On your mark… get set… GO! There are many ways to carry water with you while running, biking, hiking, kayaking, or doing whatever activity you might enjoy. There are backpacks that hold water, water bottle waist belts, bottles that strap to your hands, and even hats that will hold your drink. Each one has its ups and downs. Backpacks make your back sweaty, waist belts tend to get loose and flop around, hand water bottles don’t let you do anything else with your hands while wearing them, and those hat drink holders are just ridiculous.
The Armband Water Bottle by Kenmark Sports attempts to remedy many of the issues that competing water bottle designs have. As the name states, the armband water bottle straps to either arm via two adjustable, elastic, and Velcro straps. The bottle is made of aluminum, so it’s durable, won’t get brittle after extended sun exposure, and your water won’t taste like plastic.
The cap/lid of the water bottle is made of plastic which seems quite rugged and provides a place for a lanyard and/or carabineer to be attached. However, I found the threads to be too narrow and easy to accidentally cross-thread. Something I would like to see added to the Armband Water Bottle would be an included replacement cap/lid that had a tube/straw with one of those bite valves so the user could drink from it and keep running, cycling, hiking, kayaking. Also, a lid that had one of those pop-top sipping spouts would really come in handy as well.
The water bottle case is made of neoprene, which insulates the water bottle, keeping your drink nice and cold. I did notice that after a few weeks of use, the neoprene had begun to slightly tear and fray along a one-inch section of the seam for the Velcro flap that holds the water bottle in its case. I believe this is due to both the flap and the hole for the water bottle being too small thus forcing the user to overstretch the flap when removing or replacing the bottle.
The Armband Water Bottle also has a nice feature that many other water bottles lack, a built-in and removable pocket/case that can hold a smartphone and let you use that smartphone while it’s still in the pocket/case via a transparent see-through front. This can also be used to hold an MP3 player, credit cards, cash, keys, or other small things you might want to bring with you. Unfortunately, the clear plastic is too hard and wrinkled, making the use of a smartphone touch screen through it more difficult. Luckily, I found an effective technique to remedy the wrinkled clear plastic. Just cram in your smartphone and put it out in the sun until the clear plastic gets warm and flexible. Then, start tying to smooth out the wrinkles. Once it’s relatively smooth, bring it back inside and let it cool down with the smartphone still inside. Once it returns to room temperature, take out the smartphone, and you are all set. Another draw back is that this product doesn’t have a flap to keep your smartphone from falling out when it’s not strapped to the Armband Water Bottle. Unfortunately, the water protection it offers, for whatever item you choose to store in it, is next to none. So, if you want to use this feature make sure its in fair weather.
During my testing, I found the Armband Water Bottle to be especially effective while kayaking. Nearly all other forms of water bottles are ineffective during a kayaking excursion. Backpack water bottles can’t be used while sitting. Waist strap water bottles get in the way of your lifejacket. Regular water bottles tend to roll out of reach or get covered in lake/sea water. Hand strap water bottles certainly don’t work while kayaking since your hands are preoccupied with paddling. I also found that the Armband Water Bottle could be strapped to the upper part of your leg for those who might want an alternate place to carry it while kayaking. Another great way to utilize the Armband Water Bottle is to use the elastic and Velcro arm straps to attach it to the outside of your backpack or sling pack.
To sum things up, I think the Armband Water Bottle is a good alternative water bottle for those who can’t stand sweaty backpacks, uncomfortable fanny packs, or the inability to use your highly evolved opposable thumbs while wearing those silly hand strap water bottles.
Made in China
Price: $29.99
For more information, please visit the following web link: kenmarksports.com
