When it comes to building a disc golf bag, discs are the primary focus.
No surprises on that front.
But your body literally needs water to survive – not frisbees. On average, humans can go without water for around three days. And even if it’s a 2015 Sexton Firebird you can’t pinpoint, the chances of you spending that much time looking for it are slim to none. But still …
Give water bottles their due.
Today, I want to talk about my favorite:
The Nalgene.
More specifically, the Nalgene Wide-Mouth. I have no partnership with Nalgene. None of my affiliates push their stuff, either. I have, however, been a loyal customer of the brand for nearly two decades with the vast majority of my Nalgene-use coming out on the disc golf course.
There are bigger, better and fancier water bottles out there, no doubt – Stanley, anyone? Heck, you can buy disc golf bags capable of holding a CamelBak bladder inside for cold, on-the-go hydration, should you randomly decide to summit Everest in the middle of 18 holes.
The Wide-Mouth’s calling-card, though?
Durability.
Circa 2004, Nalgene water bottles were all the rage for their alleged indestructibility. And for good reason – they’re tough to terrorize. To set the record straight, though, run over a Wide-Mouth with your car or throw it off a five-story building, and it’ll break.
Shocker.
* Note: Click here and here to see a pair of durability tests of the Nalgene Wide-Mouth.
But for the actual wear-and-tear a water bottle sees on the course, a one-time $15 purchase on Amazon all but guarantees you a lifelong, H20-guzzling companion. And a BPA-free, American-Made one, at that. I’ve enjoyed this one for well over a decade:
Getting beyond tenacity, the Wide-Mouth holds 32 ounces of agua, meaning it maximizes the water-bottle holders nearly all disc golf bags offer. Nothing falls out or jostles around with each step – it’s snug and secure. Unless throwing 18 on the surface of the sun, 32 ounces (with some ice) is usually enough to get you through a round without teetering on the verge of death.
Lastly, I heart the Wide-Mouth for one more thing …
Gulpability.
That’s not a word, but it should be.
It’s called a “Wide-Mouth” for a reason: Its three-and-a-half-inch water hole is big enough to satisfy your face hole. With the Wide-Mouth, if you want to sip like royalty, sip. But if you want the wet stuff pouring down the sides of your mouth like a blood-thirsty beast, it can happen.
Don’t get me wrong: You can certainly get each of the above in other water bottles. I’m certain someone will sound off in the comments section about them. The same can be said for G-Shock watches when compared with the likes of Oris, Piaget and Chopard. But decade after decade, even the snobbiest of time-piece collectors go back to Casio for their everyday beaters.
A Nalgene is like that.
Don’t (yet) have one in your disc golf bag?
Come on in …
The water’s cold.
Have anything to add? Take to X to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Editor’s Suggestions:
- What’s an ‘anti-skip’ in disc golf?
- Disc golf: Tossing a ‘tombstone’ is freaky satisfying
- Innova: The flat-top Firebird should be its own mold
Real quick, if you happen to buy something through a link in this article, there’s a chance we’ll get a small share of the sale. It’s how we keep the lights on. To learn more, click here.
Hey Lucas,
My biggest issue with the Nalgene is the lack of insulation. Playing a hot round only to find your water bottle with warm water is disappointing. However, with the price of a Nalgene being so low its hard to be beat!
This is true.
In my opinion, this is to keep it as durable as possible.
Most insulated water bottles aren’t terribly tough, in my experience
Drop ’em enough time, and they’ll crack, chatter, etc.
Usually, when it’s REALLY hot outside, I’ll fill my Nalgene to the brim with ice and fill it with water.
That’s usually more than enough to get me through 18 holes with cold water.
It will “sweat,” though, so there’s that …
But you’re right: It’s more of a working man’s tool than a cozy, cold-water keeper.
No doubt about it!
They also an elite tool for retrieving disc from trees. Solid weight, if you make contact the disc is coming down. But most importantly can take 30 the beating of a 25 foot drop.
Great post couldn’t agree more.
Oh, Dave …
That is SUCH a good point.
Can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve done this.
Awesome stuff – appreciate the love!
In the swampy south a double insulated water bottle is a must. Way too much condensation on the bottle otherwise and can exacerbate grip slip issues. I do agree the Nalgene bottles are bomb proof.
This is true!
Of course, you could always just forego the ice with a Nalgene altogether …
But admittedly, the “hit” of ice-cold water is a welcomed joy on the course, especially in the heat.