Owala FreeSip Water Bottle: How the Sip or Swig Lid Works

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Most water bottles make you choose. A straw lid is easy to sip from at a desk or in the car, while a wide mouth is better for big gulps after a workout. The Owala FreeSip refuses to choose, and that one idea has made it one of the most recognizable bottles around. Here is what the FreeSip is, how its lid works, what to know before you buy and where to find one.

What it is

The FreeSip is an insulated stainless steel water bottle from Owala, the drinkware brand of Trove Brands. Its inventor is Steve Sorensen, the co-founder and chief executive of Trove Brands. Owala's own description is playful: the bottle claims to have invented the whole sip or swig thing.

The idea is simple. Hold the bottle upright and you drink through a built-in straw. Tilt it back and you swig through a wider opening, like a regular bottle. Both happen through the same patented FreeSip spout, so there is no second lid to swap or lose.

How the lid works

The lid is where the FreeSip earns its reputation. One push of the button and the spout cover pops open. One push to close it and it locks shut, which Owala says makes it leak proof. A hinged carry loop flips up when you need a handle and tucks away when you do not, and when the lid is closed the loop doubles as a lock so the button cannot be pressed by accident in a bag.

The lid is made from Tritan plastic, which Owala describes as top of the line, odor resistant and free of bisphenol A (BPA), lead and phthalates. Owala also stresses that its bottles have always been lead free, including the solder used in their construction.

Insulation and build

The bottle itself is triple layer, vacuum insulated stainless steel, and Owala says it keeps drinks cold for 24 hours. The opening is wide enough for ice cubes and for getting a hand or brush inside to clean it. Owala also designed the bottle to come apart quickly, with minimal hard to reach surfaces, so cleaning does not feel like a chore.

The stainless steel FreeSip comes in several sizes, including 24 ounce and 32 ounce versions. The 24 ounce bottle is the easier one to carry around all day, while the 32 ounce bottle means fewer refills. There is also a 25 ounce version made entirely from Tritan plastic if you want something lighter without insulation.

Owala also runs regular color drops, so the FreeSip can look more like an accessory than a piece of gym equipment.

What to know before you buy

• Cold drinks only. Owala says the stainless steel FreeSip should not be used with hot, carbonated or perishable liquids. If you want a bottle for coffee or tea, look elsewhere.
• Cleaning. The lid is dishwasher safe. The cup should be washed by hand.
• Warranty. Owala backs the bottle with a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
• Customizing. Owala lets you build your own color combination on its site.

Why it is cool

Plenty of bottles keep water cold. What makes the FreeSip different is how often you actually reach for it. The straw means you can sip without tipping your head back at your desk or while driving, the wide mouth is there when you are thirsty and the one handed button means you are never fumbling with a screw top. Small design details add up to a bottle you use all day rather than one you forget in a drawer.

Who should buy it

Buy the FreeSip if you want one bottle for the office, the gym and the car, and you mostly drink water or other cold drinks. It is also a great gift, because it is useful, colorful and easy to choose. If you want a classic, rugged bottle with a screw cap instead, our posts on the Stanley Classic bottle, the Nalgene wide mouth bottle and the Klean Kanteen Classic cover great alternatives. For coffee on the go, try the Kinto travel tumbler.

Where to buy

For more everyday gear we like, browse our everyday carry picks.