SIGG - Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages and Disadvantages

Aluminum bottles are resistant to shocks and deformations, are lightweight, and protect the contents from light. The interior coating is flexible and is unlikely to break or crack during deformations. Sigg bottles have been determined by Backpacker magazine to be the "world's toughest water bottle" when they fired golf balls at the water bottles with a 100 pound cannon. The bottle with its internal liner and secure cap allow for carbonated beverages to be transported secure and freshly.

The disadvantage of thin aluminum is that it does not offer much insulation, which means that condensation can build on the outside of the bottle when cold drinks are transported, and hot drinks will result in a bottle which cannot be comfortably touched. Sigg sells insulating sleeves that protect the bottle from dents, help insulate the beverages inside them and eliminate the condensation issue. The limited size of the opening also makes it difficult to fill or clean the bottle or to use it for purposes other than drinking, though Sigg now makes wide-mouth bottles, and adapters that allow the use of the standard-size caps. Aluminum bottles are also more prone to dents than stainless steel bottles.

Evaluating the merits of the bottle liner is difficult, because Sigg refuses to disclose the composition of that lining, claiming that it is a proprietary secret. Some concern exists that the bottles leach bisphenol A (BPA) in amounts that are too small to measure, but still endocrine disrupting. Some of the listed liner materials are what the company refers to as "water based, non-toxic polymers" which is generically vague. However, all Sigg bottles manufactured after August 2008 use the "EcoCare" liner, which is guaranteed to contain no BPA. The previous liner contained trace amounts of BPA, but was shown through many experiments not to leach it; because of proprietary concerns, the company would not reveal whether the liner actually contained BPA. To ensure public satisfaction, they proceeded to create a liner that was made from BPA-free ingredients. The company does not guarantee the bottles are entirely BPA-free, only that the liner is made from BPA-free ingredients. There have been reported problems with this new liner peeling away from the inside of the bottle at the threads and the interior when subjected to the heat of a dishwasher. The company acknowledges these defects and replaces these defective bottles at no cost to the consumer under the terms of their warranty, when contacted via email.

Another disadvantage is that the bottles are unsuitable for freezing its contents, as freezing liquids expand in volume and cause the bottle to crack. Therefore, it is advisable not to keep fluids in the container during extended periods below freezing temperatures.