When my kids were 6 and 8 we hiked the Grand Canyon, and we bought kid-sized Camelpaks from REI. They were awesome and the kids had them for years afterwards; only now they are so old they need bigger sizes.

They are far superior than a water bottle, because you can hang the tube in such a way that with just a tiny movement they can suck the water. In a place like the Grand Canyon, they need to every 10 min. and that's not happening with a bottle you are carrying or have to twist off.

Also, it makes a kid feel more "serious" about hiking, sort of like giving them a uniform does when playing on a team. "Serious" meaning, like they really are good at something…committed in a positive way.

The one thing to get is the Camelbak drying system (looks like two yellow plastic things with hangers). Once you know how to use them to dry out the bladders, you'll love them.

I don't like both of them because they are plastic. I steel prefer the steel bottles and kids who are chewers also can't chew through steel.

I think both bottles are great options. My dd (12) is also a chewer and both have survived well enough. The drinking action is a little different though between the two. The camelbak you would have bite on to open the drink valve. The other is free flowing and if you bite on it, it stops.

Because my dd was a chewer, the camelbak had to be thrown out after a year because she loved to chew on the thing when drinking. For the Contingo though, if you chewed on it, you would get no water. One plus with that is that when we are at restaurants etc it did train her to not chew her straws at least when there are still water in them. (but she chews them after when she done!)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The mouthpieces on all of ours mildewed and weren't cleanable. Yuck!

Have had much better luck with the Thermos ones.

You know you are supposed to take the mouthpieces off and wash them, right?

Yes. DD has had one since the start of last school year. No leaking and no problems (has survived many bad falls). The spout has to be squeezed to open but the rubber is sturdy and I don't see any bite marks (and DD is notorious for destroying water bottle straws). The mouthpiece is super easy to pop off and clean. No mildew problems here.

Same. I do take it apart and wash all the pieces every night, though. They air dry. No mildew problems here, either.

I didn't grow up with a water habit. I'm thrilled my son prefers water to everything else. I'll keep cleaning this water bottle for that alone.