Stay Hydrated with Hydro Flask – A Review by SWB

Couple in mountains with hydro flasks in hand

Now I know that you came to Simply Wonderful Buys to get recommendations…for shit…to buy. And I promise I’m going to get there in this article.

But first I need to tell you about something you should absolutely STOP purchasing:

Single-use plastic water bottles.

 

Womsn with straw hat drinking water from a disposable water bottle

Environmental Reasons

Plastic water bottles are incredibly bad for the environment. Consider the fact that Americans buy nearly 30 billion bottles of water every year, then ask yourself: where do all those containers go after you’ve chugged the water?

Piles and piles of empty disposable water bottles.

About 13% of these bottles reach recycling centers, and the rest will take centuries to decompose.

Health Reasons

Leaving single-use plastic water bottles in your car during hot summer weather can also pose a risk to your health. The University of Texas Medical Branch professor Cheryl Watson advises people not to drink water that’s been left in a hot car.

 

Water bottle pouring out water with BPA.

That water could be at a higher risk for bisphenol A (BPA) contamination. The BPA chemical leaches into the water faster at higher temps. If your water tastes funny, that should be your sign to stop consuming it immediately.

If you are interested in reading about home water filtration, check out Fresh and Cold! Avalon Water Dispenser Review. Fill your reusable Hydro flask with fresh and filtered water from home.

Safety Reasons

Not only are single-use water bottles bad for the environment and potentially bad for your health, but they can also start fires if left in a hot vehicle.

 

Magnifying glass starting a fire with concentrated sun rays.

 

Firefighters from Georgia’s Bainbridge Public Safety office remind their residents not to leave water bottles in their cars on hot sunny days because they become combustible. A test concluded that sunlight shining through a water bottle reached 250 degrees, much like a magnifying glass. That concentrated sunlight through the plastic will start the seat, the carpet, or anything else nearby on fire.  

 

Car Fire

Oh boy, you don’t want this to happen.  Your car will never be the same! It’s time to find an alternative.

Hydro Flask Review

Ok, science class is over. Now let’s get to the fun part where I tell you all about my very favorite reusable water bottle: the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth.

 

Girl gettimg piggy back ride with Hydro Flask in her hand.

This insulated steel water bottle has been my faithful companion on many an adventure. It’s durable and roomy enough to take on the trail yet but classy enough to bring to the office.

Insulated water bottle cut out

It’s made from food-grade stainless steel on the inside and BPA-free plastics on the outside. The double-walled, vacuum insulated and wide mouth design is super easy to clean. You don’t need a special bottle brush to get to the very bottom, just a sponge and your hand will do.

Color and Size Choices

The Hydro Flask comes in 21 super fun colors – I bought one the white one but my next one will be a fun and flashy color. You can also choose from three sizes: 18, 32 or 40 oz, and depending on your needs.

Various Hydro Flask sizesI chose the 32 oz size because it fits a large volume of iced coffee for those early mornings drives down the mountain. Or I can fill it up with enough water for an afternoon of light hiking.

 

Hydro Flask with ice

I love the wide mouth model because I like ice in my water, but sometimes home ice cubes don’t fit through the openings of other bottles. Plus, the Powder Coat material on the outside lets you get a good solid grip and prevents condensation from forming on the outside of the bottle.

Lid Choices

The Wide Mouth bottle comes with a standard twist off cap that can easily hook on to a carabiner for on-the-go adventures. But you can also purchase a lid with a straw or a flip lid that’s perfect for sipping hot beverages.

 

Various types of lids for hydro Flask

If you’re worried about scuffing or scratching, consider purchasing a silicone flex boot to protect to bottom of your bottle and keep it looking pristine.   

 

Flex Boot of Hydro Flask

The double-walled TempShield insulation keeps cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours, and hot drinks hot for up to eight hours – although my coffee has no chance of lasting that long.

Pink Flex BootBeats the Competition

What I really like about this Hydro Flask is that even in a hot car on a summer day, I can leave my hydro flask filled with cold water while I go into a store and find the water still ice cold when I return. This flask doesn’t sweat or let drinks get warm even in a steamy hot yoga class.

While my Hydro Flask has never made it to a hot yoga class (and quite frankly, neither have my yoga pants) I can attest that my vodka lemonade stayed icy cold on a 5-hour river tubing excursion. And that’s what really matters.

Couple on boat with Hydro Flask in hand

The Hydro Flask blows the competition out of the water (pun intended) when it comes to Taste Category. It did a great job at maintaining a neutral, non-metallic taste for plain water. It didn’t retain the ghosts of old smells like coffee after a simple wash. The water doesn’t taste like metal or plastic.

I can’t recommend the Hydro Flask highly enough. Having a bottle on hand that keeps my drinks cold has helped me drink the daily recommended amount of water and reduce my environmental footprint.

Cheers to reusable water bottles and building healthy habits. Get your Hydro Flask today!

 

By CJ Bentley

"Don't let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It's your place in the world; it's your life.” ~ Dr. Mae Jemison, Engineer, Physician, and NASA Astronaut

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