About a month ago I purchased a Amphipod Hydraform handheld water bottle and have been using it as my primary portable hydration source for some of my shorter runs and I also used it during the Rockledge Rumble 50 km trail run.

My thoughts…

Out of the Box

The first thing I noticed about the Amphipod is the unique shape, color, and minimalistic design.

Per Amphipod, the purpose of this unique oval-esque shape is to allow your hand to be in a more natural position versus holding the typical round bottle. OK, interesting concept.

The other obvious characteristic was its significantly yellow color. If you see another bottle of this color during a race, it is most likely another Amphipod. Maybe this was a branding choice. Not sure, but it definitely has an original look.

Finally, this model has no pockets. Bottle, strap, run.

My First Run

Sliding my hand underneath the strap, it was time for a test drive!

The first thing that came to mind throughout the first mile was - awkward. My hand just didn’t feel comfortable. It was confused by this foreign shape. But during the next mile an interesting thing happened, my hand and fingers all settled into an extremely comfortable position. It was like a flick of the switch from awkward to, ahhh nice. It really was a comfortable fit for my hand and I also liked the snugness (is that a word?) of the slightly padded strap.

Cool Features

Here are a few solid Amphipod features that I observed and experienced:

• BPA free bottle. – Should be standard for most quality bottles but still worth pointing out.
• Really comfortable. – After the initial awakening, I really liked the fit/feel.
• Wide mouth screw top. – Easy, quick refill and cleaning.
• No Leaking. – Neither the cap nor valve leaked during any of my runs.
• Easy to remove strap. – The strap can be easily removed if you want/need to clean it.
• Never had to re-tighten the Quick-adjust strap during a run. – This is something I really liked.

Less Desirable

Here are a few less ideal observations from my experience:

• Valve is a bit tough to pull out / push in.
• The bottle was a bit tough to squeeze during a cold run (upper 30s F).
• The harness that attaches at the base of the bottle would sometimes slip off when I take my hand out of the strap (ex: refilling at an aid station). – Fortunately, the harness is easy enough to re-attach and does not slip off when the hand is underneath the strap.

A Keeper

Simply – I like the Amphipod.

If you are looking for a minimalist (no pockets) handheld water bottle are not racing or training at the north pole, the Amphipod Hydraform is definitely worth considering.

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You can purchase the Amphipod Hydraform and receive an Endurance Buzz visitor discount at Running Warehouse.

Simply…

• Click Running Warehouse
• Submit the displayed Endurance Buzz visitor discount code. You will see the discount noted in your shopping cart.
• Now you can go to the Amphipod Hydraform.

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Be active – Feel the buzz!

David – EnduranceBuzz.com

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