Swiftland Handheld Water Bottle - 14 fl. oz.

TL;DR

Neat water bottle pouch with great features, but pocket durability may be a concern — especially for those with a hand circumference larger than 10 inches.

Bottle

I recently received this nifty little REI Swiftland water bottle and holder for review. The water bottle itself is a HydraPak Ultraflask WMX that comes apart nicely to throw in the dishwasher. I've had a few from this brand, and they hold up well.

I would like to see a locking mechanism on the spout to prevent leaks, but that is lacking here. Still, it holds liquid on runs quite well and only ever leaked a small amount.

Sleeve & Design

The water bottle sleeve has a clever design, made from polyester and spandex on the upper with the bottom made from nylon to prevent scuffs. The opening for the water bottle is large enough to slide it in while full, and it has a nice elastic cinch with a locking spring to prevent the bottle from coming out while moving.

Pocket

There is a small pocket with a clip for keys, snacks, or whatever small things you might need on a run. While useful, I’m a little worried about the pocket’s durability. It’s attached at the top with stitching through mesh polyester — the same kind I’ve seen rip on other REI products. If you don’t use the pocket often or avoid overstuffing it, you’ll improve its lifespan.

Hand Straps

The hand straps are adjustable and seem very solid. The backing is made from soft polyester while the structure comes from fabric straps. I have fairly large hands, with a diameter of 10 inches (25.4cm), so the straps don’t sit as far up my palm as I’d like.

That said, the holder stayed on securely during every run I took it on, and it sits easier when the bottle isn’t completely full.

Durability

I like seeing nylon on the bottom to prevent scrapes if I nick a rock or tree branch. That adds a layer of confidence in how it will hold up over time. The only weak point, again, seems to be the front pocket stitching.

Aesthetics

The sleeve is all black with white “REI” lettering. The straps and top cinch are a matching burnt yellow color, and there’s small grey reflective tape on the bottom of the straps.