Pack light: foldable water bottles.
While I love the idea of packing my own reusable water bottle for a flight, I have to admit that it doesn’t always happen – mainly because I can’t squeeze it into my bag!
However, I really don’t like paying airport prices for ANYTHING, let alone bottled water (since I grew up in a Berkeley hippie household, the very idea of bottled water upsets me on numerous levels).
So, imagine my delight when I discovered this fabulousness from Vapur – foldable, packable, reusable water bottles!
These things are kick-booty awesome.
They come in multiple styles and colors. They sell for around $10 apiece. All of them share a few features in common:
- SuperCap. This is a widemouth, flip-top cap with an attachment clip built in. Genius.
- BPA-free.
- Constructed of three layers of ultra-durable plastic. The innermost layer is made from FDA-approved polyethylene, which is odor, taste and stain resistant.
- Made in the USA.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Freezable.
- When empty, this bottle can be folded, rolled or flattened and stands when full.
The Element series looks like this (different color choices are available):
Then there’s the Eclipse series, which features a matte finish:
And finally there is the Shades series, which has cool patterns and vibrant colors.
Here’s what a Vapur bottle looks like when it’s empty:
This is such a great idea at a really nice price. I just ordered four of them for our upcoming Europe/Asia trip – I know they are going to be one of our most-used (and likely one of our most-appreciated) items.
Do you already have one of these? What do you think? If you don’t already have one, do you love this idea as much as I do?
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Disclosure: I do receive a commission if you use my affiliate links above. As always, thank you so much for your support!
Another great idea, thanks! A tip (should you find yourself at the airport without your foldable water bottle) – in a lot of airports just after you go through security you will find a vending machine for water. Its half the price of anywhere else in the airport, but I only ever see these machines at security.
I bought these for my family when we went to Italy a few years ago. Thought I saw so smart. They leaked on everything. Everyone hated them and they almost ruined my camera. Perhaps they have improved but I’d be very careful with them. Even when you close the top and put the plastic on it, it was still leaking.
patty – great tip! I will keep an eye out on my next visit to the airport.
Sara – Oh no! Do you remember what brand you bought? That would be such a bummer!
Sorry, should have been clearer. I bought the Vapurs.
Sara – dang it! I hope they have improved. Will report back in a future post.
I’ll be interested to hear. This was three years ago. I bought them after another blogger raved about them. So, perhaps I got a bad batch?
Sara – we shall see! Mine are on their way, and I will start using them daily to see how they hold up.
How would these be cleaned? Seems risky.
j. – That is why I chose this particular brand – they’ve got a wider mouth than most.
Supposedly you can run them through the dishwasher by removing the cap and carabiner, blowing a little air into the bottle to inflate, then turning upside down and putting the spout over the prongs on the top rack of your dishwasher.
Nothing to say about US’ airports & airlines in general they are so far behind Asian’s. Unlike US’ 1000 regulations suffocating common sense, at their airports there are cold/hot water dispensers with paper cups, getting free drinking water has never been an issue.
I’ve used a few brands’ versions of these, though not Vapur. All have leaked within 2 to 6 trips. If you consider them more or less single use and disposable, then I suppose they’re fine. Otherwise, prepare for wet stuff…
I’ve also tried normal bottles with various sorts of fancy tops – bite valves, etc. Similarly, they all leak either immediately or within a couple weeks.
I went back to the tried and true Nalgene bottle attached by carabiner to my messenger bag. Takes two hands to open, but doesn’t leak and will last for years, if not forever.
DJ – That sounds great…and as it should be.
Nik – I am looking forward to trying Vapur. Like you, we’ve got decades-old Nalgene bottles, but I’ve been wishing for a lighter and more packable option. I will definitely do a review of the Vapur bottles after I’ve had a chance to use them a few times.
I’ve seen these but never tried. Lmk what you think. Interested to hear how effective cleaning works, though if prob use just for water. Hoping for no leaking!
Hey Kendra,
Don’t know the best place to put this on your blog, but The Grommet posted Vapur on their site again (looks like it’s been on there for quite some time). Not sure if these are the best deals, but thought you’d want to let people know because they are doing 2, 3 and 4 pack deals.
Still awaiting the results of your giveaway…… 🙂
Marilyn B – Thanks for the tip! I checked it out and it appears that the Grommet only has the version that people said was leaky (water bottle-type top). Let me know if you see the flip top anywhere!
I posted the winner on the Giveaway page: it was DFWGuy!
http://pointsandpixiedust.boardingarea.com/a-news-flash-and-a-giveaway/#sthash.4tf0q2nH.dpbs