Contigo AUTOSEAL Water Bottle, 24 Ounces, Red

These are undoubtedly the best water bottles I've ever owned, and I would recommend them to anyone and everyone for water. However, I would NOT recommend these for powdered drinks. Read the last section for elaboration.

My friend bought this three-pack because it was the most interesting bottle that Costco carried, and when we opened it up, we were surprised to find that it had the Autoseal valves. I have to say that the valves make a world of difference. They dramatically increase convenience and can actually increase the volumetric flow rate of water you can take in. Since it has an intake valve, you can basically "shotgun" the water without worrying about bubbles of air getting in your way. Just don't tip it too far; the intake valve can be quite rude to the overzealous.

The bottle features a measuring label on the side. It opens and closes easily, has a securely nestled rubber o-ring to prevent leaks, and even has a carabineer-like latch built into the...Read more

I love this water bottle, it is a great size and doesn't spill. The drawback of the neat no-leak sippy top is that with all the movable parts you cant get in there to clean it. I dont have a dishwasher, so Im going to have to replace these bottles because Im sure something nasty is growing in the hidden areas.

As a water bottle for general use, it's hard to fault this Contigo. It's rugged, nicely designed and priced right. The carabiner clip built into the cap is a smart and welcome convenience. The wide mouth, when the cap is unscrewed, allows for ice cubes and easy cleaning. Plus, its marquee feature--the AUTOSEAL cap--does exactly that. Push the button to drink and the seal opens... release it after drinking and the seal snaps shut and will not leak. Knock it onto the floor or store it upside down in your backpack without fear of losing a drop. I was genuinely impressed.

So if it's all good, why the three stars? Unfortunately, as I recently learned when I took my Contigo on a rafting trip, that great AUTOSEAL cap can also be its Achilles' heel in gritty or sandy environments. For everyday use, or for the average gym rat or cyclist, this is not an issue. But for use in the outdoors, you may want to consider other bottles. Get a bit of grit, dirt or sand into the seal...Read more