Choosing the best water bottle for yourself or your family can be tricky. With millions of disposable plastic water bottles ending up in landfill each year, we encourage you to find the best reusable water bottle for your daily needs so that you are more likely to carry your water bottle with you everywhere.
When choosing the best water bottle these are the key things to consider (generally in order of how we find people prioritize the criteria):
- Size – A one litre bottle full of water can be very heavy to carry around all day. Will you be able to fill it up during the day? Is it just to sit on your desk and help you monitor how much you are drinking? How much will the child drink during the day? For children, a large bottle when full can be quite dangerous.
- Leak-proof lid – most metal bottles and hard plastic bottles (which can not be squeezed to force water out) do not allow a leak proof sports sipper top because there needs to be a very small hole for air to escape and allow a strong flow of water to your mouth). Will your bottle be tossed around in a bag without any water leaking on to your phone, iPad, text books, or other contents. Or, will you be able to keep this bottle upright, such as on your desk or in a backpack that has a drink bottle holder or in your bike’s bottle holder. Note that some water bottle ranges do offer interchangeable lids, so while the original bottle may be sold with a lid that leaks, there may be other options to add on. With Klean Kanteen, you can simply choose the lid that you prefer: sports top that is not leak proof, but very easy to drink from ; or a screw top lid.
- Material — Many people already have an idea of whether they prefer glass, metal or BPA free plastic. Each has its benefits. Our strong, thick quality plastic is light, robust and does not dent. Glass is absolutely the safest (no toxins) and best for not tainting the flavour, particularly for smoothies and sports drinks. Metal is also robust but it can dent and the paint can scratch off. SIGG bottles are as light as strong plastic, while stainless steel is a little heavier. However, stainless steel is less likely to dent than a SIGG bottle. Even though a SIGG bottle may dent, the lining never cracks and they remain taste-free and non-toxic for many, many years.
- Cost — You do pay for quality and all bottles sold at Biome are great quality and backed up by the guarantee of the manufacturer. Our manufacturers are not nameless or faceless. They are companies like Klean Kanteen where you can check their website and read all about their track record and approach to manufacturing. For kids, you might also consider whether the child will be at risk of losing the bottle?
- Appearance — Does the look of the bottle matter to you? Will an attractive bottle make you more likely to use it?
- Mouth size — Do you wish to put ice cubes inside your bottle? In that case, you will need a wide mouth bottle (not a SIGG bottle). A standard Klean Kanteen and Nathan are big enough for ice. Mouth size is also important for the ease of cleaning. If you are just putting water in the bottle, you only need to rinse out the bottle and occasionally use a long handle bottle brush on the inside. However, if you are carrying milk drinks or smoothies, you want to have good access to scrub the inside. In that case, you want a Life factory glass bottle or a Klean Kanteen wide mouth insulated bottle.
- Insulated or not – If you wish to use your water bottle for hot drinks, you must have a double walled insulated bottle. Plastic mouth pieces such as straws and sports tops are also not suitable for hot drinks. Never choose plastic for hot drinks – only ever choose stainless steel for hot drinks.
(by Biome team )
Here is more water bottle information to consider about:
Brand |
Price Range |
Material |
Sizes available |
Mouth type |
Leak proof |
| SIGG | $32 – $44 | Aluminium + lining | 300ml – 1L | normal & wide | yes – all tops |
| Klean Kanteen | $20 – $33 | Stainless Steel | 355ml – 1182ml | wide neck | loop cap – yessports top – no |
| Ecococoon Insulated |
$25 – $35 | Stainless Steel | 350ml – 600ml | wide neck | yes |
| Thermos Insulated |
$27 – $35 | Stainless Steel | 335ml -750ml | wide neck | yes |
| Lifefactory | $20 – $38 | Glass + silicone sleeve | 250ml – 650ml | wide neck | screw top – yesflip top – no |
| Klean Kanteen Insulated |
$35 – $41 | Stainless Steel | 355ml – 590ml | wide neck | yes |
What are the best water bottles for your contents?
Water
All bottles are of course safe for water! And best of all, using a reusable drink bottle for water will save you plenty of dollars. We recommend filling your drink bottle with filtered water wherever possible as this will help to stop mineral deposits forming in the bottle.
Juice
Acidic fruit juices should not be kept in all bottles as the lining may react with the juice. SIGG, with its taste neutral inert lining, is perfectly safe for fruit juice, as we believe is the best choice for juice. Stainless steel bottles such as Klean Kanteen are also safe for fruit juice and will not corrode the high grade stainless steel – although you may experience a slight metallic taste.
Also remember to never store fruit juice for any longer than 24 hours, as the contents will ferment, and to keep the bottle as cool as possible. Wash your drink bottle with warm soapy water each day and leave open to dry out completely.
Milk
Stainless steel is the best water bottle for milk, breast milk and formula. Create a stainless steel sippy with a Klean Kanteen 12oz bottle and Avent sippy cup spout. Food-grade stainless steel is used in the dairy, brewing, food and winemaking industries and is safe for milk. It’s the material of choice for a drink bottle because it doesn’t retain or impart flavors. Your child’s Kid Kanteen Sippy is totally safe and flavour-free.
Hot drink
You should not use single-walled Klean Kanteen or SIGG drink bottles for hot beverages because you can burn yourself. Warm beverages can be used at your own personal comfort level.
For hot drinks, the best water bottle is a double-walled vacuum insulated Klean Kanteen bottle or SIGG Thermo mug. These insulated bottles will keep food or drink hot and cold for a number of hours.
(From: http://www.biome.com.au/content/60-best-water-bottle)
Everyone has started out on an exercise program full of excitement and determination, only to find the excitement start to fade after a few days. What started as something you were sure was going to change your life, has began to make your life a nightmare, trying to keep the enthusiasm at a high enough level to continue exercising. In order to stick to an exercise program, and make it work for you, you need to find a way to keep that original motivation. Here are some tips to help get you motivated, and encourage you to stay that way.
1) Find A Role Model – Who has that “perfect” body that you would love to have? Who sticks to a fitness plan, and shows that dedication in the way they live their lives? Many women tape up pictures of someone they aspire to be like, such as a model or actress. This is a great way to keep your goals fresh in your mind, and to remind you what you’re striving towards. Make sure that you choose someone deserving of your admiration – not someone who has unhealthy eating or exercise habits, or who has an impossible to achieve image.
2) Set Small Goals – If you have set the bar too high by setting goals that are too tough to reach, you’re setting yourself up to be disappointed. If you don’t achieve the goals you have set, you will become discouraged. Just set smaller, easy to achieve goals and work your way towards the bigger goals. Start with something simple like, “I will work out three times this week.” Once you have established a routine, start working out harder, and try doing more each session.
3) Reward Yourself – Setting goals is a great way to get yourself going in an exercise program, but if you have a hard time keeping yourself going, don’t be afraid to offer yourself rewards for any small achievements. You don’t need to go overboard – just small rewards for reaching small goals. Take yourself out to a movie you’ve been wanting to see if you achieve your goal of working out three times in the week. Just remember that if you’re working out to lose weight, don’t reward yourself with food!
4) Get A Buddy – Having someone to work out with makes it much more fun, and will keep you more motivated to exercise. You might even find that you’re actually looking forward to it! Not only that, but having a buddy makes it much harder for you to skip your workout, because they will be there to hold you accountable. Let them encourage you and motivate you when you don’t feel like exercising, and do the same for them. If you can’t find a buddy to work out with, hire a personal trainer to give you that extra push.
5) Make It Fun – Exercise doesn’t have to be boring or repetitive. If you don’t like your exercise routine, change it and make it more exciting. Keep trying new exercises until you find something you enjoy doing. If your exercise routine is fun, you will end up looking forward to exercise, instead of dreading it.
6) Mix It Up – Anything you do over and over every day is going to get boring, no matter how motivated you are to succeed. Find several different exercises you enjoy, and alternate. Try swimming on Monday, dance class on Wednesday and a Pilates tape at home on Saturday. Whenever you find yourself getting bored with a workout, replace it with something else you enjoy, and go back to it again when you’re ready.
7) Don’t Take It Too Seriously – If you start treating exercise like hard work, that’s exactly what it will become. Make your exercises light, fun and exciting rather than looking at it as a chore you have to do. Don’t let yourself get a bad attitude towards exercising, or you will be more likely to give up.
Staying motivated isn’t hard if you approach your exercise program with an open mind. Be flexible and let yourself have fun. Eventually, you will realize that you’re actually enjoying working out, and before you know it, you will be looking forward to exercising.
(From: http://www.fitwatch.com)
Step 1:Know your body type.
Your shape––where you naturally distribute weight––determines which swimsuit will look best on you. Measure your hips at the widest point, waist at the smallest point, and bust at the fullest point for the best reference, since swimsuit sizing and styling depend on these ratios. Here are suggested interpretations of your body shape:
- Pear shape: If your hips are significantly wider than both your waist and bust, you’re probably a pear.
- Apple shape: If your waist is significantly wider than your hips, and equal to or nearly as wide as your bust, you might be an apple.
- Hourglass shape: If your bust and hips are about the same width, but your waist is significantly smaller, you’re a classic hourglass.
- Straight (also known as ruler or banana shape): If you’re thin all around, with no significant difference between your hips, waist and bust, you’re a straight shape.
Step 2:Prepare yourself.
Before heading out to buy a swimsuit, take care of any necessary hair removal. Remove any hair you don’t want to be showing while you’re trying on your swimsuit, especially if you’re going to be modeling for someone else to judge. And do not forget to wear underwear! Every store with swimwear requests that its patrons try on their bikinis and swim shorts with undergarments still on, and besides, do you really want to take the hygiene risk of going bare?
Step 3:Choose an appropriate swimsuit store.
There are boutiques that specialize in swimsuits (everything from sporty wear to poolside glamor) so do your research to find one that will work for you. Additionally, if you’re not too particular about your swimwear, many clothing brands have their own swimsuit ranges available in department stores. Online shopping is another possibility but is probably best reserved for swimsuit duplicates when you already know what kind of swimwear fits you and you just need a few extras or a renewal of the same brand.
Step 4:Choose colors and fabrics that will highlight your best features and downplay your less-loved parts.
The secret to a good swimsuit is drawing the eye to the most flattering parts of your figure; this will help you to feel more comfortable as well as looking your best. Here are some basic tips to follow:
- To highlight a feature you like, use a bright color or pattern.
- To hide something you don’t like, use a solid color.
- If you have pale skin, use black or deep jewel tones, such as dark purple, navy, and maroon.
- If you have dark skin, bright colors can actually be more flattering and help hide what you don’t like.
- To add volume (such as to the bust or hips), choose a piece with ruffles in that area.
- To hide volume (such as on the waist), use shirred or ruched fabric.
- Don’t be afraid to buy separates that don’t match perfectly! Say you want to highlight your bust but draw attention away from your hips. You might buy a bikini top in a bright solid or pattern, and a bottom that’s a dark black, blue or brown (depending on the top).
Step 5:Select the right cut.
Here’s a quick rundown of what you might want to favor/avoid:
- A one-piece will hide your waist. Choose one with shirred panels over the stomach, or in a dark, solid color.
- A 1940s-style, bathing-beauty bottom that’s high-waisted can also help hide a waist. Again, go with a dark color or shirring.
- A tanking will highlight your waist, because it draws the eye to the section of skin that’s showing. If you love your waist but not so much your hips or bust, choose this.
- Boyshorts make your hips look wider, regardless of color. If you have a large bust and want the hips to match for a classic hourglass shape, choose boyshorts. However, be aware that this style can feel uncomfortable for some women, so be certain of fit before you purchase anything.
- High-cut bikini bottoms make legs look longer. If you’re short, or you’re long in the torso, this is a good selection.
- Halter tops draw attention to the bust, as do triangle tops.
- Tie-front bikini tops draw the eye to the bust, as well as pulling the breasts closer to one another, effectively making them look larger. If you have small breasts and want them to look larger, this might be a good fit.
- Bandeau tops will make the bust seem wider. If you’re a pear shape and you want to imitate an hourglass shape, choose a bandeau top with ruffles or another busy detail.
- For a large bust, look for a straight across cut at the top of your swimsuit with wide set straps to minimize your bust. Try a bikini top with an under wire and a thick chest band for extra support. A thick chest band will prevent jiggling so that the bra stays where it should be and you can’t fall out.
Step 6:Select the swimsuit suitable to its primary use.
It’s pointless buying a string bikini if you plan on swimming laps or surfing; it’ll be floating off in no time, embarrassing you no end. Bikinis are fairly limited in terms of active workouts in a pool or the sea, but a more solid tanking would hang in there no problems. Sports swimsuits often have added features to help with support, streamlining and comfort, so check them out if you’re planning on doing more than keeping cool by the pool.
- Most lifeguard work requires a one piece swimsuit in a plain color, perhaps the color of your lifesaving crew. You might also need to add shorts or a wetsuit to complete the uniform.
- One piece swimsuits can be very sexy, especially when you choose nice colors and a flattering fit for your body.
Step 7:Ask a professional for help.
If you’ve tried shopping on your own and just can’t find anything that works, request some assistance. Go to a store that carries styles you generally like, and ask a salesperson for his or her take on your situation.
(From:http://www.wikihow.com/, Edited by Vanessa Lausch, Jack Herrick, Ben Rubenstein, Flickety and 36 others)
As if it isn’t enough that we need to exercise to stay healthy, did you know that exercising at home can actually be dangerous if not done properly? You won’t have a trainer watching and guiding you, and you’re on your own to figure out any equipment you may be using. Well, it doesn’t have to be dangerous, as long as you can follow some basic, simple rules which will allow you to have a safe, even enjoyable, exercise program in your own home.
- The most important thing to remember is to always make sure you’re doing proper stretches before starting your exercise program. Stretching your muscles before exercising warms them up and prevents them pulling and tearing.
- If you’re just starting out, make sure you start with a short exercise routine. The worst thing you can do is overdo it, and exercise too much. You can injure your muscles, because they just aren’t used to it yet. You can slowly increase your exercise over time, as your muscles adjust. It’s very important to get your body used to doing exercises of any kind before taking it up a level.
- Slowly increase your speed and endurance. Never try doing any more than you can physically do. You need to know your limits, and stick with them. Lifting 300 pound weights when you only weigh 150 pounds right off the bat, is not only a bad idea, but dangerous as well!
- If you’re using any kind of exercise equipment, make sure that it’s in good condition and that you know how to use it properly. It’s obviously not a good idea to exercise with faulty equipment, which can break and cause major injuries. Not only that, if you don’t know how to use the equipment properly, you can be putting yourself at risk for injury as well.
- If you’re lifting weights, it’s never a good idea to bench press alone. Even if you’re doing lighter weights than you have done before, you never know when the bar can become too heavy for you to lift back up. If it comes down onto your chest or neck area, you could have your air circulation blocked off. Obviously this can be extremely dangerous and even fatal, so always make sure to get someone to come and spot you when doing any bench presses.
- As you’re doing your exercises, pay attention to your body. If you ever start feeling any pain, stop immediately and take care of the pain. Go to a doctor if necessary. Never continue with your exercises, thinking you can “work through the pain.” Just stop, and take care of your injury.
- Wear comfortable shoes if you’re planning on doing any walking or running exercises. A cheap, low quality pair of shoes will only make your feet hurt, and discourage you from completing your workout. Not only that, but they can even cause you to injure muscles as well, so go for the good quality shoes that are comfortable on your feet.
Following these simple steps can help ensure that you have a safe work out at home. Take it easy, and listen to what your body is trying to tell you. You can exercise freely, without risk of injury, so long as you’re willing to take the steps needed to be safe.
(From:http://www.fitwatch.com/)
Once you’ve bought your tent, your next major consideration will be what equipment to buy to ensure you get the best night’s sleep possible. Here’s a guide to help you choose.
Sleeping on the Floor?
Whilst some people can adapt to the challenges of sleeping on the floor, sleeping in a regular sleeping bag with only the groundsheet between yourself and the floor does not often lead to a comfortable night’s sleep. For some added comfort, you have two main options – a camping mattress or a Sleeping Bed. Both offer their own advantages and are discussed in more detail below. But whilst both provide added comfort, neither will raise your body particularly far off the ground. Therefore if you don’t like the sensation of sleeping close to the ground, however comfortable, there is also the option of buying a camp bed. Whilst it will not be suitable for some smaller, lower tents, inside a larger family tent it offers you a solution to this problem.
Camping Mattress
There are several factors to consider in terms of deciding which sleeping mat or camping mattress to choose. The first is perhaps the simplest – do you need a single or a double mattress? A key factor in deciding this is to look at the floor space inside your tent, as this will determine how large a mattress you can actually fit inside. The second factor is whether to go for an inflatable mattress or a foam mattress that remains at a constant thickness. Inflatable mattresses can offer greater levels of comfort, but must be inflated and deflated before and after use. A third option is a self-inflatable mattress such as the Quechua A300 Mattress, which offer a compromise between the convenience of a foam mattress and the comfort of an inflatable mattress.
Another important consideration is the ‘folded size’ of the mattress. Whilst a mattress might fit inside your tent, but if it is too large for you to actually transport it then it will not be a worthwhile purchase. Studying the folded size (and weight) of the mattress is essential for any backpackers, but even if you will have access to a car during your camping holiday, it is still worth considering as a mattress with a smaller folded size will be easier to store at home following your holiday.
Sleeping Bed
The Sleeping Bed offers an alternative to the traditional pattern of buying a separate sleeping bag and mattress, and come in two main varieties. The first is a sleeping bag with an integrated self-inflatable mattress built-in, such as the 15° Sleeping Bed. This built-in mattress can be detached, meaning that both the mattress or the sleeping bag can be used on their own as well as together, offering a 3-in-1 sleeping solution. The other variety is mattresses with integrated duvets such as the Single Sleeping Bed Camp, providing a more portable option for people who prefer duvets to sleeping bags.
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping bags come in a range of varieties, but there are a number of features to consider when deciding which is the best for you. One of the most essential features is the temperature that your sleeping bag is designed to cope with. For example, the O° Quechua Light Hiking Sleeping Bag is designed to be comfortable at O°. Therefore if you are camping in that sort of temperature, it will be an ideal sleeping bag to ensure your temperature is comfortable throughout the night. Yet if you are camping in warm temperatures, other sleeping bags will be more suitable, such as the 20° Basic Camping Sleeping Bag, which is designed for use when the temperature is 20° and above. Therefore identifying the likely temperatures during your camping trip will help you to choose a sleeping bag that will provide the most comfortable night’s sleep. If you will be camping in a wide range of temperatures and don’t want to buy multiple sleeping bags, choose a bag that is suitable for the lowest temperature you expect to encounter as it is easier to find ways to lower the temperature in the tent at night than increase it.
Size is again another important consideration. The sleeping bag should be large enough for you to sleep inside of comfortably, so check both the size and the dimensions prior to buying to ensure that this will be the case. As with the camping mattress, the folded size is also important, particularly for backpackers. The smaller the folded size of your sleeping bag, the more space you’ll have available for additional equipment and supplies. And finally, if you are going to be using the sleeping bag regularly, it is worth investigating whether it is machine washable or suitable for a tumble drier.
Bed sheets, duvets and blankets
Sleeping bags are not the only option. Your normal duvets or blankets will work too, and depending on the type of mattress you choose a bed sheet is an option too. The advantages of this set up is that it brings the comforts of home with you when you are camping. However, the major problem is that they are not designed specifically for the purpose of camping. Duvets in particular are notoriously difficult to transport, taking up a lot of space and being difficult to reduce down into a smaller size. This clearly rules them out for anyone backpacking, and even if you have access to a car, anything more than one duvet will be too large for most hatchbacks. However, if do have a car available offering the necessary space, it’s an option that will give you added comfort.
Additional Equipment
If you have perhaps already got a sleeping bag that maybe isn’t completely suitable for what you need to ensure a comfortable night’s sleep, other sleeping equipment can help you get the comfort you need. Liners and pillows can help provide additional comfort, whilst if your sleeping bag is not designed for the cold temperatures you are encountering, then a Fleece Blanket is an option for providing additional warmth. More camping equipment, you can click Basic Tent Camping Equipment | Sports Related.
(This entry was posted by Colin)
More summer camping information, you can see:
10 best national park campsites across the USA | Sporting Life.
Selecting the Right Hiking Equipment Before Going on a Outdoor camping Trip | Sports and Exercise.
Sporting Life- Sports, Exercise Blog 