QUICK HITS
• 750 or 600ml options
• Triple Valve System
• Hydrapak BLASTER™ bite valve
• Anti-vacuum valve equalizing internal pressure
• Hydrapak drink tube extension
WE DIG
WE DON’T
ABOUT THE LEATT STEADYSIP CONVERTIBLE BOTTLE
Leatt takes the conventional cycling water bottle and gives it an unconventional twist. The SteadySip Convertible Bottle is essentially a traditional water bottle base, with some extra features and tech incorporated in the lid to make hydrating more convenient — especially with a full-face helmet.
With what looks to be a reasonably standard water bottle lid, Leatt has hidden a Triple Valve System within the SteadySip Bottle, meant to keep water flowing efficiently. First, on the bottle’s nozzle is Leatt’s Hydrapak BLASTER™ bite valve, which shuts off water flow when not being bitten by the user. Another internal valve keeps liquid inside the straw, creating a more effortless flow of water when a drink is needed. Lastly, an anti-vacuum valve helps equalize pressure inside the bottle, making it pop back to its original shape.
Leatt’s Triple Valve System requires using a straw rather than tipping the bottle to drink. This also makes using the Hydrapak drink tube extension easy when wearing a full-face helmet. The bite valve nozzle easily pops off, and the drink tube extension snaps into place. At roughly 6in (15cm), the Hydrapak drink tube extension easily slips between vents in the chin bar, allowing full-face helmet users to hydrate without removing their helmet.
The SteadySip Convertible Bottle is offered in 750 and 600ml options and a red and black colorway. Empty, the bottles weigh 69g (600ml) and 75g (750ml).
THE DIRT
The SteadySip Convertible Bottle certainly goes beyond the standard water bottle with a bit of tech added to make hydrating more convenient. While Leatt may have reinvented the wheel with their Triple Valve System, I like the use of standard water bottle sizes and shapes. This means it will also fit the standard bottle cages on our bikes.
That said, the extra length of the Hydrapak drink tube extension may be too long for some frames and stick out the side. It can easily be removed and put in a pocket while riding, but you’ll need to put the bite valve back on, or it will leak.
Leatt’s promise of easy and steady water flow with their Triple Valve System was also delivered. I never had any issues with water flow or the valves not working correctly. Plus, the drink tube extension stayed put during every ride, whether on a bike or in a hip pack. When I used a hip pack, the six-inch tube was unnoticeable during rides and didn’t rattle against or hit me at all.
While I like the idea of being able to drink without removing my full-face helmet, I had to question if this was actually a solution to a frustration I had. A typical full-face climb for me is often on a fire road where the helmet may be on the bars or with the chin bar pushed up, resting on my forehead. Ultimately, it made me question whether $30 was worth not removing my full face for a drink.
If I have a full face helmet on properly while climbing, I likely won’t have it buckled, so pushing it up to get a drink isn’t much of a chore. I also likely want to sit and rest a minute because, well, I’m trying to breathe through a full face helmet.
This brings up another issue that I had with the Leatt SteadySip. When my heart rate is elevated, I’m breathing heavily and ready to take a break; I don’t want to drink through a straw. I found that if I was breathing heavily, trying to suck water through a straw was a tricky situation. Leatt’s Triple Valve System worked well, and water easily flowed, but sometimes I felt it was flowing into my lungs rather than my stomach. This is a personal preference, but it turns out that I do not like drinking through straws while riding. Is it any different to drinking from a hydration bladder? Well, not so much. But a bottle is always going to be my preference while I’m pedaling hard on a mountain bike.
Despite those drawbacks, I see a clear application where the SteadySip Convertible Bottle would work very well — downhill and enduro racing. While you obviously wouldn’t stop for a drink during a race run, I can imagine pre-race hydration being a bit easier with the SteadySip. Especially as you are getting closer to your drop, keeping your helmet on and getting an extra sip or two allows for more focus on the track rather than fiddling with equipment.
The Wolf’s Last Word
If you are a regular full-face helmet wearer or a racer dabbling in the gravity side of things, Leatt’s SteadySip Convertible Bottle may be something to consider. However, for a bottle to bring along on your everyday trail ride, you just may not need its features and may not want to pay its price. 
Price: $29.99
Website: Leatt.com
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ABOUT THE WOLF
The local boy — Travis was born and raised in Bend, OR. Skateboarding consumed his life until his high school years (yes, he can still kickflip), but was replaced by mountain biking…then rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and finally back to mountain biking. After a stint in the big city, Travis returned home, trading a teaching career to be an okay mountain biker and above-average journalist. He is an outspoken 90s grunge fan, cornering poor souls in conversations about the meaning behind the lyrics of Alice In Chains’ “Would.” Most days, Travis hopes to be outside, whether that is on an early morning ride or a hike with his family (the best days include both).
Rank: Contributing Writer
Size: 5’8” / 172cm | 195lbs / 88kg
Social: @travis_reill_writes
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