Price: $14.99 USD
Colors: White, Red, Purple, Blue
Materials: BPA and phthalate free
Capacity: 24 oz.
Source: Company website
How obtained: Sample form company
RBR Sponsor: No
Who knew when it came to sports bottles you could build a better mouse trap? Blender Bottle recently released their Halex sports bottle with what they call an OmniFlow 3-mode selector. With the turn of the nozzle, you can switch between a traditional bottle, where you tilt and squeeze to drink, or drink from the bottle vertically through the built-in straw. (The third position locks the bottle.)
The company sent me samples of the 24 oz triple-wall insulated version. Last weekend with temps in the 90s and many public drinking fountains closed, I packed up my bike and set off for a metric century ride.
I ride a 60cm frame, which gave me plenty of clearance for these large bottles. I didn’t mind the extra weight as the alternative was running out of water. Both bottles were filled with ice cubes and my hydration mix. Putting the lid with a straw connected to it through all that ice was a challenge but eventually I got it closed. The insulated bottle kept my drink cold for about two full hours in the heat.
Switching between the three modes (locked, traditional and vertical) was easy, but while riding I couldn’t see the Roman numerals on the cap. I ended up just switching it to the vertical mode and leaving it there. I liked being able to drink through the straw and not tilt the bottle while riding. The nozzle is designed to optimize flow while also preventing leaks, splashes, and spills. A couple things to note, there is a downside to drinking through a straw. You get more air in your stomach which can cause bloating. Pick your poison. Also with any “innie” type nozzle, if you ride gravel or dirt, debris can collect inside during a ride.
The bottle is easy to clean and snaps apart in three pieces and can go in the top shelf of the dishwasher. You’ll want to use a brush on the straw portion especially if you use a drink mix.
One nice feature is the built-in flexible carry loop attached to the lid. When not using, it lays flush against the bottle.
For MTB and folks with smaller frames, Blender Bottle will be launching a MTB-compatible Halex bottle early 2021.
Cheers.
Hello,
A suggestion, this bottle is far superior regarding heat or cold retention. I just fit a Camelbak Podium top and have a perfectly usable bike water bottle. This thing will keep stuff cold or hot for hours, beyond two hours.
Best,
Albert
https://www.amazon.com/Travel-Kuppe-Insulated-Stainless-Cycling/dp/B073DSTCMR/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1L60B3BPC9RYR&dchild=1&keywords=thermal+bike+bottle&qid=1595507183&sprefix=thermal+bike+bo%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-5
Always a sucker to try out a new product, I ordered one of these bottles from Amazon.com. Like the reviewer stated, it’s a tad bit tricky to get the straw through the cubed ice and screw on the top, but I prevailed. I tried out the upright straw method first. “Sipping” is right. You don’t get a lot of water, just sips. Later on I changed to the traditional tilted method and got enough water, The bottle is easy to squeeze, not like the Camelbak bottles. It kept my water cold enough in the 90 degree for around two hours. Mid-way through my ride I switched back to the vertical method and was getting no water, just a whooshing sound. I stopped to find out what the problem was and the straw had become dislodged, no longer connected. Fixed it and onward I went. The flexible loop is built into the cap, no way to get it off. Not really needed in my opinion. Just reach down and grab your bottle as always. The bottle itself is O.K. Maybe better markings on the top to see what mode you are in. Think I will stick with my Camelbak Podium Chill and Polar bottles.