The Podium Chill bottles changed my life. Okay, so maybe that''s a little much.
First off, the basic Podium design is almost flawless. Probably the closest thing to the "perfect" bike bottle. The original Podium Chills are a perfectly-sized insulated bottle that fits snugly and comfortably into the hand. A LOT of water can be delivered quickly with very little squeezing, due to the easily squeezed polyethylene and nozzle design. The chewy silicone lid nozzle has a lockout feature. The water TASTES better coming from the TruTaste polyethylene. No more of that plastic-y water taste, and no more BPA in your bloodstream. The insulation really does keep the water colder much longer, especially if there is ice in the water. Really, once you eliminate leaks (which Camelbak did) there''s not much you can do to improve it, except maybe make it bigger. 20 oz goes fast for someone like me. I drink a lot of water.
The Big Chill got me excited because I was able to now hold quite a bit more water: 25 oz instead of 20! Doesn''t sound like much, but with two of these on the bike, you have a lot more water to sip.
Main complaint with the Big Chill is that it''s a little too hard to squeeze. Either they made it out of thicker plastic or they changed the grip design, I don''t know. I feel like to get the same amount of water compared to a smaller Podium Chill I have to squeeze quite a bit harder. Just doesn''t feel as good as the smaller Chills. No big deal, I have strong-ish hands, but someone with small hands will likely have a bit of a problem with it.
These bottles are easily marred by painted bottle cages. I suggest using composite or plastic cages with these to avoid leaving paint abrasion marks, which happened on mine.
I actually damaged my lid by scraping it on a wall, causing it to crack and leak water. Camelbak generously provided a new lid free of charge, without any fuss. Awesome.
Also, these bottles do take up a bit more real estate in the bike frame triangle. If you ride a size small or extra small frame you may not be able to fit this bottle into your cages, or it will be difficult to maneuver them out of the cages. Larger frames have no problem, obviously.
This bottle is a great bottle for cyclists, and people in general. I recommend it to every one of my friends. I just wish it came in a Podium Ice version, which would provide more insulation
Picked up one from my local bike shop for one penny more ($14.00 + tax). Big deal. The Camelbak bottle is soooo much better than a Polar Insulated Water Bottle. How can a water bottle be open & not spill or leak when turned upside down? I''m still trying to figure this one out. According to the Camelbak website, "...our innovative Jet Valve(TM) ensures you''re drinking the water, not wearing it."
What this new valve means in practical terms is, no more "two handed operation" to open or close the top; no more pulling the top open with your teeth as you pedal along & then slapping it against your side to close it. This new bottle from Camelbak is soooo much better than an Insulated Polar Water Bottle.
Yes, it will tightly seal all the way with a twist of the top. But for normal conditions, just keep it open. Cool water will NOT come out until you gently sqeeze on it. And that''s another thing the Polar Bottle will not do. With the Polar Bottle, you''ll need more than a "gentle squeeze".
Buy Camelbak Podium Big Chill 25 oz Bottle Now
The Camelbak Podium Big Chill 25 oz. water bottle is a very nice addition to my road bike. It''s too tall for my Specialized Mountain Bike but fits well under my Giant''s Defy-2 cross member. It''s five more oz. than the standard water bottle. And it''s the maximum height allowable in an upright water bottle cage to easily pull it out while pedaling. Nice colors, insulated and has "easy water access" via their patented water release mechanism. There''s no need to re-cap the top, it simply shuts off when you release from drinking! Camelbak puts out good quality products and this is no different.
Read Best Reviews of Camelbak Podium Big Chill 25 oz Bottle Here
For several years Polar and Camelback insulated water bottles have been key components of my workout and cycling gear. After three years of use, my Polar insulated water bottle started leaking so I decided to give the Big Chill a try. While the Big Chill is a bit larger than my previous water bottles, I don''t see any major improvements in flow or insulation capabilities. It is a solid water bottle overall but I would prefer better insulation, even if it meant sacrificing capacity.
In general, water bottles of this design are able to keep a 50/50 ice-water combination cold for several hours, such as 3 hours in a backpack before a workout and then an additional two during. Likewise, when cycling leisurely for 3+ hours during 75-85 degree heat, the contents stay cold. Problems arise when cycling in extremely hot (95+ degrees) weather. During the July 2012 heat wave where the temperatures were over 100 degrees, the Big Chill''s contents kept cool for less than two hours. Obviously, this is an extreme example but is something to keep in mind if you are going for long rides in hot weather.
Overall, I have been happy with Big Chill flow, contents and overall design. With a good cage, it has no problem staying on the bicycle. Moreover, it doesn''t leak (as of yet) so long as the cap is very tight. One tip for the Big Chill or other water bottles: get into the habit of always leaving it freezer when not in use even if you are in someone else''s house. The bottle can then be used for years without concern over bacteria or mold growth.
Pros
Large capacity
Nice flow
Open/close rotary switch
Insulation better than straight plastic
Cons
Not enough insulation for extremely hot +95 degree F weather
Bulky
Want Camelbak Podium Big Chill 25 oz Bottle Discount?
I bought the Camelbak Podium Big Chill 25oz bottle for the main purpose of taking to the Gym and on hikes. I have been very impressed with the durability (dropped numerous times) and the ease of flow. You can either squeeze the bottle practically anywhere to drink the water, or suck the water out. Both ways work very well so there are no problems there.
The lock on top of the nozzle is a genius idea. This bottle will not spill if that lock is on. Even with the lock off, no water still escapes until you want to drink. I really only need to use the lock feature if I put it in a backpack during a hike to really be sure it won''t leak.
Design wise they really nailed it. Its easy to hold and this bigger 25oz bottle even allows you to jog with it. I don''t recommend it if you have smaller hands but I am an average size 6'' tall guy and I can jog a few miles holding it no problem. The water does stay colder longer as well and 25oz is the right amount for an hour or so workout.
It was worth every penny and I recommend you buy Camelbak as your next water bottle!
Save 9% off
Very good cage for the price. Weighs 70g for those that are interested in that. Hold bottles very securely and no worries about ditched bottles.
