Camelbak Podium Water Bottle Review - BikeRadar

Ok,

First thing first these bottles are really expensive at over twice the price as your average bottle. So i was expecting a lot from them. They look nice and have the handy rubber nipple that you would associate with Camel bak products they also have a lock off mechanism that works well.

The problems racked up though after only one day out in the saddle.

Firstly the plastic that the bottle is made off was much firmer then first thought. You have to squeeze them to allow the liquid to pass through the rubber nipple that acts like a valve. I found this difficult at times and even harder when i was tired! I even resorted to using two hands to get a decent mouthfull down my kneck after any uphill slog.

The next thing was after the ride i went to put the bottles in the dishwasher like i do after every trip to give them a good clean to stop any mould growing. After the deap clean i had noticed that my brand new bottles (once clear bottles) where now deeply stained a piss yellow colour. I only use a dilute lucozade solution at half the recomended amount per 750ml. This stain did not shift either. After just one use my house mate on seeing them in the dishwasher commented that i need new bottles as my current ones look so rough, not realising that they were brand new! I sent mine back and got my wad of cash back quick smart! Bike radar giving 4.5/5 i think not!

I've used these for about 3 months & have been very satisfied.

After using Polar for years & recently switching to the (very) expensive Elite Nanogel I still wanted to try these knowing that they wouldn't keep water as cold.

I haven't looked back.

Yes water gets hotter, but the ability to just remove it from the cage & drink is far worth the slight inconvenience of "sweaty" bottles when I use ice or slightly warmer water when I don't.

I bought 6. All silver & red. Clear just looked cheap & ugly to me. Silver doesn't mar & the slight red adds a little flair.

If you're using crap free or even more expensive these are worth a shot, easily.

The rubber valve in the mouth-piece requires you to squeeze the bottle to open, which would be fine if the bottle material wasn't so stiff.

Ultimately it is considerably more difficult to get anything out of the Podium bottle (and in sufficient quantity) than my usual Specialized bottles.

Whilst there is no disputing the development put into the chemical free/non-leaching material and valve mechanism, given that Camelbak made its name for easy hydration on the fly I am surprised that this product is so poor to use.

If you have strong hands and a small thirst, go for the Podium. Otherwise stick with the norm.

I love how I can use this bottle outside of just cycling. Also the valve makes sure nothing spills when riding (important if you've got energy drinks). Not to mention how a) no plastic taste and b) no lingering energy drink taste when I just have water in there.

Yes the bottle is a bit stiff, but even when tired it isn't 'that' difficult (perhaps some people hear don't have strong hands?). Anyway, you can still suck water out with your mouth without squeezing.

Disadvantages: Can't get all of the water out- about 15mL is left because of the valve design. Not life threatening but worth considering. Of course they are more expensive, but to me the extra price is worth it.

Works well, does not leave a taste in the water, does not leak all over everything.

Its a nice looking, well made bottle ... but.

Harder than most to squeeze, nothing like as easy as a cheap water bottle.

And whilst the locking mech is clever and works well, undoing it on the move is trickier than pulling a teat with your teeth.

I've one but I won't be adding any more to the collection.

Overdesigned for whats needed.

Bottle is stiffer but that helps it to keep shape: it actually has a narrower section which makes squeezing easier.

The valve is not supposed to be kept locked when out on a ride, more like for transport, just like other valves from camelbak.

As ShinyFlu above pointed out, you can still suck water out with your mouth, with the advantage that you don't have to use your teeth to open the valve which self-shuts (but does not self lock obviously).

In addition to the "firm" squeeze required to get a mouthful of liquid, which isn't really all that difficult to get used to, the most objectionable problem with the Podium bottle is the ugly, black mold that grows inside the nipple.

I wash my bottles after every use but after only a few months of use I've been unable to soak or rinse away this toxic growth with a bleach solution or vinegar. Without knowing if the nipple can be taken apart and cleaned, the bottles are now useless. Camelbak has been unresponsive to my inquiry for a cure. I would not recommend purchasing.

On its first trip out and filled with Lucozade sport (decanted from original bottle) it has already stained. Good features but to stain after 3 hours in the saddle?

Not impressed and going back to the shop

As with the other negative reviews it has some good features BUT....