Camelbak Podium Ice Bottle

Water stays cooler longer in this high tech insulated sports water bottle. Camelbak claims it stays cool four times longer than regular bottles and twice as long as other insulated bottles, all without adding any weight or bulk. But I best appreciate Jet Valve that self-closes after you take a drink, plus the positive lockoff switch to ensure it doesn't leak. The bottle is BPA-free and touts being "taste-free."

Keeping cold drinks cold and warm drinks warm usually isn't a feature for a sports water bottle after the first 20 minutes or so. But the Podium Ice bottle uses a Zeroloft aerogel coating to provide insulation without adding bulk or weight. I thought it did the job as advertised. The wide mouth of the bottle allows you to add ice cubes.

My biggest gripe with cheap water bottles is leakage. The Jet Valve prevents leakage while you are walking and the bottle is mostly upright. You can twist a seal to Open or Closed for extra leakage protection when storing the bottle or carrying it in a tilted position.

I also found it easy to drink from. Because you shouldn't have to lock off the valve during your walk or bike, it is easy to grab this bottle and drink without unscrewing something or popping up the top. The bottle also squeezes easily.

The bottle is a 21-ounce size and fits into standard bottle holders on bikes and packs.

I don't recommend carrying bottles in your hands while walking, but the insulation on the Podium Ice bottle makes that more comfortable and helps keep your hands from warming up the water inside.

I also appreciate that this bottle truly is taste-free. I just can't get used to the metallic taste in some of the metal water bottles. They recommend handwashing this bottle.

Many walkers are concerned over reports that damaged clear polycarbonate water bottles might leach bisphenol A (BPA) into the water. While many research studies show the polycarbonate bottles to be safe, manufacturers are moving swiftly to provide BPA-free versions.

Many water bottles have always been BPA-free, as they are made of opaque or semi-opaque squeezable plastic rather than the rigid, clear polycarbonate. If your clear plastic water bottle has a 7 inside a triangle on the bottom, it might be polycarbonate, although it could still be BPA-free.

Camelbak Podium Ice Bottle is BPA-free.

Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.