Comments on: Sigg Water Bottles – Gear Review

By: John Inserra

John Inserra — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:03:56 +0000

I’ve owned many SIGG bottles over the years but will never own them again after their lie about BPA in the lining and the horrible customer service I’ve recieved from them on this issue. After selling their bottles as a BPA-free alternative to Nalgene, they then get caught with BPA in their lining. Then when I try to return them they tell me I didn’t act quick enough to get a free replacement. I’ll never buy from them again.

By: EVE

EVE — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:28:20 +0000

I just wanted to also add, on top of the concerns about the SIGG lining, that the customer service for SIGG is absolutely terrible. I’ve sent in my old SIGG bottle for a replacement during the recall period, and after two months of waiting, nothing. No email or phone call from a customer representative, and certainly no bottle. I’ve tried contacting them several times since, to no avail. At this point, I may never know if the new lining is indeed better or not — if I don’t get a replacement bottle, I’m never buying or using SIGG again.

By: PGA

PGA — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:46:45 +0000

NOT SAFE, EVEN WITH NEW LINER!
I do not trust this company. The bottles have a chemical liner and the company does not disclose the composition. Some bottles contain the old copper-colored liner which contains BPA, as the company admitted recently. The newer bottles have a different liner, but the company again does not disclose the composition and when I purchased my bottle, after thorough washing, I could detect a weird taste in the water. If the new lining is truly non-toxic, then the company should come clean and reveal the composition. I do not trust that the new liner is any better than the old. I bought mine directly from the SIGG website and their 30-day return policy is a joke (only store credit, $5 restocking fee per item, $10 if it has been used, plus of course you pay for shipping). So now I am stuck with a possibly toxic bottle that I cannot use. I recommend you buy stainless steel bottles like those from Klean Kanteen, which even SIGG’s research posted on their website showed that they do not leach anything toxic.

By: Brig Graff

Brig Graff — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:17:40 +0000

Platypus make my new favorite water bottle: http://www.gear.com/platypus-platy-softbottle-water-bottle-new-gear/

By: Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:41:01 +0000

Ya know… I’m not a fan of aluminum bottles or stainless steel ones either. I guess I see no problem with BPA-free plastic ones and see no need to switch. In my mind, the Sigg bottles will dent and scratch while a plastic one will scuff a bit, but won’t dent. Seems odd that they work so hard to make a nice aluminum bottle, then they have to line it with some sort of plastic lining that will chip off (as everyone seems to agree above).

I’ll stick to plastic and make sure to recycle it when it’s lifespan is over (in 50 years), long after that Sigg bottle’s lining has been ingested into my body and caused cancer.

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:35:21 +0000

I bought a new generation bottle after my old one was punctured. It started flaking in just 2 days. After going through 3 replacements from Sigg customer service, my latest one is showing the same tell-tale signs after the first tightening of the cap. This time I think I know why Sigg is claiming this is happening in a very small number of cases. I screw my caps on very tight. I can see very clearly (due to the interupted thread on the cap) how the friction fron overtighthening can tear the liner.

By: Brig Graff

Brig Graff — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:41:21 +0000

Very interesting article from gearjunkie.com about Sigg — I figured I would post the link here: http://gearjunkie.com/sigg-bottles-bpa

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:42:43 +0000

I bought a SIGG Heritage bottle a month ago. The inner lining is their newer light yellow (non-BPA) lining, and it’s flaking off in large pieces around the threads

By: Brig Graff

Brig Graff — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:29:38 +0000

That is interesting, I was unaware. So post-August 2008 are good?

By: momguru

momguru — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:48:27 +0000

http://momguru.com/content/when-bpa-free-isnt-siggs-dirty-little-secret

Sigg water bottles manufactured prior to August 2008 have a liner that contains BPA. Disappointing news from a company that claims to be eco-friendly.

By: Brig Graff

Brig Graff — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 04:34:31 +0000

Thanks for the note, Chris — I haven’t had that issue so pronounced myself. But in the past couple of years since writing this, I have been moving more towards collapsible Platypus water hydration pouches — which reduces the worries you mention here.

By: Chris from Australia

Chris from Australia — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:25:50 +0000

I bought my water SIGG water bottle because I was tired of using plastic water bottles and wanted a greener and safer option. However I wish I had done my research before I bought my SIGG 1L bottle (model: frames Green). I have had my SIGG bottle for only 2 weeks and the top inner lining thread where the cap screws in has started to flake. Aluminum is now exposed. But I am not sure what is worse the aluminum or the tiny plastic particles(or whatever material it is) that drop into the water every time I unscrew the cap? My end thoughts: Good looking water bottle but poor design.

By: Sarah Wang

Sarah Wang — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 07:17:52 +0000

I’d rather not take any risks. I have used Stainless Steel for years now and love the cold taste of water from it. I have a double walled stainless steel sports bottle from Oggi and no I don’t work for them. I’m not even sure if they make these anymore. Mine is so durable and yes it is heavier than all those mentioned above but I’m not willing to drink out of anything that might leech out harmful materials. All my cutlery, pots, pans, dishes are either glass or stainless steel. Water is a universal solvent so why take the risk of carrying water in toxic containers ?

By: Brig Graff

Brig Graff — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:56:50 +0000

Thanks Paul -- you're probably right. Any thoughts on Klean Kanteen?

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:03:47 +0000

I’ve been doing a little research about the whole aluminum-alzheimer’s link. No one seems conclusive regarding the matter. I would check out the WebMD article and the UK Alzheimer’s Society article. On both websites, they state that the links between the two are “claims” (and studies since then have yielded inconclusive or questionable results), not irrefutable fact. I wouldn’t flip out like people did during the BPA-scare of ‘07-’08.

By: Brig Graff

Brig Graff — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:17:05 +0000

That KOR vessel looks awesome…

By: Carrie

Carrie — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:53:28 +0000

I like to see my water and not feel like I’m camping. I’m rolling with the new KOR ONE over at korwater.com

By: Keith

Keith — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:14:36 +0000

Um… folks if you use antiperspirant you are smearing yourself with aluminum. People have been exposed to aluminum for hundreds of years and it’s not proven to cause any diseases. If it did there would be epidemics because of the ubiquity of aluminum in our environment.

Even if it did, these bottles would only leech aluminum from the tiny amount of area exposed at the threads. You’d get more exposure touching an aluminum handrail or your bicycle. I like these bottles for the design and durability.

By: Brig Graff

Brig Graff — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:37:53 +0000

Excellent points all around — thank you very much. You know, perhaps I’ll reach out to Sigg to have them come give some added commentary here.

By: Meghan

Meghan — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:16:49 +0000

Hi Brig,
I had a Sigg water bottle and have stopped using it due to the strong metallic taste which made me begin some research. While there isn’t a direct correlation between aluminum bottles leeching enough aluminum to cause Alzheimer’s; it is known that individuals with Alzheimer’s have high concentrations of aluminum in their brains. There isn’t a guarantee that the bottles are ‘leech free’ so to speak, and if you have ever seen someone suffer the horribly devastating effects of Alzheimer’s …well…it’s better to toss out the expensive water bottle then to take a risk of that magnitude. Until Sigg can prove that their interior coating of stove enamel is completely leech proof (and how exactly can you see completely into the inside of the bottle), I would suggest looking at alternatives.

When in doubt stick with stainless steel. people have been using it a lot longer and it doesn’t seem to have the same health risks.

It broke my heart to toss away my $30 sigg bottle…but at least when I am 80 I’ll be able to remember doing it.

By: Brig

Brig — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:58:49 +0000

Wow that’s interesting — I honestly don’t know the answers on that one. I’ll have to ping out to them and see if they’ll respond.

By: J. Camper

J. Camper — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:29:28 +0000

Apparently Sigg used to manufacture fuel bottles and now manufactures water bottles. My questions:

1. What is the difference between a Sigg fuel bottle and a Sigg water bottle?

2. What are the hazards of using a Sigg water bottle for camping fuel?

3. What are the hazards of using a Sigg fuel bottle for water (assuming no remaining fuel residue)?

By: dontbuysigg

dontbuysigg — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:39:19 +0000

I just checked out the new Sigg Oval 0.6L. They didn’t line their thread area like their other bottles. Great improvement!

By: Brig Graff

Brig Graff — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:55:27 +0000

wow I never thought of that! good idea for the next backpacking trip….

By: Adam Buchanan

Adam Buchanan — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 09:15:19 +0000

yeah i appreciate the posts everyone. brig, the taste on a hot day sounds great, i think i will try but im gonna do it with caution. i like switching up my outdoor routine.

like have you guys ever boiled water and put it in a nalgene to sleep with? oh my gosh! where was that when i was 12 freezing my butt off.

By: Brig Graff

Brig Graff — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:44:18 +0000

Thanks dontbuysigg —- I’ll have to keep that in mind, and perhaps consider some alternatives.

By: dontbuysigg

dontbuysigg — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:54:25 +0000

PS. Don’t throw out your SIGG bottles. Just use them ’til they break or until the liner wears down. And don’t buy any new ones =)

By: dontbuysigg

dontbuysigg — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:46:27 +0000

Hi Brig,

I tried to comment but was blocked by the SpamBam. I will try again.

No, I do not work for Laken. I too was once very happy with my Sigg until I noticed the flaw. I am just a disappointed customer trying to get the word out. As for the aluminum exposure, I said that it can cause Alzheimers and not that it will cause Alzheimers. Either way the aluminum cannot be good for us. I suppose that is why all the aluminum bottles have a liner to begin with. Just Google ‘aluminum safety.’

I was considering a Klean Kanteen bottle as well but some reviews stated the water tasted metallic and the sport lid was leaky.

Ever since I got my Laken, I’ve been very happy with it. I have the Blue Futura 0.75L. I might get the red one as well.

By: Brig Graff

Brig Graff — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:51:23 +0000

Wow that’s interesting — thanks for posting. With such an endorsement, and the fact that you didn’t sign your real name, I imagine you work for Laken and are trying to spread rumors about a competitor? Can you provide us some more info about the background of Laken? That would be very helpful. Also, do you know where the scientific studies are that conclusively link aluminum food containers with causing Alzheimers? I only found this on snopes, which seems to indicate that you are wrong and that it is an old myth from the 1920s: http://www.snopes.com/movies/actors/valentino.asp

I’m not trying to be disbelieving — I’d just like to know for sure, because if you are correct then that’s some pretty serious allegations and I may shift my opinion about Sigg, and toss out my Sigg bottles.

thanks very much,
Brig

By: dontbuysigg

dontbuysigg — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:16:43 +0000

I had my SIGG for about 6 months and the liner started to wear and flake off around the thread area (Where the cap screws in). I guess it was due to the wear and tear of opening and closing the cap. Look closely around your thread area and ensure that none of the aluminum is exposed. The lining is yellow. If you see any silver, that’s aluminum. Aluminum, if leached into the water, can cause Alzheimer’s disease. I have switched to a Laken bottle and it does not have this problem. See how they solved it at http://www.laken.es.

By: Brig Graff

Brig Graff — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 02:03:41 +0000

Thanks for the post, Sandy! At GEAR.com we’re fans of Seth Godin, so thanks for the link to that lens on Squidoo.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 11:25:42 +0000

These water bottles are extremely durable with cooler designs and also lightweight. There are very comfortable even for the children to drink without pouring water on their dresses. For more information look at water bottles

By: Brig

Brig — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 20:01:28 +0000

hehe — good point, though once you have an icy sip from an aluminum bottle, you might be persuaded…

By: Kendall

Kendall — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 19:05:50 +0000

I have a hard time drinking from a bottle that resembles the same container I use with my MSR Wisperlite stove to hold fuel. Sexy or not, I’m sticking to a nalgene or a bike water bottle.