Looking For: Insulated Water Bottle Holder

[velvet4269]

I suppose this is an odd request, and I say that because I have yet to find something that will not only attach to a camera bag & hold a bottle of water, but also keep it *cold*. And by 'water bottle,' I mean stainless steel water bottle, in the 20-32oz variety.

I like Lowepro's 'Bottle Bag,' as it will hold a variety of bottles, BUT it's not insulated, which means that no only do I end up with warm water quicker than I'd like, but my side ends up drenched by condensation. I emailed them, and their only suggestions were "use this lens case (which will hold a regular, plastic bottle of water), or our new, uber-big camera bag that's a camera bag + camel pack all in one (which is considerably more than I need)."

Tamrac has one, but it's not completely enclosed, so I don't know how well it's going to keep water cold, or how well it's going to keep the bottle in the actual container when I move around.

ThinkTank Photo has one that's similar to the Lowepro bag, but no idea if it's insulated (how long will it keep my water cold), or whether or not it'll stop condensation from soaking my side.

I've sort-of "MacGuyvered" up a bag I have that's not really designed to attach to a camera bag, but it's not very stable (the strap doesn't go all the way to the bottom of the bag), and will only hold 1 of my bottles (the one with the narrower top); however, it keeps my water cold for hours.

Suggestions? Comments? Ideas? Is there an insulation-type fabric or something I can use to line the Lowepro bag?

For reference: yes, I fill the bottles with ice, then water - mostly, because I'm out in the Texas sun & summers, and by the time I get around to drinking the water, it's no longer ice cold; I can not stand drinking warm water, but there's no way I'm wandering around in the Texas sun without water

[DivotMaker]

Just a thought.....

Years ago, they made can coolers from the same material they make wetsuits from.

While they wont cover the entire stainless bottle, they should cover most of it. In addition, they are thin and light weight. Bonus, #2, when you are finished, they wad up pretty small..and you can pack them into a small pocket of your bag....

I used to get them at the local AM/PM or Circle K....for a couple bucks..

just a thought...

[velvet4269]

Yeah, I thought of that, but two of the bottles I have are too wide, and all 3 of them are too tall (I tried). That said, maybe I can grab a few of them, and see about stitching & velcro - particularly if I'm just using it to line the inside of the existing bottle bag ...

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. Might be on to something there. I'll have to give that a try. I mean, worst case, I can always grab 2 and cut the bottom off one, so it can slide over the top - it's mostly the width that I'm having trouble with. I did try to slip one onto the bottle, and absolutely no go there, but maybe I just need to play with it more.

[DivotMaker]

hmmm....

now that you bring that up....any chance you have a scuba shop nearby?

they just may know of someone (or have) a suit that has been damaged where you could take an arm or a leg and make one to fit.....???

hopefully, they could sell you one cheap....(so that it doesnt cost you an arm and a leg)...

ok, I will stop now...

[DMucheck]

It may not keep the condensation off,but my think tank bag was always dry inside. I usually had one side with water and the other side with tea bottle. 14 days, 7 countries, never had a problem with my bag, Best item I ever purchase for my trip and my camera,lens, etc. even has a Velcro to hide money between panels, still have money in mine as of today. picture is myself while in Liechtenstein, Vaduz wearing my camera bag with drinking bottle on side

[velvet4269]

The koozy idea seems to be working okay for now. I finally managed to find a couple (you wouldn't believe how difficult they are to find until you start looking for them!) that fit the wider stainless bottle I have. One just slips over the bottom, the other I took the bottom out of and slipped over the top. There's maybe a half-inch of exposed bottle, but I'm not seeing any condensation, and they koozies have been on the bottle for the last hour & a half. Of course, this has been an indoor-only test thusfar; we'llsee how it does tomorrow in the hot Texas sun

Oh, and with the koozies on, it still fits in the Lowepro bottle bag just nicely.

[velvet4269]

So ... final verdict: it sort-of works. The koozies don't insulate as well as I'd like, and still end up completely soaked, but I can't find anything to fit the bottles I have, so it'll have to do.

[dave_lines]

how about a plastic bag over the bottle with the koozies,, might keep you dry,, seems like the wet would feel good it it is hot out though,,DAve