Friday, January 14, 2011

Takeya Modern Glass Water Bottle


As mentioned previously, I recently decided to look into getting a new water bottle, and I was sent this beautiful Takeya bottle through CSN Stores. I already have a Kor One Hydration Vessel (which I never got around to reviewing but may do so later) that I absolutely love, but I received a juicer from my family over the holidays, and I've been needing another vessel in which to carry juices with me to class. Upon receiving my Takeya bottle, however, I've found that I like it so much that it has become my default water bottle rather than simply a backup for juices.



The Takeya Modern Glass Water Bottle is, firstly, a gorgeous piece of beverage equipment. The simplistic, cylindrical design certainly has a very modernistic feel to it, and is accentuated by the muted green of the silicone wrapping and the clean white of the screw-on lid. The bottle itself is made of a unique material called "AcraGlass," a high-quality, glass-like acrylic developed by Takeya for its various product lines. The material is impeccably similar to conventional glass in texture, heft, appearance, and even sound (on the rare occasion that the bottle is knocked against something), and had I not done a bit of research into the company after receiving the bottle, I never would have suspected that the material was, in fact, not glass. Unlike many plastics or metals, the AcraGlass leaves no residual taste in the contained liquid, which is particularly important when using it for water. The bottle feels weighty and durable when held, and the tall, slender design fits perfectly in the hand. Overall, the bottle is just a satisfying thing to hold. The slender design, however, does make this bottle a terrible match for most cup-holders, but the reliable lid keeps transporting the container from being an issue.

The external silicone wrapping adds to the satisfying feel of the vessel by adding a little cushion to the unyielding inner material and adding a bit of much needed grip. An exposed glass bottle would surely be slippery and hard to hang on to when wet or covered in condensation; a common problem easily sidestepped with the silicone. The covering is only a few millimeters thick around the perimeter of the bottle, but is a good bit thicker on the bottom so that setting down the container too swiftly is not a concern. The two vertical slots along the length of the bottle allow air to creep between the silicon and the glass to dry any trapped moisture from filling/cleaning, while also adding an aesthetic relief from the plain consistency of the silicon's appearance. In the event that the bottle were to be broken during a drop, the wrapping would also prevent potentially dangerous shards of acrylic from scattering across the floor. Silicone is widely known for its insulative properties, and although the sheath around the bottle is not very thick, it still helps keep beverages closer to their initial temperatures for longer periods of time. With that in mind, it is certainly notable that Takeya bottles can be used for both hot and cold beverages: a feature that is relatively unique for a water bottle.


The bottle's lid is also of high-quality construction, and is made of a hard plastic that feels almost like a ceramic. The rubber ring in the top of the lid creates a strong seal with the opening of the bottle, and the molding on the side of the lid provides extra, although largely unneeded torque when screwing on the lid. The single-path thread design matches the threading on the opening of the bottle and ensures that the protrusion on the lid will always settle on the original sideways configuration seen in the picture above (assuming, of course, that the silicone wrapping has not shifted from its original state) when the bottle is sealed.

I am very, very satisfied with my Takeya bottle. My only complaint so far is that dust and other small particles can tend to stick to the silicone when it is dry, but that is a small complaint in light of the positives and is easily avoided by frequently washing the bottle. At 16 fluid ounces, the bottle is overall a better fit for juices and other flavored beverages, as I find myself frequently refilling the bottle when I use it for water (a function perhaps better served by the larger 18 ounce version). I have been using this bottle every day, and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a visually appealing, durable, and relatively inexpensive reusable vessel.

Verdict: Highly Recommended

4 comments:

  1. Hi: I have a new company with a glass bottle that beats all the others. Clear coated BPA Free FDA approved coating for contact with food. I can send you (at Drinkable Review) a free one for reviewing the product just contact me at walt@pureglassbottle.com web site:www.pureglassbottle.com
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  2. If you read their FAQ, it says that their glass water bottles are, indeed, made of glass. They have other products made of AcraGlass but these bottles are not among them.

    Other than that, very nice review, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It would appear that you're right about that, Anonymous. It's not very clear on the website unless you specifically visit the FAQ, and it is still kind of easy to miss, so thanks for clearing that up. I will definitely keep that in mind in the event of future Takeya product reviews.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Reply fussy in the return of this argument is solid and explain all about.

    ReplyDelete