With summer in full swing and days getting hot and humid here in Chicagoland, drinking enough liquids is more important than ever, and a good water bottle can go a long way in keeping you hydrated and at the top of your game. The water bottle market offers a variety of products, and I was fortunate enough to familiarize myself with some of its trends and latest offerings at this year’s edition of the International Home + Housewares Show. This is where I met the team behind Contigo, a well-known Chicago company which makes travel mugs and water bottles.
I am a big fan of the Contigo travel mugs. I bought one a couple of Black Fridays ago, when they were on sale at Kohl’s. I wasn’t sure of its quality (a good travel mug for only $9.99? Hmmmm…) but the online reviews and my own experience quickly put my concerns to rest. I use my travel mug religiously every winter – my hot chocolate stays hot for a good few hours even in the coldest of weathers, and the mug looks gorgeous!
What about the Contigo water bottles? I knew nothing about them prior to the Housewares Show, where the Contigo team showed me their latest Ashland water bottle and gave me one to test.
Below is my review of this bottle, for which I was not financially compensated.Β All opinions expressed here are my own.
Right off the bat, I was impressed with the stylish design of the Ashland bottle, which is tastefully elongated and comes in a variety of vibrant colors. I love the color red, so I picked the red bottle to review. The bottle I got is 24 oz., but you can also find it in 32 oz. and 40 oz. designs.
The Ashland bottle has features which make it both complex and very consumer-oriented. First of all, it has a one-touch spout for easy one-handed drinking. The spout has a cover which protects the spout when retracted, and which keeps out dirt and germs. The bottle also has a lock feature to prevent accidental spilling, a carry clip to make the bottle easy to attach to bags, and an angled straw to help the drinker get every last drop. Last but not least, Ashland is 100% BPA-free and its body and lid are top-rack dishwasher safe. For extra peace of mind, the product is covered by the Contigo Lifetime Guarantee against any manufacturing defects.
So, how did Ashland fare? I took the bottle with me many times while out and about with the baby, and I was very pleased with its performance. On one occasion, I made a lemonade with lemons, limes, sugar and a few blueberries and poured it into the bottle – and off we went!
The button lock is one of my favorite features of the Ashland bottle. As a new mom clumsily multitasking baby-related tasks while on-the-go with the little one, I cannot praise this leak-proof bottle highly enough! I used another non-Contigo bottle prior to getting the Ashland bottle, and that bottle would leak very often, making a mess of my drinks. Thankfully, this did not happen with the Ashland bottle, which gave me peace of mind and confidence. I also liked the carry clip, which made the bottle easy to attach to the baby’s stroller. Overall, the bottle was light and easy to use despite its myriad of features – as stated above, I have found its design complex, but also user-friendly.
The Ashland bottle made my everyday strolling with the baby a bit easier to manage, and also a bit more fun. This new offering from Contigo combines functionality with style to deliver an affordable quality product, just in time for the hot season. Stylish summer sipping? Check! π
