Polar Bottle got its start in 1994 in Boulder, Colo. Founded by two cyclists looking for a better way to keep drinks cool, the company has expanded its product line to include products for other sports and everyday use. All Polar Bottle offerings are made in the USA of BPA and phthalate-free plastics or stainless steel. For this test, we purchased the Polar Bottle 20 ounce at a local REI.

The 20 ounce Polar Bottle is the perfect size for cycling. As you’d expect given the company’s heritage, the 20 ounce Polar Bottle fits perfectly into a standard cage and the curve of the side walls help it lock in place. Those same curves make the Polar Bottle very easy to hold. And there’s a removable strap that helps as well.

Specs
Materials: Low density polyethylene
Size: 20 fl oz
Weight: 4.125 oz

Drinking from the Polar Bottle requires a little more work than your standard cycling bottle. Unlike the more traditional single-wall designs, Polar Bottles are a three-layer sandwich of plastic and insulating foil. Squeezing three layers of material isn’t hard – and Polar Bottle continues to shave the thickness of the materials – but it’s still work. Consider it an added grip-strengthening part of your workout.

We found the insulating properties of the Polar Bottle to be excellent, easily keeping beverages cool for an hour or more. Filling the bottle was easy thanks to the wide opening and we liked that the bottles are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.