Softee Freshly thermal bottle 750 ml, stainless steel, black

The Softee Freshly is a thermal bottle made of stainless steel with a capacity of 750 ml. Softee is a brand of Jim Sports. The bottle comes in glossy black with a brushed steel screw cap and has the classic curved bottle shape with a narrow neck. The lid is leak-proof, so the bottle can go into a sports bag, a backpack or a handbag, and the ergonomic shape sits well in the hand. It is made for people who want a cool drink within reach at the gym, on the padel court, at the office or on a day out.

Who it suits

750 ml is a practical middle size: enough for most one-hour training sessions or a morning at your desk, without the bulk of a litre bottle. A steel thermal bottle suits you if you train in a warm gym or play outdoors in summer and do not want lukewarm water in the second half, if you carry your bottle around all day, or if you simply prefer steel to plastic.

On the padel or tennis court, keep it in the shade next to your bag and drink at the changeovers. For runners, a steel bottle of this size is too heavy to carry on the run; leave it in the car or locker for afterwards. New to running? Our guide on how to start running covers what you need for your first runs.

What to look for in an insulated bottle

• Insulation: thermal bottles keep drinks at temperature longer than ordinary plastic bottles. How long depends on the model; for this one, the manufacturer does not state any figures.
• Lid: a screw cap like this one closes securely but needs two hands. Sports caps with a spout open with one hand, but they are not always as tight.
• Neck: a narrow neck is pleasant to drink from, but ice cubes need to be small, and a bottle brush makes cleaning easier.
• Weight: empty steel bottles weigh more than plastic ones. Keep that in mind if you carry the bottle all day.

A simple drinking routine around training

• Fill the bottle when you pack your bag, so it is ready before you leave.
• Take small sips between sets, games or exercises rather than large gulps.
• Refill it after training and finish it over the next hour or two.

If you train soon after a meal, read how long to wait after eating before exercising for practical guidelines.

Care

Rinse the bottle after each use and wash bottle and cap by hand with warm, soapy water and a bottle brush. Since dishwasher safety is not stated, hand-washing is the safe default. Let all parts dry fully before you close the bottle again. A few general rules apply to screw-cap steel bottles: do not fill them with carbonated drinks, because pressure can build up behind the closed lid; do not put them in the freezer or the microwave; and rinse them promptly after milk or sugary drinks, which leave residues and smells.