Microplastics are everywhere: In our food, water, and every organ in our bodies. Some scientists estimate that we each consume around 5 grams of the small particles each week. Plastic is king in many sectors of the economy, and it’s no less dominant in the outdoor industry. From fleeces to rain jackets to packs, plastic is ubiquitous.
One of the biggest culprits in our exposure, however, lies in an essential piece of outdoor gear: water bottles. Studies show that people who regularly drink from plastic water bottles (including the thru-hikers who love the SmartWater bottle) consume 90,000 more particles of microplastics a year than those who don’t.
While reusable plastic bottles from brands like Nalgene, CNOC, and Mazama are certainly better for the environment than single-use disposable bottles (and leech less plastic), they also release microplastics. Scientists are still researching the long-term health effects of these particles, but early evidence suggests they could cause reproductive issues and certain cancers.
Stainless steel water bottles are one of the best swaps to make to reduce microplastic exposure, but typically they’ve come with one big problem: weight. Hikers and backpackers aren’t lugging heavy metal Hydroflasks or YETI tumblers into the wilderness.
Ultralight cottage brands, however, have realized this, and developed featherweight titanium water bottles that allow outdoor enthusiasts to cut microplastics — without adding pounds of weight.
The Old Vs. New Guard
Metal water bottles aren’t new.
Brands like Kleen Kanteen have been around since the early 2000s. While these stainless steel bottles work great for everyday life and gym workouts, they’re often too heavy for many outdoor adventures. A 800-ml Kleen Kanteen bottle (steel) weighs 7.5 ounces, while a 1-liter CNOC bottle (BPA-free plastic) clocks in at just 2.2 ounces. You don’t have to be a diehard ultra-lighter to be unwilling to carry a smaller, significantly heavier bottle.
Even HydroFlask’s lightest models are hefty. Its “lightweight” 700-ml bottle will add 10.9 ounces. And it’s a consequential choice. If you’re carrying the recommended 3 to 4 liters of water (and more in desert environments), your choice of bottle can add several pounds to your pack.
The next generation of metal water bottles has one key design change: Brands swapped out stainless steel for titanium, a much lighter material that’s widely used for other backpacking gear like pots and utensils.
This metal has several other advantages: It won’t corrode, and doesn’t leave a metallic taste. Pennsylvania-based brand Vargo makes a one-liter titanium bottle that weighs 8.1 ounces, a marked improvement. SilverAnt’s titanium bottle boasts an even better weight-to-capacity ratio, with a 1.2-liter bottle that has a weight of 7.9 ounces. Valtcan, based in California, also makes a 1-liter titanium bottle.
However, these bottles are also expensive.
Vargo’s will set you back $150, while SilverAnt’s bottles cost $150 to $170, depending on the size. At $96, Valtcan is the cheapest of these three options. But when a CNOC bottle costs just $13, spending more than $100 on a bottle can be a tough pill to swallow.
Pros & Cons: Who Are These For?
Beyond avoiding leeching plastic into your water, these bottles have a few other advantages. You can put the SilverAnt directly on the stove, so you can boil water in it, potentially cutting out the need for a pot. They’re spill-proof, and have a wide mouth so they’re easy to clean.
Most thru-hikers will still likely choose potential microplastics over forking more cash (and adding a few extra ounces) for metal water bottles. If you’re not a gram-counter or tend to stick to shorter hikes, replacing your trusty Nalgene with one of these titanium bottles could be worth it.
We have very little control over major sources of microplastics like industrial agriculture and auto manufacturing, but this is one area we do have a choice. As with every choice we take in the outdoors, risk tolerance is entirely personal. How worried you are about microplastics will dictate whether you shell out for a titanium bottle. More product choices is always a good thing for consumers though, and hopefully these brands releasing lighter, plastic-free bottles will inspire others to do the same.
