I’ve decided to re-post this gem, originally posted on the site in March 2010, for a couple of reasons. The first, last night I suffered from a bit of writer’s block and the pressure was applied by a certain someone to finish with enough time to watch the season finale of Glee (yes I said it). Second many of you have come to rely on the mini cups we have out by the water cooler as your means of hydration barely getting what amounts to a shot of water each time you refill the cup. If this is you, you may want to consider investing in a water bottle and you can read on to get a few nuggets of information on what to look for in a reusable water bottle. Keeping a water bottle with you throughout the day can also help keep you properly hydrated before you arrive for your workout helping maximize your workout performance, so you’re not trying to make up any deficit when it’s already too late.

Let’s discuss water bottles, shall we?  A recent Mark’s Daily Apple post paired with my dissatisfaction with my current water bottle inspired this post.  I decided that moving away from bottled water was not only better for the environment, but it was easier on my cash flow and I honestly couldn’t tell the difference between the bottled water and tap water run through a Brita or Pur filter.

I experimented first by buying a bottle of bottled water and would just refill it with tap or filtered water throughout the day.  This method was good because I had a bad habit of losing water bottles all the time so I was only out the $1 or so it cost to purchase the bottle.  The downside, however, is that I was adding to amount of plastic needed to be recycled, I was exposing myself to a possible BPA threat (see previous post to learn more on BPA), and after only a few days the bottle began to smell because bacteria would cultivate in the residual saliva around the top and I’d be forced to either clean or replace the bottle.

My Mom then got Ruth and I the Kleen Kanteen (pictured above).  It is a stainless steel bottle which is the heaviest water bottle option, but is the most durable and safest in terms of not having to worry about BPA leeching into your water.  I loved my Kleen Kanteen but like so many water bottles before it, it was lost.

I then reverted back to reusing the plastic bottled water bottles or bumming off of Ruth’s Kleen Kanteen until, at Christmas, I received an Aluminum water bottle from my brother.  He knew I had lost my other bottle and was thoughtful enough to get me a new one.  It has been working pretty well for me since.  It’s light, pretty durable but it is not without its drawbacks.  First, Mark Sisson commented (in the post linked above) that aluminum bottles are somewhat of a toss up on the presence of BPA.  Some of the more reputable brands of aluminum bottles have claimed to have gone BPA-free in 2009 but the older bottles and those from smaller brands are likely to still contain BPA in the inner lining of the bottles.  Also, Mark notes that if you put a liquid that is somewhat acidic, like lemonade or orange juice, it causes the aluminum itself to leech into the liquid.  On another note, the paint around the top of my current aluminum bottle (where I put my mouth when drinking) appears to be flaking away and it’s highly possible I’ve ingested a small amount of paint in the few months I’ve used the bottle (no way that’s Paleo!).

Another option of water bottle is the Polycarbonate bottle.  This plastic bottle is touted to be nearly indestructible and comes in all sorts of cool shapes and colors.  Like the aluminum bottles, however, it is highly likely to contain BPA.  I’m even skeptical of the BPA-free bottles and feel there are better options available.

In conclusion, the preferred water bottle option is stainless steel.  It is the most durable, undeniably BPA-free, and a quality bottle runs you about as much as 10 1-Liter plastic bottled water bottles (I’ve done the math ).  Kleen Kanteen is my recommendation for a stainless steel water bottle based on personal experience and on reading I’ve done.  You can order them through their website and I’ve also seen them available for purchase at REI.  Stay hydrated in a way that’s good for the environment and for your health.

WOD 05.25.11

Deadlift

“DT”
5 Rounds for Time:
12 Deadlifts
9 Hang Power Cleans
6 Power Jerks

In honor of USAF SSgt Timothy P. Davis, 28, who was killed on Feburary, 20 2009 supporting operations in OEF when his vehicle was struck by an IED. Timothy is survived by his wife Megan and one-year old son T.J.