Tired of carrying a full-sized metal or plastic water bottle? Give this foldable one a try.
I used to carry around a one-liter stainless steel bottle. Literally, carry; I rarely toted a bag big enough to hold it, either while traveling or at home.
After I lost my third one leaving it I-don’t-know-where (again!), I resigned myself to using disposable bottles, refilling them until losing them, too, or they became of dubious cleanliness. Easier? Yes. Wasteful? Double yes.
I didn’t think there was a better way.
Until I discovered the Vapur Flexible Water Bottle.
Born on Kickstarter and billed as the “anti-bottle,” don’t let its name fool you—it’s a bottle, only better. It’s a foldable, portable, reusable, durable, attachable, freezable, and dishwasherable pouch made of flexible BPA-free plastic.
The wide mouth makes refilling easy. Some models have a carabineer for clipping to your backpack or tote bag. You can write your name on it with a Sharpie, for a ready answer to the Whose-bottle-is-this-one? question.
Some models have a pull-up spout:
Others have a flip cap:
There are various sizes available—.5 liter, .7 liter, 1 liter—in lots of colors and patterns. Prices range from $10-$14.
When full, it looks and feels pretty much like an adult-sized Capri Sun. Empty, it rolls up like a used toothpaste tube (with the plastic carry loop at the neck doing double duty to secure it) and takes up less space than a deck of cards.
I use mine around town and it’s scored a place in my carry-on bag when I’m traveling. (Not only is it handy for hydration when I’m out during the day, it sits upright on my hotel or Airbnb nightstand for middle-of-the-night refreshment.) The cap is easy to open and has never leaked.
What I really like about the Vapur is its size adjusts to the amount of water that’s in it. By dumping out water, I can fit it into any bag, refilling it later at a water fountain or sink.
For those who prefer something other than water, there’s the Vapur Wandervino ($10), a portable wine carrier. If you’re looking for a fun gift, the Collection ($16) includes a Wandervino, pour spout, and two plastic pinch glasses.
There’s also the 10-ounce incognito flask (two for $10), presumably for those occasions when you want to dodge no-alcohol rules (or just appear to be quaffing an energy drink along with everyone else).
Twist’s Take: The reusable Vapur foldable water bottle is easy to carry, easy to pack, easy to clean, and easy to use. Not a bad deal for $10.