Durable water bottle - which material to choose?

Have you decided to get a reusable water bottle, but are you hesitant about which material to choose? The following lines will clarify the pros and cons of each type of material.

Plastic bottles

Plastic bottles are produced in all sorts of colors, shapes, and volumes, from squeezable cycling bottles to bottles made of very durable plastic, such as those offered by the Nalgene brand.

When it comes to weight, plastic is the clear winner. It is by far the lightest material for making water bottles. An empty 1-liter plastic bottle weighs only about 170 g, so you are essentially only carrying the weight of the liquid. This is especially useful for longer trips where you are concerned about every extra gram of weight you have to carry on your back.

Plastic also wins in the price category – the cheapest bottles on the market are made of it. They are also usually very resistant to breakage, which makes them suitable for children.

They are also very easy to clean – they are usually dishwasher safe. However, they are generally not suitable for hot drinks or for heating in a microwave, but some brands offer models that are resistant to high or low temperatures – for example, the Wide mouth model from the aforementioned Nalgene brand. Plastic bottles also lack an insulation layer, so they cannot keep a drink hot or cold for long. This can be solved to some extent by purchasing an insulating sleeve.

Is plastic a trap?

However, plastic bottles arouse distrust in many people. Until recently, Bisphenol A, an organic compound that disrupts hormonal levels in the body and is thus harmful to health, was a common component of plastics used to make bottles. Many manufacturers quickly reacted to reports of the harmfulness of BPA and adjusted their production processes so that their bottles no longer contain this substance, and they boast the BPA Free label. However, the debate about the harmfulness of substances used in plastic production is still open.

Last but not least, it is necessary to consider the impact on the environment – even though by purchasing a reusable plastic bottle you significantly reduce the amount of waste produced, once the bottle reaches the end of its life, you are left with a piece of plastic that will decompose for thousands of years. Not every plastic can be recycled, and they cannot be recycled indefinitely. Compared to buying disposable PET bottles every day, however, it is clearly a step forward.

In our assortment, you will find plastic bottles from brands such as Nalgene, Camelbak, Hydrapak, and others that bear the BPA Free label.

Tip: Check out a thorough comparison of our bestsellers in this category.

Metal bottles

They are mostly made of certified stainless steel in various volumes and color variants. They are a great alternative to plastic bottles if you are concerned about harmful substances and production processes related to plastic – there are no known problems with the harmfulness of stainless steel, which is why it is widely used for medical purposes, for example.

They are also not heavy – the weight of a 1-liter stainless steel bottle is just over 350 grams.

Many stainless steel bottle models have an insulation layer, which adds weight but keeps your drink hot or cold for long hours. Insulating sleeves can often be purchased for models without an insulation layer.

Stainless steel bottle = hands of steel?

A stainless steel bottle is not a good choice in warmer climates – generally, metal heats up faster than plastic, especially if you expose the bottle to direct sunlight. It is also not suitable to pour hot drinks into stainless steel bottles without an insulation layer – the bottle will heat up and you could get unpleasantly scalded.

Most models are not dishwasher safe. Another disadvantage can be a faint metallic aftertaste that the bottle can impart to your drink. Some people don't notice it, but more sensitive individuals might. Over time, it can also take on the taste of some stronger drinks, which you will then notice with every sip of, for example, water.

In our assortment, look for metal bottles from brands such as Mizu, Salewa, Nalgene, and others.

Glass bottles

For many people, glass is synonymous with purity, and they say that water tastes best from glass. It is a material that does not absorb tastes or odors and is also health-safe.

Glass bottles are mostly made of clear borosilicate glass (do you remember Pyrex heat-resistant glass from chemistry class?), which perfectly resists various temperatures and thermal shocks, and is stronger and lighter than ordinary glass. To some extent, it can also maintain the temperature of your drink.

Furthermore, the bottles are often equipped with various silicone sleeves, which ensure that the bottle is easier to hold and does not slip in your hand, and also provide additional protection against breakage. Nevertheless, it is necessary to handle the bottle carefully, and for that reason, it is not suitable for children.

Glass is a bit heavy

Glass bottles are heavier than their plastic and metal counterparts: an empty half-liter glass bottle weighs about the same as a one-liter metal bottle (i.e., around 360 to 380 grams). The purchase price is also higher than for other materials, but in the end, the investment in a reusable bottle will save you a much higher amount.

If you decide to buy a glass water bottle, pay special attention to its cap. Many bottles have plastic caps and mouthpieces. If you want to avoid plastics, there are also bottles on the market with stainless steel and silicone lids. However, be careful with caps that do not have a thread but are just push-on – they are known to leak and can cause quite a mess in your handbag or backpack.

Unfortunately, borosilicate glass is not commonly recycled, and for this reason, it does not belong in the green container. However, it is possible to take a broken bottle to a collection center and emphasize that it is heat-resistant glass.

Further tips on how to choose the right bottle for you can be found in our advice section.

Author of the introductory photo: David Stejskal