A while back, I’d say late last year, everyone was talking about how bottles that had BPA were no longer accepted when it came to water bottles.  At the time Nalgene had to take a hit over that, as most all of their bottles contained what nobody wanted.  From there, Sigg was selling out and you most of their bottles were not available.  But that is not the case now.  Sigg has a decent selection out now, and even though they start around $18, I think it’s well worth it if you are going to be traveling and dislike trashing plastic every day.

A couple bits of news from Nalgene. The first is that they decided to slowly halt production on their original polycarbonate bottles that they’ve been making for years due to the BPA scare. The second is that they teamed up with Brita and FilterForGood.com. Another one of those silly “green” marketing things. Attempting to reduce water bottle waste…by…purchasing…a new “reusable” water bottle. If you can’t tell, I’m just sick of corporations using the green thing to brand their products. I’ve got nothing against environmentalism.

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The way I see it…there are two choices for packing the liquid. Cheap bottle vs. Nalgene bottle. Where you will be traveling is also something to consider….does your destination have potable water (okay to drink) or non-potable (drink at your own risk). Most of the time you visit a third world country, there is no need to carry a Nalgene bottle since you will need to buy it bottled anyways. But a reusable Nalgene bottle can come in handy when you have access to good water and a hostel refrigerator.

Bottled water. Be aware that water manufacturers make water with and without carbonation….I hate carbonation, and about gagged when I accidentally purchased it. Look for Sin Carbonacion (Without Carbonation) if you want “regular” drinking water.

Why Nalgene? Simple. They are head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to providing a durable plastic easy access bottle that does not have any effect on the taste of the liquid. Plus….they make a flask….that should say enough. If you are interested in learning more about Nalgene…here is their site.

Water Bottle Tips:
Airlines will not allow any liquids to be carried through security, so start off with an empty bottle and find a water fountain while you’re waiting for the plane.

Look for flavor packets or “On the Go Packets” if you want to actually get some taste to your agua (that’s Spanish for water;). Crystal Light makes some as does Water Sensations. I have seen these available overseas, but not that often.

Most Nalgene bottles have a loop or eye that you can use to attach to your pack, but if you want to get a handle on a regular bottle, use some small 2 or 3 mm perlon cord to tie around the neck of the bottle using it as a strap. The cord also allows you to reuse it for the next bottle. All in all, this cord comes in handy for many things.