How to Lose a Bottle in Ten Days

By now, we’re all aware that a reusable water vessel is a travel must-have, and you likely have one (or a collection like me) that are always by your side at home and around town. All bottles are better than buying a bottle, but not all bottles are created equal. Let’s check out a few popular styles:

The collapsible bottle. Initially I loved the idea, they’re lightweight, and take up very little space when empty. Unfortunately, those ridges are very difficult to clean, and after a few trips, I am too grossed out to keep using it.

The classic Nalgene style. Durable, usually has a loop that’s easy to attach to your bag, but can be heavy and bulky.

Stanley. Leave this one for bopping around Target or the office. They’re big, can’t be tossed into a bag easily, and often don’t have an easy way to clip to a bag.

This brings me back to how I lost two water bottles in 10 days. I was running an event at a luxury resort, and as part of their commitment to being environmentally friendly, each guest was given a nice Yeti Rambler water bottle. I loved this bottle, it has a handle for clipping to a bag, is insulated, and durable. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any clips with me so I carried it everywhere. I started with two. One disappeared before even leaving the resort (set on a table never to be seen again). The other one, best I can tell, was still sitting on the ground in the terminal after we got up to board our flight. Lesson here is to always make sure your water bottle not only has a way to clip it to you, but that you have something to clip it with.

My current favorite bottle is from Fill it forward. The Cupanion bottle with a clip is so lightweight and easy to clip to a bag, I love it! Bonus, there’s a charitable component. I have two from various events, and although I don’t think you can purchase them directly, I’m sure you’ll see them at a convention or trade show near you soon.