Reader Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5

Man, what could be simpler or cheaper than an empty plastic bottle? They're surprisingly durable and leakproof, and amazingly lightweight. Gatorade bottles specifically have ridges that make them very rigid and resistant to compression. I think mine weighs in at less than 2 oz and it was nearly free. It has lasted me 3 trips and almost 100 miles with no damage whatsoever. It has never leaked a drop and when I change elevation and then open it, it goes "whoosh"...

Edited by Guyenet on 09/07/2005 23:37:51 MDT.

Rating: 5 / 5

I have used Gatorade bottles, too, the ridges do make them strong. There is another benefit - they do not impart a "plastic" taste to the water, which I have experience with the milky white soft plastic Nalgene bottles (the worst); with the hard, clear plastic Nalgenes (not too bad, almost nonexistent with "seasoned" - older - bottles); and with hydration systems (mostly from the tubes, not the actual bags, at least when the bag is clear crinkly plastic and not the soft rubbery plastic - even the new Platy which claim to have "tasteless" tubes still have some aftertaste).

The one issue I have noted with some plastic bottles - and Gatorade with its wider mouth is a particular offender, because it's easier to cross thread - is that you have to be careful not to "cross thread" the cap (put it on crooked) or it could leak or pop off. Leakage has happened to me. If you pay attention when you replace the cap, this is never a problem.

Oh yeah - Gatorade bottles, even though they have the strenghtening ridges, are still much lighter than Nalgene bottles.

Edited by micwebbpl on 09/21/2005 12:39:51 MDT.

Rating: 5 / 5

I'll put a plug in the for the Gatorade Endurance bottles in particular. They are a little more narrow and taller than the standard squatty bottles, so they fit more easily in side pockets. 1L/34oz capacity, a wide mouth, and knobby ridges for a good grip. If you can find a squirt top to replace the screw-top, you've got it made.

Rating: 5 / 5

Interesting. In the book, The Mountaineering Handbook (McGraw-Hill 2005) there's a chapter on lightweight mountaineering and in it a large sidebar devoted to figuring out the best water container, as an example of one lightweight technique. The conclusion is that it's a sports drink bottle. Here's a partial quote of that sidebar:

"Sports drink bottles have other benefits, too: they're widely available and cost a buck or less, plus they come filled with free sugar water. A 20-ounce sports drink bottle is the ideal size for an hour's worth of water, making it easy to keep up with your hydration plan. Breaking down your water into 20-ounce containers makes packing water a little easier; the bottle is ideal for use as a pee bottle; it fits bike bottle and beer can - sized accessories, so many are available, including insulated backpack holders; it gives the mountaineer carrying it a jaunty, dirt-bag appearance; and it's made with PETE, so it doesn't retain flavors, rinses clean easily, and is readily recyclable. You can look at PET or PETE sports drink bottles as the larval form of pile jackets--they recycle into polyester, making them among the most valuable post-consumer waste. Recycling yours from time to time is a very good idea, because you're much more likely to encounter hostile microorganisms that have colonized your water bottle than from drinking untreated mountain runoff. Flexible containers like the Cantene and hydration bladders, though they do lose volume when empty, have lots of cracks and crannies that require vigorous cleaning and strong bleach or TSP treatments to fend off microcritters."

Plus, with their wide mouth it's easy to throw in snow to cool the water in your sports drink bottle.

Edited by Tumblemark on 11/09/2005 11:15:07 MST.

Rating: 5 / 5

This is a no brainer, the bottles are thicker and a little heavier than your average 24 - 32 oz but they will last a very long time, and the caps are easy to put on. And, it's not just Gatorade, several other similar sports drinks bottles have ridges in the right places where they hook into front mounted pack water bottle holders.

One concern is you do need to wash the bottles out after Gatoraid / whatever-drink well to help eliminate any sugar residue.
You can get a lighter bottle, but you can't find one that will last as long.

Rating: 5 / 5

I have yet to have one of these leak on me. They have taking over as my go to water holder since they have been out.
Platy's are just too finiky IMO.
I just wish they made one a little bigger.
2 of these and what ever size Camelbak you need make for a perfect trip.
An easy 5 stars.

Edited by awsorensen on 01/27/2007 23:34:14 MST.

Rating: 5 / 5

I use a cozy made out of CCF pad so that I can shake my hot beverages.

The mouth is just wide enough to allow drink mixes to be added without spilling.

They fit in a normal bike bottle holster.

They can be attached to the pack shoulder straps with shock cord and a cord lock.

I drilled a hole in a spare cap sized to fit my filter output hose. Makes it easy to pump directly into the bottle.

Available anywhere for a good price.

The only down side is they are easy to cross thread.

Rating: 5 / 5

I have brought a Gatorade bottle on every hike that I have done. How more simple can it be. Great price!!

Very tough and durable.

Great for filling up your 2L Platypus at stream or lake.

I did the JMT with one bottle.

Easy to store do to its size in the sides of your pack.

Reusable!!

Recyclable!!

Lightweight at 1.5oz.

Holds enough water to get through the night if you are using your Platypus as a pillow. Oh yea you get to start your hike out with a good-replenishing drink. A great addition to any backpack system. Highly Recommended!!


I HAVE NOT POSTED A REVIEW OF THIS PRODUCT!!!!!!! THAT MESSAGE KEEPS COMING UP!!!!!! WHY???????????

Edited by Creachen on 12/21/2008 00:50:58 MST.

Rating: 4 / 5

Works great. I would replace mine every trip when I still used them, but they probably could last longer than that.

One con is that after a couple uses, it leaves a plasticy taste.

Good alternative to the ‘expensive’ Platypus bottles.

Edited by edude on 03/02/2009 21:37:00 MST.

Rating: 4 / 5

On problem with sports drink(Gatorade) bottles is that the cap is made out of a different more brittle material. I have experienced the caps breaking many times from being dropped when full of water.

The bottles themselves are very durable though.

They are slightly heavier than your standard soda bottle of the same capacity.