Haley B.
Yelp
Cotopaxi Flask/Water Bottle Review
I ordered a Cotopaxi pack on a Black Friday sale and a water bottle was included in the deal. I already had 2 hydroflasks, one 16 oz. thermos and a 32 oz. flask. This one was a great 500 ml size that I use primarily for come fluid, which I have used at work, at the gym, international travel, and various backpacking trips. It is by a long shot the flask I use the most! Here are the positives and negatives, in my opinion:
Pros:
1) Truly keeps liquids cold for 12-24 hours. I use the ice pebbles at work, which typically dissolve into the water within an hour or so in a normal mug/cup. I have filled and refilled the flask with water multiple times, taken home and had overnight, and wake up to have ice remaining each time--all from the initial ice fill. I am impressed every time.
2) The size is perfect. My 32 oz. Hydroflask is great, but I strongly recommend the 500 ml. It makes drinking plenty of water more manageable for me.
3) The color/design is pleasing to the eye. As much as I don't want to admit it, aesthetic goes a long way for me, as I'm sure it does for most people. There is a wide range of color selections, all vibrant and developed. The signature Llama logo is front and center on the bottle, which looks great. The narrowed neck and silver cap enhance the look as well.
4) As mentioned before, I travel and backpack frequently, and my Cotopaxi flask is the only one I consistently bring with me. The main reason for this is its durability. I have dropped this on cement sidewalks, used it dirty camp sites, and knicked it on edges of tables, the sink, etc. and it has come out without a scratch. It really is remarkable. It withstands a lot, which is important for an adventurer (a clumsy one, at that), and is very easy to clean.
5) The pricing is competitive for the quality of materials and its functional use. I have noticed the efficacy is neck-and-neck with Hydroflask, but is slightly cheaper in price.
Con (s):
1) Previous reviewers have mentioned that its 2-piece design is not quite as good as the 3-piece design of other brands. My hydroflasks are both 2-piece as well, so that is all I have to compare it to. I have used a 3-piece system in the past while snowboarding in sub-zero weather, and my hot chocolate stayed piping hot on a full day on the mountain. I am positive that it would not keep the liquid hot like the 3-piece system did. The silver cap is not insulated or vacuum-sealed tight, which contributes to this. But at the end of the day, you get what you pay for.
I highly recommend the Cotopaxi flask.