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Bottles
Zefal Arctica bottleZefal Arctica bottle

Zefal Arctica bottle

7
by Caven O'Hara
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Mar 13, 2015

1
£7.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Prevents your drink reaching room temperature for up to two hours
Weight: 
210g
Contact: 
www.chickencycles.co.uk
How we test

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There are times on very cold or very hot rides when you wish you could have a warm or cold drink to hand. The Zefal Arctica bottle gives you this option thanks to the inner insulation.

It works reasonably well. It has kept drinks cold having been frozen first for up to two and half hours before reaching ambient temperature. With a warmer liquid it has managed at least two hours.

The Zefal Arctica is well made, with a screw cap that's easy to attach or remove. Depending on your preference it also comes in several colours so you should have no issues matching one to your bike.

Both the inner and the shell are made from polypropylene and the weight without liquid is 210g. As with most bottles, it's 100% recyclable and dishwasher safe.

The walls of the bottle are flexible which makes it easier than some to squeeze. It's been washed many times and hasn't discoloured.

The downside is the size, the Zefal Arctica bottle is on the large side at 700ml capacity, which makes it quite heavy when it's full, and any insulated bottle works better when it's full. The weight penalty might put you off carrying two of these on a long ride.

The idea is good but you would need to be riding in extreme conditions to warrant carrying a noticeably bigger and heavier bottle. Price wise you would expect to pay a little more given the properties but it won't suit every rider.

Verdict

Prevents your drink reaching room temperature for up to two hours

road.cc test report

Make and model: Zefal Arctica bottle

Size tested: 700ml

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

If you have the fortune to ride in such temperatures where you need you drink to stay cooler for longer then the Zefal Arctica bottle is worth considering. It would certainly hit the mark more if it wasn't so big. It does do a good job.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Made from polypropylene the Zefal Arctica bottle is also 100% BPA free.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

There is no doubt, the bottle is well made inside and out with a good nozzle.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

The Zefal does what it has been designed for, keeping your drinks cooler for longer, almost up to 2.5 hrs.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

Made from 100% Polypropylene it has proved to be durable.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10

At 210g and capable of carrying 750ml this will add to up to a hefty load. If you need your drink to be cold then it could be worthwhile.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

Prevents your drink from reaching room temperature.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

You are paying more for the privilege but if it matters that much then yes it is worth it. If it is for the occasional ride them perhaps not.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

On the money.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

It does work and could offer an advantage on cold commutes too.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Just too big and cumbersome for my liking.

Did you enjoy using the product? Limited.

Would you consider buying the product? No.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? If they were specifically looking for this sort of bottle.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

The Zefal Arctica bottle does the job of preventing drinks reaching room temperature but it is a sizeable bottle.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 45  Height: 178cm  Weight: 80kg

I usually ride: Currently riding a Pinnacle Evaporite Three  My best bike is: As above

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, commuting, sportives, mtb, Not yet but looking to dip my toe in the world of TT

 

Zefal Arctica bottle
Zefal Arctica
Zefal 2015
Zefal

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1 comments

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Jamminatrix | 9 years ago
0 likes

I bought a couple of these to go along with my Camelback Podium Chill collection. These Zefal's definitely keep drinks cooler longer than the Podium Chill, probably because there may be a bigger insulation layer (I suspect the Podium Ice models will be a closer match in keeping drinks cold, but they're too much money for my blood). I dislike how hard these Zefal's are to squeeze and the top lid/nipple feels pretty cheap hard plastic. They also don't fit in my Elite Ciussi cages very well (they're tall and not completely round), but this is rather dependent on your cages too.

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