Tree Hugging Family - Living Green

Green Product Review: SIGG Water Bottle

by Peggy on July 14th, 2008

My SIGG bottle is one of my favorite purchases this year. I ordered it through reusablebags.com, and I’ve been using it non-stop since February. I chose a Lifestyle bottle with a screw bottle top. You may also choose an active bottle top, but I haven’t tried it. SIGG bottles are available in a variety of sizes — including special little ones for kids. Or even a flask!

I take my SIGG bottle everywhere — walking, shopping, driving, visiting. If I’m outside my house, I usually have it. SIGGs are unique. Some people ask me, “What is that?”

SIGG bottles are so popular right now, they’re scarce online.

According to mySIGG.com:

Due to the incredible demand for SIGG bottles, we are forced to close down the MySIGG shop. We are also unable to supply any other Internet business for Sigg Brand. Our Swiss factory is working around the clock to produce and ship more bottles to us, but the demand has currently and for the near future - exceeded the supply.

So, of course I feel a little guilty getting you all excited over a bottle you may not be able to purchase online right now. However, you may still be able to track down a SIGG in stores. Also, this shortage won’t last forever.

Why are SIGG bottles so popular, and why do I dig mine?

• For one, these folks have been making SIGGs for almost 100 years! They know that they’re doing, plus the bottles have been tested in both the US and Europe to ensure zero leaching. There was some incorrect info floating around about SIGG, but that has since been corrected. Read the letter about this from the SIGG USA President.

• Lightweight

• No weird taste in your water. I’ve only used mine for water, but I’d assume the same is true for other beverages. I got rid of my plastic Rubbermaid water bottles, and I’ve noticed a big taste difference. Water tastes like water again!

• Highly durable. You’ll only need to replace the cap on occasion since the seal will get worn. The bottle itself is very tough. No dents in mine yet either.

• Safe paint. Not involved in any recalls.

• The bottle (excluding cap) is made of a solid piece of aluminum, no plastic to leach and no leaks can possibly occur while you’re sipping. I used to have a problem with water trickling down the side of my plastic Rubbermaid bottle when I took a drink.

• Even though the mouth isn’t as wide as Klean Kanteen, you can still squeeze ice cubes in.

• Fun designs, or go plain

• No leaking problems. I feel comfortable tossing my bottle inside my reusable bags. That makes carrying everything upstairs easier.

• If you outlive your SIGG, the bottle is 100% recyclable. I’m not being morbid. I just don’t see this bottle wearing out.

The most common question about SIGG:

What’s that liner made of? The bottle itself is made of aluminum, but you’re not actually drinking from aluminum. A liner has been baked inside the bottle. The liner will not crack, and it’s water-based and non-toxic. It’s FDA approved and independently tested to ensure zero leaching. It’s also scent and taste resistant. But sorry, the actual ingredients used to make the liner is a trade secret. SIGG is mum about it.

But SIGG isn’t perfect:

• Jennifer mentioned that her Klean Kanteen keeps beverages cold. That isn’t the case with SIGG. I pour in cold, filtered tap water from my Brita filter that’s kept in the refrigerator. If I’m inside, the water will be room temp within about 15 minutes. If I’m outside, the water can get warm quickly. If I leave my SIGG in the car on a warm day, the water gets so warm it’s almost undrinkable.

• You need to wash it by hand. SIGG says that washing in the dishwasher won’t be effective since the mouth isn’t wide enough for water to get inside. Plus, the dishwasher may cause the paint to fade. SIGG sells some special brushes that help you reach inside your bottle to clean it carefully. I haven’t had a problem keeping mine clean.

• It takes about five turns to unscrew the cap. Likewise, you’ll have to turn it about five times to screw it back in. This only bothers me if I’m really thirsty. You can always try out the active top instead. I like the screw top because I can loop it through my finger and carry it like that when walking.

Even though the insulation issue is annoying, I’m not going to part with my SIGG. I might try an insulated sleeve for the summers if I can find a good one. At around $19 for a regular-sized SIGG or $16 for kids, the SIGG bottle may seem expensive, but they’re a very worthwhile and durable investment. Plus, if they help you stop buying bottled water, you’ll actually save money within a few weeks.

So, four of five trees for SIGG! If they can shorten the number of turns involved to open the screw cap and throw in free insulated sleeves, then they’d get five trees from me.

First image by me. That’s my SIGG! Kid bottle image via reusablebags.com

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POSTED IN: Product Review, Water