I’ve always liked to drink a lot throughout the day, but when I moved to a dry climate, my urge to hydrate multiplied. One of the reasons I love carrying a gigantic purse is that I can always have at least one water bottle with me at all times. Water comes with me everywhere I go–not just the gym. It’s come in handy more times than I can count.
Just like I like my workout clothes to be stylish and attractive, I have a soft spot for pretty yet functional water bottles, too. My favorites are definitely my bottles from bkr and S’well. Both have a minimal yet undeniably chic look.
The bkr is glass with a silicone sleeve, while the S’well is made of stainless steel and comes in a wide variety of matte, gloss, metallic, and printed finishes. Each comes in 3 sizes, but my favorite is the middle size: 500 ml, aka 17 oz.
What I love about my bkr bottle is that it’s glass. I prefer to drink out of glass when I can, because it just tastes sooo much better than plastic or steel to me. Although you might think that glass is a crappy option because it’s fragile, you might be surprised to hear that mine is over 2 years old and still going strong! I’ve used it basically every day since buying it–it sits at the bottom of my purse most of the time and is always next to me on the floor of my CrossFit gym when I’m working out. In other words, it’s not exactly getting babied.
Another bit of bkr goodness to love is the mini-handle on the lid, which makes it easier to carry versus the S’well below. The lid only needs a slight twist to seal. I usually have my bkr next to me when I’m working out, so the quick flick of the wrist to get the lid on and off when I’m mid-WOD is handy. By comparison, the S’well takes 3-4 “flicks” to open or close. Once closed, I’ve never had an issue with either of them leaking.
The silicone sleeve helps to keep the bkr from sweating if you put cold water inside. That said, the sleeve does tend to attract dust and pet hair. Lighter colors are definitely better for hiding those little imperfections. The dark teal color I have is called lush. It’s no longer available since I bought it so long ago, but they offer several other shades of teal nowadays instead.
On the other hand, the S’well has some pretty cool perks too. I had been wanting to try a S’well for a while, and finally caved when I saw this gold metallic. It’s simple and incredibly elegant. However, in the months that I’ve had it, I’ve noticed that the metallic finish has gotten quite a few scuffs on it if you look closely.
S’well’s biggest claim to fame is that their bottles are insulated. That means if you put a hot or cold drink in, it’ll stay hot or cold all day. And their claims really are true! If I fill up my S’well with cold water, it’s still cold even if it’s been in a hot car or I’m hiking in the heat. The insulation also means the bottle doesn’t “sweat”. Unlike glass, you don’t have to worry about rapid temperature changes shattering the bottle, either. Overall, the S’well definitely has the upper hand when it comes to issues of temperature.
The S’well also has a larger top opening than the bkr, so you can more easily fit regular sized ice cubes inside. Or, if you’re me, it means you more easily spill water all over yourself when you’re trying to take a drink. :) Because the openings are still fairly small on each, it’s hard to scrub inside to get them totally clean. Since I only drink water out of my bottles, hot, soapy water is good enough for me, but both companies sell special bottle brushes if you need one.
One downside to both the bkr and S’well bottles is that both are on the heavy side. Glass is always heavy, and the S’well is much heavier than most stainless steel bottles due to the added insulation. Neither are particularly cheap either, but if it’s something you use every day and it lasts for several years, the cost is pretty trivial in the long run.
If you have a favorite water bottle, I’d love to hear about it!
Guest says
Hydroflask Wide Mouth! My all time favorite. Insulated stainless steel. I’ve had ice in it left after drinking all the water and the ice is still there the next morning when I go to rinse and refill. I love that it has interchangeable tops – the screw top it came with, a straw top and a flip up coffee style top. Each top is only like $6 so easy to have them all. I interchange and use all 3 regularly. I bought a paracord loop attachment for it too and it makes it super easy to carry around as well. Dumped every other water bottle i’ve ever bought!
Suzanne | Agent Athletica says
Ohh the interchangeable lids thing sounds like a nice feature, plus the paracord would be handy too. Thanks for the suggestion!! :)
Sara says
I had a LifeFactory Glass bottle. It was awesome—a glass bottle I dropped on concrete multiple times and didn’t break. I lost two of them, left them at the gym or who knows where. I just got a Hydro Flask, which does indeed keep water cold in a hot car. I do want to try S’well.
Suzanne | Agent Athletica says
Yeah, I’ve dropped my bkr a couple times too! It sounds like Hydroflask and S’well have some similarities, though in my opinion the S’well has some prettier options, which is definitely a perk around here. :P
Tamre Mullins says
I am a waterbottle junkie. I have a variety of hydroflasks (64 oz for beer, 40oz for working out, 21oz for water throughout the day, 18oz for my daughter and her ballet classes) – they are insulated like S’well but come in a regular mouth and wide mouth opening. There are different lids you can buy based on what you use the bottle for: a flip top sip lid is perfect for water during hot yoga or at my desk, there’s a coffee lid and it comes with just a regular screw on lid. The powder coating finish helps protect the bottle from scuffs and scrapes.
I love my LifeFactory glass bottle as well. The silicone keeps the glass safe and while it doesn’t keep my water cold, it’s good for at my desk. I typically use this when I’m using an electrolyte powder to mix in with my water.
My S’well bottle is a gold chrome finish I got with Birchbox points and I baby that thing like crazy. The finish is so pretty!
I use hot soapy water and a baby bottle brush on all of my bottles.
Guest says
I like that your biggest hydroflask is for beer. Haha!
Suzanne | Agent Athletica says
64 oz! Wow! My gold S’well is not the chrome finish. The chrome came out after mine and I’d been curious how it compared, especially in terms of scratch resistance.
carrie says
I like to be able to use one hand when drinking. Since having a baby I rarely have two hands available, so the entire process of drinking needs to be one-handed. I use the camelback one that you have to bite on to get water out of. I don’t particularly like it (at all) but it is 100% one-handed and convenient.
It sounds like this hydroflask with multiple tops might be worth trying! If anyone else has one-handed suggestions, I would be eternally grateful. Sometimes I use my son’s sippy cup cause it has a non-leak straw top (why don’t they make more of these for adults???) :)
Tamre Mullins says
The hydroflask with the sip lid might be your best bet. I know they don’t leak when the top is flipped down (my daughter’s was rolling around the back seat of the car last night for a couple of hours). I’m not sure if they leak with the straw flipped up – I’ll test it for you tonight!
carrie says
thank you so much!!
my son (1 yo) has a serious fetish for drinking vessels of any kind (i guess it could be worse). anyways, whatever i use definitely needs to be “yanked out of my hands and rolled around on the ground” proof.
h|c says
kids do like to chew the end of that flip-up part, i’ve noticed.
Angie says
Get a lifefactory bottle. Great lid for 1 hand drinking. Will sustain after being dropped too. My favorite while breastfeeding.
carrie says
thank you, angie!
Suzanne | Agent Athletica says
I would totally use a kiddie sippy cup! I am constantly spilling water all over myself… :P
CaliforniaGurl says
How do you get ice in the BKR?
My favorite is my glass LIFEFACTORY water bottle. Mine has a beautiful white pearlized sleeve and I’ve dropped it on concrete floors and it hasn’t broken yet.
Suzanne | Agent Athletica says
You can’t get normal ice into the bkr. You’d have to use some sort of small ice cube maker–bkr sells small ice trays but I’m sure they exist elsewhere. I never put ice in my water so it’s never mattered to me.
Katie says
i use the hydro flask water bottles. they are similar to the swell but come in different sizes, lids, etc. i live in a year round warm climate and need a bottle that won’t sweat and keeps my water cold. this one is great!
Suzanne | Agent Athletica says
Seems like lots of people love the hydroflask! Thanks for sharing. :)
h|c says
yas! hydroflask is my fav. i only have about 8 of them :-o
the wide mouth ones have an option for lids with a mouthpiece, to which you can attach a straw to drink upright, or skip the straw and tilt it back. also, their coffee flip lid is great too. i do keep one for coffee and one for water since it will be slightly flavored. they don’t market it as leak proof but i have several of those lids and have never had one leak. (condensation may build up on the lid if the drink is very cold; of course not on the bottle itself).
if you pour boiling water in the mug to “prime” it before putting your coffee in there, your hot drink will stay hot for ages!
Angie says
I too am a water bottle junkie. I bought the bkr bottle but sadly it broke after only a couple months. I will not be repurchasing due to design flaw of too skinny neck for the bottle which increases breakage and no ice fits. I have 2 life factory bottles that are great, I used them a lot during my breastfeeding days due to the easy drink lids. We have a couple kleen kanteens for my husband and kiddos. My kids love their kanteens using them almost daily with the kiddo drink lids. Lastly but not least I have 4 s’well bottles that are my absolute favorites! They are beautiful and they take a beating like no other. A couple of them have a few dents and scratches but they are still going strong. I always reach for my s’wells first out of all of my choices using them daily 9 oz for coffee or tea and the 16oz for water.
Suzanne | Agent Athletica says
Thanks for the little review! That stinks that your bkr broke. I’ve even dropped mine a couple times and it’s (obviously) been fine. Go figure. The 9 oz S’well is a good idea for hot drinks! I’d always kinda wondered what the minis would be good for–never thought of that!
anne says
klean kanteen
anne says
klean kanteens – made of stainless steel – are great. i have both insulated and not. the insulation is super effective, without adding much weight. they also do multiple sizes and lids, including a pretty legit silicone sport lid. (kid kanteens have sippy lids.) they color doesn’t chip off easily, and the bottles aren’t as overpriced as their s’well counterparts.
anne says
all of their lids also have handles, which are indispensable. and the company is eco-conscious. (obviously i really like klean kanteen.)
Suzanne | Agent Athletica says
Good to know, thanks Anne! :) I didn’t know they had multiple lids, that’s definitely a handy feature.
Consolacion Luna says
I have the pink Swell bottle and love it!!
Suzanne | Agent Athletica says
I love the pink! I’ve been thinking about getting that one.
RoadBunner says
I’m a fan of Klean Kanteen! I even run with one in an Orange Mud pack. People must think I’m nutty to be using it that way.
Suzanne | Agent Athletica says
If that’s the craziest thing you do, you’re not doing too badly. ;)
Lauren says
Hi all, I just saw that S’well has partnered with Target and created a new line called S’ip. They are $25 for 15 ounces and come in SO many great colors. I picked up a teal one the other day, and it works great! Kept my drink cold for 2 days :)
Suzanne | Agent Athletica says
Those are sooo cute! Love!! I thought they weren’t supposed to be out yet–huh.
Karen Chason says
I have a love/hate relationship with water bottles. I use them for all manner of liquids (water, Coke, iced tea, smoothies, etc) and that may be why my relationship with them is so tortured. I also primarily drink from straws so that influences my thoughts as well. These are my fave straws: http://amzn.to/2sUL7FY. These are stainless steel and come with a straw cleaner. I like straws because I can keep my teeth whiter and I tend to drink more if using a straw. I’m not good at keeping hydrated so I find the straw makes me drink more. I know, I know, it’s all in my head. But, I’m also a lip gloss/lipstick junkie and with a straw, I can keep it on longer than crudding up mouthpieces with lipstick.
I love the Nathan Little Shot 750ml (http://amzn.to/2tu4YJs). Various colors. Loop for putting a carabiner on to attach to bag or purse or you can just screw the top on over a bag handle. Fits in my Subaru cup holders without wiggling around or toppling over. It came recommended from America’s Test Kitchen as their most highly rated water bottle. However, it isn’t good at keeping temp and it will get condensation. I hate that part of it. But, if you just want liquids at room temp it’s great. When washing you have to take the silicone mouthpiece off or it will get icky. Mouth piece is small enough that you can drink it similar to a straw by putting entire mouth over it. BPA free. Larger in hands but can still hold it. I’d really like to try this Nathan flexible bottle too: http://amzn.to/2sUFwjj.
The Lifefactory 22oz glass with silicone sleeve (http://amzn.to/2sWfN9s) bottle is good too. It too will get condensation and not good at temp control. Smaller mouthpiece so you can put entire mouth over it to drink. It’s tall though so it topples around my cup holders. Won’t fall out but it does move around. I like the handle but the mouthpiece cover can tend to flip off easily. If you tip it over liquid will probably come out. Fits in hand easily.
I have a 17 oz S’Well bottle too. Too tall for a straw, even the extra long ones. The mouthpiece is larger so I get my lipstick all over it. Pour water down my chest quite often. Ice is hard to get in it. No handle. Great at temp control and no condensation though so I like that part of it. It’s pretty but I think I like it the least. Fits in my hand easily.
I think my favorite is the Orca 27oz Chaser (https://www.orcacoolers.com/chaser-27-oz-seafoam/clear-orccha27sf/cl) with the Cafe lid (https://www.orcacoolers.com/cafe-lid-orccaflid). It has serious temp control. No condensation. That lid keeps everything in. Seriously tight seal. It does topple a little in my cup holders and it’s quite large so not an easy carry. No loop to attach to anything.
Will have to try some of the Klean Kanteen bottles that other recommend.
Suzanne | Agent Athletica says
Wow, thanks for all the info!! :) I hadn’t heard of the Orca brand before–they’re awfully pretty. Also, I agree with you that straws make it easier to take little sips throughout the day. The steel looks awfully fancy too. Thanks again for the tips Karen!
Serena says
The water bottles in my collection are BKR, Swell, Thermos, Contigo Couture though I admit I love great stylish designs so the Swell, BKR, and Contigo Couture are my favorite. Though they don’t seem as heavy to me and I have an upper back injury from when I was a child and I have carried 3 water bottles in Yosemite 2 in my backpack and one in my hand though I have started only carrying my BKR one and the Contigo one as they both have handles/loops which make it easier to carry in place of the third water bottle I have started carrying the MIIR Wild Traveler Tumbler Cup 120z from Wild Foods Co with Iced Coffee in it my hikes.
Blair says
love swell as well. they now have a bottle with a larger mouth opening called traveller! =) i also have a BKR but the problem with that is the opening is really small so hard to clean if you drink something other than water.
Suzanne | Agent Athletica says
To wash my bkr, I like to take the silicone sleeve off and run the glass bottle through the dishwasher. It’s a little annoying to get the sleeve back on, but it works when you’re desperate for a clean bottle. :) I have tried the S’well traveler bottle but it looks super cute! 😍