podium (24 oz) water bottle that I just can't keep quiet! First, let me say that I don't use this bottle for biking because I don't bike. Instead, I use this bottle as my general drinking-water-all-day bottle as well as my whitewater kayaking bottle.
There are several features of this bottle that make me love it so. First, the locking valve is a delight -- both when I'm chucking it in a backpack and don't want to worry about it leaking, and when I have it in my kayak and don't want to worry about the river water, pristine though it may be, getting in. Second, when the locking valve is unlocked, the water still doesn't come out on its own; You can tip the bottle upside down with nary a drop escaping. Third, when you drink from it, the flow is AMAZING. You'll note that I capitalized all the letters in "amazing" because it's just that good. This is much better than any bite valve on any hydration system I have yet experienced. As fast and hard as you suck, the Podium will keep up with spurt after spurt of that liquid of life: water.
And it's quite handsome as well. I recommend it.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
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 Nipple Mold is a Problem, June 16, 2009
By J. Taylor (Burlington, NC USA)
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I bought these bottles on Camelbak's advertised claim that they didn't leak on your bike frame and found that that was true. The bottles don't leak even when ridden over rough roads in the "unlocked" position. But they have a more serious problem: Mold grows inside the nipple and can't be rinsed or soaked away with a chlorine or vinegar solution, making the bottles useless. I would not recommend purchasing until Camelbak provides a solution to removing the mold.
5 of 8 people found this review helpful
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CamelBak Podium Water Bottle, February 28, 2010
By Janet Keller (Colorado)
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This product is the closest I could find for use in helping my mom. She's 89 and needs something that won't spill. Works great for bedside use - no spills! Will buy again.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Drink while you run, October 18, 2008
By J.W. (Sparks,NV USA)
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I found this bottle a little hard to squeeze but the no drip lock worked great. The spout is soft so it I can drink while running and not hurt my teeth or gums. I prefer a bottle without a straw so this works great for me. Maybe it will soften just a little as it gets worn in and will be easier to squeeze
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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new and improved bicycle water bottle, October 6, 2008
By mom of 2
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These are a great addition to the camelbak product line even my 3 year old can use this on our bike rides. Love that they can go in the dishwasher.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Mold Issues = Too Much Maintenance, July 21, 2011
By Matthew Jones
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Great bottle -- works as advertised. The valve provides by far the best flow of any bottle I've used in over 20 years of cycling. The valve does not leak. The bottle is easy to handle and drink from.
After several weeks of use, however, I noiced a black mold growing inside the soft rubber bite area on the top. I removed the soft rubber top, thoroughly cleaned the inside of the top, and soaked the whole top in bleach and water to kill anything remain mold. I started to be more attentive when cleaning the bottles right after use. The mold issue came right back, however.
Eventually, the flow of one of the bottles began to decrease. This prompted me to remove not only the soft rubber bite area, but also the plastic ring that holds the blue flow control 'flapper'. Once this ring is removed, you can see the inside of the valve itself and what I saw literally scared me -- there was balck mold caked on the entire inside of the valve and it was so thick on the underside of the blue flow control 'flapper', that it was impeding the water flow. It was scary to think how much mold I have been eating over the last few months. I cleaned the inside of the top as best as I could, but there was still mold in all the little difficult to reach areas.
To me, this a simple design flaw and I don't know how it could be fixed -- the inner chamber of the top does not get enough air flow after cleaning to sufficently dry it out. So, you will always have a wet environment inside the valve and this will always be an area where mold will grow.
You can make your own choice if this mold issue is acceptable -- for me, it is not. I am concerned enough about eating all that mold that I will not use these bottles again. I gave this product one star not because I necessarily hate it -- but because it has a serious design flaw that I find unacceptable.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Better way to drink, May 22, 2009
By Range Runner (Florida)
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No more pulling the valve out with your teeth or closing with a slap on the thigh. Works like a champ
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Great water bottle for biking, June 4, 2009
By Inspirado (Conshohocken, PA)
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This is a great water bottle for biking. Squeeze and it squirts. No knobs to twist or pull with dirty fingers (I mountain bike). The cap secures nicely too. I think I'll get another one for my wife!
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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The hygienic locking cap is good, June 20, 2008
By L. Tesler (Menlo Park, CA USA)
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No BPA: Important to me, but not unique. Most "bike shop" bottles I've seen, as well as the insulated Polar Bottle, are made of BPA-free LDPE.
Taste: I can't tell much difference as compared to LDPE bottles.
Twist-lock cap: By twisting a lever on the cap, you can open and close the nipple without touching it with your grimy hands.
Spill-proof:
(1) When the cap is closed tightly and the nipple is closed as just explained, the bottle won't leak even if squeezed.
(2) When the cap is closed tightly and the nipple is open, the bottle won't leak even if inverted, unless you squeeze it. The tradeoff is that it takes more force to squeeze this bottle than most, and less water seems to emerge from each squeeze. I did not like that aspect, so I pried/twisted off the nipple cover with the help of a chopstick, yanked out the small thin perforated diaphragm (again, with the help of a chopstick), and replaced the nipple cover. This is an irreversible operation, and defeats the open-nipple leak-proof feature, but it makes the bottle somewhat easier to squeeze and seems to deliver more water.
Hot weather: The bottle is not insulated. But the cap fits my Polar insulated bottle, and I use it that way to carry cold water on long rides. The cap does not fit my "bike shop" bottles.
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
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 Works great but mold in nipple. Cleanable, however, with effort., August 21, 2011
By Ed Johnson (Cerritos, CA USA)
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On the plus side, as many other posters have already stated, the functionality of the bottle is great. Holds temps and does not leak. On the negative side, as other posters have also stated, mold grows in the nipple assembly. Before throwing them away, the nipple assembly IS cleanable. The soft clear plastic on the nipple (the part you bite to get fluid flow) can be pried off fairly easily. This enables access to a translucent white plastic collar, about 1/2" in diameter, that holds the blue rubbery diaphragm that, with some effort and strong fingernails, can also be pried off, giving you access to almost all of the nipple / valve assembly to clean. Parts can be soaked in a bleach or vinegar solution to disinfect. So contrary to other posts, it IS possible to disassemble to clean the valve/nipple, but a pain to do. The bottle is poorly designed to be cleanable and/or so to be able to dry between uses.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Camelbak solid quality, September 20, 2008
By D.William (Charlotte, NC)
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It's just a water bottle, yes. Still, I really like the dispenser. It's leak proof, it's soft/rubbery, so you don't accidentally wop your teeth. I'll buy another.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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All Water Bottles Aren't Equal, March 26, 2009
By Charles Moyer (Madison, WI)
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I didn't like this particular water bottle. The nozzle is unique and pretty functional but the bottle itself is very stiff. I prefer a bottle that is more flexible. Flexibility makes it easier to use.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Good idea, bad design, May 20, 2009
By M. Abed
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As many reviewers mentioned, this is a really poorly designed water bottle. Very stiff plastic, very hard to squeeze after riding for a couple of hours. Also, the diameter of the bottle doesn't fit many water bottle cages. I can't believe they didn't buy few of the popular cages out there and test the fit prior to releasing this design!
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
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No Mess, No Fuss, June 13, 2011
By Mile High Mark
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Most water bottles are all the same, until one leaks/spills the contents inside your gear bag, on the front seat of your car, or all over your bike's downtube. Been there, done that, and have the stains to prove it.
CamelBak's Podium bottle has a clever valve that can be locked down, thus preventing leakage. But unlike some bottles that require Rubik's cube-type skills to open, the Podium only requires a simple twist of the valve. And even when the valve is in the fully open position, it's far more immune to leakage than conventional bottles (and it delivers a good-sized stream of liquid).
"But it's just a water bottle." Yes, and it works beautifully. It does what it's supposed to, and it's one less thing to think about, so I can concentrate on my ride.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Awesome for many activites, April 23, 2011
By JP
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I got two of these for bike riding and the spout is why I bought them. They're super convenient because you can leave them open and they won't allow any liquid to drip out unless you squeeze or suck the liquid out, really convenient when you're bike riding so you don't need to use your teeth to open the top. These are the best sports bottles I have ever owned.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Great bottle, but scratches easily, December 14, 2010
By Benjamin Chapman (Florida)
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This bottle is great when on a run, at the gym or biking. The only problem with the bottle is that the plastic that its made of is very soft. It is nice when you want to squeeze it for a drink, but gets torn up very easily when used in a mountain bike bottle holster. Overall a good product with an easy to use spout.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Pay the extra few dollars to get the insulated one, January 18, 2010
By R (Philadelphia)
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Good bottle for cycling, but if you are going to spend the money for a camelbak bottle, get the insulated one.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
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CamelBak Podium, October 15, 2008
By Ameier (Salt Lake City Utah)
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I have been a serious road cyclist for 20 years. During that time I have used many and various water bottles. I use sport drinks such as Gatorade and Powerade while riding. Prior to purchasing the CamelBak Podium, all the water bottles leaked on my bike frame, and on the bottles themselves while riding. I've not experienced the CamelBak Podium leaking. The research and development that went into the design of this water bottle is much appreciated.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Easy to use. Doesn't leak., January 11, 2011
By beathiswon
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This is my favorite water bottle. Makes life a little easier not having to open and close the nozzle every time I take a drink. During my rides having to cross plenty of rough pavement including several railroad tracks I haven't had a single leak even with the nozzle always in the open position. I can't detect any plastic taste that some other bottles I've used can have. My only minor complaint is that I have a hard time holding the bottle by the nozzle in my teeth when switching bottles around and have dropped it twice now.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Great product, December 28, 2010
By Jimbo (St. Helena, CA)
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I have had several water bottles over the last year +, but this is by far the best. I mainly use it for gym use. It is well made, I dropped a 55lbs weight on it and it was fine. Best thing is that if it falls over, it does not spill. Love it, would totally recommend this product
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Perfect water bottle, July 23, 2010
By Glenn Connery (Petaluma, CA USA)
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BPA free. Soft plastic. Some have said they had trouble squeezing it, but I had no issues and I'm just a programmer so its not like I have some intense grip or something. The automatic drip stop is convenient and the product is attractive. As Camelbak advertises it doesn't flavor the water as some other plastic bottles do. I like it very much.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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good bottle, April 25, 2010
By Siliang Xue
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I bring this bottle with me to sleeping bear dune. Enough water it can hold, never be aleak, you can share your water cause you can drink the water without contact the bottle jack. nice bottle on this price.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Yes, this is a better bottle and worth the $, April 12, 2010
By Just a guy (Westchester, NY)
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This is a better bottle than the standard bottles for two reasons. First, the nipple actually works. There is a rotating selector that can completely block the bottle so it can't possibly leak in your bag or back seat. When the selector is set to open, the bottle still requires either a squeeze or a suck to get the fluid out. There was no dripping from a full bottle going over road bumps. The system works remarkably well.
Also, the bottle itself has small "fins" just below the top section of the 24oz bottle. These are a GREAT addition to really give you a secure grip when drinking while riding.
Finally, the bottle is just a tiny bit shorter than some of my other 24oz bottles that just BARELY fit on my seatpost. This one fits with a half inch to spare. I ride a 50cm frame, so this probably isn't a problem for larger frames.
Yes, you can buy bottles for half this price, but this one is really worth it. As proof, I originally ordered one bottle, and just ordered another.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Great bottle, March 19, 2010
By Darren Griffith (Palm Bay, FL USA)
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It works as advertised. It doesn't leak, and you don't have to try and open and close it while you're riding.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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no issues, March 3, 2010
By Dude (San Diego, CA)
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The valve on this bottle is awesome. I just wish the bottle came in a 32oz size. Still, very nice bottle that I use every day.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Over rated, November 4, 2008
By Richard Lee (San Diego, CA)
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Purchase three sets of the three different colors and they work as advertised and definitely no leaching from performance drinks. The bottles appears to be of good quality. Don't know how many uses the self sealing valve will last but I hope it'll be years.
The only problem I have with these bottles is that they don't have a good fit in any of my carbon cages thus making it difficult to insert and remove. They fit really tight. If the top part of the bottles have a rough surface and not smooth they would be much easier to remove and insert especially during hot sweaty rides. They are not good for use in crit races with my setup.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Very handy and looks durable., September 24, 2011
By Pratap
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Very handy and durable. Small in size. Good for bikers who do not ride for too long. Fits perfectly in the holder.
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Good for bike, bad for planes, September 5, 2011
By Solid Performer (Soulless So Cal)
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Decent bottle for cycling, but don't try to take it on a flight. Even in the locked out position it leaks and you'll end up with a soaked bag. Also, while riding, road impacts will cause it to oh-so-slightly spritz on your legs. Not a big deal, but I kept thinking it was raining on my knees until I figured out what it was. It's very good for gym workouts though.
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CamelBak, August 30, 2011
By azrvw
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Great water bottle - easy to handle, water tastes fine. The drink system works well - easy to use when riding bike.
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Affordable and Functional, August 28, 2011
By Michael Johnson (Raleigh, NC)
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The CamelBak Podium bottle was just what I was looking for in a biking water bottle. The dripless valve works very well and won't let water out unless you are squeezing the bottle or sucking on the mouthpiece.
It fits well into a standard bike holster and is easy to drink from on the go. It looks great and the flow is excellent, making it very easy to drink from.
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Great bottle, August 7, 2011
By Fulana de Tal (Illinois)
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I have had two of these bottles for more than 3 years. They have no plastic taste and work well, although they require some hand strength to squeeze them while riding.
In terms of washing them, the nipple can come off for washing every now and then. I use the round tip of a flatware knife for leverage to remove it, but I have done this twice only. Some reviews below mention mold. I saw a tiny bit develop on the inside of the nipple (which led to removing it), but not anywhere else. I wash the bottles right after using them, and air dry them uncapped, making sure the valve is open. I also store them uncapped.
The one thing I dislike is the 'look' of the bottle. I would strongly prefer transparent bottles. The material scratches easily in the outside, giving it a rough feel in your hands. However, the bottles perform very well, so they are the only bottles I use when cycling.
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Great product, July 28, 2011
By gradgirl77
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I remember my old bike water bottles with teeth marks and dingy tops... yuck. I don't have that problem anymore with these camelbak bottles. love that you don't have to open it with your teeth and slam it against your hip to close it :) Also, no bad taste after the first wash, locking feature is great for off-bike traveling. Very happy. Just make sure you screw that lid on VERY well!
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Very Pleased, July 5, 2011
By Lonestarralph
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I bought 2 of these about a month ago and my very pleased how well they work, so I've bought 2 more since. They are easy to squeeze and don't leak so for. I ride my bike 3 to 4 time a week and knowing that they are BPA free is the reason I bought them. Yes I will tell other bike riders that I do like them.
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Best water bottle, June 30, 2011
By dereferenced
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Best water bottle I have ever had. Only had it one day but its nice enough that I was compelled to write a review; which I would normally skip for such a simple product.
It is a very comfortable water bottle to carry around due to the indention 3/4 of the way up. The small notches in that section make it easier to grip which is nice for when you are walking / jogging. Also this bottle fits in the standard bike bottle mount although its a kinda tight, I imagine this will slightly scratch the paint over time but it could just be my mounting.
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My first CamelBak, June 12, 2011
By Newly Purchased
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LOVE this water bottle! It seems pretty crazy to be writing a glowing review for a water bottle but it really is the best water bottle. Ever. Perfect functionality and I carry it with me everywhere... on the bike, to the pool, everywhere.
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Great Bottle, June 2, 2011
By doctorkyle (Philadelphia, PA)
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Got this for my new road bike and love it. Easy to suck water out or squeeze water out and doesn't spill when you pick it up and put it back into bottle cage. No plastic taste. Good buy!
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Basic bottle, great valve., June 2, 2011
By S. J. Anderson (Orlando, FL USA)
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I was somewhere in between 3 and 4 stars for my review of the CamelBak Podium Bottle. It's a fairly generic bottle. For the price, it doesn't feel any better than the bottles you can find for half the price at any "big box store". The saving grace that earned the 4th star is the mouthpiece and valve. The mouthpiece itself is a pliable rubber, very similar to CamelBak's water pouch stems, and the one-way jet valve ensures fantastic waterflow when you want it, and a great seal when you don't. Even after extensive use, I've noticed no leaks when closed, and still fantastic single direction waterflow when opened. The bottle also fits perfectly snug in a bicycle-mounted bottle bracket.
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I now classify bottles into two categories: the podium and the rest, March 23, 2011
By todda (boulder, co)
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For the most part, a water bottle is a water bottle. I have a box full of standard 24 & 26 oz squeeze water bottles that fit into a bottle cage on a bike. You get them for free at events, heck there have been some races I've been in where you can just toss an empty and grab a full one at the support stations.
Then CamelBak goes and invents the Podium. I added my first one onto an order to qualify for free shipping. The design of the spout is just brilliant. It works exactly as it is supposed to. No spilling, no more pulling anything open with your teeth and pushing it back closed with your chin or thigh. Now I own a few of these in the 26 oz size and plan to get one in the 24 oz for running. The larger size throws off the balance of my lumbar run pack thing.
The lock off feature is nice if you want to throw it in a pack, but otherwise it is not at all needed and it would be nice to have an option without it. These bottles live on my bikes. All the rest of the bottles floating around get used to mix recovery drinks or water the plants around the house.
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Use bleach or change tops, December 3, 2010
By Still Greek to Me (Southern CA)
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As others have aptly stated this is the "go to" bottle, but as one reviewer says "Watchout for mold in the nipple". This especially happens if you put any sports drink in it. I ended up taking half of the stuff out of the valve in order to be able to clean it. Yes, this makes the bottle leak if tipped over, but I want a clearner bottle. Surely CamelBak can come up with a better design. In fact I eventually found other tops from other bottles to use on these....That said I just bot another as I don't like the plastic taste from common cycling bottles.
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Best water bottles ever, September 21, 2010
By Mr. Scott (NC)
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These bottles are the best. Easy to drink from, but don't drip. The lock out feature allows you to just throw it into a gym bag without worrying about leaks.
Wide mouth makes it easy to fill with ice and makes it easier to clean.
The family has 6 of these bottles. 3 of them are 2 years old and have been used 5 to 7 times a week. 5 to 7 times a week in the dishwasher as well. They still perform as new, although they look a little scratched up after being taken out of my bikes bike cages so often.
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no leaks but won't fit in cages, October 21, 2009
By Northpaw
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great valve, no more spills and sticky frames but the bottle is too big around and has to be forced into my bottle cages (Tacx and Specialized) on both bikes. A serious defect and makes them useless for racing.
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Great bike bottle, September 12, 2009
By J. L. Smith
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This bottle eliminates the whole opening the bottle with your teeth and jamming it shut on your hip while riding, but it fits a little funky in my cage. Otherwise, it's great.
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Great no-drip bottle, September 2, 2009
By Steve Yagla (Geneva, IL)
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This is a great water bottle for biking. I have used it for about a month and I dig it. You do need to squeeze it to get anything out of it, but you can hold it upside down with the valve in the "open" position and it will not drip. The plastic is not too hard to squeeze. Don't expect it to keep your water cold for long.
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Once you have a CamelBak, you'll never go back, May 12, 2009
By Living life and loving it! (Somewhere in a land far, far away..)
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I didn't understand the hype over CamelBak products, but I purchased this bottle (21 ounce - Black/Clear) when I bought my new biking helmet because it had good reviews.
I've had a chance to use it quite a bit and I couldn't imagine having another water bottle. It is big enough to take the amount of water I want with me and it dispenses without any spills or leaking. I have become so accustomed to it that I now take it to work with me to drink water throughout the day.
We stopped buying cases of the individual waters a while back to save money and eliminate all the bottles we had to recycle. Now I can refill this as much as I want for free and it cost less then $10. This summer I'll be purchasing these for my kids too.
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Good bottle...no complaints, February 15, 2009
By Wren (U.S.A.)
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Overall not a bad product but it depends on what you use if for. I do not like this bottle while biking. It simply is not flexible enough and requires too much hand pressure after you have been on the road a few hours. I do like this bottle while running though as the soft nipple will not hurt the teeth. I find it best though at the gym while working weights or doing one of the horrid machines those places have in them. Use on the dreadmill is a snap as well as some of the other stationary horrors. The container is attractive and it works the way they say it should work. I also carry one of these in my car as I put on a lot of mileage and am so cheap that I do not like to buy bottle water all the time, and besides, my well water is better than the bottled stuff.
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Lightweight yet sturdy, November 18, 2008
By Daisy (Ridgecrest, CA USA)
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Perfect for bicycling. Fits perfectly in bicycle's bottle holder. No caps to remove or misplace. Lightweight yet sturdy.
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Best Sports Bottle ever, November 9, 2008
By Javi (San Diego, CA)
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Awesome Sports bottle. It has an easy twist valve. Even if the valve is open, it still will not leak..even if you turn it upside-down. There is a 2nd valve that only opens if you squeeze the bottle. Best part is it is non-BPA so it is safe to drink from. You don't get that plastic taste either like other bottles.
It comes in several colors but I recommend one of the transparent ones so you can easily see inside. It fits perfect in a bicycle cage.
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Perfect size!!, April 21, 2008
By M. Worthington (Minnesota)
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My husband has been looking for a bottle that will fit the cage on his bicycle, which he uses to commute. This one is perfect, finally a great fit!
0 of 4 people found this review helpful
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if only it could be cleaned easily...., December 24, 2011
By mike
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Over the past couple years, I've had a dozen or so of these bottles. They work well on the bike and are great for travel because they can be locked "off."
But, black mold wants to grow in the nipple, and cleaning is not just a pain, it also tends to destroy the nipple. The soft plastic outer part twists off easily (but, if you are not careful you can tear a crack in it, making it leak. Of the dozen I've bought, I'm down to two undamaged nipples -- both bought in the last 3 months -- and two that I'm still using despite cracks.) Even if you clean that outer part, black mold will hide in the deeper mechanisms, and I've not had success cleaning that (though some other posts here suggest that it is possible.)
I might have given 3 stars -- balancing how well the bottle works versus what a pain it is to clean -- but I'm knocking them down to 2 stars because there is no way to buy replacement nipples. For a product this expensive, I shouldn't have to throw the whole thing away when a removable piece of rubber breaks.
The message to Camelback is: make this more cleanable and durable and offer cheap replacement parts and you'll have a great product. Until then, caveat emptor.
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perfect, December 19, 2011
By jvilla
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I got this bottle for my husband who does construction.. he lives with it!! He swears by this product and how well it performs as well as keeps his water tasting great!
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simply best bottle available, December 16, 2011
By ISED8 (Pleasanton, CA)
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The bottle is nice and pliable for squeezing. I think the clear bottles are great for tracking your consumption. The valve has a nice action. In fact all my kids are now using these bottles for their sports.
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My favorite sports water bottle, December 9, 2011
By newbie (Dallas, TX United States)
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I use this bottle for biking, gym, etc and love it. Cleaning is a bit of a pain but it is worth it.
I now have 3 of these. Here's a little tip: do NOT leave the valve dial closed once you are done using the bottle. A tiny bit of moisture stuck in there will create the perfect conditions for mold growth inside the valve. I clean my bottle with bleach water every now and then just to be sure.
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Great water bottle, December 8, 2011
By Kyle
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Excellent water bottle, perfect for bicyles.
this bottle has a flow switch to make sure it won't spill when you don't want it to, but alto works as a squirt bottle and to sip from it.
It is very lightweight and durable and fits well in a bike cage.
One thing the description doesn't mention is the mouth is the same size as a standard wide mouth nalgene bottle and the caps are interchangeable, if for some reason you wanted to do this.
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Best bottle, December 6, 2011
By MetalMan (Georgia, USA)
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I have tried many bottles for my sports and biking. This bottle is GREAT! does not leak, fits my bike cage, you can sip from it, squirt it, and seal it closed! WOW, great design!
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All Quality No taste, February 4, 2012
By Michaelbiker (Salem, oregon)
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When i recieved this bottle I did my typical clensing. I put hot water in it and let it set for 30 minutes. Then i proceeded to cycle hot and cold water though it to open up the pores of the plastic and get the taste out, if it had any. This bottle had zero taste in it from the beginning. I bought two of these bottles due to the BPA free logo, and i have to say they were worth every penny. I plan on ordering at least 3 more. The only trouble I have had is remembering to open the valve back up before I squeeze. Great product as always camelbak!
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Smallest 24 oz bottle ever, February 2, 2012
By Smartguy
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I was getting this water bottle after hearing great things about it from my friends. They all had the 25 oz version of this bottle however. I found the 24 and 25 oz bottle on Amazon and decided to save 4 dollars and buy the 24 oz bottle. I received it today and after comparing it to my roommates we saw that it was significantly smaller. It is about 1.5 inches shorter and the width of the bottle is slight narrower. I compared it to a 20 oz cup and the cup holds just as much water as the bottle. This is very misleading and I strongly recommend getting the 25 oz version since it is actually much larger than this 24 oz version.
The bottle itself is great though. Do not let the size take away from that.
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I love this bottle, January 24, 2012
By D
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I love the 21 oz bottle - very easy to use and the locking feature keeps it save in my purse. I own two already and will probably buy another one in a few months. I highly recommend getting this bottle - works great.
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Okay.., November 6, 2011
By Special Etc.
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I really wanted to like this bottle. It's the kind where you just squeeze and the water squirts out without any hassle with the top. Unfortunately, when I squeeze (too hard?) the water leaks out from under the cap. It's random too. It doesn't happen every single time, but it happens enough where I'm constantly getting my clothes and desk wet.
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GREAT bottle. Get this, not the insulated "chill" bottles, September 17, 2011
By J. Finger
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The CamelBak top is excellent, for reasons everybody has already said. The only reason I won't give this five stars is because the threads on the bottle aren't compatible with any others, so you can't use the CamelBak top with bottles you already have.
Get this uninsulated bottle. They also make an insulated bottle: the insulation is a ripoff: it costs more money, doesn't keep your drink cold, and hold as much (their 21oz insulated bottle takes the same space as this 24oz uninsulated bottle).
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Great for All Around Use, August 9, 2011
By TRV
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I bought several of these to use when my son (13 years old) and I go kayaking. It's worked great in that venue. However, he likes his so much that he uses it around the house when he's watching TV or when he's outside in an activity. He also keeps it next to his bed at night, so if he wants a drink in the middle of the night he has it right next to him with no concern of spilling.
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The best water bottle, but has flaws, May 25, 2011
By Mike in Glen Head, NY
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After using hundreds of water bottles over the years, I can state that there's no such thing as the perfect water bottle. For the last few years, I've been using the CamelBak Podium Bottle because it's the best. Make sure you buy the clear version (see below).
PROS:
- twisting the top seals the bottle so that it will not leak
- doesn't spit out water if you ride over a bump
- you don't have to pull out the valve when you want to drink
- large capacity (24oz)
- clear so that you can see how much water you have left
CONS:
- None
Unfortunately, cleaning the valve is a problem with all water bottles. Putting the bottle in the upper rack of a dishwasher does a pretty good job. Also, the top can be carefully pryed off to clean inside, but eventually when a lot of black gunk builds up inside the valve, it's time to replace the bottle.
6/20/2011 Update after purchasing a new bottle: My previous review said that this bottle was harder to squeeze and did not have as much flow per squeeze as other bottles. This is no longer the case. Camelback has improved the bottle and there are no longer any 'Cons'.
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No need to squeeze, November 12, 2010
By Robert S. Bradfield (Texas)
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Just suck on it and water comes out. To clean valve fill with warm water and add liquid soap or dish washing detergent, shake and then squeeze the soapy water out. Next rinse out the soapy water then fill with tap water and squirt out clear water to rinse the valve.
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Best bottle for use during exercise., September 30, 2010
By Michael (Kentwood, Michigan)
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This is by far the best bottle you can find for use during exercise. There is no straw, no leaky top, and no spilling. It takes no effort to get water, you just squeeze the bottle. It is perfect for high intensity activities. Mine has been through the dishwasher many times and it still works great. Simply a great bottle.
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Great bottle for running. Or anything for that matter., July 26, 2010
By G. Spencer (Atlanta, GA)
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The valve in the top works great in that when "open" it doesn't leak, even if inverted. When closed, water won't get out period. Nice size. Would purchase again.
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Awesome, July 8, 2010
By nodrmforme (Chandler, AZ United States)
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This thing fits in my basic wire cage without any problems and doesn't fall out when I'm jumping curbs and such. The valve on it is really cool too! You just squeeze it in your mouth, that's it. No sucking or slobbering all over the thing, which also means I don't have to clean it all the time. No leaks, easy to drink from, great design! I've been taking it around as my everyday water bottle now too, and I'll probably buy some more just to have them.
I have the Silver/Red 21oz bottle, which is more like dark grey and red. The plastic is soft and very easy to squeeze unlike another reviewer said. I wouldn't mind getting one that's larger or insulated though.
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Doesn't spill, May 24, 2010
By EPZ
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If you want a bottle that doesn't spill this is the one. Also, it will stay clean because you don't need to drink from the bottle... just squeeze the bottle and that's it.
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It's a bottle, May 13, 2010
By John Dunnahoe
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I'm no expert on water bottles so I'm not sure what I should be looking for in this thing. It holds water and it's easy to drink out of. That's about all I expect out of them. Also, the picture on Amazon shows a blue bottle for the Smoke/White color scheme. I got the right color bottle but the picture is wrong.
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like other reviewers, it leaks, unless it's screwed on really tight, July 31, 2009
By swash (Sacramento, CA)
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Well, after reading the reviews, I crossed my fingers and hoped I didn't have a leaky one. Mine leaked after a few uses. I tried tightening it and that worked... BUT, it's so tight that it's difficult to unscrew, if you're not a buff guy like me. jk. But yeah if you don't want to make it really tight and difficult to unscrew then pass on it. If you're okay with this then buy it.
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Hmmmm...Made in China, June 22, 2009
By Chunkee (Clinton, TN United States)
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Works okay...kind of confusing about the bite valve...really note a bite valve..just suck on the opening and it comes out. On/Off dial could be a little smoother with better grab handles. Supposed to be BPE free...hmmm but made in CHINA...have my doubts? I use this in my WW Kayak.
JAC
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very good water bottle ever, May 8, 2009
By dandannoodle (Baltimore, MD United States)
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locking feature is nice. It never spills accidentally unless you drop it or something and its hit hard enough to simulate a squeeze.
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Favorite bottle, March 25, 2009
By LuWeGeeeeeee (Minnapolis, MN USA)
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This is my favorite water bottle, more than the polar bottle. It is unique and really works as advertised. It will only leak when you forcefully shake it upside down when full with an spout lock. I like the lock that lets you manually close it for when transporting it in a bag. Force needed to squeeze is what I would expect. Got the clear version. Finally I have a bottle that doesn't force me to hurt my teeth or lips to close the spout. I also don't have to worry about germs and bacteria growing on the spout so much compared to a regular bottle when you are sucking on the part that gets pushed down.
con: somewhat difficult to clean the inside of the spout area if dirt or sand gets in that area.
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Camelbak h2o bottle, February 18, 2009
By C. J. Ruggles (Grand Prairie, Texas United States)
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Great bottle, love it!! Doesn't leak, carry it in my bag! Perfect if you like or are used to a squeeze bottle.
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xlnt product, February 4, 2009
By JLB (Marina del Rey)
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water bottle lives up to its promise: doesn't leak, imparts no plastic flavor to the water
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Don't buy if there is a possibility you might return, December 14, 2010
By Stephanie Macdonald (Chicagoland, IL USA)
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I bought this as a gift, and when I got it I was mad cuz it's much smaller than I expected and pretty thin. I decided I didn't want to give it as a gift. However, when I went to the manufacturer's website to see about returning, I learned that there is only an 80% refund for new unopened items. What a rip off! So now I'm stuck with a water bottle I'll probably never use. At least it's a spill-proof water bottle and pretty.
0 of 3 people found this review helpful
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