Metal is Actual: tiibo Stainless Metal Insulated Water Bottle Overview

Chrome steel water bottles are rising in quantity and recognition, and for good motive. Not solely are they sturdy, however they’re additionally straightforward to wash, don’t retain funk and flavors, and are theoretically more healthy and extra environmentally pleasant than plastic. Plus, the insulated ones will hold your drinks colder for longer in scorching climate. 

Plastic insulated bottles are nonetheless extra quite a few, cheaper, and lighter weight, however chrome steel has its benefits. There’s no scarcity of chrome steel bottles to select from lately, with manufacturers like Bivo and Camelbak main the cost. The upstart model, tiibo, lately got here out with its first chrome steel insulated bottles, and I acquired my palms on one to see the way it performs. 

I’ve been utilizing the 17-ounce tiibo vacuum-insulated chrome steel biking bottle for the previous couple of weeks. It’s a water bottle, so there actually isn’t all that a lot to it, however I’ve been impressed by its means to maintain my water chilly in scorching temperatures, the shortage of taste/funk retention, and fashionable seems — I’m a giant fan of brushed metallic finishes. It has some very minor drawbacks, however it shares these with comparable merchandise, and it beats most of these barely on value.

Biking water bottles are a dime a dozen. If, like me, you do a couple of races and occasions yearly, you’ve in all probability acquired extra water bottles than you would probably ever use in a lifetime. It is smart. They’re among the most inexpensive swag to slap your model or occasion title on. However at this level, they’ve primarily develop into disposable, which is unlucky given that almost all of them are product of plastic.

However past having too a lot of them in my cupboard, I don’t usually give water bottles that a lot thought. I put water in them, drink it, wash them, and that’s about it. Nonetheless, I can’t deny that my on-bike fluid consumption expertise could possibly be higher. On scorching days, my water is often fairly heat by the point I drink it, and it nearly at all times tastes a little bit bit like previous plastic or the electrolyte combine I used on the final trip.

tiibo Stainless Metal Insulated Water Bottle Particulars

The tiibo model is comparatively new, and its product line consists of simply two sizes of the Stainless Metal Insulated Water Bottle. They arrive in 17 and 23-ounce sizes, with each made particularly for biking and formed to suit into bottle cages. Whatever the dimension/quantity, tiibo’s insulated bottles are made with “food-grade 304 chrome steel” with a double-wall vacuum-insulated design.

The lid is made out of BPA polypropylene (food-grade plastic), and the nozzle and air-exchange tube are made out of food-grade silicon. Provided that it’s an insulated chrome steel bottle, you possibly can’t squeeze it, so the nozzle has an air-vent system, and the “excessive circulation price presents a gentle circulation with out leaks or fuss.” The opening of the bottle is comparatively giant, making it straightforward to fill with ice cubes or attain inside with a sponge or bottle brush. The model additionally says it’s top-rack dishwasher secure for simple cleansing. 

My 17-ounce bottle measures 9.6 inches tall and a pair of.9 inches in diameter (24.3 cm x 7.4 cm). On my scale, it weighs 250 grams, which is precisely what the model claims. I don’t have the 23-ounce dimension to measure and weigh, however tiibo says it’s 11 inches tall, 2.9 inches in diameter, and weighs 320 grams.

Utilizing the tiibo Insulated Water Bottle

Reviewing a product so simple as a bottle is, actually, nearly tougher than full bikes or parts which can be way more advanced. There simply isn’t all that a lot to say about one thing that does precisely what it claims to do. However, I’ll do my finest to say greater than — it really works.

The tiibo bottle is simple to fill. With the lid eliminated, the opening is kind of giant, and you’ll stuff this factor to the highest with ice cubes and prime it off with water shortly and simply. Simply thread the lid again on and also you’re good to go — simply don’t crank it as tight as doable (extra on that beneath). In my expertise, the lid doesn’t leak, nor does the nozzle, assuming it’s closed. With the nozzle open, the air-vent design permits for water to circulation freely, and the circulation is satisfactorily quick. You’ll be able to’t squeeze the bottle, clearly, so that you simply tip it again and let it circulation. It really works effectively and is tremendous straightforward to drink from.

The tiibo bottles are designed for biking and have a form supposed to work with most traditional bottle cages. I take advantage of Specialised Z cages nearly solely, and I used to be completely satisfied to find that it match completely in all the cages on my bikes. I’ve additionally acquired one random Lezyne Movement Cage SL, and it additionally settles properly into that one, too. In all of these cages, it has been very steady and safe, doesn’t rattle, and hasn’t ejected unexpectedly but.

The model claims that the bottles will hold drinks ice chilly for 12+ hours. That definitely sounds spectacular and is on par with Bivo’s claimed 12+ hour ice retention. It’s good to know that they’re designed to maintain water chilly for that lengthy, however realistically, I don’t assume I’d actually ever have to hold my water ice chilly for greater than 4 hours or so. 

To check this, I crammed my bottle with ice, topped it off with water, then left it in my truck on a scorching day. I reside within the excessive desert in northern Nevada, and I’ve a black pickup truck. It will get actually scorching in there. Three hours within the truck, and the bottle was nonetheless holding ice, and the water was icy chilly. Three hours later, and I used to be nonetheless sipping ice-cold water with chunks of ice nonetheless within the bottle. That’s greater than adequate for me, and for many different individuals, I think. 

I’ve to imagine that this bottle may additionally do the identical for heat drinks. The model strongly warns in opposition to utilizing the nozzle with HOT liquids, as I’m certain that’s a lawsuit ready to occur, however I may positively see it conserving your water heat on frigid winter rides.

The bottle itself is tremendous straightforward to wash, however I used to be initially a little bit cautious that the lid/nozzle/air vent system can be more difficult. Seems, it’s fairly straightforward, because the air vent tube simply pops off, and the nozzle may also be faraway from the plastic lid. Must you ever injury or lose your lid, the model sells replacements for $12.95.

What’s To not Like?

After my first use of the bottle, I found its solely actual quirk. I actually cranked down on the lid to get it tight and ensure it didn’t leak. Once I went to take away the lid, it was not solely a bit cussed to unscrew, however the skinny fringe of the lid doesn’t supply the biggest space to grip when attempting to loosen it. I’ve since realized that you just don’t have to get the lid as tight as doable. It nonetheless doesn’t leak, and it has been a lot simpler to take away.

My solely different complaints aren’t distinctive to the tiibo — they’re shared by any insulated chrome steel bottle — however they’re notable nonetheless. First, the double-walled insulated design reduces water storage quantity, so the bottles carry much less water than their dimension could counsel. This bottle is noticeably bigger than a 22-ounce plastic bottle, and it holds 5 ounces much less water. The tradeoff is that it additionally retains your water chilly, in order that’s the worth you must pay. My major concern is that the elevated dimension of the bottles could restrict fitment on some bikes. Most street, gravel, and touring bikes will probably be positive, however it could possibly be harder to suit on some full suspension mountain bike frames.

Second, at 250 grams, this bottle is sort of heavy. In reality, its over thrice the load of a 22-ounce plastic bottle and greater than double that of a plastic insulated bottle. Once more, that’s not distinctive to the Tiibo; that’s simply what chrome steel insulated bottles weigh. Weight-conscious riders will clearly need to look elsewhere, and it’s definitely not my suggestion for race day — except chilly water is extra essential than weight financial savings.

Worth

Chrome steel insulated bottles are pricier than these product of plastic — that’s to be anticipated. Nonetheless, the tiibo bottles are priced competitively in opposition to comparable choices from Bivo and Camelbak. At $35 for the 17-ounce dimension, tiibo undercuts the worth of Bivo’s 17-ounce insulated bottle by $9 and Camelbak’s Podium Metal 18-ounce by $4 (in most coloration choices). I haven’t used both of these bottles, so I can’t say in the event that they’re price a bit extra, however the tiibo strikes me as a strong worth, regardless.

And whereas the tiibo and comparable chrome steel bottles could value greater than plastic choices, they need to even be far more sturdy. In idea, they need to final for years, and in doing so, prevent cash over time and scale back plastic waste.

tiibo Stainless Metal Insulated Water Bottle: My Takeaway

Till lately, I principally simply accepted the truth that my water can be heat or scorching by the point I drank it. I didn’t actually assume that conserving my water ice chilly for hours on a scorching bike trip was actually doable, and, due to this fact, I didn’t actually care. Given my overabundance of water bottles and different hydration methods, I’ve additionally been very reluctant to buy any bottles to strive them out (does anybody want plastic water bottles? I’m giving them away…).

However right here I’m, writing in all probability 2,000 phrases about a chrome steel insulated water bottle. This factor works, and it really works effectively. It seems nice, suits my bottle cages, is simple to drink from, and retains my water chilly for longer than I really need. Positive, it’s comparatively heavy, however except I’m racing, that doesn’t actually matter. I recognize that it’s extra sustainable and extra sturdy than plastic, and it’s a bit extra inexpensive than its direct opponents, too.

At the moment, tiibo solely sells its bottles on to the buyer by way of its web site. You’ll be able to be taught extra on the hyperlink beneath.

tiibo.com