It is finally the weekend. And you are ready to start this camping adventure you were so eager to go to. Will you bring yourself a water bottle? Well, we do need to stay hydrated after all. So do you even have a choice? “Fair enough,” you might say. “But what bottle?”
I like to travel light, so naturally, the total weight of my backpack really matters to me. And I am sure it does matter to you too.
So do you take that 33 oz glass water bottle that weighs a few pounds?
Probably not. Just having that bottle empty in your backpack is going to be an adventure on its own.
Maybe you take a plastic water bottle then? They are very light, right?
But then again, plastic water bottles are well known to contain a whole myriad of different chemicals that manufacturers discovered they could use when producing them. These chemicals leach into the water we drink. They are dangerous. And nobody likes that.
I am sure you will agree with me that there is another downside and it is that a plastic water bottle just doesn’t make the water taste fresh and tasty.
For many, a plastic bottle is just not worth it. But what if you want something that is almost as light as possible and that will allow you to be on the go without having to lug around a heavy bottle?
Let me introduce to you the aluminum water bottle
The Best Aluminum Water Bottles:
- 321 STRONG Aluminum Water Bottle (click to check the current price on Amazon) – A quality, lightweight and chemical-free aluminum water bottle. A budget-friendly option.
- Laken Futura Aluminum Water Bottle (click to check the current price on Amazon) – High-quality and durable aluminum water bottle. Chemical-free.
Last update on 2024-09-02 at 07:04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What Makes These Aluminum Water Bottles Great
1. 321 STRONG Aluminum Water Bottle
- BPA / BPB / Phthalate free construction with attractive body color
- Durable aluminum metal construction suitable for the gym , sports , kids at school
- Carabiner sport clip and split key ring allow you to attach flask to nearly any object
Last update on 2024-09-02 at 07:04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Several features are making this bottle a great product.
First, it has been chemically tested, and it is BPA, BPB, and Phthalate-free. Having harmful chemicals and metals leaching into the water is one of the biggest concerns people have. And there is a good reason for that.
Different chemicals like BPA or the Phthalates, for example, have been proven time and time again that they have adverse effects on our body and health. And we will come to that later.
This aluminum bottle is suitable for almost anything. You can bring it with yourself while you are working out, hiking, or while doing any other activity where you may want to make sure you stay hydrated without harming your body.
The top lid secures nicely and tightly, making this bottle safe and leak-proof. You can put it in your gym bag, for example, without having to worry about anything.
The lid also has a nice carabiner attached to it, and the lid itself has a key ring loop which gives it some much-needed versatility. You can easily attach it to your backpack and carry it with yourself.
This aluminum water bottle is very easy to keep clean. First, it can be used in the dishwasher (on the top rack) and second you can also clean it with a little soap and warm water. Give it a little shake, rinse it, and you are good to go.
Keep in mind that aluminum is very thin, which can be both an advantage and disadvantage as on the one hand this is making the bottle very light. But on the other, it is also more prone to denting if dropped.
One of the good things that aluminum has going for it is that it tends to keep the water cool. Which can be really beneficial and refreshing during the hot summer days.
It is not recommended to use the bottle for storing hot or cold beverages. As aluminum transfers temperatures quite easily leading to the bottle either becoming very hot or sweating due to the condensation created by the cold liquids.
Overall this bottle is very affordable and lightweight.
2. Laken Futura Aluminum Water Bottle
- MADE IN SPAIN - Laken lightweight aluminum water bottle with narrow neck, screw cap with loop
- BPA Free, no phthalates, lead or other harmful substances, polyamide inner coating
- Doesn't retain or impart flavors, safe for water, citrus, carbonated and isotonic drinks
Last update on 2024-09-02 at 07:04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
When I buy a water bottle, I always do one thing first. I always start looking for whether or not the bottle contains any harmful chemicals.
And I like what they did here with this aluminum water bottle from Laken.
This aluminum water bottle is BPA, phthalates, and lead-free. The inner lining is from polyamide. The bottle will not alter the taste of your water or beverages, and it also will not keep the flavor or smell of previous drinks.
It is also 99,7% pure one-piece aluminum. This makes the bottle very lightweight and suitable for people that want to travel light. It is perfect for camping, trekking, and doing a variety of sports like cycling, running, working out, and so much more. It fits very nicely in backpacks and bags.
The lid fits tightly and securely, providing excellent insulation, and it seals very well, preventing any leaks.
A word of caution, though. Make sure the cap is secured as if it is not tightened it may leak.
As a result, you may be pleasantly surprised that this bottle is safe for storing not just water but also citrus juices, soft drinks, and isotonic and energy drinks. There is one important thing, though.
It is not recommended for storing hot liquids. Aluminum transfers heat quickly, and the bottle will become very hot. This may even burn your hands if you try to hold it.
Another thing I’d like to point out is that if you fill it up with very cold water, the bottle will sweat due to the condensation.
This bottle is not just a great way to save some money by having a refillable and reusable water bottle, but it is also a great way to reduce our impact on the environment. It is fully recyclable. And metal bottle typically lasts a really, really long time and this helps cut down on the plastic waste. Combining the good with the useful.
Since the bottle has a narrow neck, this may make it a bit tougher for you to clean it. Using a good bottle brush is recommended.
What You Need to Look for When Buying an Aluminum Water Bottle
Whenever you buy a water bottle, you need to keep an eye out for certain features. This is very important as it will ultimately separate a decent bottle from a really great one. Or a plain hazardous one.
There are a few more things that you need to consider as that way you can pick the best aluminum water bottle for your personal needs. Let’s take a quick look.
One of the most important things to give good consideration to is the purpose you are going to be using it for.
Are into hiking, camping, and trekking? These usually can last several hours or even days on end. In that case, a bottle with higher capacity may be what you really would like to have access to. This is good, but that’s not all.
With many bottles, the actual weight is a big concern. But here aluminum has a trick up its sleeve – it is very lightweight. This gives aluminum water bottles a lot of versatility and makes them useful in many different situations.
Aluminum water bottles are suitable for people that are always on the go and want to have access to clean and fresh tasting water. Aluminum also tends to keep your water cool even when the weather outside is hot.
Even if you train frequently and go to the gym, a small aluminum water bottle will fit nicely in your gym bag without adding any significant weight to it. This also applies to other sports, too.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Aluminum Water Bottles
Aluminum water bottles used to be a very popular type of water bottles that people used.
Pros
One of the good things about aluminum is that it doesn’t typically retain odors or flavors of the food or liquids stored in it. So it will keep your water tasting clean and fresh. In addition to that, aluminum tends to keep the liquids inside cooler.
Aluminum water bottles are usually very sturdy and will last you quite some time. Even if dropped, the chances of the bottle breaking are close to none. However, it may dent or scratch.
They are also super lightweight which is why they are ideal for people that want to travel light and athletes. Or just about everybody that wants to stay hydrated without having to carry around a heavy water bottle.
Aluminum is usually recyclable. So if you want to reduce your plastic waste and have a positive impact on the environment, an aluminum bottle may be the solution.
Another advantage that may find really appealing is that aluminum water bottles are usually significantly cheaper compared to other water bottles.
Cons
Aluminum bottles are not known for having good insulation. Combining this with the ability of aluminum to transfer temperature quite easily is making them unsuitable for keeping hot or cold liquids and beverages.
- A hot beverage will make the bottle extremely hot, making it a potential hazard to burn your hands.
- And in the case with cold drinks; your bottle will start sweating due to the condensation that is created, making it a no-go if you want to place it in your backpack.
Another concern with the low-quality aluminum water bottles is the lining which is placed inside the bottle. The lining some of the lower quality water bottles have may contain BPAs and other harmful chemicals which can lean in the water. So make sure you check these regardless of what water bottle you buy.
The reason why manufacturers use this lining is that aluminum is a reactive metal, and it can react with acidic drinks and foods. This will essentially lead to high amounts of aluminum leaching into the water. And to prevent that manufacturers use a protective epoxy layer.
Usually, a bottle that has a wide mouth is preferred as it is easier to clean. However, some bottles will not come with a wide mouth.
This means that you may need to do some extra work in order to maintain it clean and hygienic.
There are a few ways to keep your aluminum water bottle clean:
- You can fill it up with some soap and warm water and shake it well. After that you can rinse it; and
- There are also special aluminum tablets and aluminum brushes that you can use.