Thirst is a fundamental human need that comes up several times a day, and everybody knows staying hydrated is extremely important. Its importance is intensified when find yourself on a rigorous hike or in hotter climes. For years, I have come to rely on the two Nalgene bottles I own to supply me with much-needed water I carry around with me. Recently, I was given the opportunity to try out four different Nalgene models and see how well they performed. I also examined each bottle’s unique features in order to evaluate the ideal situations for each bottle to be utilized.
On the Fly
The On the Fly (OTF) bottle is slim-fitting and ergonomically designed to rest snugly in a bike’s bottle cage. Its top contains a locking bale that makes the bottle leak proof. I found that it fit nicely in the palm of hand, and opening the spout lock only using my thumb was a breeze. Even though the design of the OTF bottle is slim enough for bike cages, its top also has a useful loop with which you could hook it to a backpack or a karabiner. That said, OTF could be taken rock climbing, kayaking, hiking, or any other outdoor activity. Drinking from OTF worked out nicely, because the top flips open 180 degrees leaving plenty of clearance for your nose as you take a drink.
On the Go
Another terrifically handy vessel from Nalgene is the On the Go (OTG) bottle. With a similar design to On the Fly, the OTG bottle is also slim enough to be housed in a bike’s bottle cage. The actual physical design of the OTG bottle itself is virtually identical to OTF, but their lids are different. OTG has a user-friendly flip top for easy water access. This flip top snaps right back into place creating a strong seal. I even held the OTG bottle upside down like a rainstick and shook it vigorously. No surprises and no leaks! The one thing I felt had to be cognizant about was putting the cap back on. It is important to tighten the lid by gripping the edge of the lid and not by the spout. Since On the Go is a close cousin of On the Fly, this bottle is definitely a great option for biking, hiking, and rock climbing.
Oasis
Anyone who’s ever owned a hiking/camping canteen before should already be familiar with the shape and design of Nalgene’s Oasis bottle. The Oasis bottle is Nalgene’s version of this classic drinking vessel. Fully equipped with a loop that can easily be attached onto a belt or backpack, the Oasis offers a unique-looking water bottle that can capture the attention of others. I took the Oasis to a staff meeting, and many of my coworkers gave me positive feedback about its appearance. Taking the Oasis on a hike, I experimented with wearing it on my belt, carried by hand, and clipped to my backpack. Of the three, I preferred carrying it. Its design is intended to fit well in your hand. My only objection with clipping it to my belt or backpack was that it bounced when I walked. To fix that problem, I carried it in a backpack pocket. The Oasis is best for hiking, camping, and other sports that enable you to clip on bottles. I wouldn’t recommend the Oasis for a bike bottle cage, because it would be an awkward fit.
N-Gen
For 24-ounces of watery goodness, the N-Gen bottle is a great choice. With its extra wide opening, you can easily fill the bottle with ice cubes. The N-Gen’s rubbery grip on the cap makes tightening the lid simple even if your hands are wet. I found the best venue for the N-Gen is possibly the gym or exercising outdoors. This isn’t to suggest that the N-Gen wouldn’t be appropriate for biking or hiking, it absolutely is, but I found it very useful when using a treadmill or weight machines. N-Gen also has a nifty loop that you can clip to a backpack, therefore, it can be used in all kinds of environments.
The good:
- Ergonomic designs to fit your grip
- BPA free
- Leak proof
- Great for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, kayaking, etc.
- All are attachable to backpacks, belts, or carabiners
- Made in the USA
The bad:
- None, but you will want to choose the best bottle for your given activity
All photos provided by Nalgene.
The Nalgene On the Fly, On the Go, Oasis, and N-Gen are all available on Amazon.
Note: Nalgene provided me with product samples for review purposes. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced by the company.