At some point over the last few decades, water bottles became de rigueur for anyone with the least pretensions toward being cool. The trend had (and continues to have) a direct relationship with our society’s current obsession with health. “Drink eight glasses of water a day!” “Stay hydrated!” These were the mantras of the 90s, and such commands continue to be popular in the 21st century. The result is a dizzying array of options for taking water with you wherever you go.

Bottled water has become a staple of American life, and many people will drink nothing but. Granted, the quality of tap water in the United States varies greatly by geographic area. Those individuals lucky enough to live in the Pacific Northwest, for example, are able to drink runoff water from the Cascade Mountains. This water is “soft,” meaning that it contains few or no minerals. As a result, the water from these mountains has a clear, light taste. Unfortunately, not everyone lives next door to a mountain range. Some areas of the country, such as Texas, often have “hard” water, or water with a high mineral content. Although hard water has not been proven to be detrimental to human health, it undeniably tastes a bit odd. As a result, many people in such areas prefer bottled water, and who can blame them?

When it comes to water bottles, the simplest option is to reuse the plastic bottles of bottled water. As previously mentioned, many people already purchase bottled water. It is offered by numerous brand names, including Kirkland, Fuji, Crystal Geyser, Pellegrino and many others. The bottles of any brand can be reused innumerable times, creating an instant water bottle. This approach works well in locations with drinkable tap water, but may not appeal to those in certain geographic areas. Also, it should be noted that it is difficult to effectively clean the bottles of bottled water. If they are not thoroughly cleaned with soap and water, bacteria can form and sicken the drinker.

Beyond the option of reusing plastic bottles, there is the option of the manufactured water bottle. These come in a plethora of styles, designs and colors, and they can cost anywhere from $5 to $30. Manufactured water bottles fall into two main categories: plastic and metal. For the past decade or so, the Nalgene water bottle has reigned supreme. This bottle comes in a variety of colors and has a large mouth, making it easy to fill and clean. The plastic loop connecting the lid to the bottle makes it popular with hikers, as it can be used to attach the bottle to a backpack. Other manufacturers of plastic water bottles include CamelBak, SIGG and Klean Kanteen.

However, the past year or two has seen a drop in the popularity of the Nalgene bottles. Some recent studies have shown that the plastic used to make these bottles may be toxic. Although there is, as yet, no consensus on this point, some people have decided that discretion is the better part of valor and traded in their plastic water bottles for metal models.

Metal water bottles have the advantage of being quite durable, and they are generally considered safe from the toxic risks of bpa plastic counterparts.

By: Victor Epand

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Victor Epand is an expert consultant for sweatpants, sweatshirts, outdoor gear, sports clothing, and model motorcycles. Click here when you want to find sweatpants, sweatshirts, outdoor gear, water bottles, and model motorcycles.

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