By Kevin Smith
Water bottles are an essential part of any outdoor enthusiast’s gear. They are durable and compact and can re-hydrate you which will always be a huge plus when camping. However, water bottles are not exempt from several issues. One of which we will be discussing here.
Condensation is a natural occurrence whenever water is involved. Hot water causes condensation as well as ice cold ones. When going outdoors, chances are you’ve placed your water bottle in the freezer overnight beforehand. Having a refreshing ice-cold drink after a difficult hike really hits the spot. The downside here is that your bottle will probably build up a lot of condensation along the way leaving you with a wet rucksack or pocket.
What’s more, if you place your water bottle inside a backpack along with other items, there is a high chance that you can damage other items due to moisture. So, is there a technique on how to prevent condensation in water bottles?
Preventing Condensation in Water Bottle
Obviously, you can’t fight nature without tweaking the rules a bit in your favor. If you have a standard water bottle then there is no way to prevent condensation other than using a waterproof sack. However, there are water bottles on the market today that are designed to prevent condensation from seeping out of the bottle. For example, thermos and some Nalgene water bottles are designed with insulation covers to contain moisture from condensation inside.
This not only prevents condensation on the outside of the bottle but also helps maintain the temperature inside. Nalgene has definitely pushed the envelope when it comes to camping and hiking water bottles. If you are an outdoor enthusiast then it is highly likely you’ve heard of this brand.
Vacuum Insulated Water Bottles – The Best Choice?
A tried and true way to avoid condensation problems with your water bottle is by getting vacuum insulated water bottles. As the name suggests, this type of water bottle is completely insulated on the inside meaning it maintains and contains the content’s temperature.
Insulated water bottles can maintain ice-cold water’s temperature for almost the entire day. Hot beverages, on the other hand, can stay toasty for up to five hours or more. Insulated water bottles manage this feat by having two inner chambers. The first chamber holds the water while the second chamber acts as the vacuum channel that seals everything in an airtight manner.
Issues Caused by Condensation on Water Bottles
When you put cold water into your water bottle, the cold temperature forces condensation outside the bottle due to the fact that cooler air around the bottle cannot hold as much moisture as warm air. This excessive moisture builds up outside the water bottle can cause you to lose your grip and might damage your gadgets or any electronics that you have also stored in your bag. Condensation can also leave stains on your water bottle if ignored, make sure to regularly clean your bottle after every use and let it dry properly.
A standard insulated water bottle might be able to prevent this but we have had several instances wherein moisture and condensation still managed to appear outside our insulated water bottle. If you wish to completely avoid this problem, a vacuum sealed insulated bottle is the best way to go. You can also fill it up with room temperature water instead of ice-cold water to avoid the risk of condensation when transporting your water bottle.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to water bottles, condensation can be quite a hassle to deal with. This is doubly true when you go on outdoor trips as you will most likely be storing your bottle inside your backpack. Condensation can ruin your bag as well as other electronics that you might have in there. If you don’t have a vacuum insulated water bottle you can apply the tips I listed above to circumvent condensation problems.
If you have additional tips for preventing condensation you want to share, feel free to hit up the comment section below and don’t forget to share this article with your friends.
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