Hydro Flask vs Klean Kanteen. Which should you choose?
Kayaking can be tough and energy-quenching. Even if you are amidst the waters, it is quite ironic that you can still feel thirsty.
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For that reason, it is recommended that every kayaking checklist should have a water container or bottle. It is not something that you can say as optional. One way or another, you need to replenish your strength. And one of the best methods to do it is by drinking water or energy drinks.
Now, the most convenient way to bring these potable fluids is through water bottles. As of the moment, there are two good brands that you can prefer when it comes to outdoor water bottles: Klean Kanteen and Hydro Flask. But which one of them is better? Let's find out.
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Hydro Flask vs Klean Kanteen: Tale Of The Tape
All of you need to realize that both Hydro Flask and Klean Kanteen are makers of different types of water bottles. You can see a myriad of water bottles in the market today that are manufactured by these two companies.
Because of this, it is quite difficult for us to make some comparisons if we don't have a good baseline of what we are comparing. Fortunately, it is pretty easy to find the ideal water bottles that can be put into the test. Both of these manufacturers have standard outdoor water bottles. Unless I mention something different, then I am talking about the following water bottles.
Both of these water bottles have a similar style of construction and design. I used them on this guide so that we can have a good idea of the areas where these two brands differ. Of course, I tried to be as neutral as possible to ensure that you can get the real score.
Let's start our breakdown.
Insulation
Insulation is one of the most critical aspects of water bottles. This is the very feature that indicates the capacity of these items to maintain specific levels of temperature for a given period. A water bottle with poor insulation is not good, especially on outdoor applications. You need your water to be hot or cold for an extended duration. After all, access to ice or heaters is quite difficult--unless you have prepared for them.
In this particular area, Klean Kanteen seems to have the edge. But first, let us reveal the story. The water bottles of Hydro Flask and Klean Kanteen are double-walled. In fact, most of their water bottles have this particular construction. Specifically, the double-wall construction means that there are two stainless steel layers integrated into the container.
The first layer (or the inner layeR) is the one that preserves the temperature of the water that you stored while the second layer (outer layer) prevents the transmission of temperature. Therefore, even if its get cold or hot outside, the temperature of the water inside the bottle will not change.
Durability
Another factor that we have to look is the durability of the products of these two water bottle manufacturers. Overall, I can say that these companies were able to release exceptionally rigid water bottles. Anyone can say that their bottles are made for outdoor applications or for trips that require robust amenities. Keep in mind that you will never want your water bottle to be flimsy. Otherwise, it might just break from a single fall.
The two water bottles that I have featured here are crafted from stainless steel, with a gauge of 18/8. Therefore, you can somehow anticipate that these two have the same kind of toughness. I tried both of these bottles already so I can attest that they can live up to their names. I discovered that their entire bodies are impervious to being deformed or dented. They don't crack as well, even if you let them fall on the ground.
You can also appreciate the smooth finish in the bodies of these water bottles. After all, they have been powder-coated. The latter also protects the bottles from potential damages coming from the elements.
These two should have been equal when it comes to this aspect. However, you need to know that most of the water bottles of Klean Kanteen have caps that should be screwed inside the lid. It is quite the opposite to the cap of Hydro Flask, which is placed on top of the lid. This design enables the Hydro Flask to gain better durability than its counterpart. On the other hand, the lid of the Klean Kanteen is susceptible to warping over time.
Ergonomics
At this point, it is safe to say that both of the water bottles from Klean Kanteen and Hydro Flask are the same. These water bottles are constructed to be user-friendly. There are no quirky features that you should be wary about when using them. You can hold them comfortably. Your palms will not get slippery when you hold them. Drinking on them should not cause spills as they are designed to keep the waste and residues to a minimum.
Furthermore, these water bottles are lightweight. Despite their given toughness, it is quite remarkable that they do not have an overbearing weight. For light adventures and short excursions like kayaking, bringing these bottles should not cause a problem. You can also stumble on extra accessories that these bottles have. These accessories should improve the ease-of-use of these units.
Bottom Line
The observations that have been made here should be able to give you an idea about the nuances between Hydro Flask and Klean Kanteen. Each of them has their strong points which you can use to your advantage. I can't declare which of these two brands have a better edge. I deem that both of them are great manufacturers of water bottles and you should consider getting one of their units. Trust me. Any water bottles from these two brands are worth investing.
That's it for now. If you have questions about kayaking and outdoor gears, feel free to drop them in the comment section below.