Best Water Bottle to Take to the Gym

Price paid: $30
Where to buy: Amazon, YETI
Empty weight: 1.2 pounds
Capacity: 18 ounces
Materials: Kitchen-grade 18/8 stainless steel, double-wall vacuum insulation.
Dishwasher safe: Yes

The first time I saw a Yeti was several years ago when I noticed my friend’s bottle during a class and asked her about it. She said she loved it, but when she told me the price I knew it was an investment I wasn’t willing to make. 

That’s because I’m one of those people who frequently leaves her bottle behind in the emotional mess of brokenness, joy, and accomplishment I experience after a strenuous workout. For that reason, I’m just not an expensive water bottle kind of girl.

Apparently, I am not the norm, with fourth-quarter net sales of Yeti increasing by 18 percent last year, its fourth year as a public company. These bottles definitely have a solid fan base.

There’s certainly a lot to love about the Yeti Rambler. It’s ultra-sturdy and double-wall vacuum insulated so it keeps water cold for a very long time. Made with kitchen-grade stainless steel, though, it’s not exactly light (1.2 pounds when empty), so if you want to travel light on an endurance hike, a less hefty bottle may suit you better. 

The main thing I don’t like about the Rambler is the twist-top cap. Though it was completely leak-free for me, I wasn’t able to open it quickly, which was annoying during a high-intensity training session when I had only a few seconds to take a slug of water. At one point, I had to leave it open while I finished my movement because I couldn’t be bothered taking the extra time to close it. 

Additionally, its wide mouth makes it easy to fill but also easy to spill a lot of water all over yourself if you’re throwing a refreshment back quickly. The Chug cap, which has a narrow opening for drinking, might have helped. The Yeti website says it comes standard when you purchase one from there, but my bottle, ordered via Amazon, didn’t come with one. 

Camping, boating, or fishing may be other places the Yeti’s top-notch cooling qualities are best appreciated. At home after my workout, I was happy to be able to toss it in the dishwasher. And unlike the Hydro Flask, it would be tough to permanently ding this “puncture and rust-resistant” bottle (verbiage I found on the website), so if you want serious chill along with durability, this one is for you.