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Backpacker Magazine – June 2008

Green Scene: BPA-Free Water Bottles

Lighten your planetary load, water bottle style, with these BPA-free water bottle alternatives.

by: The Backpacker Editors

Courtesy CamelBak

There's been much debate lately about the health risks of BPA–a chemical commonly used to make polycarbonate (hard, clear plastic usually labeled #7/PC) water bottles–but no verdict. While scientists continue to study the issue, some hikers are trading in their old bottles without waiting for the results. Here are five BPA-free alternatives.

Material	Who's Using It	Comments
HDPE, LDPE (labeled: #2 or #4)	Most companies that make squishy bike-style bottles	Usually opaque, usually imparts a bit of plastic taste
Tritan	CamelBak and Nalgene, among others	Same performance as polycarbonate; slightly more expensive
Stainless Steel	Guyot Designs, Klean Kanteen, and others	Durable and taste-free; heavier and more expensive than plastic
Aluminum	Sigg, Laken, and other brands	Lightweight, taste-free with food-safe lining; pricier than plastic
PET (PETE) (labeled: #1)	Plastic used in most soda and convenience-store water bottles	Cheap and light, but not durable

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READERS COMMENTS

I use both SIGG and Klean Kanteens, bother are great. The Klean Kanteen is a little more durable and the mouth is wider and easier to add ice to it. I still like the SIGG as well, the top seals better and mine has a nice carry case to hook on a pack. Can't say anything bad about either.
Posted: Aug 27, 2008 David from Smallville

Just started using one of the new Tritan bottles by Nalgene and it seems to work exactly the same great way as the older Nalgenes--no plastic taste, seems to be durable so far. Had a friend who had problems like already described with the Camelback bottles with a spout. Others have done better with the spoutless top.
Posted: Aug 18, 2008 Dave in Colorado

I was Sigg before Sigg was cool. I've carried them for twenty years and they are fantastic. They dent but are durable beyond belief and tend not to acquire tastes, although it did take a few fillings to for one bottle to forget the JD it had carried. Now I have one smaller bottled dedicated to such indulgences--so no problem.
Posted: Aug 15, 2008 Marty in Montana

Dick's Sporting Goods just picked up Sigg bottles. I've used them for years and love them! However, was very sadden by this news, and having to give up my beloved Nalgene bottle...we'd been through so much together!
Posted: Aug 14, 2008 Chris

I'll vouch for the Sigg bottles, they're awesome. Just make sure that you opt for the liter bottle (as opposed to the 20oz), and make sure it comes with the screw top - the sport top is useless.
Posted: Aug 11, 2008 Brian

Camelbak makes some bottles without the spout, they hold up better.
Posted: Aug 10, 2008 Anonymous

I just spent a month out in the northern talkeetnas, AK and this camel back bottle did not live up to the terrain. With in the first week the top of this bottle was broken. Good bottle, just get a new top if you plan on putting any real use on it.

Posted: Jul 17, 2008 Zach

Yeah, but how much do they weigh?
Posted: Jul 12, 2008 Jimbob

Check out this bottle made out of the same Tritan material as Camelbak and Nalgene: the Titan water bottle.

www.titanwaterbottle.cmo

http://best.waterbottle.ever.com/
Posted: Jul 03, 2008 Billy