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I’ve wasted £100s on leaky water bottles so put 7 to the test for back-to-school… Primark’s is £2.50 but which is best?
“MUM, my water bottle’s leaking!”
It’s the phrase I’ve heard on numerous occasions, and one I know means my bank account is about to take a hit.
With a ten-year-old son and a daughter, aged six, I’ve had a fair few years of having to shell out on water bottles for school.
And there’s few things more annoying than having to dry out school books and pencil cases which have been drenched by a leaking bottle.
Whether the seal isn’t quite airtight, or they’re dropped and break -OR the bottle is too similar to someone else’s in the same class (no chance!) – the reasons why I’m often having to buy a new one are quite literally endless.
I reckon I use my Amazon account on an almost monthly basis to order a replacement and I’ve even splashed out almost £20 on one that claims to be “leak proof”.
That one lasted around a month before it started leaking – leaving me simply fed up of chucking good money after bad.
So, in a bid to find a bottle that WILL last at least a term, we tried out seven different options to see which was the best budget-friendly, leak proof option, giving each one those all crucial mum points out of five.
Primark
Price: £2.50
Leakproof score: 4/5
Chill factor: 2/5
Overall look: 3/5
Verdict: One of the cheapest options we tried, this bottle comes in five different colours, meaning there’s a hue for everyone.
We got the pink, and my daughter was delighted to have the chance to test it out.
She took it out on one of the hottest days of the year, but because the bottle isn’t insulated, it’s unfair to judge it on how cool it kept the water throughout the day.
But it didn’t hold up too badly and when I emptied the dregs that night the liquid still felt cool – probably helped by the fact I popped some ice in it in the morning.
Should parents get back to school boxes for their kids?
I'VE seen them all over my FYP.
But I can assure you that I will NOT be getting my 10-year-old son and six-year-old daughter back to school boxes.
Not only have us parents had to get through six weeks of holidays – with many of us working as well – we’ve had to shell out for days out, a never-ending amount of food and things to keep them entertained.
Then we have to pay for a whole new set of uniform, new shoes – which can cost upwards of £50 a pop – and even stationery.
So why on earth do they need a back to school bag?
I also treat my kids to a new lunchbox and school backpack each year, so that’s their present for going back to school – and that’s plenty.
But I won’t say no to a back to school box for the parents!
After all, we’ve done an amazing job.
By Sarah Bull, Senior Digital Reporter
In terms of being leak proof, I chucked this bottle to the bottom of my daughter’s bag to see if it would spill out or not.
And I was pleasantly surprised to see that it didn’t.
In terms of aesthetics, the bottle has a pretty plain design, but who really cares when it withstands the leak test?
Colour block straw water bottle
Price: £8
Leakproof score: 5/5
Chill factor: 4/5
Overall look: 4/5
Verdict: My son was pleased when I gave him this bottle to try, as its sleek design is perfect for a tween boy who isn’t sure what he’s really into.
He gave this Primark one a try on another summer holiday outing, when the sun was out and the temperatures were high.
The difference with this bottle is that it’s made from 100% stainless steel, meaning that it’s really good at keeping its contents cool.
I once again added some ice in the morning, and by lunchtime the water was still refreshingly cool.
It’s also a larger bottle – perfect if your kids drink a lot or get particularly thirsty during the school day.
It was once again thrown into the bottom of a bag for the trip, and again, when we got home, everything else in the bag remained completely dry.
To make the bottle a bit more personalised, I used my vinyl cutter to add my son’s name to the front, giving it an extra touch and meaning he (hopefully) will remember which bottle is his come September!
Tesco
Paperchase Jungle Party Hydration Bottle
Price: £8
Leakproof score: 4/5
Chill factor: 4/5
Overall look: 5/5
Verdict: The first thing to praise about this 350ml bottle is the super-cute, brightly-coloured design.
Featuring tigers, leopards and parrots, you can ensure your little one’s bottle will stand out among their friends and they won’t get bottles mixed up.
Once again it’s made of metal, meaning it’s perfect for keeping drinks cool throughout the day – a must-have in the heatwaves we’ve had during the summer holidays.
It’s also very durable, which my daughter tested by accidentally dropping it.
Apart from a teeny scratch on the design, it was completely undamaged.
The only downside is the bottle’s 350ml capacity, meaning it isn’t the best option for a very thirsty child.
Home Bargains
Hydrate 30oz Stainless Steel Tumbler
Price: £3.99
Leakproof score: 4/5
Chill factor: 5/5
Overall look: 5/5
Verdict: My daughter was very keen to try this bottle out.
It’s in keeping with the trend of Stanley Cups and their dupes, and is one of the cheapest ones we tried, at just £3.99.
She loved the peachy colour and it was brilliant at keeping the water inside cold.
It also comes with a handle, which is handy.
We took it out for a picnic and popped it in the footwell of the car when we headed out, and it didn’t spill a single drop.
It’s 30oz, meaning it’s perfect to keep thirsty kids hydrated all day long.
However, its size could be considered a downside.
If your child uses a book bag rather than a backpack, they would have to carry the bottle separately – which could be increase the odds of them losing it!
Scribble Pop Shop Printed Gamer Water bottle
Price: £2.49
Leakproof score: 3/5
Chill factor: 3/5
Overall look: 4/5
Verdict: This one is perfect for any young gaming fan, and my Nintendo Switch-loving son loved it.
It’s super colourful, featuring mini pictures of gaming consoles and controllers, with a black and red lid.
Once again it’s a cheap option, at just £2.49, but the fact it’s made of plastic does mean that it’s not great at keeping liquid cold for a whole day.
It also isn’t completely leak proof, as a dribble came out when we put it into a bag for a day out.
But that didn’t put my son off – he wanted to take it again the next time we went out.
Smiggle
Harry Potter Spritz Insulated Stainless Steel Drink Bottle
Price: £20 (currently on offer for £16)
Leakproof score: 4/5
Chill factor: 5/5
Overall look: 4/5
Verdict: The Harry Potter range is a fairly new addition to the Smiggle range.
And, as any parent knows, Smiggle is one of the most coveted brands amongst kids right now.
So when I gave my son the Harry Potter Spritz bottle, he was utterly delighted.
It’s stylish to look at, with the four house crests on the front, and it even has a nifty ‘spritz’ feature.
While it was perfect to keep him hydrated at a day camp over the holidays, it probably isn’t that practical for school.
In fact, I can see teachers being less than impressed with children spritzing their friends all day.
But as a holiday bottle, or one to use on weekends, he – and I – would highly recommend.
Limitless Spout Plastic Drink Bottle
Price: £12
Leakproof score: 5/5
Chill factor: 3/5
Overall look: 5/5
Verdict: When it comes to girly themes, you can’t get better than unicorns, hearts and rainbows.
So when my daughter picked up the Limitless bottle in the Mint Unicorn design, she immediately loved it.
It’s a nice size, being 650ml, and didn’t leak when we took it out.
However, as with all of the Smiggle’s range, it is on the pricier side.
It’s still reasonable though if you only need to buy one bottle which is made to last – rather than wasting money on five or six cheaper but less sturdy alternatives.
I’m 40 but look younger than I did in my 20s – I splurge on skincare but my biggest secret doesn’t have to cost a thing
THE fountain of youth isn’t a pricey over-the-counter product revealed a woman defying visible aging at age 40.
Lucy Dartford said her biggest hack for looking and feeling better now than she did at 20 doesn’t cost anything.
Dartford, 40, from London, England, is the director of the PR agency We Are Lucy.
Throughout her 20s her skincare “left a lot to be desired” as she skipped SPF and relied on a basic face wash and cream.
Several changes throughout the years boosted her skin health and restored a youthful glow.
Speaking to The U.S. Sun, she revealed the beauty secrets she learned that transformed her appearance.
FLAWLESS FREEBIE
Dartford said she’s a “big believer” in biohacking which involves using methods from biology, genetics, neuroscience, and nutrition to enhance physical and mental performance.
She reduces inflammation and boosts her health with monthly cryotherapy sessions.
The cold temperatures also help to reduce puffiness, stimulate collagen production, and tighten pores.
“About 2.5 years ago, I joined Fit & Food which brought together the experience of fitness, nutrition, and various other elements,” she said.
“I now train daily and have a PT which has transformed my mindset alongside my body but also my skin.
“For me, my biggest anti-aging secret is fitness. It transformed how I look, sleep, eat, energy levels, stress, cardiovascular health, the list goes.
“Various studies show how fitness can extend life expectancy and for me, this is a key to looking and feeling younger.
“I actually now look younger and feel younger than I did in my 20s.”
BEAUTY RESET
Heliocare SPF and medical-grade skincare from Zo Skin Health have become staples in her daily routine.
Dartford revealed she combines her home beauty habits with professional anti-aging treatments.
“I swear by Polynucleotides,” she said.
I want to ‘make it up’ to my skin for how I used to treat it when I was younger.
Lucy Dartford
“They work by increasing the body’s generation of fibroblasts, the collagen-forming cells, and therefore increasing the production of collagen.
“I have these injected three to four weeks apart and follow this on a six-monthly basis for maintenance.
“I also believe in regular facials and am a big believer in lymphatic drainage.”
The massaging technique helps to reduce swelling and puffiness in the face, while also leaving the complexion glowing.
“Invest in your appearance,” she said.
“I want to ‘make it up’ to my skin for how I used to treat it when I was younger so I now invest in medical-grade skincare, innovative treatments, and regimes that will hold me in good stead as I get older.”
HEALTHY HABITS
A diet rich in healthy fats and vitamins helps to support Dartford’s skin alongside drinking at least 2.5 liters of water a day.
Alcohol is limited to special occasions as it leaves her skin looking “dehydrated” and affects her sleep which she aims for seven to eight hours a night.
“My diet includes fatty fish such as salmon or mackerel which are packed with omega-3 fatty acids and are necessary to help keep skin thick, supple, and moisturized,” she said.
“I also maintain good levels of fruit and vegetables.
“I am a fan of supplements and have discovered a brand called BodyBio that transforms your wellness and body but on a cellular level.
“For me, the sodium butyrate was a game changer for a healthy microbiome, focusing on gut health is also key for good skin.”
She takes her supplements every morning to boost her health.
“I will take liposomal vitamin C, vitamin B12, sodium butyrate, and creatine another game changer,” she said.
“I also take collagen but via tincture blends that also enhance and promote my overall wellbeing.”
41,000-year-old ‘zombie viruses’ discovered frozen 20,000ft up mountain – & they could solve mysteries of ancient Earth
SCIENTISTS have discovered thousands of ancient “zombie viruses” trapped under ice 20,000ft up a mountain.
The 1,700 viruses are thought to be 41,000-years-old and could answer many key questions about the history of mankind.
Researchers stumbled upon the shocking find as they braved the hostile, remote environment of the Tibetan Guliya Glacier to collect ice cores.
The 100 metre long ice cylinders are cut from glaciers and hold vital information about the past.
Most of the viral genomes were completely unknown to the world of science and have never been uncovered before.
According to ABC News the viruses found were from nine different ancient time periods.
The research, reported by Nature Geoscience, provides scientists with a snapshot of how viruses have adapted to changes in climate over millennia.
Ninety-seven per cent of the viruses in the ice were new to science.
The discovery increased by a factor of 50 the amount of viral information from permafrost that scientists have gathered so far.
The researchers studied how these bacteria-infecting viruses changed over time and with variations in temperature over 41,000 years.
ZhiPing Zhong, first author on the new study and paleoclimatologist at Ohio State University said: “These time horizons span three major cold-to-warm cycles, providing a unique opportunity to observe how viral communities have changed in response to different climatic conditions.”
“By studying these ancient viruses, we gain valuable insights into viral response to past climate changes, which could enhance our understanding of viral adaptation in the context of ongoing global climate change.”
The discovery was made following an expedition involving a 60-person strong team of Chinese and American scientists.
They retrieved several ice cores from the glacier, which sits about 6096 metres above sea level.
To extract the core the researchers used a special machine that keeps it in one piece inside a drill.
Then a 10cm wide circle was carefully drilled more than 300 metres into the ice.
It was then cut into metre long sections for transport, requiring yaks, freezer trucks and an airplane before the delicate cargo finally made it to the lab.
It took almost a decade for the team to catalogue the ancient viruses after first sampling the ice cores in 2015.
We should be far more worried about new things evolving rather than old things coming back
Erin Harvey
The team believes their find has increased their understanding over viruses thousands of years old and the changing climate over several millennia.
Ancient viruses trapped in permafrost for tens of thousands of years can potentially infect humans and spread around the globe.
Experts believe knowledge sharing and collaboration are the best ways to stop future pandemics.
But the international research team is not concerned about causing the next pandemic.
What are ‘zombie viruses’ and do they pose a risk?
The term “zombie virus” refers to viruses that have been inactive for a long time.
Scientists believe that some zombie viruses could cause serious diseases, according to National Institutes of Health.
They have warned that as ice melts with increasing temperatures viruses trapped underneath could be released.
A 2023 study by a team that has studied viruses in the Siberian permafrost identified 13 megaviruses that could infect humans; one of them was 48,500 years old.
The study results appear in the journal Viruses.
Professor Jean-Michel Claverie of Aix-Marseille University is the geneticist who led the 2023 study.
He has been working to examine viruses in Siberia since 2014, has said that he believes the threat to be understudied and real, reports Medical News Today.
While the viruses he has studied has only shown potential to infect amoebae the danger to human populations needs to be taken seriously.
Dr. William Schaffner is a professor of preventive medicine in the Department of Health Policy and a professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Tennessee.
He told Medical News Today that while the viral potential does exist, it is conditional on specific factors:
“I think it’s rather remote, but it’s there: You would have to, first of all, have the virus still be able to be resuscitated, right?
“And it would have to be in some fashion transmitted to a human being. Then, of course, the virus would have to have the inherent capacity to be transmitted readily from person to person.
“So you have a series of steps, if you will, that has to take place before that could happen.”
Lonnie Thompson, a paleoclimatologist and glaciologist at Ohio State University, said: “Glaciers represent some of the cleanest environments on Earth.
“They contain extremely low biomass.”
“Members of our glaciological team routinely drink meltwater from these glaciers when we are drilling the ice cores.”
But, a particularly aggressive unearthed ancient virus or bacteria could be a danger if it infected humans or animals.
Erin Harvey, a virologist at the University of Sydney who wasn’t involved in the study, said the vast majority of the viruses in the permafrost infect bacteria, not humans.
“I think it’s very unlikely that [the researchers] could defrost something that could cause a problem,” she said.
“We should be far more worried about … new things evolving rather than old things coming back.”
