Color my world with a Nalgene.
Written: Mar 18 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Durable, won't stain, doesn't leave odors, cute colors.
Cons: You may not like the cap. Wide body.
The Bottom Line: I like my Nalgene and don't regret buying it. It doesn't leak and that alone is enough for me.
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| jo.com's Full Review: Nalgene 32 ounce Color Water Bottle |
I finally bought a Nalgene Water Bottle. Last spring I bought one for my daughter and wanted one myself. I’m not sure why. I have dozens of bottles already. Right after that my other daughter wanted one but she didn’t want to be like every one else so she bought one by Eddie Bauer.
Not too long ago we were shopping and she mentioned to me that her Eddie Bauer bottle leaked! We happened to be in Eastern Mountain Sports and both bought the 32-ounce Nalgene narrow mouthed bottles. They are identical to the wide mouth and on the site seem to be interchangeable. The obvious difference is that this mouth measures one inch across. The wide mouth seemed to need a straw in order to drink from it.
About my Nalgene:
It is made with Lexan. Lexan (Polycarbonate). “Lexin resin is the world's foremost engineering thermoplastic. One of the toughest and most versatile polymers, its unique combination of features is used to add high quality and high performance to thousands of products.” http://www.gelexan.com/gelexan/ (Please see below for some controversy about polycarbonates)
The bottles are extremely durable. Although I haven’t had mine as long as my daughter who has had it almost a year, the plastic is extremely hard, yet won’t break if it falls. Nalgene claims that they are resistant to staining. I have been using my Nalgene for a liquid that is green and there is no residue or staining. I know others who have put juices and powders in theirs with no adverse affects. They claim not to retain odors. That is 100% accurate. My SuperGreens have a fairly strong odor. Washing my bottle with soap and water only removes any remnant of the green tea smell of my SuperGreens. They are dishwasher safe – on the top rack so you don’t have to worry about not being able to disinfect yours as you do with sports bottles that come with water in it. Many people repeatedly refill those. I think you can a few times but after that for your own health sake I would throw it away.
The Nalgene bottles are fine in temperatures as cold as 211 degrees F – 275 degrees F. Although I am never in that type of temperature, my car may heat up to that and it is good to know that it won’t crack if I forget it in our Massachusetts' winters or the heat of the esert.
The Nalgene bottles are for liquids only. The colors are gray, clear, violet, red, blue and green. We both bought the green bottle. The top is made of black plastic. It loops around the neck of the bottle and the cap twists on and off. These can break but you can buy replacement covers.
On the front of my Nalgene bottle there is the logo. On the back there is an approximate measure of volume. There is a measure in ounces on one side and on the other in liters. It holds 32 ounces. It starts at 4 ounces. The ounce lines are every 2 ounces but the number of the ounces is shown every 4, so we see, 4, 8, 12, 16, etc. with lines between them and no numbers.
The lines are very easy to see. Unlike my plastic measuring cup, which I have to hold up to, the light to see the lines this is extremely visible and easy to see.
I’ve been thinking about the cons and who would and would not like it. If you love drinking out of a sports bottle with a top that pulls out and pushes in, you won’t get that with the Nalgene. If you like some of the styles of Rubbermaid bottles – either with straws, straw type tops or flip tops, this is different. It isn’t as easy to open and close. I can twist the cap with one hand but unlike the sports bottles I can’t pull the top out with my teeth and unlike the Rubbermaid I can’t close it with a pinch of my finger. That’s not a problem for me.
When I bring it to the gym or am riding my bike, the top is always closed no matter what bottle I take. If it is just sitting next to me as it is now, the top can be open because I’m not afraid that I will tip it over. That, though, is one negative about the Nalgene bottles.
You may end up keeping the cap off for long periods of time. I don’t think any radioactive particles will be getting into your water or drink but in case you do, this may not be for you.
It is for someone who is active because it is so durable. I can attest to the fact that my Rubbermaid bottles, as well as they hold up, leak. No matter which one I use I have to make sure to stand it up in my gym bag. I haven’t experienced any leakage with my Nalgene and that is crucial for me. I also like the colors, which may be one reason these caught on like they did
Another negative, though Nalgene has come out with easier grip bottles, is that these are very smooth which can make them not as easy to hold as some other bottles. Remember, though, that it has the "handle" which makes it extremely easy to hold. It measures 9” high and about 4” wide. I just measured one of my other bottles and it measures 3" so for some that may make a difference. One last negative is that it will not fit in many cupholders. It is just too wide.
Jo’s final thoughts:
Although I hemmed and hawed about spending $8.00 on a bottle, I am glad I did. My Nalgene has worked well for me. I can hold it by the loop that connects the loop around the neck to the cap or just carry it. This is not a perfect product. I really like many of its features. I like that it doesn’t leak, retain odors and is durable. Since the plastic tops can be bought separately don't hesitate holding it by the loop. I often do that and it remedies the width of the bottle. I am sure that's the intention of this loop! Does it have more pros than cons? For me it does and I would recommend it as long as you now know what you will be getting if you choose the 32-ounce narrow mouth colored Nalgene.
Feel free to leave a question or comment.
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http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/technical/letter.html
NALGENE responds to Sierra Magazine
To our customers,
Recently, statements have surfaced indicating that bottles made of polycarbonate may be at the root of certain health related issues.
This concern stems from a 1998 study conducted by Dr. Patricia Hunt of Case Western Reserve University, which reported the effects on chromosome numbers in mouse oocytes (eggs) from exposure to bisphenol-A (BPA), a building block of epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics. Dr. Hunt has asserted that the plastics industry is critical of her study because it was conducted with rodents, not humans. However, we feel that the more important issue is that Dr. Hunt's findings are limited to cellular effects seen in individual mouse eggs and that she has reported no effects from BPA exposure in terms of fertility rates, growth and development, or health of the organism as a whole. In fact, earlier studies specifically directed to analysis of the effects of BPA on reproductive health or developmental effects at levels later reported in the Hunt study found no connection between BPA exposure and reproductive or developmental problems in the organism. These studies include one by Research Triangle Institute that examined three generations of rodents exposed to BPA and another study by the Japanese National Institute of Health Sciences that monitored two generations.
Polycarbonate like that used in Nalgene bottles has been studied, tested and safely used for more than 40 years in products for human consumption. In fact, use of polycarbonate is approved as safe for products that come in contact with food, including baby bottles, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Union Scientific Committee on Food, the Japanese Ministry for Health, Labor and Welfare, and other international regulatory agencies.
Government agencies worldwide have spent over four decades researching the effects of bisphenol A and have found that BPA in plastic does not pose a risk to consumers or to the environment.
Unfortunately, many of the stories regarding the Hunt study contain speculation on health effects that reach far beyond the actual findings of the study. Contrary to what has been reported about the results of the Hunt Study, the weight of scientific evidence shows there is no basis for health concerns from exposure to low levels of BPA.
Based on the overwhelming amount of data and research that has been conducted on this matter, Nalgene is confident in offering the most versatile, reusable, environmentally friendly bottle available. NALGENE bottles are not only taste free and safe, but also virtually indestructible - qualities that combine to make Nalgene the most popular bottle available in the outdoor marketplace.
Recommended:
Yes
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