Customer Reviews

CamelBak Podium 21-Ounce Chill Jacket Insulated Bottle

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I tried one of these Camelbak Podium Chill insulated bottle and I wasn't bowled over. The locking valve can adjust the amount of water flow was an ok idea. I would probably keep the valve unlocked and at it's max so I can drink and bike at the same time. I like how much water you can sqeeze out of the bottle and I like the self closing valve.

I find that the bottle volume is too small 21 oz. for long bike rides. The bottle also doesn't keep water as cold or as long as the 24 oz. Polar Insulated bottle. The bottle is a fair fit on my 15" frame MTB on my upright tube and well on the down tube.

Overall the bottle works, but I would buy the Polar bottle because it keeps drinks cooler longer, has a bigger capacity, is cheaper, and the 20 oz. bottle fit my upright tube better because it's 1/4" shorter than the Camelbak bottle.

Superior valve (which drew me to the product) and plastic of the bottle is less stiff than other insulated bottles but it doesn't seem to insulate too well. The Polar insulated bottles and Nanogelite Elite bottles insulate better but lack the great valve of the Camelbak.

This is the best bottle around, I agree with the other reviewer that it does not insulate very well, but it does manage to delay warming. The best part of this bottle is the valve, this is the highest flow water bottle that you can either suck out or squeeze. I will never go back to the old tooth cracking pull-spout.

I've used the Polar Bottles which insulate better, but still don't last very long and they utilze the same 100 year old poorly designed spout... this is a much better bottle if you are trying to decide between the Camelbak and Polar... get the Camelbak! Oh and it's BPA free!

I love the way the opening works on this bottle. The only problem is that there is no good way to clean it. On the bike, the nozzle collects dirt. The dirt sticks to the outside of the nozzle (natural property of the soft material) and you can't take it apart to clean the inside of the nozzle. You are always drinking whatever dirt has collected in the open nozzle. It's kind of gross. If you are a runner, camper, backpacker, or just want to use this in your gym bag, I would recommend it. I have used this for a few hundred miles on the bike, and I would not recommend it for that purpose.

This bottle is fantastic, fill it up, throw a few ice cubes in and it stays cool throughout my entire ride. The spout can be left 'unlocked' without any leaking (even if the bottle is turned upside down) and is easy to squeeze water out of.

This bottle is very sleek and attractive. all the prints are on the 'chill layer,' not on the exterior of the bottle, so i know they won't peel off from washing it numerous times.
speaking of the functional aspect, the bottle is easy to squeeze, the "always open, always closed" spout is nice because all you have to do is to squeeze the bottle to get the water out because it's "always open" and yet the water does not leak through the spout even if you hold the bottle upside down because it's "always closed" as long as you don't squeeze the bottle. This feature is something that Polar bottles do not have. This bottle is also easier to clean than Polar bottles because the less contoured design. Overall, I am very satisfied with the switch I made.

The bottle works exactly as designed. It keeps liquids insulated, although we're not talking the same as keeping the bottle in the fridge or something. I haven't tried it outdoors yet (bought so I could have cold water at my desk), but judging by my use of it I would think it would be great on a ride or hike. The valve on this bottle is very cool, I don't think it's possible to spill liquid out of the bottle unless you launched the thing over a cliff or something. I would definitely recommend the product. (I knocked a star off of it because it takes more force to squeeze than a standard bike bottle, although that is understandable due to the insulation).

I have 4 of these bottles. 2 for me and 2 for my wife

First the pro:
Love the jet valve and soft body which makes it easier to squeeze and the BPA free material which is why I bought it in the first place.
I use it for cycling and the gym

con:
The taste. I use the bottles for water and energy drinks. The problem I am experiencing is that once you have used it for an energy drink it seems to be impossible to get the taste of that drink out of the bottle when you switch to water. The internal material seems to absorb the contents and then releases it very slowly.
I was travelling from NYC to LA and to save space I put a small shampoo in the bottle. A drop must have leaked out and now the bottle tastes like shampoo. After 3 days of soaking and rinsing the taste is still there to the point that I bought a Polar bottle a) to try out and b) because I may have to dump the Camebak.

If you are going to use it for energy drinks don't switch back to water BUT it worries me that I can't get the residual taste out and makes me wonder what material they are using internally and how good it is for me.

Very nice little bottle! It keeps my gatorade cold and when I put ice in it as well for a long ride it keeps my drink cold and the ice in there with out melting within an hour. With a little ice your drink will stay cold on an all day ride at least from my own experience. I own 2 of these bottles and use them every night when I go riding as well as on weekends when I go on long rides. I also own a 3-liter camelbak that I use on weekends when riding but these bottles are great to have too. Especially if you are riding with someone or you run into someone who is dying from thrist and you don't want to share your camelbak. I know I don't. All in all very great little bottle! Highly recommended! Thanks for reading.

They work OK. Don't expect miracles on hot days though. The nozzle works well. I have other insulated bottles and prefer these.