I started re-filling plastic bottles rather than throwing them away, but then I discovered that plastic bottles have been found to leach dangerously toxic hormone-mimicking chemicals such as Bisphenol A and phthalates into the water that fills them. Single-use bottles are also susceptible to bacterial contamination when re-used.

Plastic is a non-renewable and difficult to recycle petroleum-based substance that never breaks down chemically, it just breaks into smaller and smaller fragments. The water inside those plastic water bottles is often not as safe or pure as local tap water. Plus, it's expensive to pay $1.00 or more for a quick drink. The list of negatives goes on forever.

I refuse to drink water out of plastic bottles anymore. It makes me ill to see people buying cases of little water bottles to pass out at playgroups...ugh! Mamas and kids should especially not be drinking water from plastic bottles. See the link above.

I solved the problem by buying a pretty aluminum SIGG bottle with a composite lining, but it got all corroded and weird inside (white cauliflower-like rock-hard growths inside the bottle wherever there was a dent on the outside) after a fairly short time. No, it was not supposed to do this, but it did. Creepy. Wasn't just one bottle, either. This happened with 3 out of 4 of the SIGG bottles that I bought. Also, the pretty patterned wrap on the SIGG bottles started peeling off after a while. They were nasty on the inside and ugly on the outside after about 6 months of use. Hey, the whole reason that I got these bottles was to have them be a non-disposable solution! FAIL. And since then, it has come out that the supposedly inert SIGG liner actually contained BPA. Well, what else is in there that I don't know about? I don't want to store my drinking water in something with mystery ingredients.

Finally I found the Klean Kanteen stainless-steel water bottle. My Klean Kanteen goes into my day bag, on walks, in the car, to the beach, to the playground, even shopping. It's stainless-steel inside and out. No leaching, no corrosion, no mystery whatsoever. Adrian's 12oz. has a sippy top, Julian has the 18oz. version, Dan has the 27 ouncer, and I have the big ol' 40oz bottle.

• Reusable
• Ultralight
• Made of durable, electropolished #304 stainless steel. No color wrap to peel off.
• Toxin-free and non-leaching. Doesn't corrode inside like SIGG. No BPA or anything mysterious/nasty.
• Drinking water stays clean-tasting (hot or cold), unlike drinking from plastic which often makes water smell and taste undesirable.
• Dishwasher safe.

Insulated Totes A stylin' way to keep your drinks at the desired temperature, warm or cool. These insulated totes work for up to four hours, fold up flat, and are machine washable. They come in all kinds of cool colors, are made of neoprene, and are vinyl and lead-free.
Sky Blue 12/18oz - $8 Shown against a 12oz sippy bottle below (covers sippy top, fold down for use), an 18oz bottle at right. Includes a snap handle closure so you can connect it to just about anything.		Candy Pink 12/18oz - $8 Shown on a 18oz bottle here. Includes a snap handle closure so you can connect it to just about anything.
Black 27oz - $11 The handle doesn't snap closed, but you can get a nifty carabiner clip (see below) and clip your bottle onto your backpack, diaper bag, stroller...wherever you need to bring it!		Dots 27oz - $11 The handle doesn't snap closed, but you can get a nifty carabiner clip (see below) and clip your bottle onto your backpack, diaper bag, stroller...wherever you need to bring it!
Black 40oz - $14 The big Kahuna, the 40oz tote combines the strength of the loop handle with the versatility of the snap handle using a Velcro reinforced closure.		Leaf 40oz - $14 The big Kahuna, the 40oz tote combines the strength of the loop handle with the versatility of the snap handle using a Velcro reinforced closure. (This is the one I have on my bottle...so pretty!)

OTHER ACCESSORIES Need to take your Klean Kanteen biking? Want to attach a water filter to it? Or clip it to just about anything? We've got you covered!
Carabiner Clips These Carabiners are the perfect accessories for clipping your Klean Kanteen onto just about anything. The carabiner is an "S" shape and has two opposing gates, one on each end. The unique, double-clip design made by Nite Ize makes it easy to connect two things together, like your Klean Kanteen and a backpack strap or loop. It comes in two flat, ultra low-profile sizes. It's got curvy, sleek lines, and dare we say, it's downright sexy. Plus it's made from rugged stainless steel, just like your bottle.
SIZE 3 (SM) Carabiner Clip - $3 rated to hold up to 25lbs dimensions: 2.625 x 1.25 inches weight: 1.1 ounces	SIZE 4 (LG) Carabiner Clip - $3.50 rated to hold up to 75lbs dimensions: 3.5 x 1.5 inches weight: 1.6 ounces
Bike Cage for 27oz bottle - $6 Want to take your Klean Kanteen cycling? The 18oz Kanteens fit into most standard bike cages. But if you're looking for a little extra liquid on those long rides, check out our easy-to-install, durable Bike Cage for the 27oz Kanteen. Made of high impact polypropylene.	Water Filter Adapter - $5 Going backpacking, or packing an emergency kit? Want to safely drink spring or river water? No problem, just pick up one of these small, lightweight water filter adapters. One end screws into any size Klean Kanteen and the other end has a universal thread design that connects to most standard backcountry water filters.
Nylon Bottle Slings 40oz Nylon Bottle Carrier $5.95 Easily carry your 27oz bottle with this black nylon sling. 27oz Nylon Bottle Carrier $5.50 Easily carry your 27oz bottle with this black nylon sling.	Klean Kanteen Sport Cap 2.0 - $4.50 Klean Kanteen spent almost two years developing the new Sport Cap 2.0 — a sport cap for stainless steel Klean Kanteens that delivers some serious flow. Plus the cap has a handy loop that makes it easy to clip your bottle onto something to keep it handy. And of course it's made from BPA- and toxin-free polypropylene #5. Fits all Klean Kanteens sold here. These are the latest version. Our preferred way to top our Klean Kanteens.

Frequently Asked Questions How much does a Kanteen weigh? Klean Kanteens are lighter than they look. The 18oz. bottle weighs 6oz., the 27oz. bottle weighs 8oz. and the 40oz. bottle weighs 11oz.

Why don't you sell the colored Kanteens? I only see the stainless steel bottles on your site. While the color-wrapped bottles are pretty, I have found that they are not as durable as the pure stainless steel bottles. My family drops and dents our bottles, they get scraped across the driveway, stepped on, rolled down steps, and in general they take a lot of abuse and punishment. With the pure stainless steel bottles, that is not an problem. Apart from a few dents and scuffs, they still look pretty good. The color-wrapped bottles though, are more fragile. Once you dent or scrape the bottle and nick the paint, it is fairly easy for it to start peeling off. Busy little kid hands love to "help" this process along! Needless to say, a bottle with peeling color wrap on it is not so aesthetically pleasing. It also makes the bottle much more difficult to recycle, as opposed to a pure stainless steel bottle. So if you want a colored bottle, you are more than welcome to buy one, they sell them all over the place. But I only carry the original stainless steel bottles, because to me, that's the most durable, long-lasting option. You didn't buy this bottle just to have to replace it in six months, right? If you want pretty colors, you can always get a lovely insulated tote for your Klean Kanteen.

Can I put hot liquids in my Klean Kanteen? Not really. Klean Kanteens are single walled and not for use with hot liquids. It won't hurt the Kanteen, but it will burn your hand unless you have an insulated tote on your bottle.

Can I put my Kanteen in the freezer? We do not recommend it and it will void the 1-year warranty against manufacturer defects.

Can I put my Kanteen on a stove? In a pinch, the Kanteen can be placed on fire or a stove. Beware not to melt the lid or burn yourself.

What is stainless steel? Stainless steel is an iron-containing alloy made from some of the basic elements found on earth: iron ore, chromium, silicon, nickel, carbon, nitrogen, and manganese. Properties of the final alloy are tailored by varying amounts of these elements. There are more than 57 stainless steels recognized as standard alloys on the market. Klean Kanteens are constructed from high quality sanitary grade 304 stainless steel which has a low nickel content. Stainless steel has excellent resistance to stain or rust due to its chromium content making it a material of choice among the food processing, dairy and brewery industries. Stainless steel is easy to clean, durable, inert and sanitary.

What is nickel and how can it affect my health? Nickel is a naturally abundant element found in the earth’s crust, soil and ocean floor. It is generally resistant to corrosion and is therefore used to make metal alloys such as stainless steel. Approximately 10-15% of the population is sensitive to nickel. The health effects of nickel are highly dependent on the manner and degree of exposure, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a department of the U.S. Dept. of Public Health and Human Services. The ATSDR warns that environmental exposures may arise from wearing costume jewelry, handling coins or from inhaling dust near nickel industries. The most common reaction to handling nickel is a skin rash at the site of contact. Less frequently, those sensitive to nickel have asthma attacks after inhaling dust containing nickel. Klean Kanteens are constructed of high quality, sanitary grade 304 stainless steel. 304 has a low nickel content and is preferred by breweries and dairies.

Will the stainless steel react with acidic beverages? No.

Why is the Kanteen made in China? Cost and quality.

Is the Kanteen a thermos? No. A Kanteen is a single-walled bottle and has little insulating properties by itself. Keep in mind that if your drink is boiling hot, the Kanteen will be too hot to directly handle. The single-walled construction allows for more volume and the option to put your Kanteen on a flame.

How do I clean my Kanteen? Klean Kanteens are dishwasher safe (washing caps in the dishwasher is not recommended because H2O can squeeze itself into the cap) or easy to clean with a bottle brush and mild soap. We recommend an old fashioned cleaner: white vinegar and baking soda.

Why is stainless steel better than aluminum? Aluminum, although lightweight, has to be lined with something to make sure the contents are safe for drinking. Usually it is lined with baked on epoxy (toxic) or ceramic (can crack).