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Reviews > Hydration Systems > Bottles > Klean Kanteen Insulated Bottle 2012 > Owner Review by Katie Montovan
KLEAN KANTEEN INSULATED
TESTER INFORMATION
I have been backpacking, climbing, kayaking, canoeing and winter camping for over 10 years. My excursions are mostly weekend and occasionally weeklong backpacking and kayaking trips in the wooded and often wet, rolling terrain of western New York. I usually tarp camp with a small to large group. In general, I strive for a compact and light pack but value well made and durable gear over ultralight items. I also spend significant amounts of time day hiking with my dog. PRODUCT INFORMATION
Manufacturer: Klean Kanteen PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The Klean Kanteen Insulated is a double-wall stainless steel water bottle that is designed to keep hot beverages hot and cold drinks cold. It is made out of 18/8 food-grade stainless steel and is free of BPA and other toxins. The lid is lined with stainless steel and is also BPA free. I have the 16 oz (473 ml) brushed stainless version, as noted there are other colors and sizes available. The manufacturer claims that the bottle is compatible with many screw-on backpacking water filters but I have not tried to fill mine directly from a water filter. INITIAL IMPRESSIONS The bottle has a nice shape. I like that it is wide enough to feel stable when sitting on a table, but narrow enough to fit into my backpack's pockets and my car's cup holders. The wide mouth opening makes it easy for me to add ice or to pour boiling water into the bottle. The loop on the cap is comfortable to hold and makes it easy for me to get a tight seal on the lid. FIELD USE
Over the past two years, I have taken my Klean Kanteen Insulated on multiple backcountry camping trips, including a winter camping trip, a kayaking trip and day-to-day use. TEMPERATURE TEST
I was curious about how well this mug actually does at insulating the contents, so I ran a few simple tests. I filled the thermos, took the temperature of the liquid, then closed the lid tightly. About every half hour, I opened the lid just long enough to check the temperature before closing it again. I did this both for cold water in a warm (90 F/ 32 C) room, and for hot water in the fridge (40 F/ 4 C). The hot water was still warm after 5 hours. In my book 130 F (54 C) is getting past sipping temperature and into the gulping temperature range. I love gulping temperature tea, but I know that it isn't for everyone. The cold water stayed cold for much longer (possibly because the temperature difference between cool water and room temperature is much less drastic). Durability
This water bottle has been dropped, used, and sometimes abused. I have caused many major dents in the water bottle, and was amazed to find that they all but disappear after a few uses. It appears that the vacuum seal magically pops the dents back out the next time I fill the water bottle with hot water. The most major dent I have inflicted on this water bottle is now just a light impression. There are small rock-shaped dents on the bottom from where it has landed on rocks or concrete. These have not disappeared, but they do not affect the functionality or stability of the water bottle. There are also a few nicks in the cap. Overall, the damage is minimal given the hard use this bottle has received over the past 2 years, and does not affect the functionality of the water bottle at all. SUMMARY I don't typically like mugs that have twist tops, but this mug has become my one and only. It is watertight, but has the option of a cafe-style lid. It keeps my tea hot for hours, but I can cool my drink more quickly by removing the lid. The loop at the top is a nice way to carry the bottle and provides a way to attach it securely to my pack and kayak. I also have had no problems with it retaining odors even after leaving tea in it for way too long. I have used this water bottle for orange drink, hot cocoa, tea and water and have noticed no residual tastes when switching between beverages. It is on the heavier side for a light weight backpacking trip, but I found that this mug was definitely worth its weight in energy bars. It keeps my tea warm and is easy to carry and use. I really love having a mug while camping that is watertight and keeps drinks warm until my mid-morning snack or lunch time. THINGS I LIKE
1) Keeps contents warm for hours. THINGS I DON'T LIKE
1) Gasket problems, but this only happened once and it was easy to fix. SIGNATURE Kathryn (Katie) Montovan This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1. Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.Read more reviews of Klean Kanteen gear Read more gear reviews by Katie Montovan Reviews > Hydration Systems > Bottles > Klean Kanteen Insulated Bottle 2012 > Owner Review by Katie Montovan |