Although most of us are trying hard to move away from buying bottled water, reusable bottles are not always easy to carry around. For backpacking, reusable bottles weigh more and can take up precious space when empty. To ensure you have a bottle with you at all times, Vapur has created what they call the Anti-Bottle- a flexible, reusable, bottle that simply folds up for easy storage.
Made in the USA, Vapur foldable water bottles are constructed out of three layers of ultra-durable, BPA-free plastic. The innermost layer is made from FDA-approved polyethylene, which is then bonded to two layers of nylon for strength and durability. The inner layer is odor, taste, and stain resistant, meaning it won't mess up the flavor of whatever you choose to put inside.
The flexible design of the Vapur Element makes it lighter and easier to hold than rigid bottles, is designed to stand when full, and can be rolled, folded, or flattened when empty, making it easy to stow. The new SuperCap creates a leak proof seal and is simple to pop open with one hand for drinking. The cap comes with a convenient carabiner for easy clipping to your bag, hipbelt, or pack.
When backpacking, I clip the foldable bottle to my sternum strap or hipbelt for quick access when hiking. One of the drawbacks of the flexible bottle design is that it is more difficult than a rigid water bottle to slide into the side pouches of your pack, though not that big of a deal. To save on weight, I bring just one Vapur Element with me and refill along the trail as needed. If water sources will not be readily available, I usually store extra water in my Platypus GravityWorks Filter reservoir.
The Vapur Element is freezable (it makes a great ice pack that you can later drink), and best of all dishwasher safe. When you get back form a long backpacking trip or have filled the foldable bottle with something sugary, simply place it in the top shelf of your dishwasher for cleaning. You can also hand wash using a few drops of dish soap and a bottle brush.
The Vapur Element foldable bottle retails for $11.99 (0.7L) or $13.99 (1L), with a portion of all Vapur sales going to water-related and environmental causes.