Klean Kanteen

I picked up a new water bottle at REI today, a 27 oz. Klean Kanteen (the size of the black one above). Even though this isn't a Patagonia product, I thought I would write about it on this site as it fits with Patagonia's environmental philosophy.

I was first drawn to the bottle's appearance.  The color I got is called Tree Bark (pictured far right, above).  I had liked the Sigg bottles (which are similar in design) in the past and I know Patagonia had worked with them, but I didn't like the small opening because it won't accept ice cubes (though I did see these little beauties at Sur la Table right before I went into REI).  
After reading about the bottle from the insert, I was convinced.  It's a simple, safe, and durable bottle.  Plus, I haven't been drinking enough water at work and I think that's been contributing to some headaches I've been getting.  It also happens to fit nicely into the side pocket of my Patagonia Critical Mass bag.

And I remembered an article I had read in Outside Magazine about these bottles.  I'm reprinting it below for your convenience.

Common Bicycle Bottle
WHAT IT IS:High-density polyethylene (HDPE, recycle code 2) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE, recycle code 4).
UPSIDE: These plastic bottles are BPA-free and safe from chemical leaching.
DOWNSIDE: None. Drink up!

Sigg Bottle
WHAT IT IS: Epoxy-lined aluminum. 
UPSIDE: Light and durable, like plastic.
DOWNSIDE: Unclear. The liner inside Sigg bottles may contain BPA, though the company won't confirm or deny it. A similar epoxy liner found in most aluminum cans has been known to leach small amounts of BPA into food, but Sigg says its liner formula is unique and that no BPA was detected during a company-funded study of water stored in its bottles. Still, CEO Steve Wasik says Sigg is "exploring new suppliers" for its liners.

Klean Kanteen 
WHAT IT IS: Stainless steel.
UPSIDE: This food-industry-standard steel is basically inert, with no BPA or epoxy liner.
DOWNSIDE: None. Both chromium and nickel are found in stainless steel and are toxic in very high doses, but neither leaches at a higher level than what's allowed in your faucet water.

(copied from Outside Magazine: http://outside.away.com/outside/gear/200808/water-bottles-polycarbonate.html)