The $300 ‘Ferrari of Water Bottles’: OKAPA Review

Just when you thought the water bottle craze had died down, here comes something completely different. First, YETI made every tumbler heavier than a tire iron. Then, VSCO girls and their Hydro Flasks turned bottles into fashion accessories. And most recently, everyone went bananas for Stanley’s Quencher because it had a straw in it.

But right when things started to mellow out, an email pops into my inbox with the subject, “Introducing the Ferrari of water bottles!”

OKAPA, a California-based startup, justifies the claim with a combination of precision engineering and superior materials — of course, the $300 price tag is really what hammered the point home for me.

I had to know if the humble water bottle could ever merit such a high price. After nearly 6 months of testing, I can admit that this is not your typical vessel. It definitely has some advantages over common bottles. Whether it’s worth the cost of admission … that’s a different story.

In short: OKAPA takes aim at the competition with breakthrough designs, unique materials, and enhanced hygienics. Its medical-quality Grilamid spout, high-grade shock-resistant glass, silicone base, and aluminum sleeve all lend aesthetic appeal and a luxury feel. But the modularity of all the parts makes OKAPA much easier to thoroughly clean than other bottles. At 17 ounces and non-insulated, this bottle is for high-end consumers who won’t flinch at the price.

Find more at GearJunkie’s roundup of the Best Water Bottles.

OKAPA Water Bottle Review

Two important things to know about me going into this review: First, I am an EDC fanatic, and a water bottle is part of my daily carry — I like having a bottle with me. Second, I think big, splashy colors are not only more fun, but they also make items more difficult to lose (and I lose things often).

So right off the bat, I was a big fan of OKAPA’s ergonomics — its tactile, grippy body and user-friendly flip-cap spout — and its eye-catching color options. If the brand leans into the Ferrari metaphor, it ought to have some vibrant colors to go with it.

Unboxing & Assembly

The OKAPA arrives with a protective box wrapped in a nice microfiber bag, like a pair of sunglasses. It’s a nice touch, though I haven’t found a use for the bag yet. The bottle is composed of eight removable pieces — it’s basically a Russian nesting doll of parts.

The idea is that you can pull everything apart and clean all the surfaces, so there’s no place for bacteria to lurk. If you’ve ever noticed that funky smell hanging around your bottle, even after washing, you know how tough it can be to really clean everything.

When you first open the OKAPA — and for daily functionality — you only need to focus on three pieces for assembly and normal use: the glass carafe, the aluminum shell, and the cap.

When it comes time to clean, you can remove virtually every gasket and liner from every other piece. OKAPA includes a handy visual guide that’s very simple. Everything is dishwasher-safe except the aluminum shell, which is hand-wash only.

Use & Carry

As a daily-carry water bottle, the OKAPA is an aesthetic delight. It’s far more eye-catching than even the splashiest YETI or Hydro Flask. I’ve received a few queries about what the bottle was.

It’s also proven to be generally durable. The silicone base helps the bottle stick to surfaces better than skinny bottles without it. And the few times I’ve knocked it over, nothing has spilled, and there are no signs of wear.

The biggest question I had going into testing revolved around the security of the glass carafe inside the aluminum shell. I was surprised to see that the silicone cup at the bottom grabs the glass firmly, so you can hold the bottle upside down without it sliding out. What’s more, the way the carafe seats into the cup, it doesn’t touch the inside of the aluminum shell, so it’s pretty shock-resistant.

The trigger-action flip cap works reliably, though I wonder if this will wear down with age and use. After 6 months, it’s going strong.

What I Liked

I’m no germaphobe, so I am happy to use stainless steel bottles and give them a good rinse once in a great while. But now that I’ve been drinking out of glass and can easily clean everything, I can confirm it’s a noticeably cleaner experience. The OKAPA remains 100% odor-free, and I don’t have to worry about rust spots forming on the inside, as I have with other bottles.

Also, the OKAPA has proven surprisingly functional for how fashion-forward it is. The lid’s handle is a perfect shape and size for quick-grab access, and the aluminum shell with its array of circular cutouts has a nice, solid hand-feel that provides solid purchase.

What I Didn’t Like

It goes without saying that if you price a water bottle at 5-10x the competition (depending on where you shop), you’re inviting some skepticism. Prior to testing, I would never have dished out $295 for a water bottle unless it came with Netflix.

Now that I have tried it, I admit that’s still a tough pill to swallow. In defense of OKAPA, given the choice between all my stainless steel bottles and this one, I’ll choose the OKAPA for my daily routine because it is a cleaner experience. That said, I won’t bring it camping or pack it when I expect rough conditions. Despite its design and materials, it’s still glass.

If you won’t bat an eye at the price, then there are only two considerations that may sway you against the OKAPA. For starters, it’s only 17 ounces (500 mL). I find myself refilling the OKAPA at least a couple of times when I bring it to the coffee shop. I would prefer a 32-ounce bottle.

And the biggie: it isn’t insulated. You can microwave the carafe to heat up tea or coffee — and it is thick glass — but the hot/cold retention doesn’t compare to double-wall vacuum insulation.

Conclusion: Who’s It For?

If your online shopping routine does not involve dozens of tabs of competing products and hours of analysis to determine which offers the absolute best value, then you’d probably buy the OKAPA and not worry that you overspent. This is a premium water bottle with a very cool design and very clear advantages for flavor, style, and hygiene. If that calls your name, hit the buy button, and you won’t be disappointed.

For many of us, it’s probably a bit too high-class for rugged adventure and the dirtbag mentality. But hey, if fortune favors, who wouldn’t want a Ferrari?