Review: BackBottle

(2020) Such are the times to consider alternative ways to obtain hydration. Given the climate in the United States, it should not shock our readers that gas station pit stops or convenience store breaks are removed from consideration. The Covid world mixed with the summer heat has us wondering how a ride longer than two hours can happen. That is, until a recent product gave long summer rides a chance.

BackBottle is uniquely shaped to slot into a jersey pocket for easy stowage.

We have always subscribed to the loose belief of one water bottle per hour of riding. The asterisk with this comment applies to that day’s temperature. One water bottle per hour of riding is perfect if the ride occurs in the mid-seventies (F) and no humidity. But here in the northeast, our summers consist of swampy air: hot, muggy, and sweaty. More than one bottle per hour becomes standard but problems now arise regarding the ability to go far with only two water bottles or to take chances by going into a convenience store for hydration. I am sure no one’s mask in this imaginary scenario is dry, so why consider the second option?

With only two cages on our asphalt bike, we could load our pockets with extra standard water bottles and hope for the best. But then a product called BackBottle changed our perspective for the better. BackBottle, a product born from Kickstarter, is the solution to longer rides. Designed to slip into the back pocket, the 18-ounce bottle has a lot going for it. We put our faith into a longer ride on a hot day to see if going farther really resides in our back pocket.

BackBottle features a freeze line indicator to make that third hour bottle less soupy.

For starters the appearance of the bottle is unique. There is the standard cap, but the vessel itself looks a bit like a garden spade. It is not designed for any cage. Its pointy bottom allows the bottle to snuggle into a cycling jersey pocket, angled correctly for easy reach. It does not sit up and down but on an angle. The pointed bottom of the bottle allows for easy return to the pocket when used mid-ride. Its lower profile construction means it fits nicely into the pocket instead of the round bottles that can create pressure points or slip out at random times. The raised logo is a catch line that helps prevent bottle slippage by grabbing onto the elastic portion of the pocket. The bottle was nearly unnoticeable during the long ride on account of the rounded back, meant to conform to a cyclists’s lower back.

I hardly ever use the left pocket of a cycling jersey. It could be because I am right-side dominated. It could also be that I rarely use my back pockets unless it is an emergency, but in the opening miles I reached for the BackBottle with my left hand, took a swig, and was impressed how effortless it was to return it. The cap itself proved to be the BackBottle’s soft spot compared to the frame solutions but it worked in this instance. 

Rolling farther north into Bucks County I began to wonder about my BackBottle approach. I thought the use of the bottle first was impressive, yet my desire was to use the BackBottle as storage and later transfer its content to a bottle on the bike. The bottle has a freeze fill line and could be used for cooling should the ride happen during a heat wave. Today’s ride was regular water. I settled on the prospect of emptying my two frame bottles before refilling with the BackBottle. I continued farther north, almost out of the county, fully believing the BackBottle’s selling point of providing hydration for longer. BackBottle did exactly what I hoped.

BackBottle’s low profile made for easy removal, easy replacement, and comfortable riding.

In the final third portion of the ride I pulled over and upended the BackBottle’s contents into the recently emptied final frame bottle. I was an hour from home, already excited to avoid stopping for a refill. I returned home sooner than anticipated and couldn’t rule out the confidence of proper hydration. Maybe I rode swiftly because I remained hydrated.

BackBottle provides a solution to many current situations. It means rides can be extended by an extra hour. It prevents rides from having to stop at a store. The most attractive aspect is rides can go into areas lacking stores like remote mountain roads. Finally, cyclists looking to go far for a day don’t have to convince themselves to do laps, using the house as a home base for hydration. Who knew BackBottle would add this much enjoyment to a weekend long ride? 

We have completed numerous rides ranging from fifty to over 100 miles and BackBottle will be brought along for all future long rides. Its pocket specific construction gives a cyclist the possibility to do so much more, all from a smart design. No money was brought on my long ride because BackBottle was the hydration solution instead of any convenience store. Having a water bottle in a jersey pocket is the antithesis of burning a hole, because the ride can keep rolling past those gathered in the parking lot preparing a mask to enter an establishment. It’s less stressful outside.