Hands down the best VALUE in water bottles, the Arctic Zone retails for under $3.00, comes with a built in Koozie and handle. Small for most long runs at just 500 ML, the Arctic Zone is ideal for 6 miles or less (when the temperature is reasonable) and holds up well. I am on my 2rd bottle, with number one being lost, and have logged over 500 miles on each with absolutely no problems or complaints.
Pros: Price, Price, Price.
Cons: Not a good choice for long runs due to small bottle size.
Most long runs necessitate that you carry water, and for years I have searched for the best way to do this. For me this search ended at a hand held bottle (I will be happy to go into details, just email me), and this week ended with the Fast Draw Plus. A brilliantly engineered bottle, it has almost all the things of my ideal water bottle; which until recently only existed in my dreams. A step above its little brother, the Fast Draw, the plus features a pocket for keys, energy gel or a small phone. I complement Ultimate Direction and look forward to seeing how the Fast Draw Plus holds up over time.
Pros: The extra pouch is perfect for an energy gel or two.
Cons: If the bottle contents are cold, you deal with the condensation(sweating), and cold hands.
Update: After 2 years, the zipper finally gave out, but given the time and conditions this is more than ok.
For those not familiar with the Ultimate Direction Access, it is a belt bottle holder with a small pocket designed to give the runner somewhere to store their bottle during a long run. In principle, this is a great concept as anyone who has held a bottle for over 10 miles can attest; even the smallest bottle gets heavy quick. The Access, worn at the waist, never seemed to work quite right for me. The problems may be from my average physique, or should I say the spare tire around my waist as I could never get comfortable. I experimented with shorts and belly button levels, but the Access bounced with each step no matter how tight it was worn.
Pros: Small pocket allows for storage of multiple gels, or a bar and your car keys
Cons: Bouncing with each step it started creating blisters around mile 6.
I have used the Waterboy Handheld for about 3 months for training runs and have found it a great alternative to the Camelbak. The Waterboy Handheld comes with a 21oz. water bottle which I have found sufficient for runs up 13 miles without refilling. The hand carrying case is made of material similar to a wetsuit and is extremely comfortable for these long runs. Additionally with no straps to adjust it is easy to move from hand to hand without taking your eyes of the trail (a very important part of trail running). Now that I've laid out the great reasons to use the Waterboy Handheld I have to admit it does have a few minuses. The top of the water bottle is extremely difficult to open with my mouth/teeth which with my usage preference is a pain. Additionally, the top leaks sporadically which can cause water loss (a major issue on runs with no water replenishment). And lastly the pockets that are offered on the Waterboy are of almost no use at all for trail running. They are too small to carry a full energy gel pack(any brand) and without precise work on folding the empty one it barely fits too. The pockets are essentially useful for a single house/car key and that's it. All told the Waterboy provides a comfortable secure grip, a extremely comfortable strap for your hand and simple movement hand to hand; but, the Waterboy I had did leak at the mouth and the pockets are near useless.
Pros: Comfortable Grip/Strap Good Size at 21oz. Easily moved from hand to hand
Cons: Tested Waterboy leaked at the mouth of the bottle. Pockets are too small for anything other than a single key. Bottle Top was difficult to open without hands. Grip material may stretch over time making it more difficult to hold effortlessly. Lacing system is difficult to use initially.
