CamelBak Podium Chill

It's hot outside, but your water stays cool. The jet valve works well.

Twelve bucks for a water bottle, not in this lifetime! That's what I thought to myself when checking the Camelbak Podium Big Chill out. Then I thought back to one or two summers ago. It was 8:30am, we were climbing Deheasa Road in East County San Diego and the outside temperature was already 88 degrees. I remember the morning well... I reached down thinking of the frozen bottle I pulled from the freezer, looked forward to the cool water and got a nice big swig of lukewarm to hot water. Egads, that's terrible when the hydration is low and it's the dog days of summer. 

I saw these water bottles on "sale" for $12 and figured I would give one a try. I had been recovering from a broken wrist and riding was at an all time low but the unseasonably warm spring day had me risking re-injury and jumping on the bike for a "quick spin". I took two bottles, one regular 22 ounce and the Big Chill 25 ounce. Both packed to the brim with ice cubes then topped off with water. 

Drinking the first non-insulated bottle, I just finished with it when the cubes were 100% melted and the water began t warm. My next swig was from the Big-Chill. I knew it would be good because I could feel the ice cubes still in tact... and they were. Cool refreshing water on a mid eighties day, some two hours into a ride. Very welcome and refreshing. 

To sum things up, I was sold on these insulated bottles. I went and bought another. The only downfall I could see is that they are so large, it is hard to clean the bottom. Keep the powdered/sports drinks out and stick to water in these, I do believe they will stay cool up to twice as long as a regular fully exposed bottle. 

Best water bottle I've ever had.

I love this bottle more than anything. I have been through countless water bottles and I would give any one one of these. 

The water in the bottle stays nice and cold even after hours outside. I am a room temperature water drinker, but if it is particularly hot, I will throw some cubes in and I know it will still be cool. 

My favorite time to use this bottle is when I'm riding on my road bike. The jet valve is fantastic because if I'm having a hard ride, I don't really have the energy to suck water from the bottle. With this one I don't have to, I can just squeeze it gently. 

I also like the Camelbak auto lock on the top. I can lock off the valve so that if I throw it in my pack, I won't have damp things. There are not many bottles that can attest to that. 

I've been using this for over a year, and I if I am doing a high intensity activity, it is my go-to 100%. It also comes in smaller sizes and I have one of each.