I don’t get too
excited about water/sport/drink containers, but I can sure get pissed about
them. Well not really, but enough to warrant attempting a 3-pointer toward the
trash can.
When I say
container, I don’t down mean coolers, jugs or thermoses. I am speaking of that basic
in-a-single-hand bottle that you can chug from. The one (or two) you may carry
to the courts in your bag to refill with the court-side available refreshment
(that spouted water cooler you hope is cleaned and replenished often), the pro
shop faucet or whatever.
I had thought I was
truly buying not the most expensive sport bottles, but making a wise
decision based on design. After some six odd years in the fitness biz and tons
of promotional bottles for a variety of other reasons, they all failed in some
way and way too early. I was getting tired of cleaning out my tennis bag,
wiping down the back seat or dripping and drooling on my shirt.
As serious as I am
making this sound, I still wasn’t on a mission to find the perfect water
bottle. I was willing to do what I always had – pick the next attractive, yet
sad vessel for liquid and roll with it.
So I find myself in
Walmart, usually a retailer I reserve for a visit when I need a lot of stuff (I
am not slamming Walmart nor will I start that debate) because I don’t know how
long this venture will be. I am here only for a few things and this is usually
when I consciously (good business practice Walmart – imagine what’s going on
subconsciously – they’re working me) tell myself I am here so let’s make the
most of it. I am off to grab some tennis balls, looking at some cool bicycling
stuff and just hanging out in Sporting Goods.
Water bottle?! I
don’t know if I even have one left at home, much less in my bag. I don’t know
if I was in Camping or where, but I spot this clear bluish tint water bottle
that looks like an elongated mason jar with a little sexy curve to it and a
nylon retaining strap for the lid. It even has the level marks on the side that
I can actually read in case I want to kick the water up with something.
It’s not insulated,
but I like to see what I am about to drink, particularly if I am mixing some
sport powder in there and I don’t mind drinking slightly warm water if need be
– my body just needs wet. I usually know my environment and this is not some
survival aid for the Serengeti or Amazon plains. Ice works.
I’m liking it, but
I am back to the pure design decision. Well, it is not 4am in the morning, which in some Walmarts, can
seem quite busy, and I truly don’t have anyone in eyesight so I toss this water
bottle across one of the main aisles into another side aisle. It first takes
this high bounce and then a few tumbles. I’m pleased, but I haven’t done the
autopsy in case this little girl is dead.
SPORTLINE (Walmart still carries them and Amazon has other varities)
I run (somewhat of
a shuffle as to not seem obvious) and pick her up. There is a small knick in
the lid. I’m buying it. Not because I am convinced, but because I just took
something they own and I damaged it. Trust me, I wouldn’t take a 5 piece set of
fine china and throw it across the counter at Macy’s.
But I am impressed.
I take this apparently rugged young tyke back to the water fountains near the
back of the store, fill her up and give her another toss – no breakage, no
leakage. Sold!
A few basic, but
wonderful qualities here:
·
It is
rugged.
·
I can
actually drink from it, not slurp and nurse from it.
·
The
ring that retains the retaining strap doesn’t come off – that’s the whole point
of retention. I have never lost the lid.
·
I
haven’t lost this water bottle in over 5 years. (Although, I know I will one
day. It’ll be a sad day.)
·
It has
never leaked. I knew how confident I was with this sports bottle when I put in
the same compartment with my tennis racquets.
·
The lid
and mouthpiece aren’t made of flimsy pliable rubber or gaskets which collect
who-knows-what and are easy to clean.
Tell us about or give us your own review of any tennis product or service you have used.
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