There are a gazillion different sports water bottles out there: different brands, different sizes, different styles, and different materials. sports water bottles materials can easily be categorized into three groups: plastic, silicone, and glass. I’ve come up with a quick rundown of what these different types are good for, who might use them, and pros and cons to using each material.

First, lets start with glass.

Years and years ago, glass was about the only option when it came to sports water bottles. Once plastic came along they became less and less popular until a few years ago when a BPA issue (that has since been resolved) reduced plastic bottle’s popularity. Glass is commonly the most expensive choice, it is heavier than the other two, it tends to be not suitable for to outdoor activities, and the obvious downside-when dropped they’ll break! But on a more positive note they are natural, hard to scratch, easy to clean, and certainly have a long lifespan. Sleeves are made for easy gripping and they can also lessen the chance of shattering. Since glass is the most natural choice they tend to be the favorite of our environmentally conscious people!

Next up is plastic.

Plastic sports water bottles  are certainly the cheapest and the common option. They have the largest variety, travel well, and some of them are BPA free. Plastic sports water bottles have the shortest lifespan, mostly from wear and scratches, but can still last a fairly long time. So plastic sports water bottles are very popular, but they still have some obvious downsides. For the one side, they are not all absolutely free from BPA; for the other side, the plastic contains PVC, which is also harmful to human’s body. So plastic bottles are not recommended especially for the young and babies.

Last, and the most important role is silicone.

Silicone sports water bottles are rare but adored. I would classify these as medium-priced. They are soft, easy for everyone to hold, dishwasher safe, BPA free, and very lightweight. There aren’t many downsides except that they’re often hard to come across; luckily I’ve found some collapsible water bottles(example: KEAN silicone bottle) with a low price! Silicone water bottles are like a happy medium between glass and plastic. They’re not as sterile or heavy as glass, but they are not as porous and prone to stains as plastic. They are perfect for the one looking for something at a lower price point than glass but with the safety features involved. They are suitable for everyone.

In the end, it’s all up to how and where you want to spend your money. For adults, each of the 3 is suitable; for the young, silicone and glass bottles are secure and suitable. Bottles are simply one choice among many that we must make as parents.