Exciting one, sorry.
I somehow managed to kill my venerable CRC water bottle at the weekend so need to get a new one. It would be nice if the replacement had something to keep the filth off the drinking spout; so I’m open to spending more than £2 on it this time round.
So far I’ve found the Camelback Podium Dirt and the Zefal Sense Soft No Mud that look like they fit the bill.
Anyone have a particular favourite from these two or know of anything else worth looking at?
Also, do the chill versions of the podium live up to their name or are they not worth the extra over the standard bottles?
The top of the podium dirt is rubbish, it's on the end of a flexy bit of rubber so just flops around and you need 2 hands to re-cover it. Dunno if the zefal is hinged but I wouldn't go for the podium
Chill version likely has much less capacity for the same outside size. Just put some ice in
It didn’t take me long to more or less get the hang of flipping the podium dirt cap back on one handed. It’s definitely not the most elegant of solutions but it’s simple and it works.
I've used a podium chill with the dirt cap for about a year, and very happy with it. The soft dirt cap is bit of a faff but got used to it pretty quick and can remove/refit on the move with one hand. I think the Chill version is worth it. In the summer the insulation keeps water cool for a couple of hours. I got mine at a big discount, so worth shopping around for the win.win.
If you have a nearby TK maxx they often have camelback stuff, got my last podium that way for I think £6.
The chill is alright, think insulated supermarket bag level tech but I've not missed it this year with using the standard podium.
Got a couple of podium dirts. You get the hang of using it one handed pretty quickly. It's nice not imbibing crap from your bottle!
I bought 2 different size Zefals off eBay for about a tenner working well so far
I've got a couple of the zefals. I like them. Nice hinge on the cap, easy to close one handed: hold the bottle and sort of wipe it closed with an arm or your chin. Enough spring in the hinge to keep the cap out of the way while you're drinking.
Nice silicone teat to drink from. Good amount of flex in the bottle to squeeze your drink into your mouth with. I bought a couple more for family/spares.
The Podium Dirt is easiest if you remove and replace the cap when the bottle is still in the cage, makes it easy to pop the cap back on one handed.
Been using Podium Dirts for years - I don't tend to drink on the move so haven't had any issue with the cap. Tempted to try the chill version.
The original Podium bottles were better than the current ones IME. Current ones are slightly taller and taper towards the top (same overall capacity), making them a less secure fit in the cages I use.
I've not used the Zefal, but I really like Podiums. Somehow much more pleasing to use than a regular push/pull valve.
We have half a dozen podium/podium dirt bottles. They work well.
I have two Zefal bottles and for some reason I prefer the valve and flow rate, and they seem to last well.
+1 on check TKMaxx as they often have both in for £6 or so
I like the Podium Dirts, but I tend to stop for a drink mostly. I’m at an age where I’m usually quite glad of a little rest.
Elite do bottles with mud caps that cover more of the lid than just the teat, I find that useful although am hoping they've improved the 'hinge' on the cap from a few years ago as they were a little flimsy
Edit:
https://www.elite-it.com/en/products/water-bottles/sport/fly-mtb
Given the fairly positive comment for both I’ve ended up ordering a couple of the 800ml zefal ones for £6 each from SJS (good bit bigger than the 620ml dirt bottles). Will try and remember to pop into the tk max up the road more regularly to see if any of the dirt bottles turn up for a comparison.
that little cap in the Dirt version of the Podium is clearly such an afterthought - about time CB did a proper solution.
Last time I looked they didn't do a clear Podium Dirt. I like to see how much I have left, so I bought normal ones and the dirt cap separate.
For when it's serious mud or actual animal poo, I also put a Dawn to Dusk Dirt Mask on it.
I’m very happy with the Podium diet and will replace with the same when the time comes. <br />however I generally only drink when stopped so two handed closing isn’t an issue for me.
Will try and remember to pop into the tk max up the road more regularly to see if any of the dirt bottles turn up for a comparison.
Check the ground. I've found 3 Podium bottles over the last year 😉
I've had no issues, but they obviously don't play nice with certain bottle cages.
Decathlon and Alpkit both sell waterbottles with dirtcaps.
Amazon doing 21oz Podium Dirts for £9.99 ATM, £16 in Halfords!
I've used Alite Corsa with lids, Elite Fly, And CB Podium Dirt.
The Podium Dirt are my fave
