Sigg bottle
An introduction to whetting your whistle
The latest Sigg, style endures, ...but is it merely gimmick?
(widemouth variety)
Some may call it a fetish, if so it's one that can remain in plain view, (unlike the gimp mask) ..however I digress.
As a household of 3 we currently own 17 Sigg bottles, used day in day out making & taking up that old plate drying rack above the sink (a near perfect drainage & aeration spot).
A decent water bottle is still sadly undervalued, therefore not costed accordingly as a purchase when there's SO many generic bottles, one hit disposable plastic bottles & drinks pouches to choose from!
So why should you opt for (& lug around) a water / juice bottle?
While plastic PET (disposable) bottles are recyclable, in excess of 50% of these bottles aren't recycled & simply become pointlessly polluting landfill waste.
The extraction and production of raw aluminum is not without its own energy and environmental demands. However, after only 12 refills, a typical SIGG bottle has less of an environmental impact than a common PET bottle. SIGG bottles are deemed infinitely recyclable, in which case even less energy is needed to turn the aluminum into a new product at it's working life's end.
Sigg were recently accredited with the title of "world's toughest water bottle" when during a test by Backpacker magazine, they fired golf balls at the water bottles with a 100 pound cannon
As a household of 3 we currently own 17 Sigg bottles, used day in day out making & taking up that old plate drying rack above the sink (a near perfect drainage & aeration spot).
A decent water bottle is still sadly undervalued, therefore not costed accordingly as a purchase when there's SO many generic bottles, one hit disposable plastic bottles & drinks pouches to choose from!
So why should you opt for (& lug around) a water / juice bottle?
While plastic PET (disposable) bottles are recyclable, in excess of 50% of these bottles aren't recycled & simply become pointlessly polluting landfill waste.
The extraction and production of raw aluminum is not without its own energy and environmental demands. However, after only 12 refills, a typical SIGG bottle has less of an environmental impact than a common PET bottle. SIGG bottles are deemed infinitely recyclable, in which case even less energy is needed to turn the aluminum into a new product at it's working life's end.
Sigg were recently accredited with the title of "world's toughest water bottle" when during a test by Backpacker magazine, they fired golf balls at the water bottles with a 100 pound cannon
Sigg lid / cap varieties
I grew up with the classic "screw top", it's light, doesn't get messed up & caked in mud (unless you drop it) or accumulate fluff from inside my back-pack.
Currently there are numerous variations on the lid.. my knowledge & opinions are therefore somewhat limited.. which hopefully we can expand upon over time.
Sigg active top (new addition for summer 2012) ..Basic review follows below!
http://newactivetop.sigg.com/intro/
Currently there are numerous variations on the lid.. my knowledge & opinions are therefore somewhat limited.. which hopefully we can expand upon over time.
Sigg active top (new addition for summer 2012) ..Basic review follows below!
http://newactivetop.sigg.com/intro/
classic screwtop stopper
Pretty much indestructable (under normal use) ensuring a good strong seal which can defy a smaller child on occasion, Izzy has been using the classic screw-top stopper since she was 7 years old, having previously made use of Sigg "kid's top" (Article Nr. 8141.90) fitting well on any standard neck sigg,
The only lid i've ever had to replace has been one occasion it was grabbed sneakily by a black labrador on a walk & mauled ..the owner was very apologetic & walked back several miles to return it (see picture below)
Aluminium bottles tend to crunch, dent & ding without failing, absorbing impact but remaining useable, unlike plastic bottles which have a tendency to crack or burst upon impact in a typical outdoor scenario.
..Gift one of these & you'll see it used by the owner, sized up according to their potential useage & (lid) requirements makes for a much vaunted piece of kit!
This is a much copied design, it's handy in that it enables comfortable transportation by mere hooking of the finger through the hole, clipped to a carabiner I can pouch this & pull it out of my pack & let it swing freely if required.
The style of bottle closure also ensures a good tight seal (& sometimes too effective a seal) ..better than leakage any day.
The only lid i've ever had to replace has been one occasion it was grabbed sneakily by a black labrador on a walk & mauled ..the owner was very apologetic & walked back several miles to return it (see picture below)
Aluminium bottles tend to crunch, dent & ding without failing, absorbing impact but remaining useable, unlike plastic bottles which have a tendency to crack or burst upon impact in a typical outdoor scenario.
..Gift one of these & you'll see it used by the owner, sized up according to their potential useage & (lid) requirements makes for a much vaunted piece of kit!
This is a much copied design, it's handy in that it enables comfortable transportation by mere hooking of the finger through the hole, clipped to a carabiner I can pouch this & pull it out of my pack & let it swing freely if required.
The style of bottle closure also ensures a good tight seal (& sometimes too effective a seal) ..better than leakage any day.
NOTE: The standard neck width allows you to fit ALL the lid variants pictured below.
Sizes listed (left to right) 0.3, 0.4, 0.6, 0.75 (tapered waist) & 1.0 Litre Typically allow £5.00-£6.99 per additional lid if you swap around, it may be more cost effective to purchase another sigg, so please do the math. |
Active top mk1.0
Now a few years old (circa 2006 release) this is a nice take on the older top (see below)..whilst easy to open it was also too easy to click too far & have it dis-assemble on you potentially, losing the tiny, shiny metal inner ring ..leaving you in a possible pickle, best suited to cyclists & gym goer's (imho) where a quick glug of refreshment can be got at.. unsuitable for those with "cack-hands" such as myself & small children.
Somewhat limited flow...(suck with the bottle tilted, no straw).
Too easy to dissassemble involuntarily & pop out the metal ring, mine was farmed out to a kid!
(picture shown without the common domed lid)
Somewhat limited flow...(suck with the bottle tilted, no straw).
Too easy to dissassemble involuntarily & pop out the metal ring, mine was farmed out to a kid!
(picture shown without the common domed lid)
How to spot the old vs new Eco-liner (introduced 2008) ..the liner is now a mk3 version, a baked on water based flexible "eco-care" liner.
EcoCare liner = chemically neutral coating ensuring that the water inside does not transfer an aluminum taint, ..trust me it works very well indeed,a secret formula known only to those at Sigg HQ.
EcoCare liner = chemically neutral coating ensuring that the water inside does not transfer an aluminum taint, ..trust me it works very well indeed,a secret formula known only to those at Sigg HQ.
NEW ( Summer 2012) Sigg active top (review)
I admit to possibly having too numerous an amount of sigg bottles, indeed it is the only portable water bottle brand our 8 year old daughter has ever drunk from (see elsewhere), in some folks eyes that may make me indoctrinated, brand biased etc.
...I prefer "well informed" myself.
Upon receipt of my 1 litre Sigg Activetop I broke the habit of a lifetime, after rinsing it out with soapy water) by filling it with Lucozade energy drink bottles (x2) to test out the "air" release option for gassy fizz, ..it works as stated, a gentle inconspicuous release of gas compared to the sharp rasp which draws attention to yourself with a regular bottle of carbonated fizzy stuff.
Having 4 settings "Close" ..."Air" ... "Open" ... "Clean" which are moulded into the smooth black plastic outer ring it's a breeze to get glugging, the bite valve allows us the oportunity to take proper swigs rather than the previous limited flow of old lid types, ..& the reason I remained a traditionalist screw lid man for the best part of 25 years! ...today is therefore somewhat of a departure for the positive.
Neoprene pouch owners will be happy to know their 1 Litre zip up pouch still fits ...providing continuity should you wish to give the Active Top Sigg a go.
Sigg Active top bottles retains the same base diameter, & overall height (deceptively) ..the main difference being the wide mouthed upper with plastic screw fit to facilitate the new top.
But getting back to the lid section, (..because this is where the magic happens)
There is a clear degree of resistance between each setting, so fumbling around in the dark should be minimal, if I were to add one thing to the design it would be to mark & notch the open & closed print with a painted overlay for at a glance referral (it's currently black on black) ...trifling matters indeed, unless you are partially sighted, or fumbling around in the dark.
I was dubious initially that the idea of a straw could & would so completely drain a 1 litre capacity bottle without necessitating tipping.
The wife, (a nurse with years of experience in spinal units, (quadriplegics etc) is well aware of the frustration borne of being laid up or down for the count through accident) therefore this is another point of interest to ourselves, everyone needs to stay hydrated, & it's often a complaint that basic hydration is a problem for anyone hospital bound, ..so is this a solution? aid to facilitate independence & comfort or just a pricey gadget?
Well firstly a hospital could never afford to buy each patient their own Sigg active top, so NO, (& nor should it) ..we can however see the benefits to buying one for those with a physical impairment.
"Sippy" cups are often an option for those with limited strength, being relatively spill free they help considerably, but will leak / drip profusely if left on their side, or dropped may detach & spill.
The Sigg active top isn't perfect but I doubt it's been designed for anyone else other than it's core market of the last 50+ years.
IF you use a clear liquid (water) then it's hard to see through the bite piece, which if left open for a matter of seconds will drain back,much more visible through the "smokey grey" mouthpiece was my fizzy lucozade, making for a clear marker that liquid was present.
The bite-piece allows for hearty quaffing by the thirsty ...which I love as I can clear a bottle in a matter of rapid glugs, making it the first viable sigg lid option to keep pace with my individual needs...
(it ought to be noted I can clear the best part of 1000ml in just a few slugs with a regular Sigg, whilst draw of liquid was slower it was comfortable,easy & ultimately did the job without struggle).
NB, even Izzy (8) having grown up with the sigg sippy option, moving onto the olde "sport cap" pictured elsewhere & suffering that with a degree of frustration, (limited flow) before going for the traditional screw-top at the age of 7 years.
Within hours of receipt Izzy therefore had grabbed the 1 litre bottle off myself & was giving it a go, (bravo) ..shown where to bite she had no problem getting to grips with it & begged to take it to school next day, ..she needs a bit more tutelage on where to gently bite & possibly a smaller bottle to succeed (0.6 / 0.75L size) ,...& indeed Sigg DO produce them in smaller sizes check them out. the girth of the 1 litre bottle was just a bit too much for her hand to grasp currently, she's used to a 600ml (0.6L) bottle so this clearly led to a bit of wobbliness gripping the added girth & twisting the cap open!
No design is perfect, but to say the sigg is flawed would be erroneous! ...I was honestly & openly advised by Sigg UK to keep the bottle upright, clearly this made me ponder & test, coming down to the drain off from the valve (a midway section) , clearly with any straw / pump it needs
to stay primed in order to draw liquid, so some retention is inevitable, I was anticipating a torrent, which didn't happen! ..shaken vigourously, upside down & side to side there was no more than the merest bead formation between the outer & inner rings ...which could not be considered a drip even, ..therefore a succesful pass in my hopefully critical eye.
Indeed I can only say that if you left it rolling & jigging in a backpack without a cap on the bite-piece along with important papers then yes you could & should expect liquid over your dissertation (or whatever) but this is down to you not your bottle, sigg do despatch with a bite-piece cover, & all parts are available as spares should you be a nibbler or lose your cap ...(I will), the bitepiece opens out a generous diamond opening which with almost no effort from the user will draw liquid with ease, so keep it closed & capped, & upright ..preferably!
Whilst mentioning doubts, I didn't believe that you could drain the bottle without tipping & rolling around, again I was proven wrong (thankfully).
The straw is floppy, bendy soft & therefore gets pretty much everywhere within it's confines, my first test leaving around a teaspoon of liquid within (5ml) nothing audibly sloshing around, not enough citric acid to rip the eco-liner apart if left around for a while ..(did I tell you i'm slovenly)?
Grilling the good folk at Sigg uk I made enquiries as to the eco-liner, in a process of continual improvement it's in it's 3rd incarnation now, not that I could tell as the shade of the baked on material is the same as it ever was.
Not that I have a problem with the old liner, I still use several with it, intact & robust as ever, having read closely the scaremongering piece that initiated the change from traditional liner to eco, I'm certain that it was poor reportage by those who picked it up on a slow news day, you typically ingest more toxic crud into your system walking past a line of cars standing at the traffic lights (imho).
SO why does the "Gear-snob" guy (& family) buy "expensive" Sigg's when there are so many cheaper options out there?
It's a premium product, one we trust to pull us through a backcountry trip ..a stroll in the park, or a stint in the hospital (work or patient) & doesn't turn your flavoured drink of choice into a sour mouthful of fresh dentistry fillings!
Our bottles are all interchangeable (we have 17 siggs) traditional screw top, so also fit a variety of other lid / cap options, allowing for quick swap, mass cleaning (cold water sterilisation) & we like the various designs offered.
Add to that world support & availability, proven durability in the face of calamity or stupidity, & extremely high quality standards, all make for a bit of a steal for those who like to buy once & use till you curl your toes, can a generic brand offer you such assurity & spares? ..probably not.
I read somewhere, (honest) that in a properly conducted test of numerous generic (ie typically chinese origin) bottles they had high amounts of residual nasties, be they chemical, leachate or heavy metal within the construction, & therefore posed a not inconsiderable risk to the user through ingestion over time.
Sigg had the balls when challenged in the U.S. to placate the concerned & adapt to change, let me get this across clearly, amidst the BPA concerns it was reported that the old (original) liner, should it detach, then there was a "chance" (not a certainty) of very low level (background BPA) getting into users systems, which wasn't reported to have happened anyway, it was mere speculation.
Sigg, to their credit amongst the furore roused by lazy reportage asked anyone with concerns to bring their sigg back for a new one if they had any cause for concern, ...the new eco-liner roll out ensured it remains a reputable & trusted brand, ..more so in Europe where we are less prone to go off on one!
Fact is that the long term care of both customer & bottle are paramount to Sigg, therefore they offer a 5 year (sensible use) warranty on their product
remaining fit for purpose, so, whilst throwing it off a mountain & expecting a new one won't be covered, baked on liner detachment (it's a second skin after all) is, ..if so Sigg have got your back & will ask you a few basic questions, & a pic of the offending article before promptly despatching a replacement.
Peace of mind in both product & service support? ..yes most definitely!
Things to note:
It's a wide mouth, offering improved access to cleaning or part filling with ice cubes & the like...
If you lose something, spares are available via the impressive distribution network, Siggs own uk website, or many outdoor shops in your neighbourhood, Amazon etc etc... so it will be good to go for years!
Handwash, hand rinse, quick & easy! ...if you don't let it get stale your sigg will never need hard scrubbing, just the periodic cold sterilisation, so asides from all the great designs & colours available possibly another reason to buy a few siggs to grab & go!
This is a straw based variation on the usual siggs (incorporating a wider mouth) ..it can have a tendency to gurgle as you suck, so use in sensitive scenarios office meeting, in the library, etc ...to be avoided, otherwise get on & hydrate!
At the time of writing.. Dec 2012 the new Sigg active top was noteably cheaper than the alternative optional sport top widemouth, so if you've pondered one thus far, check it out, the tops are pretty interchangeable should you prefer ones ability to draw liquid over another.
Don't overfill fizzy drinks, allow for expansion & utilise the "air" option
Thicker drinks are apparantly OK, i've yet to try powdered mix or a nourishment drink such as "Dunns" but apparantly they work ok, just be really attentive to cleaning afterwards in case of residue.
...I prefer "well informed" myself.
Upon receipt of my 1 litre Sigg Activetop I broke the habit of a lifetime, after rinsing it out with soapy water) by filling it with Lucozade energy drink bottles (x2) to test out the "air" release option for gassy fizz, ..it works as stated, a gentle inconspicuous release of gas compared to the sharp rasp which draws attention to yourself with a regular bottle of carbonated fizzy stuff.
Having 4 settings "Close" ..."Air" ... "Open" ... "Clean" which are moulded into the smooth black plastic outer ring it's a breeze to get glugging, the bite valve allows us the oportunity to take proper swigs rather than the previous limited flow of old lid types, ..& the reason I remained a traditionalist screw lid man for the best part of 25 years! ...today is therefore somewhat of a departure for the positive.
Neoprene pouch owners will be happy to know their 1 Litre zip up pouch still fits ...providing continuity should you wish to give the Active Top Sigg a go.
Sigg Active top bottles retains the same base diameter, & overall height (deceptively) ..the main difference being the wide mouthed upper with plastic screw fit to facilitate the new top.
But getting back to the lid section, (..because this is where the magic happens)
There is a clear degree of resistance between each setting, so fumbling around in the dark should be minimal, if I were to add one thing to the design it would be to mark & notch the open & closed print with a painted overlay for at a glance referral (it's currently black on black) ...trifling matters indeed, unless you are partially sighted, or fumbling around in the dark.
I was dubious initially that the idea of a straw could & would so completely drain a 1 litre capacity bottle without necessitating tipping.
The wife, (a nurse with years of experience in spinal units, (quadriplegics etc) is well aware of the frustration borne of being laid up or down for the count through accident) therefore this is another point of interest to ourselves, everyone needs to stay hydrated, & it's often a complaint that basic hydration is a problem for anyone hospital bound, ..so is this a solution? aid to facilitate independence & comfort or just a pricey gadget?
Well firstly a hospital could never afford to buy each patient their own Sigg active top, so NO, (& nor should it) ..we can however see the benefits to buying one for those with a physical impairment.
"Sippy" cups are often an option for those with limited strength, being relatively spill free they help considerably, but will leak / drip profusely if left on their side, or dropped may detach & spill.
The Sigg active top isn't perfect but I doubt it's been designed for anyone else other than it's core market of the last 50+ years.
IF you use a clear liquid (water) then it's hard to see through the bite piece, which if left open for a matter of seconds will drain back,much more visible through the "smokey grey" mouthpiece was my fizzy lucozade, making for a clear marker that liquid was present.
The bite-piece allows for hearty quaffing by the thirsty ...which I love as I can clear a bottle in a matter of rapid glugs, making it the first viable sigg lid option to keep pace with my individual needs...
(it ought to be noted I can clear the best part of 1000ml in just a few slugs with a regular Sigg, whilst draw of liquid was slower it was comfortable,easy & ultimately did the job without struggle).
NB, even Izzy (8) having grown up with the sigg sippy option, moving onto the olde "sport cap" pictured elsewhere & suffering that with a degree of frustration, (limited flow) before going for the traditional screw-top at the age of 7 years.
Within hours of receipt Izzy therefore had grabbed the 1 litre bottle off myself & was giving it a go, (bravo) ..shown where to bite she had no problem getting to grips with it & begged to take it to school next day, ..she needs a bit more tutelage on where to gently bite & possibly a smaller bottle to succeed (0.6 / 0.75L size) ,...& indeed Sigg DO produce them in smaller sizes check them out. the girth of the 1 litre bottle was just a bit too much for her hand to grasp currently, she's used to a 600ml (0.6L) bottle so this clearly led to a bit of wobbliness gripping the added girth & twisting the cap open!
No design is perfect, but to say the sigg is flawed would be erroneous! ...I was honestly & openly advised by Sigg UK to keep the bottle upright, clearly this made me ponder & test, coming down to the drain off from the valve (a midway section) , clearly with any straw / pump it needs
to stay primed in order to draw liquid, so some retention is inevitable, I was anticipating a torrent, which didn't happen! ..shaken vigourously, upside down & side to side there was no more than the merest bead formation between the outer & inner rings ...which could not be considered a drip even, ..therefore a succesful pass in my hopefully critical eye.
Indeed I can only say that if you left it rolling & jigging in a backpack without a cap on the bite-piece along with important papers then yes you could & should expect liquid over your dissertation (or whatever) but this is down to you not your bottle, sigg do despatch with a bite-piece cover, & all parts are available as spares should you be a nibbler or lose your cap ...(I will), the bitepiece opens out a generous diamond opening which with almost no effort from the user will draw liquid with ease, so keep it closed & capped, & upright ..preferably!
Whilst mentioning doubts, I didn't believe that you could drain the bottle without tipping & rolling around, again I was proven wrong (thankfully).
The straw is floppy, bendy soft & therefore gets pretty much everywhere within it's confines, my first test leaving around a teaspoon of liquid within (5ml) nothing audibly sloshing around, not enough citric acid to rip the eco-liner apart if left around for a while ..(did I tell you i'm slovenly)?
Grilling the good folk at Sigg uk I made enquiries as to the eco-liner, in a process of continual improvement it's in it's 3rd incarnation now, not that I could tell as the shade of the baked on material is the same as it ever was.
Not that I have a problem with the old liner, I still use several with it, intact & robust as ever, having read closely the scaremongering piece that initiated the change from traditional liner to eco, I'm certain that it was poor reportage by those who picked it up on a slow news day, you typically ingest more toxic crud into your system walking past a line of cars standing at the traffic lights (imho).
SO why does the "Gear-snob" guy (& family) buy "expensive" Sigg's when there are so many cheaper options out there?
It's a premium product, one we trust to pull us through a backcountry trip ..a stroll in the park, or a stint in the hospital (work or patient) & doesn't turn your flavoured drink of choice into a sour mouthful of fresh dentistry fillings!
Our bottles are all interchangeable (we have 17 siggs) traditional screw top, so also fit a variety of other lid / cap options, allowing for quick swap, mass cleaning (cold water sterilisation) & we like the various designs offered.
Add to that world support & availability, proven durability in the face of calamity or stupidity, & extremely high quality standards, all make for a bit of a steal for those who like to buy once & use till you curl your toes, can a generic brand offer you such assurity & spares? ..probably not.
I read somewhere, (honest) that in a properly conducted test of numerous generic (ie typically chinese origin) bottles they had high amounts of residual nasties, be they chemical, leachate or heavy metal within the construction, & therefore posed a not inconsiderable risk to the user through ingestion over time.
Sigg had the balls when challenged in the U.S. to placate the concerned & adapt to change, let me get this across clearly, amidst the BPA concerns it was reported that the old (original) liner, should it detach, then there was a "chance" (not a certainty) of very low level (background BPA) getting into users systems, which wasn't reported to have happened anyway, it was mere speculation.
Sigg, to their credit amongst the furore roused by lazy reportage asked anyone with concerns to bring their sigg back for a new one if they had any cause for concern, ...the new eco-liner roll out ensured it remains a reputable & trusted brand, ..more so in Europe where we are less prone to go off on one!
Fact is that the long term care of both customer & bottle are paramount to Sigg, therefore they offer a 5 year (sensible use) warranty on their product
remaining fit for purpose, so, whilst throwing it off a mountain & expecting a new one won't be covered, baked on liner detachment (it's a second skin after all) is, ..if so Sigg have got your back & will ask you a few basic questions, & a pic of the offending article before promptly despatching a replacement.
Peace of mind in both product & service support? ..yes most definitely!
Things to note:
It's a wide mouth, offering improved access to cleaning or part filling with ice cubes & the like...
If you lose something, spares are available via the impressive distribution network, Siggs own uk website, or many outdoor shops in your neighbourhood, Amazon etc etc... so it will be good to go for years!
Handwash, hand rinse, quick & easy! ...if you don't let it get stale your sigg will never need hard scrubbing, just the periodic cold sterilisation, so asides from all the great designs & colours available possibly another reason to buy a few siggs to grab & go!
This is a straw based variation on the usual siggs (incorporating a wider mouth) ..it can have a tendency to gurgle as you suck, so use in sensitive scenarios office meeting, in the library, etc ...to be avoided, otherwise get on & hydrate!
At the time of writing.. Dec 2012 the new Sigg active top was noteably cheaper than the alternative optional sport top widemouth, so if you've pondered one thus far, check it out, the tops are pretty interchangeable should you prefer ones ability to draw liquid over another.
Don't overfill fizzy drinks, allow for expansion & utilise the "air" option
Thicker drinks are apparantly OK, i've yet to try powdered mix or a nourishment drink such as "Dunns" but apparantly they work ok, just be really attentive to cleaning afterwards in case of residue.
The bite-valve "cap" sits well on your finger (akin to a thimble) as long as you are not wearing gloves, so get into the habit... Bite valves & lids are available in a variety of colours to make yours stand out more prominently,
smoke grey seems the standard issue, which easily disappears on our granite floor if dropped! |
"Preaching" ...neoprene pouches
Knocks & dings are worn as a badge of honour amongst sigg users, one of mine is nigh on 25 years old, if buying for a child however I would urge the parent to purchase the neoprene pouch, which in young hands will extend the lifespan & looks of a sigg bottle 10 fold, ..trust me take a look at the "with & without" pouch bottle pics! (coming soon)
U.k. prices for a 0.6 Litre capacity neoprene pouch are around £8.00 ..seems pricey? well being neoprene they are pretty tough in the hands of little ones, a corner drop & bounce will be pretty well absorbed compared to without, for instance my kid was able to knock the wind out of "Spiderman sigg" (a present from Geneva airport) to the degree pictured within a matter of weeks ...it's still perfectly useable & definitely has character, but compared to the "Haring sigg" (right hand Picture) used solidly for a year in & out of school since December 2011 which has been pouched on all but a few occasions ...looking good my friend!
I hope I'm preaching to the converted!
Being a solid core of extruded aluminium a sigg can sit in a wet classroom water bottle container in it's pouch without cause for concern, the base is a disc of material, strongly stitched to withstand multiple impact drops, & if age or abuse breaks it, a few stitches bring it back round again! (I would like to see a more rot resistant synthetic stitching used though), aluminium bottles "sweat"
The neoprene pouches (all models) have a very durable plastic clip for hanging on "stuff" as well as a velcro loop alternative & are clearly identifiable with their sigg logo print.
The other reason for recommending a pouch of course is the potential to keep a bottle of liquid that bit cooler & palatable for several hours longer than normal.
Walking round a theme park this summer (oh the misery) the dark neoprene pouched 1 litre sigg (pre-chilled the night before) was considerably cooler than the wifes unpouched 1 litre sigg (both kept in my rucksack)
I hope I'm preaching to the converted!
Being a solid core of extruded aluminium a sigg can sit in a wet classroom water bottle container in it's pouch without cause for concern, the base is a disc of material, strongly stitched to withstand multiple impact drops, & if age or abuse breaks it, a few stitches bring it back round again! (I would like to see a more rot resistant synthetic stitching used though), aluminium bottles "sweat"
The neoprene pouches (all models) have a very durable plastic clip for hanging on "stuff" as well as a velcro loop alternative & are clearly identifiable with their sigg logo print.
The other reason for recommending a pouch of course is the potential to keep a bottle of liquid that bit cooler & palatable for several hours longer than normal.
Walking round a theme park this summer (oh the misery) the dark neoprene pouched 1 litre sigg (pre-chilled the night before) was considerably cooler than the wifes unpouched 1 litre sigg (both kept in my rucksack)
Why spend premium moolah on a premium bottle?
A cheap generic bottle is fine, IF you don't give a rat's ass as to where it's made & to what standard ..(lead paint on children's toy's anyone)???
Plus a cheap bottle is easily replaced, cheaply when you lose it ...because it's so cheap you don't keep an eye on it!
Generic bottles typically taint the liquid within very quickly,... do you like the taste of crap? ..(we prefer to be refreshed)
Cheapy bottles aren't typically lined from a safety p.o.v. ,can & do release mounds of nasties into your system that hang around & contribute to a plethora of problems... Sigg's are safe & then some! the new 3rd generation powder-based, co-polyester coating has been thoroughly tested and is certified to be 100% free of BPA
SO what is BPA & what does it do? ..see here for some basics.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bpa/AN01955
Plus a cheap bottle is easily replaced, cheaply when you lose it ...because it's so cheap you don't keep an eye on it!
Generic bottles typically taint the liquid within very quickly,... do you like the taste of crap? ..(we prefer to be refreshed)
Cheapy bottles aren't typically lined from a safety p.o.v. ,can & do release mounds of nasties into your system that hang around & contribute to a plethora of problems... Sigg's are safe & then some! the new 3rd generation powder-based, co-polyester coating has been thoroughly tested and is certified to be 100% free of BPA
SO what is BPA & what does it do? ..see here for some basics.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bpa/AN01955
CLEANING ..HOW, & HOW OFTEN?
There is no hard & fast rule, it partly depends on how frequently you use it (multiple fills per 24 hour cycle in our case) ...but always part rinse & swirl it with fresh, cold tap water prior to refills.
Proper cleaning means.. simply hand clean, a cold sterilisation tablet will suffice (1 tab per 5 litres of water) left completely submerged for at least 15 minutes, then drain, don't rinse, turn upright & support to dry, with as much air movement around it as possible (a plate rack is ideal).
We tend to do this every few months on an as someone remembers, if you are concerned with build up rinse it more regularly & use a small baby bottle brush to give it a basic scrub from time to time.
DON'T store it clean, with the cap screwed on, air will get stale, if you have to screw it lightly just enough to grip in order that it doesn't get parted from the bottle...
DON'T use the dishwasher to clean it, salt & other tablet gubbins may loosen the outer paint, cause streaks & chemical composition of dishwasher tablets generally attacks aluminium.
DO try vimto cordial, over the years we've found this best for a fruity based drink when bored of water, ..it keeps well for days in a sigg without fermenting (under normal cool uk weather conditions, ie not left in a hot car) ..10 days is my record so far. i've just had nothing but tap water in the new bottle for an extended period for long term "suck it & see" tasting after 14 days & nights in an unheated bedroom environment with & without the valve left open, water tastes absolutely fine, cool temperatures obviously help ..fluctuating between 3 & 14 degrees C I'm not grimacing..yet (East Anglian water isn't great at the best of times). is it down to the season or is this liner a seriously impressive improvement? time, temperature & testing will hopefully oblige us an answer.
Sigg sell their own cleaning tablets, i'm still working through the generic milton tabs from when our nipper was a baby.
Some folk state that Sigg's are difficult to clean, i'm lazy I also have a big old gippy stomach problem which if there was nasty crud within my sigg's would definitely rear it's head very frequently! ..It doesn't, I'm not a slave to daily scrubbing / cleaning, however I do simply take care as to what I put in & how long it stays in, if consumed whilst fresh, & rinsed each day your sigg will serve you well without fear or funk!
To be perfectly honest I'm more wary of touching the door handles in public toilets for bug transferrance than I am with a scrupulously cleaned every use Sigg! ..& do remember most tap water is chlorinated (a short term germ killer).
Whilst gentle, regular light rinse & freshen up cleansing of your sigg will stand you well, there will always be the time when a bottle is left to languish & possibly ferment over time, in which case the only way to go is to splash out on the proper sigg bottle cleaning tablets if you have any concern, ..tried & tested to work with the eco-liner for a long soak (which will brighten up the insides no-end)! ..GROT FREE = daily rinse out, ..cheap & easy!
Proper cleaning means.. simply hand clean, a cold sterilisation tablet will suffice (1 tab per 5 litres of water) left completely submerged for at least 15 minutes, then drain, don't rinse, turn upright & support to dry, with as much air movement around it as possible (a plate rack is ideal).
We tend to do this every few months on an as someone remembers, if you are concerned with build up rinse it more regularly & use a small baby bottle brush to give it a basic scrub from time to time.
DON'T store it clean, with the cap screwed on, air will get stale, if you have to screw it lightly just enough to grip in order that it doesn't get parted from the bottle...
DON'T use the dishwasher to clean it, salt & other tablet gubbins may loosen the outer paint, cause streaks & chemical composition of dishwasher tablets generally attacks aluminium.
DO try vimto cordial, over the years we've found this best for a fruity based drink when bored of water, ..it keeps well for days in a sigg without fermenting (under normal cool uk weather conditions, ie not left in a hot car) ..10 days is my record so far. i've just had nothing but tap water in the new bottle for an extended period for long term "suck it & see" tasting after 14 days & nights in an unheated bedroom environment with & without the valve left open, water tastes absolutely fine, cool temperatures obviously help ..fluctuating between 3 & 14 degrees C I'm not grimacing..yet (East Anglian water isn't great at the best of times). is it down to the season or is this liner a seriously impressive improvement? time, temperature & testing will hopefully oblige us an answer.
Sigg sell their own cleaning tablets, i'm still working through the generic milton tabs from when our nipper was a baby.
Some folk state that Sigg's are difficult to clean, i'm lazy I also have a big old gippy stomach problem which if there was nasty crud within my sigg's would definitely rear it's head very frequently! ..It doesn't, I'm not a slave to daily scrubbing / cleaning, however I do simply take care as to what I put in & how long it stays in, if consumed whilst fresh, & rinsed each day your sigg will serve you well without fear or funk!
To be perfectly honest I'm more wary of touching the door handles in public toilets for bug transferrance than I am with a scrupulously cleaned every use Sigg! ..& do remember most tap water is chlorinated (a short term germ killer).
Whilst gentle, regular light rinse & freshen up cleansing of your sigg will stand you well, there will always be the time when a bottle is left to languish & possibly ferment over time, in which case the only way to go is to splash out on the proper sigg bottle cleaning tablets if you have any concern, ..tried & tested to work with the eco-liner for a long soak (which will brighten up the insides no-end)! ..GROT FREE = daily rinse out, ..cheap & easy!
OTHER ASPECTS OF THE BRAND NOT COVERED THUS FAR...
Handy size guide
Will it fit my pack, car door pocket etc etc?
Will it fit my pack, car door pocket etc etc?
In their own words...
"SIGG has been designing and manufacturing water bottles since 1908 in our own factory in Switzerland - we recently upgraded all our quality procedures and processes. As a result, SIGG can say with even more confidence all ingredients used in our products are in conformance with both European and U.S. regulatory requirements.
They are also certified and free of harmful chemicals. Furthermore, all ingredients inside our bottles are free of any volatile organic compounds (VOC's), Phthalates, BADGE, BFDGE, and NOGE. In particular, our ingredients are free* of BPA. SIGG bottles are independently lab tested to affirm our products meet our promise.
SIGG is a small company and proud of our long history making high quality products along with our continuing efforts to reduce our environmental impact. As our factory is in Switzerland each bottle is produced with over 55% renewable energy**, with minimal waste and over 99% of our waste is recycled. While we have made progress, we believe we are at the start of the journey, and will continue to strive to reduce our impact on the environment. The next major step on our journey is to better understand and lessen our carbon footprint. We are in the early stages of mapping out our plans to quantify our carbon footprint and benchmark our progress.
CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS the best way to keep you SIGG fresh and clean is washing it by hand. We recommend rinsing your SIGG thoroughly under the faucet with warm, soapy water at the end of every use and letting it air dry with the top off. SIGG cleaning brushes and tablets are the perfect tools to help ensure your bottle remains clean during years of regular use".
CARE and USER INFORMATION
"SIGG has been designing and manufacturing water bottles since 1908 in our own factory in Switzerland - we recently upgraded all our quality procedures and processes. As a result, SIGG can say with even more confidence all ingredients used in our products are in conformance with both European and U.S. regulatory requirements.
They are also certified and free of harmful chemicals. Furthermore, all ingredients inside our bottles are free of any volatile organic compounds (VOC's), Phthalates, BADGE, BFDGE, and NOGE. In particular, our ingredients are free* of BPA. SIGG bottles are independently lab tested to affirm our products meet our promise.
SIGG is a small company and proud of our long history making high quality products along with our continuing efforts to reduce our environmental impact. As our factory is in Switzerland each bottle is produced with over 55% renewable energy**, with minimal waste and over 99% of our waste is recycled. While we have made progress, we believe we are at the start of the journey, and will continue to strive to reduce our impact on the environment. The next major step on our journey is to better understand and lessen our carbon footprint. We are in the early stages of mapping out our plans to quantify our carbon footprint and benchmark our progress.
CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS the best way to keep you SIGG fresh and clean is washing it by hand. We recommend rinsing your SIGG thoroughly under the faucet with warm, soapy water at the end of every use and letting it air dry with the top off. SIGG cleaning brushes and tablets are the perfect tools to help ensure your bottle remains clean during years of regular use".
CARE and USER INFORMATION
- Before using for the first time, rinse the bottle, seal and drinking cap.
- Suitable for fruit juices and isotonic drinks.
- When using with carbonated drinks, avoid unnecessary shaking and take care when opening.
- Alcoholic, fermented or nutrient-rich beverages may cause excessive pressure to build up inside the bottle. (EXCEPT FOR NEW SIGG ACTIVE TOP)
- SIGG bottles are not suitable for the long-term storage of drinks. We recommend you enjoy your beverage while it is still fresh.
- Fill bottle below the rim to ensure no leakage as the cap is screwed on.
- Always store the bottle open with the cap off.
- Do not use for non-drinkable substances (e.g. liquid fuels).
- Do not microwave or cook with your SIGG.
- Do not freeze your bottle or it may explode as liquids solidify and expand when frozen.
- Bottles can be placed in the refrigerator.
- Always check that the drinking cap is firmly screwed in place during transport.
- Take care when using with warm drinks. We do not recommend for very hot beverages as the aluminum shell is not insulated and will conduct heat.
- Do not use hard-bristled brushes, steel wool or other hard abrasives to clean your SIGG.
- SIGG bottles are aluminum and easily recyclable at the end of their very long life.
Sigg "controversy" ..well, if you are alarmist & live in the states!
Whist not knocking Americans directly, I do get weary of the sue for sueing's sake mentality, having witnessed it for myself from the puffed up pompous chap allegedly shortchanged 3 cents in a Florida supermarket to the internet bandwagon in order to earn a dishonest buck....(just check out sketchers "rocker" trainers to see what I mean).
Sigg took their own hiccup a few years ago in their stride by simply offering those who were dissatisfied with the original interior bottle liner to get a new version sigg organic liner (which are now the only type available).
Basically Sigg were outed by schlock press on a no-news day, where tests on various bottles & brands by someone (let's suppose for the sake of arguing it was proper university research & picked up on by lazy reportage akin to the "greasy" Daily Mail here in the uk) ..which revealed that Sigg liners MAY (not "have" mind you) MAY (as in "MIGHT" split & release low qty of a much recognised possible nasty for your endocrine system (along the BPA route)..
Needless to say there wasn't much gnashing & wailing, but the internet has a long memory if you want to read up.
So Sigg changed the liner (U.S. being a large market & bad press aint good anywhere) to the new organic variety (see photo) & all has been quiet since, many bottle brands were "outed" ...on a positive note it woke folk up to plastic bottles which are full of all-sorts of endocrine busting poisonous schmutter!
Sigg took their own hiccup a few years ago in their stride by simply offering those who were dissatisfied with the original interior bottle liner to get a new version sigg organic liner (which are now the only type available).
Basically Sigg were outed by schlock press on a no-news day, where tests on various bottles & brands by someone (let's suppose for the sake of arguing it was proper university research & picked up on by lazy reportage akin to the "greasy" Daily Mail here in the uk) ..which revealed that Sigg liners MAY (not "have" mind you) MAY (as in "MIGHT" split & release low qty of a much recognised possible nasty for your endocrine system (along the BPA route)..
Needless to say there wasn't much gnashing & wailing, but the internet has a long memory if you want to read up.
So Sigg changed the liner (U.S. being a large market & bad press aint good anywhere) to the new organic variety (see photo) & all has been quiet since, many bottle brands were "outed" ...on a positive note it woke folk up to plastic bottles which are full of all-sorts of endocrine busting poisonous schmutter!
End notes:
IF this still is not enough to convince you to purchase a quality re-useable bottle then please take this additional snippet of advice to heart with regards to heavier stainless steel, generic sigg style copies made from both aluminium & cheap pressed steel water bottles...
Check with any bottle the product is made with 18/8 grade stainless steel. Other steels are available that have higher levels of nickel, which can pose a greater risk for metal leachate transfer into your drink.
Also, look for language saying the product is BPA-free, to ensure that they do not use plastic parts which might contain BPA.
In my experience corners are cut in chinese based factories unless a brand has it's own permanently based staff at either end of the production line to sign off on goods from trusted supply partners...
A stainless steel bottle will typically be around 2x the weight of it's aluminium equivilent.
better off simply buying a sigg then!
Whilst not the piece I have "lost" on one of our computers, the following link is very useful & written in relatively plain english, should you wish to learn more about reusable bottles, (sigg included) contamination click the link below, it's a European publication, so especially relevant to our own standards.
Assessment of bisphenol A released from reusable plastic, aluminium and stainless steel water bottles.
http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3210908/reload=0;jsessionid=xmOhzzJ2wOnKIwvyUSo2.12
Follow up report re new generation of BPA free bottles..
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110711131608.htm
Check with any bottle the product is made with 18/8 grade stainless steel. Other steels are available that have higher levels of nickel, which can pose a greater risk for metal leachate transfer into your drink.
Also, look for language saying the product is BPA-free, to ensure that they do not use plastic parts which might contain BPA.
In my experience corners are cut in chinese based factories unless a brand has it's own permanently based staff at either end of the production line to sign off on goods from trusted supply partners...
A stainless steel bottle will typically be around 2x the weight of it's aluminium equivilent.
better off simply buying a sigg then!
Whilst not the piece I have "lost" on one of our computers, the following link is very useful & written in relatively plain english, should you wish to learn more about reusable bottles, (sigg included) contamination click the link below, it's a European publication, so especially relevant to our own standards.
Assessment of bisphenol A released from reusable plastic, aluminium and stainless steel water bottles.
http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3210908/reload=0;jsessionid=xmOhzzJ2wOnKIwvyUSo2.12
Follow up report re new generation of BPA free bottles..
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110711131608.htm
Fairplay disclosure : Sigg
Learnt something with regards to the Sigg brand & it's possibility for practical use within your lifestyle?
then click the logo to visit Sigg UK....
To clarify: we have not received incentives of any kind to review the new Sigg Active top Smart Drinking System bottle, however we have owned Sigg bottles for many years & are happy to recommend them based on performance, recyclability, Product longevity, & experience of service support
We do hope to bring you reviews of other sigg product in the near future.... watch this space.
then click the logo to visit Sigg UK....
To clarify: we have not received incentives of any kind to review the new Sigg Active top Smart Drinking System bottle, however we have owned Sigg bottles for many years & are happy to recommend them based on performance, recyclability, Product longevity, & experience of service support
We do hope to bring you reviews of other sigg product in the near future.... watch this space.