In this article I will share my thoughts on the Camelbak Podium Water Bottle that I will test with the Tune Wasserträger 2.0 carbon bottle cage, the Schmolke TLO carbon bottle cage and the Elite Rocko Carbon water bottle cages. Furthermore I will try to compare with Elite Fly, Elite Jet and Specialized water bottles.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key Features Camelbak Podium
On the product page of the Camelbak Podium Water Bottle you can read the following description describing the key features:
No matter the distance, staying hydrated while on the bike is key. Designed to fit a variety of bottle cages on the market, along with an easy squeeze design to ensure more liquid with less effort, Podium is equipped with a self-sealing cap for less spills and splatters. The on/off valve provides a positive lock out for leak-proof transport and all parts are 100% free of BPA, BPS, and BPF. Podium offers best-in-class hydration so you can stay focused on the ride.
In the past I have used an older version of the Camelbak Podium Water Bottle.
The feature that stood out with this water bottle was the on/off valve that simply allows a rider to close-off the cap so that the sports nutrition will stay inside, and will not leak at all. The valve is also self sealing, which is also something you would find on the Specialized Purist water bottles.
Also very important is that the Camelbak Podium Water Bottle needs to work flawlessly with the water bottle cages of my preference Schmolke TLO – Lightweight Carbon Bottle Cage, Tune Wasserträger 2.0 Carbon Bottle Cage and Elite Rocko Carbon Water bottle cage. With all three models of bottle cages, the Camelbak Podium works well.
With the past Camelbak Podium model, the Tune Wassertrager 2.0 was a bit tight and that is why I’ve changed to the Elite Fly Team water bottle. With the Schmolke TLO Lightweight Carbon Bottle Cage on my Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 8 Di2 it is the other way around. The Camelbak Podium bottles fit like a glove, like Camelbak calls it optimized cage fit.
Another feature that is a must-have is easy cleaning. Not just the diameter of the opening, but also the ability to take all parts of the valve and cap apart to clean more thoroughly. “All parts can be separated for easier cleaning, and all plastic materials are BPA-free.“
“Our Got Your Bak Lifetime Guarantee covers all reservoirs, backpacks, bottles, and accessories from manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of the product.”
Not sure how many manufacturing defects you can find (or get) in a water bottle, but it is nice to know that Camelbak has you covered in case this happens. You will probably never have to use it.
Comparison Camelbak Podium Water Bottle
The table below shows the weight of the bottle and the weight of the bottle cap, compared against the other water bottles that I’ve reviewed and used. As you can see the Camelbak Podium in 610 ml. is not the lightest but keep in mind this is the 610 ml. model compared to most 500 ml. models of other brands. The Elite Corsa was even heavier.
| Camelbak Podium | Tacx Daiya | Assoss Cyclist | Elite Fly Team | Elite Jet | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight Cap | 36 | 26 | 13 | 20 | 24 |
| Weight Bottle | 48 | 55 | 32 | 34 | 52 |
| Total | 84 | 81 | 45 | 54 | 76 |
The bottle material of the Camelbak Podium feels more like the Elite Jet water bottle or the Tacx Daiya O2 water bottle which is thicker than the lighter and thinner Elite Fly Team water bottle.And while the bottle mouth diameter is slightly smaller, the opening is big enough to properly clean the Camelbak Podium water bottles.
As mentioned above the Camelbak Podium water bottles fit perfectly in the Elite Rocko Carbon Water bottle cage and the Schmolke TLO – Lightweight Carbon Bottle Cage. These are tight with the Tune Wasserträger 2.0 Carbon Bottle Cage making it less user friendly.
The bottle cap and valve are a key differentiator and with an online shop I’ve even seen a spare bottle cap for a price point of roughly € 5,00.
Concluding thoughts and wrap-up
The price-point of a Camelbak Podium water bottle (710 ml version) is around € 12,00 – € 15,00 while the 610 ml version retails for around € 10,00. What I like is that a replacement lit (for both podium and peak water bottles) is also available for € 5,00.
When weight is important, than go for the Elite Fly Team. Is a self sealing valve important than the Camelbak Podium would be my #1 choice. It is a solid allround option.
- Have you tried the Camelbak Podium? What are your own experiences?
- Do you use any other Camelbak products?
- If you have another preferred water bottle, please let me know in the comments which brand and model.
Interested in other product reviews, than please click on one of the categories below:
A comprehensive list with water bottle- and water bottle cage reviews can be found here:
- Elite Jet Water Bottle review
- Elite Fly Team Water Bottle review
- Tacx Daiya O2 water bottle 550ml review
- Assos Water Bottle with Cyclist design
- Amacx Water Bottle Crate for Tacx Shiva Water Bottles
- Schmolke TLO – Lightweight Carbon Bottle Cage
- Tune Wasserträger 2.0 Carbon Bottle Cage review
- Elite Rocko Carbon Water bottle cage