We have long been looking to replace our store bought water bottles with more Eco friendly ones.....there have been some commercials on TV for the Eco canteen...stainless steel bottle. My wife and I were talking about it and a question came up. Stainless steel vs the Nalgeen of the 'same' size. Forgetting the discussion of things like....you can use the stainless steel one to boil water....

Our question is....given all other things equal......which would remain colder longer......?

ECO friendly is a word up there with organic. How much virgin water and coal burning in a mill is used in the manufacturing process of stainless steel, fossil fuel to transport it ( lets guess where it is made)and a dozen other impacts measured and not.

If you want a onetime buy, longterm unit both are excellent choices.Nalgeen wil have greater insulating abilitysimply based on thicker material. I don't think either will win any contests.

I was just having a conversation with a coworker about her Kleen Kanteen the other day. She used to fill up her Nalgene from the chilled water cooler in the morning and sip from that at her desk throughout the day. She says that after she switched to the Kleen Kanteen, she thought that the water stayed cooler longer.

However, being uninsulated, I doubt that this would be the case in other situations, like strapped to the outside of your pack with the hot sun beating down on it.

Keep your pocket book green by going to the local surplus store and buy a $3 army canteen. Pocket the $25 you saved NOT buying a Kleen Kanteen.

Well thats what I do. I also own Nalgenes. I prefer those, except for when I take a carbonated beverage with me like Sparkling water. Nalgenes leak, stainless steel bottles don't.

I would not think either would do much better for keeping water cooler.

I bought neoprene "jackets" for our Sigg bottles and they really do work.

Slipping a Kleen Kanteen in a thick wool sock would work too. I use this trick on any water I carry in my pack. The slimmer metal bottles slip into a sock way easier than the plastic.

Back when I climbed I wrapped my Nalgene bottle with closed cell foam.....more to keep it from freezing than to keep the contents cold but, other than pretty ugly, that worked great.

Interesting statement. How do Nalgenes leak?

Thanks

CO

I think he means in reference to carbonated water.

Right. Put Sparkling Water in a Nalgene and it will seep through the lid. Stainless Steel bottles like Kleen or Sigg do not leak.

Thermos brand thermos bottles make nice light stainless steel versions of their thermoses.
I am not so impressed with their recent price hikes, but thats just the way the bee bumbles.

Thanks.....everyone is basically confirming what we had been throwing around. We currently use 'bottle holders' (including neoprene) and have the same results all of you have been having (or had) with your bottles.

I do have 3 surplus canteens.....they work for me, but my wife and the boys prefer a slightly more 'conventional' appearance. Hence the search for the bottles.....

I'll report your information and ask what she prefers.......


Oh and Chris.....Eco friendly was just tossed out there......we currently use too many store bought bottles to even think we are evironmentally conscious with them... We were looking for a 'better' option......though we still will have the 9-10 cases of bottled water for the 'long term'/hurricane prep.....