By and large, people are moving away from plastic, disposable water bottles in favour of more environmentally-friendly alternatives. When it comes to your health, whether you’re training, hiking, biking, swimming or relaxing, hydration is key and stainless-steel and glass water bottles provide a convenient way to make sure you’re getting your daily dose of water!
With so many different types on the market, it can be hard to figure out which bottle is best for you. So, we've done the grunt work for you and put together a comparison of two environmentally friendly favourites - stainless-steel and glass water bottles.
Read on for a review of the advantages and drawbacks of each to help you decide which is the right ‘forever bottle’ for you!
Advantages of Stainless-Steel Water Bottles
Environmentally Friendly
Many people have made the switch to stainless-steel water bottles because they are better for the environment. Manufacturing plastic water bottles requires millions of barrels of oil per year and once a bottle ends up in the landfill, it can take up to 450 years to decompose.
Unfortunately, around 75% of bottles aren’t recycled, which creates a tremendous amount of waste. Both stainless-steel and glass water bottles provide a smart solution to this problem.
Durability
Stainless-steel water bottles are built to last. You can put them through practically anything and they will come out scratch and dent free. Once you invest in a stainless-steel bottle, you can expect it to last an average of 12 years before it shows any signs of wear.
Better for Your Health
Plastics are manufactured using an industrial chemical known as BPA. Studies have shown that this chemical can seep into food and water. While the European Food and Safety Authority has deemed BPA safe in low levels, there is some research that shows a link between BPA and certain health conditions, especially over time. Using a stainless-steel water bottle will reduce your exposure to BPA and help protect your health.
In fact, a BPA-free stainless-steel water bottle is completely free of any toxins and will actually help keep your water fresher for longer. Some water bottles allow bacteria to grow, which means that you will be drinking more than just water. However, stainless-steel is a sterile material that prevents the growth of mould and bacteria for more pure water with every sip.
Hot and Cold Capabilities
With insulated models, you can keep your cold drinks cool and your hot drinks warm for hours at a time. These versatile water bottles are great for coffee, tea and other hot beverages and can easily make the switch to iced water. Best of all, the steel won’t retain any flavours. All it takes is a quick wash and you can make the switch from coffee to water without having to put up with water that has a hint of coffee flavour.
Low Maintenance
Cleaning your stainless-steel water bottle couldn’t be easier. You can simply throw it in the dishwasher or take a couple of minutes to hand wash it with soap and water.
Disadvantages of Stainless-steel Water Bottles
While there aren’t any glaring disadvantages to stainless-steel water bottles, there are some things worth mentioning. Some claim that stainless-steel bottles give water a metallic taste. In addition, a stainless-steel bottle costs more upfront, once you consider that you won’t have to buy another one for at least another 12 years, most would consider the cost tolerable!
Advantages of Glass Water Bottles
Glass water bottles offer many of the same advantages as stainless-steel options, but there are some distinct differences worth considering.
Environmentally Friendly
Glass is a highly sustainable and recyclable product. Not only will reusing a glass bottle prevent more plastic from ending up in landfills, you can simply place your bottle into the recycling bin when it is time for a replacement.
Durability
While glass is breakable, the type of glass that is used to make high-quality water bottles is highly resilient and designed to be shatterproof and heat resistant. If you drop the bottle, there is a low chance that it would actually break. Glass bottles are also scratch resistant, which helps prevent bacteria from latching on and growing. You can continue to use your glass water bottle
for years to come and without having to worry about buying replacements.
Glass bottles are also resilient in that they won’t experience any discolouration. If you enjoy fruit infused water, you don’t have to worry about your lemons and oranges turning your water bottle yellow or orange. The glass will remain clear and clean.
Better for Your Health
Since glass is an organic material, you don’t have to worry about any chemicals seeping into your water. Glass is a completely safe container material that will help you avoid unnecessary exposure to BPA and other potentially harmful chemicals. In addition, since glass resists the growth of bacteria, you can fill up your water bottle, stick in the fridge and enjoy crisp, clean water days later.
Better Flavor
Like stainless-steel, glass won’t retain the flavours of your various drinks. You can easily switch between coffee and water without any problems.
Low Maintenance
Glass water bottles are also dishwasher safe, which makes them quick and easy to clean. Handwashing is always an option, but not a requirement. You can wash glass bottles hundreds of times without causing any damage.
Value
It doesn’t take a mathematician to recognise that reusable water bottles offer an incredible value over plastic bottles. Instead of constantly purchasing cheap plastic bottles, you can make a one-time investment that will continue to last for years. There really isn’t any comparison when it comes to disposable versus reusable bottles when it comes to overall value.
Disadvantages of Glass Water Bottles
Hot and Cold Capabilities
Unlike insulated stainless-steel, glass water bottles don’t retain hot and cold temperatures. If you want something that will keep your water cold even if it is left in a hot car, glass might not be your best option. Or if you want some hot tea when you’re taking a break during your hike, a glass bottle will be of little use there.
Weight
Glass bottles tend to be heavier than other options. This may be a minor inconvenience if you’re having to carry it around with you all day. One solution is to purchase a model that comes with an optional carrying strap. This allows you to simply carry the bottle like you would any bag. But it’s fair to say that being more lightweight is another advantage a stainless-steel bottle has over
a glass bottle.
Made your decision?
Ultimately, choosing the right water bottle to support your health and fitness goals comes down to personal preferences. Both stainless-steel and glass water bottles are available in a wide variety of sizes and styles. No matter which bottle you purchase, you can feel good about doing your part to protect the environment and reduce the amount of waste created from plastic
bottles.
At Gym+Coffee, we are proud to provide customers with high-quality products, including a line of stylish, durable and sustainable stainless-steel water bottles.
