TEST: Insulated water bottles

[ActiveMSers]

I've been testing the insulated and *squeezable* water bottles from Polar Bottle (available direct or through Amazon) and the insulated stainless steel water bottle from Contigo. Both get high marks.

Polar Bottles claim to keep liquid cold twice as long as a regular water bottle. Does it really? Yes, and perhaps a bit longer.

For my recent bike rides in 100-degree temps, the water bottle performed flawlessly. My ice usually melts in under an hour, but on a 2-hour ride my water was still icy. I did not pre-freeze the water bottle halfway (as recommended by the manufacturer), I just filled the water bottle with ice and then added cold water. Highly recommended.

http://polarbottle.com/



For around the home and in the car, my go-to is the Contigo Fit Chill. It is so well insulated, cold water will stay cold for hours. Not just cold, icy. And not just for a few hours, for many, many hours, easily 8+. I can leave my water bottle in a hot car all afternoon and it will still be chilly. Again, highly recommended.

http://www.gocontigo.com/20-oz-fit-a...er-bottle.html

[ActiveMSers]

For a good idea of how well-insulated the Fit stainless steel water bottle is, I filled it with ice water and 15 hours later it was still icy. And it was nowhere near full of ice when it started. If I had done that, I'd guess 24 hours plus. But that said, if you haven't had water in 24 hours, uh, you are not drinking enough fluids.