YETI’s Yonder Bottle Solves the Weight Problem of Reusable Water Bottles
When you travel with as much camera gear as I do, every gram counts. Whether I’m shooting botanical gardens in Montréal, grizzlies in the Great Bear Rainforest or the wilderness around the Yukon River, I have to decide what bodies and lenses to bring. And because freelancers rarely take time off, I always carry my laptop and tablet, too. Whatever the assignment and wherever the destination, the weight adds up quickly.
My travel gear debate begins with what water bottle to bring. It’s a decision I take seriously. One should never sacrifice proper hydration or make a decision that undercuts our commitment to reusable bottles.
The balance can be tricky. Several years ago, I pledged to forego single-use water bottles. Then, while hiking in Yellowstone National Park two autumns ago, I developed a pesky blood clot, the direct result of poor hydration when I left my heavy stainless-steel water bottle in my room and then refused a single-use plastic water bottle.
On that assignment, I learned the hard way that carrying a hefty travel bottle on a long day hike, backpacking excursion or multi-day trip doesn’t make sense. Fortunately, as with most modern packing and storage problems, there is an excellent solution.
The YETI Yonder is a 750-mililitre water bottle that is 50 per cent lighter than the YETI Rambler and other stainless-steel water bottles. Constructed of 50 per cent recycled, BPA-free plastic, the Yonder is the perfect companion when every ounce counts. The sleek design fits perfectly into exterior pockets, and the 100 per cent leakproof bottle slips easily inside your pack without fear of messy accidents.
Plenty of outdoor scenarios favour a lightweight, durable water bottle. I find my steel water bottle invariably works its way against my back when mountain biking in Squamish or on a cross-country trail ride in the Okanagan. The 750-ml Yonder fits snugly in my pack among my layers without any hard edges to bug me, even if it shifts over bumpy trails and technical descents, allowing me to adventure with confidence, knowing my hydration won’t go rogue and get lost along the way.
Most of us who ride have also encountered a bottle cap that gets jarred loose as we pop over rocks and roots on the trail. Though I’ve welcomed the cool water running down my back to offset the dust, the loss of water when I need a drink sucks. I’ve encountered other soggy disasters travelling, too, like when I was upgraded on a recent flight and my water bottle popped opened on my seat while moving my luggage. The announcement was mortifying: “Clean up in seat 4D.” I should have gone with the new Yonder Chug Cap.
The Yonder Chug Cap draws from the Rambler Chug Cap design. When rehydrating, twist off the top lid and drink from the controlled spout. The 100 per cent leakproof cap is easily removable for refills and cleaning. The cap easily attaches to a backpack strap with a carabiner for quick access. (After the blood clot incident, when I board a plane, I now transfer my 750-ml Yonder water bottle from my backpack to the seat pocket without concern about spilling the contents.)
There are other lid options: the Tether Cap for an even more streamlined, lightweight lid, still with a 100 per cent leakproof and controlled spout, and the Bottle Straw Cap for quick-access sipping with the flip straw design. The Yonder also comes in other sizes: 600 mL, 1 L and 1.5 L.
Most of us who spend time outdoors have compiled an assortment of multi-use water bottles. Like other gear, choosing the right bottle for each adventure improves the experience. Many times, a stainless-steel bottle makes sense; hot tea comes to mind. There are also excursions when packing light is paramount. Regarding hydration, there’s no need to tip the scales when you can drink from the YETI Yonder.
I always appreciate the extremely lightweight empty Yonder water bottle for the final push of my ride. Less weight from my water bottle means more camera lenses and equipment to capture the most beautiful parts of my job: getting out there into Canada’s vast nature.
This article was sponsored by YETI
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