Review on Contigo 2063286 Ashland Water Bottle by Rob Dixon

I bought a couple of these to replace the old worn out bottles we had (different brand). We don't use them often, just wanted them for our cruise vacation. They come in different colors, which is nice. There must be something for everyone. These bottles aren't insulated so they probably won't keep the drink hot/cold as long as the others, but they served our purpose well. It kept my lemonade cold long enough. The spring-loaded clip on the handle, which allows you to attach it to a backpack or whatever, seems rather flimsy. I haven't used it but have played with it from time to time and I don't think it will last long if I use it often. The flip-up spout, with its own built-in lid, is a great feature that keeps debris out of the spout. It automatically returns to the open position with a simple push of a button and easily slides back down when not in use. The locking lever is a nice touch to prevent accidental flipping. The straw can be easily removed for cleaning. It simply screws on and off from the underside of the lid. Cleaning is not too difficult. It would be easier if you had a bottle brush, but I managed with a large washcloth stuck in the bottle. Warning: When the spout is closed, a complete seal is created. BE CAREFUL if you decide to fill this bottle with carbonated beverages. I learned it the hard way. I once put a can of soda in a bottle. I walked to where we ate for about 5 minutes and that time and movement was enough to create pressure in the bottle. When closed, it does not ventilate. Have you ever seen a video showing what happens when you throw Mentos into coke bottles? Here's what I have. As soon as I pressed the button to raise the spout, the pressurized soda rose at least 2 feet into the air. I made a big mess, but I've learned my lesson. Since then, whenever I've used it for soda, I've first unscrewed the cap to relieve the pressure, then screwed it back on and opened the spout. Heed my warning or you too will learn the hard way. For what we intend to use these bottles for, they do an excellent job. To be honest if I was going to use it all the time I would probably go for something more insulating and more durable. But they are good for what they are.