The Death of a Backpacking Gear Icon?

Product Reviewed: HumanGear Go Bottle

HumanGear’s Go Bottle is a redesigned reusable bottle intended to retain Nalgene’s durability and useful wide mouth while improving how the bottle fits, feels, and drinks.

Features

• Three lid options: Loop; a cap with no dangling tether that docks into a small dovetail feature on the bottle; and Pivot, whose swivel-mounted lid moves out of the way while drinking.
• Nalgene-style material and wide-mouth opening: Made from Tritan Renew, which contains up to 50% recycled plastic. The bottle is dishwasher-safe and designed to be highly durable.
• Nalgene-compatible details: The mouth, threads, and measurement markings are retained. The wide opening also remains compatible with older pump and MSR filters.
• Slimmer, taller shape: The 1-liter bottle is easier to grip, including with gloves, and fits backpack side pockets and cup holders more easily.
• Grip and lid refinements: A V-shaped groove at the base helps fingers hold the bottle. The lids have more textured grip areas, waterfall-like contours, and a sculpted drinking spout designed to feel comfortable against the mouth without exposed threads.
• Thoughtful lid management: Depending on the lid, features include a low-profile cap-retention system, a way to dock the cap on the bottle, or a swivel that keeps the Pivot lid attached and out of the way.

Pros

• Retains the wide opening, durability, and measurement markings Nalgene users value.
• The narrower shape is more comfortable to hold and more practical in backpack pockets and car cup holders.
• Redesigned lids aim to make drinking easier and reduce the nuisance of loose or dangling caps.
• The reviewer found the design details useful and liked having three lid styles to choose from.
• After using it daily for several weeks, the reviewer said the improved user experience was noticeable and planned to use it for travel, packrafting, and winter backpacking.

Cons and Caveats

• The Go Bottle was not presented as a reason to discard an old Nalgene; the reviewer still values his Nalgene and its personal history.
• The wide-mouth design is retained, so it does not eliminate every characteristic of Nalgene’s format.
• Lid preference is personal and may depend on the activity.
• No price, formal rating, or measured performance comparison was given. At the time of filming, the product was being introduced through Kickstarter.

Comparison and Verdict

The video contrasts the Go Bottle with the Nalgene, which remains popular because it is sturdy, recognizable, and familiar. However, its broad shape can be awkward in pack pockets, its large opening can spill while drinking, and its tether can break. The host also notes that newer lightweight bottles have become popular for long-distance hiking, but Nalgene remains a common choice for everyday outdoor use and other activities.

The host’s verdict is strongly positive: the Go Bottle preserves the Nalgene features people like while improving fit and everyday usability. He considers it a promising alternative, especially for travel, packrafting, and winter trips, while acknowledging that Nalgene’s durability and sentimental appeal will keep it beloved.

Different Speakers’ Perspectives

• Host/reviewer: A longtime Nalgene user who recognizes its drawbacks but also values its durability and the memories associated with it. After several weeks with the Go Bottle, he preferred its more convenient design for several of his activities.
• Chris, HumanGear: Explained Nalgene’s origins as laboratory equipment and HumanGear’s aim to retain its strengths while designing a bottle around human use. He described the material, compatibility choices, three lid designs, and the company’s plan to launch the Go Bottle through Kickstarter.