Review: Camelbak Podium Drink Bottle

In all honesty, how many things can you write about a water bottle? Well, with the Camelbak Podium, quite a lot actually. For aspiring Cross Country and Trail riders alike, a water bottle is a crucial but often overlooked piece of equipment with which we often just "make do" with any old bottle. I know from experience this can be a regrettable decision. Free bottles given out at events have a tenacity for spilling sweet, sticky electrolyte over bikes, clothes and car seats, where as bottles that come with many popular supermarket electrolyte brands absolutely love to abandon ship at the first technical downhill; they are complete sissies.

I can honestly tell you that the Camelbak Podium fixes all of the aforementioned problems. The actual construction of the bottle itself is well thought out and serve its purpose with dignity in the field. The flexible plastic construction makes it easy for a bottle cage to grip tightly ensuring one does not go without hydration during their ride. There also cleverly place grooves near the lid for bottle cages to hook over, further ensuring a tight hold.

The lid is the business end of the Podium and shows Camelbak's design team have a very good idea of what's going on. A traditional bottle utilises a push/pull cap that can be a nightmare to close in the heat of a race leaving you know option but to stab a nearby object to close the lid. Camelbak have solved this problem by using their new "jet valve" technology that only releases water when sucked on or when the bottle is squeezed. all other occasions it is locked up like Fort Knox. Not one drop shall escape the Camelbak Podium unless the rider decrees it. The Jet Valve can also be completely locked out by twisting the valve to prevent a surprise redecorating of the interior of your car.

So, it doesn't leak, doesn't abandon ship, and looks pretty cool to boot. It's even available in an insulated model to keep the cold stuff cool. Don't put up with those leaky, scaredy cat free bottles; go for the real deal. Camelbak Podium, worthy of pretty much the highest praise I can give a water bottle...  

RRP $19.95 http://www.rrsport.co.nz/product/CAMELBAK-PODIUM-BOTTLE-610ml?p=30607&s=1