Sports bottles and water bottles

Squeeze, wide mouth or straw: three ways to drink

The squeeze bottle can be squeezed with one hand: it's the format used on the sidelines. The Sideline Squeeze by Under Armour, made by Thermos under license, features a Quick Shot lid that closes with a twist and a one-way valve that allows for a high flow rate. The wide mouth, like that of the Big Mouth from Nike, makes filling, adding ice, and cleaning easy. Models with a foldable straw allow for drinking without tilting your head.

Plastic, stainless steel or titanium

Polypropylene water bottles, like those from Hummel or the Big Mouth, are light and flexible. The stainless steel bottle from Kempa keeps drinks hot or cold. For hiking and outdoor sports, the page also offers very light titanium bottles and models from outdoor brands.

What capacity for a handball session?

A bottle of about six hundred millilitres is enough for a short training session and fits easily in the bag. For a match with warm-up, or a long session in summer, a bottle close to a litre prevents running to the tap. The right habit: drink in small sips at every stoppage in play, without waiting to be thirsty.

For the club: team bottles and bottle holders

On the bench, each player should have their bottle, marked with their name or number: it's the basic hygiene rule. The Pack Gourde Carrier from Select transports the team's bottles in one go, and the Kempa and Uhlsport bottles, simple in design, match all club kits.

Cleaning your water bottle without hassle

Rinse it after each session and let it dry open, upside down. Once a week, a bit of baking soda or white vinegar in hot water eliminates odors. Take apart the lid and valve: that's where deposits accumulate. Wide mouths are easier to clean with a brush.

Nike, Hummel, Kempa: the water bottles of handball players

• Nike: the Big Mouth with a wide opening and the Refuel bottles, in many colors.
• Hummel: a polypropylene bottle with a drip-free spout, which travels in the bag without leaking.
• Kempa: a stainless steel bottle that keeps the temperature, designed for handball players.
• Under Armour: the Sideline Squeeze with its Quick Shot lid.
• Select: the bottle holder for the sidelines.

Around the water bottle

To complete the bag, a towel for the bench and the shower, and sandals for the changing room. All the small gear is on the accessories page. In terms of price, the special equipment offers gather all the current discounts, and the equipment sales take over after the holidays.

Frequently asked questions

Is a plastic water bottle safe?

Sports water bottles are made from plastics designed for food contact, such as polypropylene. Just avoid leaving a drink in the sun for several hours and replace scratched bottles or those that retain odors.

Can you put a hot drink in a sports water bottle?

Only if it is designed for that, like a stainless steel insulated bottle. A plastic squeeze bottle is not made for heat and can warp.

Can a water bottle go in the dishwasher?

It depends on the model: read the manual or product listing. Insulated bottles often do not fare well in the dishwasher, and valves can get damaged at high temperatures.

How to prevent leaks in the bag?

Choose a lid with a secure closure or a drip-free spout, and store the bottle upright, in a side pocket if your bag has one. Check the lid's seal: a split seal is enough to soak everything.

Is a sports drink necessary for a handball match?

For a match or training of an hour, water is sufficient in most cases. Beyond that, or in high heat, a sports drink helps compensate for losses. Ask your club's medical staff for advice.