Choosing a Reusable Water Bottle

For all the knocks against single-serve bottled water, it is convenient. That's probably why millions of consumers are still knocking back bottled water, despite the environmental cost of this habit.

Today, there's no excuse for not ditching bottled water. Reusable water bottles to suit every style, lifestyle and budget are widely available.

Here are a few that we like for one reason or another: price, design, size, functionality:

Bean Canteen

We love the groovy look of the Bean Canteen from L.L. Bean, and the sport cap makes for easy on-the-go sipping.

This stainless steel bottle holds 18 ounces and sells for $19.95. It's safe for water, juices and sports drinks.






Kid Kanteen Sippy

It's never too early to become a good steward of the environment.

The toddler-sized kid kanteen sippy from klean kanteen is available in a range of colors. At 12 ounces, it's perfectly sized for little sippers, and the sippy top ensures that moms and dads won't have to waste their energy cleaning up messes.

This stainless steel bottle sells for $17.95 on klean kanteen's Web site.




Klean Kanteen Wide Bottle

Conventional wisdom says adults should drink 64 ounces of water a day. Though there's some debate about how much water we need, it's a fact that most people don't drink enough water daily.

This big bottle solves that problem. Just fill it up in the morning and you're sure to stay hydrated throughout the day.

The klean kanteen wide bottle holds 64 ounces and sells for $32.95





Customizable Sigg

How hip are you?

Reusable water bottles have become fashion statements, and not only because going green is the right thing to do.

The reusable water bottle you carry says a lot about your personality.

While there are literally thousands -- maybe even millions -- of water bottles from which to choose , you can make a more individual statement with a customizable Sigg bottle from Cafe Press.What do you think of ours?

Prices vary, depending on the style and size you choose.

What do you think of ours?

Hello Kitty Retro

Speaking of Sigg, we also like the Sigg Hello Kitty Retro 20-ounce aluminum bottle.

Last week, we wrote about the introduction of Hello Kitty bottled water at 7 Eleven stores in Japan. But this is a Hello Kitty water bottle we can support.

The cost is $21.99






Nalgene Grip-n-Gulp


Here's another one for the preschool set.

The Nalgene Grip-n-Gulp, which is made from #7 plastic, is priced right at $9.25.

According to Nalgene, it's "tough enough to survive being thrown form a moving minivan, spill proof enough to compel parents to blame the rug stains on the dog, and odor proof enough to allow leftover milk to go undetected under the couch for months."



Nalgene On the Go

For adults, there's the Nalgene On the Go.

This 24-ounce, #7 plastic bottle is available in a variety of cool colors. But that's not why we like it. It's the one-handed, flip-top cap that we like. No fumbling with bottle tops when you just gotta have a drink.

The price is nice, too, at $11.99.





Laken Prisma Bottle

It's all about the design with the Laken Prisma Bottle with the Grolsch top.

There's something so old-school about this bottle's look. And the Grolsch top reminds us of a bottle of pure maple syrup. Crazy, right?

The price is up there: $33.95 for the 1 liter aluminum bottle at ReusableBags.com.



thinksport Thermal Bottle

The thinksport Thermal Bottle is a much cooler version of a Thermos. (No offense to the good folks at Thermos.)

With its attached top, the .75 liter stainless steel bottle is perfect for the gym, biking or when you're on the go.

It sells for $19.95 at ReusableBags.com.





Gaiam Love Bird Bottle

This is what's in my gym bag at the moment.

The design of the Gaiam Love Bird Bottle is a bit reminiscent of Woodstock. Peace, love, break free. That has a nice ring, doesn't it?

Seriously, though, this 25-ounce bottle fits perfectly in the car cupholder as well as on the elliptical machine. The mouth is the same size as a plastic water bottle, which makes sipping easy and not messy.

And the price was right: $12.99 at Target.