ABOUT THE CAMELBAK PODIUM STEEL BOTTLE
Camelbak created the Podium Steel bottle to offer a solution to keep your drink cool on a ride, while providing rugged durability. Touting 14 hours of cold guaranteed, the 18/8 stainless steel bottle utilizes double-walled vacuum insulation to maintain the temperature of your drink. The shape of the Podium Steel bottle is designed to be compatible with most bicycle water bottle holders.
To work with its steel construction, there’s a lockable high flow cap which uses a vent tube to ensure high fluid flow. The system is BPA–free, making it safer for use, and features an easy-clean design to avoid any unwelcome build up.
The Camelbak Podium Steel bottle is offered in two sizes: the 18oz (500ml) tested which weighed 299g; or the 22oz (650ml) which weighs a claimed 354g. These are both offered in a choice of eight colors, with retail prices of $35 / £35 / €34.99 and $40 / £40 / €39.99 respectively.
THE DIRT
Testing of the Camelbak Podium Steel bottle began in Scotland once Summer had disappeared, so my initial impressions didn’t take into account the biggest selling point of the system – its insulation. In fact, I wasn’t trying to keep my liquid cold at all and instead relied on the insulation to keep my water tepid and above the air temperature, which was appreciated on colder days.
With the insulation properties not being fully appreciated, the reality is that the Camelbak Podium Steel bottle is heavier and smaller in capacity compared with the equally sized Camelbak Podium Chill bottles that I love. Compared with the Podium Chill bottle, you add 200g and lose 120ml capacity for the same form factor. I sometimes grabbed an empty bottle and tried to drink, because it felt heavy enough to still have water inside. Not to mention the Podium Steel is over twice the price of the Podium Chill and is more prone to making noise in a bottle cage when riding rough terrain. So, in order to justify it, you’re really going to have to want that insulation.
Thankfully, I was able to escape the cold of Scotland and put the Podium Steel bottle to the test in hotter climates a couple of times. The insulation performed as advertised, keeping some ice sloshing around the inside of the bottle for the entirety of a solid ride in 22C (72F). The water flow was ample, but I found that you had to give it an initial “suck” to really get things moving. Compared to similar Bivo bottles, the flow is not quite free, but still very satisfactory. Not being able to squeeze was initially a concern, but quickly I became accustomed to how the valve worked and was left happy. I’d love to see a dirt cap included to keep the nozzle clean during use, as a gritty mouth is no fun.
Through a winter of abuse, the Camelbak Podium Steel bottle was taken in and out of bottle cages caked in mud countless times and shows the scars as a result. The painted finish is not the most durable, and the gritty mud quickly took the sheen off of what was a beautiful looking bottle to begin with. If you’re like me and are likely to be using this bottle in muddy conditions, I’d recommend opting for the Stainless finish to retain its looks for the long run. But otherwise, after multiple drops and a mid-trail eject when the bottle wasn’t fully seated in the cage, the Podium Steel bottle continues to hold up excellently.
The Wolf’s Last Word
If keeping your fluid cold on a ride is highly desirable, then the Camelbak Podium Steel water bottle is likely to be a great option. If this isn’t high on your priority list, then we’d probably save our money and opt for their standard plastic Podium Chill bottle instead. 
Price: $35 / £35 / €34.99 (18oz / 500ml)
Website: Camelbak.com
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ABOUT THE WOLF
Robert’s habitat is the Tweed Valley, Scotland, which is renowned for its root-littered enduro mountain bike trails. Robert has been developing his bike handling skills for the last 16 years. Since he was a pup, he’s been riding everything from BMX through to enduro and downhill bikes. Combining a playful style with occasional speed-focused aggression, he favors supportive bikes, and does his best to push them hard.
Rank: European Tech Editor
Size: 6’2” / 189cm | 220lbs / 100kg
Social: @robert_johnston
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