I’m new to hiking, and I keep hearing about Nalgene bottles. They look pretty neat, but I’m wondering if there’s something special about them that makes them so popular. Just curious to know more about their appeal!
Nalgene originated from a need for chemically inert containers in laboratories, which makes them unique. They were the first to create a water bottle that didn’t impart a metallic or plastic taste to water, even after days of use, which was a common issue with older bottles.
@Farley
In addition to being chemically inert, Nalgene bottles are known for being leakproof and lightweight. They feature measurement markings, useful for cooking and tracking water intake. They’re versatile enough to be used as warmers in sleeping bags and are also popular for their customizability with stickers.
@Ben
Just remember, those stickers add weight. Ultralight backpackers might want to skip them!
Oli said:
@Ben
Just remember, those stickers add weight. Ultralight backpackers might want to skip them!
Opt for sublimated stickers with neutral colors to keep it light.
@Ben
And they’re incredibly durable too.
@Farley
That’s quite interesting, thanks for sharing!
Ray said:
@Farley
That’s quite interesting, thanks for sharing!
They also don’t crack when the water inside freezes, which is great for cold weather hikes.
@Farley
It’s worth noting that ‘chemically inert’ originally didn’t account for BPA, which they phased out in 2008 after it was found to be harmful.
Lyle said:
@Farley
It’s worth noting that ‘chemically inert’ originally didn’t account for BPA, which they phased out in 2008 after it was found to be harmful.
True, they adapted their products following new scientific findings to eliminate BPA. It’s an example of how companies evolve based on what we understand about materials over time.
@Farley
Nalgene has become a generic term for durable, easy-to-clean plastic water bottles that don’t leach flavors into the water, similar to how ‘Band-Aid’ is used for all adhesive bandages.
Wylie said:
@Farley
Nalgene has become a generic term for durable, easy-to-clean plastic water bottles that don’t leach flavors into the water, similar to how ‘Band-Aid’ is used for all adhesive bandages.
I’ve actually never heard anyone call a non-Nalgene bottle a ‘Nalgene’. That’s definitely not common where I’m from; we just say ‘water bottle’.
@Frost
Exactly, ‘Nalgene’ refers specifically to the brand, known for their 32 oz plastic bottles, especially popular in organizations like the Boy Scouts.
Wylie said:
@Farley
Nalgene has become a generic term for durable, easy-to-clean plastic water bottles that don’t leach flavors into the water, similar to how ‘Band-Aid’ is used for all adhesive bandages.
My friends at EMS and REI laughed when I asked if ‘Nalgene’ was used generically—they hadn’t heard it either.
@Skylar
Maybe it’s just your circle. In my experience, it’s not used that way either.
Corey said:
@Skylar
Maybe it’s just your circle. In my experience, it’s not used that way either.
Fair point. It could be a regional difference. Here in New England, at least among the people I hike with, ‘Nalgene’ refers specifically to the brand.
Wylie said:
@Farley
Nalgene has become a generic term for durable, easy-to-clean plastic water bottles that don’t leach flavors into the water, similar to how ‘Band-Aid’ is used for all adhesive bandages.
I agree, never heard it used that way in my extensive experience in the outdoors.
Wylie said:
@Farley
Nalgene has become a generic term for durable, easy-to-clean plastic water bottles that don’t leach flavors into the water, similar to how ‘Band-Aid’ is used for all adhesive bandages.
Maybe it’s a generational or regional thing? I’ve known ‘Nalgene’ to be used to describe any hard plastic bottle.
@Peyton
It’s interesting to see how brand names become synonymous with a type of product. In my experience, Nalgene has always been just the brand.
Part of their appeal is durability. I’ve had mine for over 20 years, and it’s survived countless drops and trips. The simple, functional design of the original Nalgene is hard to beat.