Ultimate Direction FastDraw

I don't recommend holding a water bottle to carry it (you should carry it on your waist), but if that's your habit, the FastDraw is useful. Ultimate Direction water bottles are especially durable and leakproof, and the new design with the Kicker Valve improves on them further - it's hard to get a drip out of them, but easy to fill them with water and ice cubes. FastDraw comes in varieties designed for your MP3 Player, a gel pack, or just carrying along as you walk or run.

Ultimate Direction's water bottles are the best. To open the Kicker Valve, pull up the red silicone mouthpiece. To drink, bite it to open up the x-cut and squeeze the bottle. Kick the valve to one side to seal it. The bottle also has finger grooves for better grip and a big finger loop for easy grabbing or hanging from a strap or carabiner. I found it hard to get it to drip even without the kicker valve closed. The wide mouth makes it easy to fill with ice cubes as well as water.

Carrying Your Water Bottle in Your Hand

I don't recommend carrying your water bottle in your hand, as it can lead to poor walking form and strain your shoulders, elbows, or wrist. But I know many of you routinely just grab a water bottle and head out the door. With the FastDraw you don't have to grip the bottle - gripping can raise your blood pressure. You can carry it loosely, cinching in the mesh strap. The strap also is reflective for extra safety. These elements make the FastDraw a much better solution than gripping a bottle in your hand. I'd still prefer you to wear a water-carrier waistpack for better walking form.

Carrying Essentials

The Groove version has a neoprene pocket for your MP3 Player, which also could hold a cell phone or just your keys. The Gel version has a small gel flask. The Plus version has a small zippered mesh pocket for keys or other tiny essentials. The Extreme version has an insulated water bottle.