Tag Archives: camelbak

Insulated squeezable sports drink bottles

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We have compared & road tested two bottles today, the Polar bottle and the Camelbak Podium Chill

SIZE – The Polar is the smaller of the two in volume, holding 20oz, where the Camelbak holds 21oz. The Polar is skinner & taller. Both fit neatly in to most bike water bottle holders.

INSULATION – The Camelbak bottle is advertised to keep drinks cold for twice as long. We found the Polar insulated for a little bit longer, but nothing to brag about. For those who want longer insulation in a plastic squeezable, watch this space, someone’s coming out with a better insulated bottle.

SQUEEZABILITY – Is that even a word??? Last years model of the Polar bottle was quite difficult to squeeze with one hand, this years model is easier, but the Camelbak feels better in the hand. It’s insulation is thinner and a little more high tech.

PRICE – The Camelbak Podium Chill is listed at Shop Naturally for $28.95, The Bicycle Store for $29.95,  and is also available in Rebel Sports, most bike stores and high end sporting goods stores nationally. The Polar is a little harder to find. For $23.50, the Polar bottles can be purchased online directly from the Australian Distributor or visit their website for a list of Polar stockists.

SPORTS CAP - The Polar has the same type of sports lid that’s found on any drink bottle. Pop up, push down. It’s very sturdy and good quality. Camelbak however have their magical non-spill valve which means you don’t have to open or close it to stop it leaking while you’re riding. A real bonus for the Camelbak bottle.

Our Verdict?

The Camelbak is sleaker, a little easier to use and the drink valve is working spending the extra few bucks if you’re a cyclist, otherwise, the Polar is perfectly fine.

Bundanoon, Australia’s first bottled water free town

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From small beginnings, the town of Bundanoon on the NSW Southern Highlands became the first town in Australia in 2009 to ban bottled water. The ‘Bundy On Tap‘ initiative has now seen all bottled still water banned from the town. In it’s place, cafes & shops are providing free water to their customers and the municipal water fountains in the town have been fitted with a filtration system. The town has made the purchase of both a budget and premium water bottle in the town easy. The budget bottle is a 650ml squeezable BPA Free LDPE bottle from BOA at $3.50 per bottle.

The premium bottle is a Camelbak Better Bottle. 750ml in size, made from Tritan Eastman BPA Free plastic with a straw & bite valve. In Bundanoon, you can only get the 750ml size, but the Camelbak Better Bottle is also available in a400ml kids size, 500ml & 1 litre in a variety of colours and designs.

Both bottles can be bought in the town of Bundanoon. BOA bottles are made in Australia and are found in most cycle shops with various logos & designs. Camelbak sports bottles can be purchased online or visit the Australian website for stockists.