7 Things to Consider Before Buying Travel Bottle Water
Traveling overseas or even down to Mexico presents wonderful opportunities to explore new cultures and to photograph the landmarks of the world. Yet, the quality of sanitation in developing countries may not be up to par. Even if the sanitation is good, your GI tract may not be capable of handling the bacteria that linger even if these pathogens are innocuous to the locals and other travelers. We don’t have much choice over how immune we are to pathogens and will not likely develop a tolerance by simply drinking the local water and letting our bodies fight off infection. For this reason, it makes sense to purchase a quality travel water bottle before you take off on that next trek. Let’s consider the features that you should consider before you buy a travel water filter bottle, below.
#1: Portability
When it comes to travel, everyone knows that the surcharges for an extra piece of luggage can be astronomical. And when you are carrying luggage or even backpacking in some remote destination of that foreign country, every ounce of your backpack can start to feel like pounds or tons after a long day. For this reason, compact and portable units are the most desirable. And when it comes to travel water bottles, you have a large variety that is made of flexible materials that expand only when you need them. The best bottles are made of medical-grade silicone that is leak-proof and flexible when empty.
#2: UV-Sanitation
If you don’t want to add chemicals and iodine tablets to your water, you need a filter system that produces UV light. This feature is far more important than flexibility if it will mean the difference between spending your vacation in the bathroom and climbing to the top of that mountain. Look for water bottles that feature UV-C LED technology. These bottles may just save your life if you are in a region where Cholera is common.
#3: Insulation
If you are someone who appreciates the power of a drink that stays hot or cold throughout the day, an insulated water bottle may be just for you. Having such a bottle allows you to transfer cold bottled water to your travel thermos for cold draught of water whenever you’d like it. You can also fill it with hot chocolate or hot coffee if you are going on a ski trip or winter trek. Because these insulated water bottles don’t look like your traditional bulky thermos, they are lightweight and portable enough for travelers to pack.
#4: Leak-proof
There is nothing worse than packing a bottle in your luggage that leaks its contents all over your clothes and travel documents. A bottle that is absolutely leak proof is exactly what you need if you think that you will be stowing that bottle away more than you’ll be handling it. A high-quality leak-proof water bottle will have firm closures and seals that are not apt to opening on their own. If you have to punch in a password and answer security questions to open your water bottle, it may be just a bit too secure, however. Simply look for bottles that promise that they are leak proof, which are constructed in such a manner that you’d believe it, with screw-on caps and rubber seals.
#5: Ice Pack
You may find that some water bottles can double as ice packs. This makes them very useful for treating an injury in a bind or for keeping you cool no matter how hot it gets. This type of bottle is usually made of silicone. It won’t shatter or deform like metal, plastic, or glass bottles. This flexibility is very useful and makes the silicone water bottles a great investment for travelers and traveling nurses alike.
#6: Price
Some travel water bottles that have UV irradiation can cost over $100. A quality silicone bottle can cost $20 to $35. You really have to consider where you may be traveling and how you will use the bottle before you lay down the dough for the high-end models. In fact, you also have to consider your tolerance. There are places such as Israel that have good water sanitation in the big cities but may be lacking the same quality of sanitation in more remote areas.
#7: Durability
If you plan on taking your travel water bottle to some very harsh environments, a rugged metal bottle may be exactly what you need. Silicone is not going to hold up very long if it drops onto a jagged rock or is exposed to extreme temperatures. The same is true with vinyl or plastic bottles that can tear or crack over time. A rugged bottle that is made of metal and ABS plastics will hold up better to stress and environmental extremes.
Conclusion
Travel water bottles are a great way to upgrade your drinks when you are on the go. They will hold your water without spilling and keep it cool. Some models will allow you to filter out river water if you are going to very remote journeys. The risks of getting sick when you travel are very high if you have grown up with a soft belly in the United States. Most of the water in the USA is sterile when it comes out of the faucets and will rarely make you sick unless it is well water. You may want to purchase one or a variety of water bottles when traveling for different legs of your trip.
Also, be sure to get your vaccinations to protect against Cholera and Hepatitis. Hepatitis A and B shots should be updated with a booster shot if it’s been more than 6 years since you were vaccinated. They sell Cholera vaccinations over the counter in pharmacies that need to be taken as directed, usually just before your trip and maybe once more. The people who get the vaccinations will be able to build up a tolerance to the local sanitation problems a lot better than those without them.
