The $300 ‘Ferrari of Water Bottles’: OKAPA Evaluate

Simply if you thought the water bottle craze had died down, right here comes one thing fully totally different. First, YETI made each tumbler heavier than a tire iron. Then, VSCO ladies and their Hydro Flasks turned bottles into style equipment. And most lately, everybody went bananas for Stanley’s Quencher as a result of it had a straw in it.

However proper when issues began to mellow out, an e mail pops into my inbox with the topic, “Introducing the Ferrari of water bottles!”

OKAPA, a California-based startup, justifies the declare with a mix of precision engineering and superior supplies — after all, the $300 price ticket is de facto what hammered the purpose house for me.

I needed to know if the standard water bottle might ever advantage such a excessive value. After practically 6 months of testing, I can admit that this isn’t your typical vessel. It positively has some benefits over frequent bottles. Whether or not it’s price the price of admission … that’s a special story.

In brief: OKAPA takes purpose on the competitors with breakthrough designs, distinctive supplies, and enhanced hygienics. Its medical-quality Grilamid spout, high-grade shock-resistant glass, silicone base, and aluminum sleeve all lend aesthetic enchantment and a luxurious really feel. However the modularity of all of the elements makes OKAPA a lot simpler to totally clear than different bottles. At 17 ounces and non-insulated, this bottle is for high-end customers who received’t flinch on the value.

Discover extra at GearJunkie’s roundup of the Finest Water Bottles.

OKAPA Water Bottle Evaluate

Two necessary issues to learn about me going into this evaluation: First, I’m an EDC fanatic, and a water bottle is a part of my every day carry — I like having a bottle with me. Second, I feel massive, splashy colours usually are not solely extra enjoyable, however in addition they make gadgets harder to lose (and I lose issues usually).

So proper off the bat, I used to be a giant fan of OKAPA’s ergonomics — its tactile, grippy physique and user-friendly flip-cap spout — and its eye-catching shade choices. If the model leans into the Ferrari metaphor, it must have some vibrant colours to go together with it.

Unboxing & Meeting

The OKAPA arrives with a protecting field wrapped in a pleasant microfiber bag, like a pair of sun shades. It’s a pleasant contact, although I haven’t discovered a use for the bag but. The bottle consists of eight detachable items — it’s principally a Russian nesting doll of elements.

The concept is which you can pull the whole lot aside and clear all of the surfaces, so there’s no place for micro organism to lurk. For those who’ve ever observed that funky scent hanging round your bottle, even after washing, you understand how powerful it may be to actually clear the whole lot.

If you first open the OKAPA — and for every day performance — you solely must give attention to three items for meeting and regular use: the glass carafe, the aluminum shell, and the cap.

When it comes time to scrub, you may take away nearly each gasket and liner from each different piece. OKAPA features a useful visible information that’s quite simple. Every little thing is dishwasher-safe besides the aluminum shell, which is hand-wash solely.

Use & Carry

As a daily-carry water bottle, the OKAPA is an aesthetic delight. It’s way more eye-catching than even the splashiest YETI or Hydro Flask. I’ve acquired just a few queries about what the bottle was.

It’s additionally confirmed to be typically sturdy. The silicone base helps the bottle follow surfaces higher than skinny bottles with out it. And the few instances I’ve knocked it over, nothing has spilled, and there are not any indicators of damage.

The most important query I had going into testing revolved across the safety of the glass carafe contained in the aluminum shell. I used to be shocked to see that the silicone cup on the backside grabs the glass firmly, so you may maintain the bottle the wrong way up with out it sliding out. What’s extra, the way in which the carafe seats into the cup, it doesn’t contact the within of the aluminum shell, so it’s fairly shock-resistant.

The trigger-action flip cap works reliably, although I ponder if this can put on down with age and use. After 6 months, it’s going sturdy.

What I Preferred

I’m no germaphobe, so I’m joyful to make use of chrome steel bottles and provides them an excellent rinse as soon as in a fantastic whereas. However now that I’ve been ingesting out of glass and may simply clear the whole lot, I can verify it’s a noticeably cleaner expertise. The OKAPA stays 100% odor-free, and I don’t have to fret about rust spots forming on the within, as I’ve with different bottles.

Additionally, the OKAPA has confirmed surprisingly purposeful for the way fashion-forward it’s. The lid’s deal with is an ideal form and dimension for quick-grab entry, and the aluminum shell with its array of round cutouts has a pleasant, stable hand-feel that gives stable buy.

What I Didn’t Like

It goes with out saying that should you value a water bottle at 5-10x the competitors (relying on the place you store), you’re inviting some skepticism. Previous to testing, I might by no means have dished out $295 for a water bottle until it got here with Netflix.

Now that I’ve tried it, I admit that’s nonetheless a tricky tablet to swallow. In protection of OKAPA, given the selection between all my chrome steel bottles and this one, I’ll select the OKAPA for my every day routine as a result of it’s a cleaner expertise. That mentioned, I received’t deliver it tenting or pack it after I anticipate tough circumstances. Regardless of its design and supplies, it’s nonetheless glass.

For those who received’t bat an eye fixed on the value, then there are solely two concerns that will sway you in opposition to the OKAPA. For starters, it’s solely 17 ounces (500 mL). I discover myself refilling the OKAPA at the very least a few instances after I deliver it to the espresso store. I would like a 32-ounce bottle.

And the biggie: it isn’t insulated. You possibly can microwave the carafe to warmth up tea or espresso — and it’s thick glass — however the sizzling/chilly retention doesn’t examine to double-wall vacuum insulation.

Conclusion: Who’s It For?

In case your on-line procuring routine does not contain dozens of tabs of competing merchandise and hours of research to find out which presents the best possible worth, then you definately’d most likely purchase the OKAPA and never fear that you simply overspent. It is a premium water bottle with a really cool design and really clear benefits for taste, model, and hygiene. If that calls your identify, hit the purchase button, and also you received’t be upset.

For many people, it’s most likely a bit too high-class for rugged journey and the dirtbag mentality. However hey, if fortune favors, who wouldn’t need a Ferrari?