The Camelback Podium Ice doesn't just carry liquid for you to drink when you need it, but also is designed to keep it cool or warm for up to four times longer than a regular bottle.
It achieves that goal. I found it kept water cold and tea warm for considerably longer than my other bottles.
I tested it against a regular bottle during a cold ride with a warm drink and where the regular bottle lost heat within around 30 minutes, the liquid in the Podium Ice was still warm around two hours later.
The bottle itself carries 620ml. This is certainly enough for a regular ride for me alongside another bottle.
However, I had some small issues with the bottle's other features.
Because it lacks the narrower section most bottles have for the top of the cage to grab, it does not fit as nicely in my bottle cage. Even though it did not slip out during testing, I did notice that it didn't quite fit properly.
The Podium Ice uses the same cap design as other Camelbak bottles, which the maker calls Jet Valve. A 90-degree turn of the dial locks it so that it can't leak if you're carrying it in a bag. On the bike you should be able to leave it open as water is kept in place by a valve that opens when you squeeze the bottle or suck on the mouthpiece.
Other road.cc staffers have used standard Podium bottles like this and found it works well. However, I found that because the bottle didn't fit snuggly in the cages I used, it would occasionally lose water due to the additional squeezing on the sides.
That meant I had to keep it locked on the bike, which made taking a drink a two-handed operation, which is certainly not ideal.
The Podium Ice does seem to be well constructed and I would be confident that it would be fine after multiple falls and refills. However, at £22, I am not sure that the price is justified.
In terms of keeping liquid hot or cold it certainly excels, but there are better cycling bottles if you don't need the temperature maintenance.
Overall, as a general-purpose water bottle to keep drinks cool or hot then it is fantastic. If it is specifically for cycling, then it works ok, but the combination of the Jet Valve and the lack of a narrow section to properly seat the bottle in the cage is certainly a drawback.
Verdict
Keeps your drink hot or cold, but shape means it doesn't fit perfectly in a cage
road.cc test report
Make and model: Camelbak Podium Ice
Size tested: Red - available in January
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?
The product is for cyclists or athletes who want to maintain the temperature of their drink. This works for both hot and cold drinks.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
- Aerogel Insulation keeps water cold four times as long as regular sport bottles
- 21 oz (610ml) water capacity
- Innovative, self-sealing Jet Valve™ eliminates splatters and spills.
- Lightweight, easy-squeeze bottle delivers the right flow to quench your thirst
- Removable nossle for easy cleaning
- 100% Free of BPA and BPS
- TruTaste™ polypropylene with HydroGuard™ lets you taste your water, not your bottle.
- Positive lockout for leakproof transport
- Wide-mouth opening is easy to fill with ice and water and a breeze to clean
- Also keeps warm beverages warm during cool weather rides
- CamelBak® Got Your Bak™ Guarantee: If we built it, we'll Bak it™ with our lifetime guarantee.
Seems to be well made and would survive multiple drops, falls and years of use.
The flow is good and a small squeeze gets a good amount of liquid out of the bottle. However, it is worth noting that the twisting aspect of using the bottle and lack of a ridge to keep it securely in a cage are a drawback in terms of cycling specific use. It also works well in terms of keeping liquids at your desired temperature.
I would be happy to say that this is a bottle that would last for a long time and with the lack of BPA and BPS, would be safe to use for the foreseeable future.
At £22 it would be acceptable if it had some slightly easier to use features. Having a lateral cap release mechanism would be a benefit for cycling and it lacks the narrow band that many bike bottles have to keep it in the cage.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
It kept drinks warm/cold and had a good flow of liquid, however in terms of cycling use, it could be better.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
I liked the temperature regulation and maintenance as well as the amount of liquid that could flow once you squeezed the bottle.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
The lack of cycling specific features, particularly the lateral twisting of the cap release.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.
Would you consider buying the product? Yes, but for off the bike, more for other sports than for cycling.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, but for other sports.
About the tester
Age: 27 Height: 6 ft Weight:
I usually ride: Cannondale Supersix Evo 6 My best bike is:
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: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed,
Keeps your drink hot or cold, but shape means it doesn't fit perfectly in a cage