The initial appearance of Lifefactory’s water bottles and wine glasses make them look like they were made for kids. They weren’t. Yes, the raised grip sleeves make them look “youthful” but these products aren’t kid’s stuff. They are well-designed products that will help keep a grip on your hydration or your favorite glass of wine. Let’s take a look.
12 oz Glass Bottle with Flip Cap and Silicone Sleeve
This small glass water bottle has an MSRP of $19.99. At 12 oz. its a good bit smaller than the water bottles Raina and I normally carry. Still, the design makes it worth a look if you are in the market for a new water bottle. In addition, as the company notes, the small size makes it, “an ideal everyday companion that fits into handbags, backpacks and car cupholders.”
The bottle is made from glass so your water (or whatever beverage you put in it) will taste the way it is supposed to taste with no leaching the way you might find with a bottle made from plastic or metal. The bottler is both BPA /BPS-free and phthalate-free so you can use it worry free. The bottle has a wide-mouth. That makes it easy to put ice cubes, citrus slices or tea bags inside. More importantly, it also means you will have an easier time getting spent tea bags or fruit slices out of it at the end of the day.
The bottle has a protective silicone sleeve. And while this certainly adds to the visual interest of the bottle, the sleeve serves a real purposes. Not only does it provide a non-slip gripping surface but it also cushions the glass and, as a result. helps prevent breakage. And while you might initially think the silicon sleeve means you need to wash the bottle by hand, you don’t! Yes, the bottle is dishwasher safe. Just put the bottle anywhere in the dishwasher making sure to put the cap on top rack and turn on the dishwasher. There’s no need to remove silicone sleeve!
The standout feature of the water bottle is the Flip Cap. It seals liquid inside but opens with just a flip of the finger. That way your beverage is less than a second away at all times.
And if you pick up water bottles in a variety of sizes never fear- the caps from 16 and 22 oz bottles also fit on the 12 oz bottles so you can mix and match.
This is truly an international product since the glass is made in France while the cap and sleeve are made in the U.S. You can check it out here.
Small Wine Glass 4-pack
Lifefactory also sent me a set of their $39.99 small wine glasses. This four pack of 11 oz glasses have the same design as the water bottle although the website indicates that these are entirely made in the US. The glasses are BPA/BPS-free and phthalate-free and, like the water bottle, they are dishwasher safe. In fact, the company specifically recommends against removing the sleeves.
And while the silicon sleeve makes them look a bit “youthful,” as someone who regularly breaks wine and water glasses, the idea of an easy-to-grip silicon sleeve is rather appealing. As the company notes,
Our glasses are whimsical and elegant all at once. Great for entertaining and durable enough for everyday use. The are a delicious delight with whites and of course they can pull double-duty as water glasses. They’re perfect with wine and work perfectly with juices, natural sodas and water. A perfect pack for parties to help identify whose glass is whose. Cheers!
Honestly, I’m not sure about the being elegant but they certainly are whimsical and they do make for a good balance between delicate glassware and the plastic crap most people use at picnics or by the pool. I, for one, can certainly see using these by the side of our pool next summer!
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample of both the water bottle and the wine glasses
What I Like: Dishwasher safe; BPA free; Silicon sleeve adds interest and makes them easy to grip; Available in a variety of sizes and colors
What Needs Improvement: When I first saw them I really thought of soppy cups. They aren’t highbrow, refined glassware but they do their job really well and do so in a manner that will certainly draw some playful looks and comments
