Kleen Kanteen Flip D-Ring Cap

Concept: 2 out of 5
Execution: 2 out of 5
Yeah, but: Who doesn't love carabiners?

The Long Version: While my household has a growing collection of Kleen Kanteen bottles – seven and counting – the D-Ring Flip is the first extra cap I've bought. It fits their wide-mouth bottles, of which I own two, and it changes them to have a boxier profile. Like the other wide-mouth caps, the interior is steel, and the cap needs to be washed by hand.

There's certainly no doubt about the construction quality of the cap, and it helpfully even has a couple of little depressions to make lifting the D-ring easier. The plastic rim stands taller than the metal ring, and the brand name is recessed into the sides to give it a little grip. Not much, but a little – more would be better.

The advantage of the D-ring is that its narrow profile makes it easy to attach to a carabiner, something that the standard cap isn't the best for. The tradeoff is that it just isn't as comfortable or easy to open as the larger plastic design.

When it comes to compactness, I'm not really sure that there's much gain. The folded-down D-ring cap is less than two centimetres shorter than the standard wide-mouth design, bringing the total height of my insulated bottle from 26cm to 24cm. That's not a huge space saving to justify the $8.95.

I bought the D-ring cap without seeing it in person – it was an Amazon add-on to cross the free shipping threshold. If I had seen it in the stores I probably still would have bought it, as much for the novelty and variety as anything else. It does solve the problem of needing an easy `biner attachment point, but it's hardly a must-have accessory.

last updated 5 feb 2012

Kleen Kanteen 40oz Wide-Mouth Bottle

Concept: 2 out of 5
Execution: 3 out of 5
Yeah, but: I'm still not such a fan of the spelling.

The Long Version: Metal water bottles are nothing new, and Kleen Kanteen has been in the business for a while. At last count my household owns eight of them, and the standard and insulated designs have already been the subjects of reviews. So I'll make this quick.

The latest addition to my Kleen Kanteen collection is the 40oz Wide Mouth bottle. Its signature design is spacious enough to let it fit ice-cubes through sideways, which is a great benefit, but one that's tempered by having a thin lip that's not quite as nice to drink from as the rolled top of the standard design. It's also worth noting that despite the prominent 40oz markings – 1182ml – the actual capacity that I measured is almost 200ml more than that.

As always, the steel doesn't change the taste of the water, and it's very nicely made. While all big bottles have the same diameter, I find the 40oz size is right at the limit of what I can comfortably hold with my average-sized hands.

This bottle recently had a misadventure. When I was last at the Leslie Street Spit I knocked the half-full Kanteen over, and it fell almost four feet onto broken concrete slabs and then skittered across a couple of fairly ugly rocks. While this treatment would probably have chipped the paint on one of their coloured bottles, the plain steel made it through with just a small dent and a couple of scratches. The plastic cap also took a gouge, but it's so minor that it barely serves to distinguish it from my other wide-mouth lid. I wouldn't endorse mistreating one, but I have no doubt that it can take a fair bit of abuse.

Just don't put it in the freezer and forget about it.

last updated 21 sep 2011

GSI 1L Dukjug

Concept: 2 out of 5
Execution: 2 out of 5
Yeah, but: It's great if you like tape.

The Long Version: This is my first post-mortem review: I accidentally destroyed my 1L Dukjug yesterday. I've had the stainless version for two years, and it's been my bottle of choice when my three smaller Kleen Kanteen containers aren't big enough. I haven't actually been a huge fan of it; the threading around the mouth makes it prone to dripping, and I eventually took off the string that tethers the lid to the bottle. The idea of having a water bottle that is designed to take a few wraps of duct/gaffer tape around it is clever, but not something that I used. I did appreciate the wide-mouth design, since it made it easy to add ice cubes, which is vital for a bottle that I'd mostly use in the summer.

So yesterday I was planning on a long day out in the sun, so I filled the 1L jug with water, tossed in a few ice cubes, and then tucked it in the freezer for a few minutes. And then I decided not to go out after all. The bottle froze solid, splitting along its base – but at least I can confirm that it's made of good-quality steel.

One of the best things I can say about a product is that I'd replace it with an identical one in the event of a tragedy. In this case, even though the Dukjug isn't very expensive, I'm going to be looking for something else. I have my eye on the 40oz Kleen Kanteen, but time will tell.

last updated 14 aug 2011

Kleen Kanteen Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle

Concept: 3 out of 5
Execution: 4 out of 5
Yeah, but: Less is cooler, but still less.


The Long Version: I really hesitated before buying this. After all, the standard 27oz/800mL Kleen Kanteen stainless bottle that I use every day - reviewed two years ago - has outlasted every other water bottle that I've tried. Did I really want to ad another one to the collection that I don't use, or conversely, do I want to risk buying one that will retire the grand-daddy?


I pondered for several minutes, standing there in the store, and then parted with the $28 (plus tax) that the new 20oz/600ml Kleen Kanteen Insulated cost.

I've been using the new bottle for a couple of weeks now, and it has quickly become my favourite. The biggest weakness of all metal bottles, such as the more traditional Kleen Kanteen, is that their contents warm up very quickly, they sweat in humid weather, and can't hold anything hot. Alright, maybe that's three weaknesses, but they all come from the same place: no insulation.


The Insulated bottle uses the traditional 'thermos' design of double-walled Stainless with a vacuum in between. It's very effective at keeping water cold - I haven't tried it with hot beverages - and just four ice cubes added in the morning will still be in slivers at lunch. And the wide-mouth design lets those ice cubes fit sideways, which is kind of nice as well.

The trade-off is that the Insulated bottle doesn't have the rolled lip of the standard bottles, which are really nice to drink from. The threads are on the outside of the bottle, instead of the inside, but they're still fairly large and rounded which makes the cap easy to open and secure. Frankly, that's where most of the other bottles that I've tried have fallen down - they're just too fiddly or too fussy to get along with easily. The loop cap has a lower profile than the standard bottle, making the 20oz Insulated slightly shorter - or rather, less tall - than the standard design, but it's sized well for opening with two fingers. That space in the cap is also the only place where condensation will form on humid days.


Kleen Kanteen recommends hand washing, but there's slim chance of that happening with me. The bottle goes into the dishwasher a few times a week, and I'm not about to worry about any cosmetic effects. (The two-year-old standard bottle that I treat the same way shows some wear on the logo, but much less than I expected.) There is a more stern warning about not putting the cap in the dishwasher, as water can be forced into the insulating portion of the lid, so I'm okay with doing that one by hand.

The big surprise to me is that I've managed to put a couple of little dings in the outer wall of the bottle already. The biggest is this one on the bottom, and I have no idea how it happened. I've certainly scuffed up my old bottle, but never dented it despite a couple of decent drops. Otherwise, it's very pretty, with a two-tone brushed finish over most of the bottle, and a high polish on the very bottom. It's overall dimensions are about the same as my 27oz model, and it still fits in standard bike-bottle-sized holders, like the one in the classic MEC pod sling pack.


But getting back to my original concern - does the Insulated bottle usurp the original, or does it fall by the wayside?


The answer, so far, is neither. When I'm only carrying my MEC pod for a little trip around town, the Insulated bottle is an easy choice. If I'm carrying my bigger T2 bag to work on a hot day, I'll carry both. And when I'm not quite willing to carry a spare, and think that the extra 200mL of the standard bottle will make a difference, then I'll just use the higher-capacity one and endure lukewarm water. While I'm currently using the Insulated the most, once the summer's over I'm sure that will shift back. They're both excellent, but make slightly different compromises. It's all good.

Canon EF 70-200 f/4 Collector Cup

Concept: 4 out of 5
Execution: 2 out of 5
Yeah, but: Funny: peculiar or ha-ha?

The Long Version: These mugs have been a huge phenomenon - there are probably more people looking for one of these than the replacement for the 50D. Canon has always had a way of building up buzz, and this is no exception. Highly sought after and rarely seen, this replica is a brilliant idea. And there's no saying how much milage they could get out of it - a 300/2.8 pitcher, 85/1.2 coffee cup, 50/1.8 shot glass - the possibilities are tremendous. But alas, some dreams are best left as fantasies: I have to say that it looks better in photos than it does in person.

The packaging has the same image on all four sides of the box. The top is sealed with a clear plastic sticker, but the bottom is simply the four sides folded inward and can be undone. Inside, the mug is in a loose clear plastic bag, and includes a small paper slip with care instructions on it. Aside from all the obvious warnings about hot beverages, spillage, and metal in a microwave, the 70-200 mug also isn't for carbonated beverages and has to be washed by hand. That means that its pristine collector status is in no danger from me - I'm not about to use anything that can't be put in the dishwasher.

The 70-200 does have a metal inner liner, suggesting that it could be used as more than a novelty item. And perhaps, like a Leica, keeping it protected on a shelf is to keep it from its true calling. I occasionally get together with a few photographer friends to relax and compare prints in a local coffee shop, and the idea of using this mug is pretty tempting. If they didn't know that I mostly use Nikon and Panasonic, it would be even better.

I said in the beginning that this cup might be better as an idea than a reality, but perhaps I'm being too harsh. The level of detail is good, but not exacting; the rounded corners to the plastic give it just hint of a Burger King feel. But the key is that it's a tribute, not a replica - it doesn't look like someone actually hollowed out a real lens, it looks like someone made a mug that looks like an actual lens. Aficionados like myself can immediately recognize which lens it's supposed to be, and when Penny saw it, she laughed out loud and thought it was great. Since she's not a photographer, but has to put up with one, that's a stronger endorsement than anything I could come up with on my own. Hopefully Canon takes the idea and runs with it.

Coke's 414mL / 14oz Bottle

Concept: 2 out of 5
Execution: 3 out of 5
Yeah, but: Let's all contain our excitement.

The Long Version: I'm old enough that seeing the words "New" and "Coke" on the same label leaves me a little apprehensive. The good news, such as it is, is that the beverage itself hasn't changed - the excited yellow "NEW!" banner on the bottle merely refers to the packaging. The huge innovation is a 414mL size polyethylene terephthalate container, which joins the existing 600mL and 710mL plastic bottles. There was once a 500mL bottle, which was replaced by the 20% larger size, so there's a certain feeling of deja vu to this new container as well.

I haven't actually seen these bottles on the shelf yet, but a report puts the pricing closer to the 355mL can than the existing bottles. That's not too surprising, given the capacity, but to be honest I would prefer the smaller size to the 600mL bottle even if the price-per-milliliter was slightly higher. They're nicer to hold and drink from, and even at the rate that I consume the stuff, a 600 or 710mL bottle is likely to be warm and flat by the time I'm done with it.

While I prefer cans for home and work, I have a hard time buying them singly from a convenience store because I know how much cheaper they are in a case. When I'm out and about, I'll buy bottles simply to rationalize the higher price of getting a single container from a fridge. Coke's not exactly betting the business on this new venture, but hopefully the smaller portion size will be a success. It's the one I'll be looking for from now on.

Stanley Classic Flask

Concept: 3 out of 5
Execution: 2 out of 5
Yeah, but: It's for water, officer, honest.

The Long Version: Stanley's Classic Flask (manf) is an 8oz container that will hold whatever you want, as long as it's pourable. It has a slightly triangular profile with generously rounded corners, making it easy to carry in a pocket and less conspicuous than the traditional curved hip flask. Its darker colour also helps lower its visual profile, although I doubt that anyone who sees it will be fooled. Overall the look is almost retro, and for some reason it vaguely reminds me of a miniature metal gasoline can.

My first impression when I picked up the flask is that it's slightly flimsy; I'm used to the thick metal-walled cylinder of my Kleen Kanteen bottles, which could serve as an impromptu weapon. It's not that the Stanley flask is badly built, it's just that the straight sides can flex in ways that I'm not used to. The mouth is nicely machined, and the plastic cap is chromed and held in place by a plastic arm. Not being able to lose the cap is a nice touch, and while the plastic doesn't exactly scream reliability, I'll wait until there's actually a problem before I complain about one. But the overall 'cheap' feeling isn't helped by the name badge and "Eddie Bauer" stickers - guess where I bought mine - which seem ready to peel off and weren't placed properly on one of the others in the store. Them peeling off won't be a loss when it happens, but nothing says 'poser' to me quite like an Eddie Bauer edition of something, which is actually the impression that I'm trying to cultivate.

I spent a lot of time looking for a small, slim water bottle that I could fit in the pocket of my favourite camera bag. That turned out to be far more difficult than I expected, so option 'B' was to find an innocent-looking flask. That also turned out to be nearly impossible, but the REI website showed the classic Stanley, and sometimes close enough is good enough. With an 8oz capacity - about 250ml - it's not about to replace a canteen for desert treks, but it's enough to carry in the city in case there's a shortage of water fountains. Alternatively, it can hold the rest of one of those evil plastic convenience-store bottles without needing to take up a tall round space in my camera bag.

One of the big questions about stainless steel bottles is whether or not they 'taint' the beverage with a metallic taste. For the Stanley flask, I did an experiment. I left it filled in the fridge for twenty-four hours, and then poured its contents into a glass. In an identical glass, I poured the same amount of water straight from my Brita filter. I kept track of which was which, but asked Penny to check and see if she could taste any difference between them. Then she switched their positions while I wasn't looking, and I tried to distinguish which one came from the steel flask. We both agreed: no difference at all.

The Stanley Classic flask is designed for use and economy, and light weight and a reasonable price is more important to me than any potential heirloom status. It does what I want it to, and if it lasts me a couple of years of occasional use, I'll be satisfied. I'm not going to wait until I'm the centre of attention before I take a swig from it, but I've never been fond of drawing attention to myself. I'll just sit and drink in the shadows instead.

Thermos Quick Charge bottle

Concept: 3 out of 5
Execution: 3 out of 5
Yeah, but: Handy, but why did I buy one in the winter?

The Long Version: These bottles by Thermos solve the summer problems of metal water bottles: they warm up quickly and 'sweat' badly. In exchange for the insulation, they don't hold as much for their size, and because I can't feel the bottle get cold, I need to pay more attention as I fill it.

The bottles come in blue and red, with a glossy coat that does seem to scuff if it's handled roughly. Overall the bottles are quite attractive, easy to hold, and the plastic lids are comfortable to hold and use with a nice rubberized texture.

In my review of the Kleen Kanteen stainless bottle, I pointed out that the water in the container does not change its flavour, but that the bottle itself has a metallic taste. According to the google terms that bring people to that write-up, this is a common concern. The good news is that the plastic cap on the Thermos Quick Charge bottles gets rid of this problem. Just watch out how the cap is orientated when you take a drink, because it's easy to re-create a classic moment from the "Airplane" movies with it.

Kleen Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Concept: 3 out of 5
Execution: 3 out of 5
Yeah, but: "Although we are constantly exploring the subject, currently there is no direct evidence..."


The Long Version: Yes, BPA. I'd have to say it eventually, so I might as well start there. Canada has recently listed Bisphenol A as a toxic chemical and has banned it from plastic baby bottles. But in a press release, Canada writes: 'The preliminary research tells us the public should not be concerned. In general, most Canadians are exposed to very low levels of bisphenol A in polycarbonate. It does not, therefore, pose a significant health risk.'


Everyone's buying stainless steel bottles anyway. Those who know me know that I'm not overly into health scares or health in general, but like a magpie, I like shiny things. A stainless steel water bottle is perfect for me. Pictured is the Kleen Kanteen 12oz / 500ml model, but I usually use the 27oz / 800ml model.


As far as water bottles go, this one works very well, and is my favourite of the designs that I've seen and used regardless of material. The diameter is comfortable to hold - it fits standard bike bottle holders - and the mouth has a lip on it that's comfortable to drink from. (Although it is prone to splashing when I drink while walking.) It's easy to fill, easy to clean, seals well, and it's not as bulky as plastic. There are different cap styles available, meaning that I was able to mix-and-match to get the loop top that I like, an it can be replaced if the seal ever gives out. But one major difference between plastic and metal is that it's an excellent heat conductor, so cold water warms to room temperature quickly, and hot beverages are outright dangerous. Be careful washing it. (My suggestion for cleaning it is to use cool water and a small amount of mouthwash instead of detergent.)


I used think that there's a slightly metallic taste to the water, but eventually I figured out that there's a metallic taste to the bottle. It seems obvious now that I say it; the water itself tastes just the way it does after being run through my Brita filter, even after sitting in the bottle overnight. But the bottle is magnetic, which marine-grade stainless steel isn't. I don't know if that means that the bottle could eventually rust, but since I'd update this review if it did, you can assume that it hasn't happened yet. (For what it's worth, I've been using it since 22 May 2008.) Otherwise I have no complaints: it's a solid product in a utilitarian and useful way.




It's my review, so I'll rant if I want to: I've never understood the idea of paying for Bottled Water: take something that's essentially free, add some marketing, incur some distribution costs, and all of a sudden it's selling for more than fossil fuels. I thought the idea was dumb years ago, but it's a market that reached what I can only hope is the pinnicle of self-parody with "Fiji Water." To quote the company, the source is "Far from pollution. Far from acid rain. Far from industrial waste." According to Pedro, each litre of water produced 'consumes' (read: contaminates) 6.74L of water. And Oxfam's report says that 53% of Fijians are "without sustainable access to improved water." More people in major cities in North America have access to safe water from Fiji than the people in Fiji do. How is that not a scandal?




Updated June, 2010: I've bought a couple of other stainless bottles since this review was originally written, but they sit in the cupboard while the two Kleen Kanteens are still in almost daily use. They've held up remarkably well, with no signs of deterioration of either the metal bottle or plastic cap. There's been some minor scuffing and scratching, of course, but it looks new enough that a couple of my co-workers had to find different colours when they bought their own. So after two years, I still think that these Kleen Kanteen bottles have gotten just about everything right, and have yet to see anything better.