Tiibo Vacuum-Insulated Cycling Bottle Review

The Tiibo Vacuum-Insulated Cycling Bottle is meant for cyclists. I know this. However, I figured it was worth a shot as a runner, because my hydration vest has bladders that just don't stay cool. I'm writing this on a 90-degree day in Los Angeles, and just did an August marathon, so I know quite a bit about heat. The fact that the bottle claims to keep liquids cold for over 12 hours was a big thing for me. I did test it out, which we'll get to. 

First, I love the fact that it's stainless steel. I am so sick of the taste of plastic, from Gatorade bottles to the hydration vest bladders. My water actually tasted like water for once. It's really lightweight and dishwasher safe (which, of course, the bladders are not), so I put some water in the fridge overnight and, the next morning, I filled the bottle at 7:20 a.m. and put it in the back pouch of my vest. I ran for 1.5 hours, and it was already over 80 degrees when I finished, so I figured being next to my back and sitting in the heat would make a dent in the temperature. 

Nope. It was absolutely ice cold. Okay, I thought. That's just 1.5 hours. I took it out of the vest after my run and left it on the counter. I didn't have the air-conditioner on in the apartment at all, and it got up to 80 degrees inside as well. Plus, the bottle was sitting in the direct sunlight that comes through my window for hours. I tried it right before I went to bed at 8:30 p.m. (I know none of you are judging me for my grandma bedtime). It was still ice cold. 

Honestly, having this in my vest was a revelation. I know bladders work better for the front of a vest, but it's never enough liquid for my long runs in the summer anyway. The fact that this was so cold (and I'll try it again with ice cubes) means it's in my summer running rotation now. 

In addition, it fits in gym and car drink holders, and bike cages easily. It's also slim enough to carry in your hand if you prefer that. It comes in 17 and 23-ounce sizes, so you have a choice, and a few colors. My one caveat is that it doesn't come with instructions. To take the top off, you twist it. To drink, you bite the rubber and pour. It's free-flowing, so you're not trying to make the cap into a straw, which can make you a bit dizzy. It just pours out easily, so you don't have to keep sipping to hydrate yourself.