Gear Review: Microlite 1000ml and 500ml Bottles

If you’re going to train hard, you need to hydrate. Hydrate. And then hydrate some more. Especially when it’s 100 degrees plus in the summer like where I live. But plastic bottles not only are horrible for the environment, they leech toxins when it gets that hot. And, if you spend as much time on the trails as I like to, you need something rigid, non-toxic, and easily refilled. Also, something that if need be, you can use as a water source in an survival situation, and even drop some iodine into when all else fails and you can’t boil water.

That’s why I love stainless steel bottles. But many of them are heavy and clunky, and the light ones are easily crushed.

Not these Microlite’s though! These are not only BPA free and vacuum insulated, but much lighter than other bottles. Made by GSI, these bottles hold the same volume of their competitors but are 25% more compact, and thus 33% lighter. I know, that’s a lot of numbers.

But here are some more numbers – 32 hours cold, 18 hours hot. That’s how long these things will keep your water cool or coffee hot.

The lids are solid, watertight, and don’t leak. Other “vacuum bottles” somehow or another soaked my gym bag while the lid was still “on.” I haven’t had that problem with these, even when they’re stowed in my pack and I’m hauling ass on the trail. They also have great attachment points to clip onto your gear with a carabiner. The 1000ml one is plenty big enough, and the 500ml holds enough water to sip through the day. I really like the 1000ml one when I’m in the gym, and the 500ml when I’m at a desk.

Pros, what we like: Insulated, BPA free bottles that are strong, light, and hold enough water where I’m not going to the Brita every 10 minutes. 

Cons, what we don’t like: That I had a couple more for my various go bags, gym bags, and car. Snag one. 

Related Articles: 

Gear Review: RevoMax Insulated Steel Bottle

Gear Review: Condor Urban Go Pack Review

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alex Castiglione lives in Atlanta, and is an avid outdoorsman and competitive shooter.

Where-abouts include getting after it in his garage gym, practicing martial arts, hitting the trails, or running CrossFit and Strongman competitions for his non-profit, Barbells for Bullies, which holds fundraiser fitness competitions dedicated to aiding Bully breed rescues, dog rescues, or other non-profits with similar missions.