Bottom Line
The Takeya Actives Insulated water bottle is a great option for those not only looking for a water bottle that can be tailored to their style preferences but also one that’s affordable, durable, and practical.
We took the Takeya Actives to the desert of Southeastern Utah for several weeks, observing its form and function as we hiked and climbed. Though we noticed its heavier weight in our pack, the bottle’s durability and insulation impressed us as we carried hot and cold drinks for miles.
This option ranked in the top half our of list of the best water bottles. Despite minor design flaws and potential weak points, the Takeya Actives insulated bottle is a versatile and well-rounded bottle for long-term daily use.
How We Tested
Gear analyst Marion Tucker researched 35 water bottles and tested the top 13 in the field while hiking and climbing in Southern Utah. She conducted drop tests to evaluate their durability and ranked each bottle’s ergonomics, insulation, weight, and features after side-by-side comparisons.
Quick Specs
Takeya Actives Insulated
Most Affordable and Customizable Insulated Water Bottle
CleverHiker Rating: 4.4/5.0
Price: $35
Weight: 1 lb.
Insulated: Yes
Pros
- Many color options
- Accessories included (bottle boot, chug cap)
- Leakproof
Cons
- Lid is slightly less durable than others
- Heavy for backpacking
- Many wide mouth bottles don’t fit in cup holders
Durability
Takeya makes the Actives with 18/8 food-grade stainless steel – a material known for its corrosion resistance, strength, and ability to be cleaned. Takeya’s choice of such a robust metal sets the tone for the bottle’s durability.
To see how well the Takeya Actives Insulated Stainless Steel water bottle stands up to usage outdoors, we put it through a series of drop tests while hiking and climbing for several weeks outside Canyonlands National Park in Southeastern Utah. Dropping the bottle from different heights onto varied surfaces, the Actives held its own against bumps, hits, and falls. It came away with no significant damage – just a few small dents and exterior scuffs.
Each Takeya comes equipped with a bumper fitted to the bottom of the bottle. The rubber bumper softens the force of impact and helps deflect damage while also providing grip to prevent the bottle from sliding around, particularly on smoother surfaces.
Built with a resilient material, structurally sound and seam-free design, and protective bottom bumper, the Takeya Actives water bottle resists damage. It’s a lasting and durable choice for rougher outdoor use and activities.
Ergonomics
The Takeya Actives is especially notable for its streamlined and practical build. A slim, cylindrical shape, it fits well in backpack pockets. The smaller capacity versions can even fit into car cup holders. Its sleek frame allows for efficient packing. We found it easy to tuck into the smaller corners of our pack when we took it hiking in Utah.
The lid twists on and off easily while sealing firmly to prevent any leakage. Removing the lid completely provides wide mouth access, so you can ice and hydration mixes and wash the bottle by hand.
The Actives lid also has a narrow, built-in spout for spill-free drinking on the move. Though we were able to drink from the bottle while hiking without any spills, we found the spout’s lack of contouring less comfortable than similar models we tested. The spout is protected by a cap attached to the main lid, which we found slightly cumbersome to twist on and off. However, it sealed tightly and kept the spout free from grit.
Made of a thin plastic loop, the carrying handle struck us as the weakest and most fragile part of the Takeya’s design. Overall, though, its form and functionality impressed us during our field tests.
Insulation
The Takeya Actives is insulated with a less expensive price tag than comparable water bottles. Even with the cheaper cost, it offers quality temperature control. The double wall insulation is compatible with hot and cold liquids – good for morning favorites like tea and coffee as well as water.
To assess the quality of Takeya’s insulation, we rotated hot and cold water through the bottle and also tested it with ice. When the bottle sat in direct sun for an entire day in the Utah desert, cold liquids stayed cold for the whole day, and ice remained frozen into the afternoon. The bottle did not maintain hot temperatures as well. Our hot beverages tasted lukewarm just a few hours into the day. Unless you sip your coffee verryyyy slowly, this insulation limitation doesn’t strike us as a deal breaker.
Weight
The Takeya Actives weighs 16 ounces, making it one of the heaviest water bottles that we reviewed. That weight may improve the bottle’s durability and insulation, but it also makes the Actives bottle less viable for longer day hikes and backpacking trips. We noticed the weight a few hours into our day hike.
Weight-wise, the Takeya bottle is better for shorter journeys or casual use. We can see ourselves using it for day hikes, but lighter bottles are better for longer trips.
Features
The Actives water bottle comes in an array of capacities: 18, 22, 24, 32, and 64 ounce sizes. This wide range exceeds the offerings of most bottles we tested. You can pick whichever capacity suits your personal hydration preferences from lower volume quick refreshment to high volume, all day hydration.
Takeya also offers dozens of color choices, including a few unique ombre patterns. The brand also sells two lid styles compatible with the Actives bottle: a Spout Lid for unfettered drinking and a Straw Lid for gradual sipping. Compared with other bottles, the Actives doesn’t provide as extensive options for personalization, but the features support some choice.
Should You Buy the Takeya Actives Water Bottle?
The Takeya Actives Insulated offers value that reflects its mid-range price. In comparison to the other insulated water bottles we tested, the Takeya is much cheaper. Considering its ability to provide efficient and effective temperature control for a breadth of liquids, the Actives offers unmatched bang for your buck in the category of insulation.
However, despite demonstrating its durability in withstanding drops and damage, its heavy weight is a deterrent against bringing the Actives on long-distance or multi-day backcountry trips, which limits its application in outdoor use. Some elements of the design, such as the carry loop, also gave us pause for their potential susceptibility to deterioration over time.
Though these flaws exist, the Takeya Actives is a bottle made from quality materials that features impressive insulation and a robust construction. Perhaps not the bottle you’ll take on your next backpacking adventure, it is well equipped to handle the shorter and everyday journeys.
What Other Water Bottles Should You Consider?
For a full list of recommendations, check out our guide to the Best Water Bottles.
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Review: A stainless steel bottle with double wall insulation for hot and cold drinks, the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth comes with a range of color and accessory options.
YETI Rambler Review: With exemplary insulation and a rugged design, the Rambler is perfect for those who need superior temperature control in even the roughest environments.
Hydro Flask Standard Mouth Review: The Wide Mouth’s sleeker and lighter weight cousin, the Standard Mouth is better suited for everyday use with similar features and color options.
