The BOTTLE of the bomb squad

Over the last few years stainless steel water bottles have overrun the world. Propelled in part by fears of the carcinogenic BPA found in some polycarbonate bottles and growing global interest in environmental sustainability, steel water bottle sales have swollen like a gameday blimp. It would seem that endcaps in retail outlets everywhere are dedicated to the latest cylindrical canisters to roll off China’s most prolific manufacturing lines, most complete with some catchy contemporary design or catch phrase emblazoned across their face. The majority come complete with disclaimer labels or fortune cookie-like notes inside that warn of problematic issues arising from use with warm liquids or… heaven forbid… a trip into a dishwasher. As it turns out, there are stainless steel water bottles and then there are stainless steel water bottles.

Guyot Designs (pronounced with a "guh" g, an "ee" uy, and a "yoh" yot for those of us lacking French roots) is the coupled vision of Joshua Guyot and Sloan Russell and an outdoor product company that manages to balance the art of utilitarian, cost-effective, and aesthetic product design with environmental, economic, and social ethics. Best known for their Splashguard™, an insert for Nalgene® wide-mouthed water bottles, they also manufacture a complete line of water bottle accessories, camp utensils, flexible and easily-stowable camp bowls, and of course the water bottles themselves.

The Guyot Designs Standard 38oz. Stainless Water Bottle is the subject of this review.

The specs:

• Dimensions: 8 inches (20.32 cm) tall x 3.5 inches (8.89cm) wide
• 18/10 surgical grade stainless steel
• 63mm mouth
• Lifetime warranty
• Durable lid with tether
• BPA free

The impression:

This bottle is stellar. It is stout. The wall thickness is better than any other I’ve seen or owned and yet it still weighs in under 13 ounces. The wide mouth not only makes cleaning a breeze, but it marries to a number of portable backpacking water filters so clean water can be efficiently pumped directly into the bottle. If you find yourself without a filter, the lid and tether can be removed and water easily boiled in the bottle. It weathers the rigors of a direct seat in hot coals without so much as a whimper. A simple light sanding removes any discoloration caused by direct contact with fire. This bottle is parsecs ahead of the more common thin-walled and tinny varieties and should be standard gear for the most demanding gearheads. Pictures no matter how good do no justice to the impression one of these conveys when in-hand. The threading is coarse and the lid aligns, turns, and seats perfectly. It is leak-proof and although hand washing typically achieves better results, this badboy will take a ride in the dishwasher and come out with a grin.



The business end illustrating the
wonderfully thick side walls

The detail on the leak-proof lid
with loss-prevention tether