Ever take mineral water with you when walking or trekking? I do all the time. Mix it with apple juice, add a dash of salt and you've the cheapest energy drink ever! With this in mind SIGG has devised the Active Top and I've reviewed to see if it can handle the fizz.
SIGG Active Top fights the fizz
SIGG, if you didn't know, make the aluminium bottles favoured by explorers. Easily identified by their 'loop' cap and high-shouldered shape, they are seen in the sleds on polar expeditions as well as found in the side pouches of many a weekend wanderer.
But putting any fizzy drink into a drink's bottle always creates the same problem: the fizz. So let's see what the company has done with the Active Top.
Appearance
SIGG bottles, while easily identifiable and used across the adventure sports, are now commonly imitated; check the counter of your local walking and trekking store and look for the imitation Leatherman or Maglite inspired flashlight, not far away is the cheap drinks bottle - on a d-ring carabiner.
While the high shouldered loop-top model is still readily available and remains highly praised, SIGG has done much to diversify its range, And it's done a good job with these new designs.
The 'SIGGnificant' models are most traditional, whereas the 'Performance' range takes a contemporary twist and the 'Dynamic' bottles keep the classic colours (red,black and white) but look more like a sports bottle/ cycling bottle.
All come specced with the new Active Top and hold from 0.6 -1.0Ltr.
You can't miss them. The stubby drinking spout sticks up at angle from the lid and is similar in appearance and function to the bite mouth piece on a water reservoir - just a little fatter.
What's special About Active Top?
It's the new rotary slide valve. Sat on top is a very clunky and solidly build selector. Using the thick grip you turn the bottle top to select 'Open', 'Closed', 'Air' or 'Clean'. And it's the 'Air' setting that's of most interest.
It opens a small valve that helps vent the pressure built up by carbonated drinks. And it works very well. Close this and switch to 'Drink' and you get your fluids on demand - you have to work for it mind drawing hard to get your juice.
A drinking straw runs to the very bottom of each bottle so you can pretty much get it all without tipping it up.
Does it work?
Yes. But it's not clear how you should use it: should you vent the air regularly or can you wait until just before you drink?
On build quality alone I think the SIGG bottles will take pretty much any pressure - from in or out - so it's not a worry. And what the 'Air' selector does is vent off without spilling the fluid, which is great.
Equally beneficial but overlooked is the 'Open' valve. Tip up the bottle with the selector on 'Open' and an additional valve prevents any water leaking out.
Not sure if the 'Clean' setting is really necessary but again is an example of SIGG innovating. And progress is always a good thing.
What impresses most is the build quality and attention to detail: Solid, hard wearing plastics married with clear markings keep these bottles at the top of the pack.
New designs are excellent, with the 'Dynamic' perhaps the most practical and ergonomic in a range defined by sleek, slightly slippery, aluminium finishes.
Would we buy one?
Yes, but just one as they are not cheap. Quality always comes at a premium, and in this case, specifically for carrying carbonated drinks, it's a premium worth paying.
Top Tip: Don't fill to the top, and set it to 'Air' immediately.
Price: 6/10
Quality: 9/10
Function: 8/10
Necessary?:7/10
Overall: 7.5 /10
