I think the stainless steel cap is itself flawed. Like what Guri said, it contains plastic, and because of this, has a number of detrimental effects. To add to the list Guri had, I’d like to add that the plastic and the metal parts separate after a while. This is a big problem, as it means that this “stainless steel” cap is more fragile than the plastic one. What would solve all the problems the now-extinct metal cap has is if the cap was made entirely out of metal (save for maybe a rubber seal to keep the bottle from leaking). Then, no water would get trapped in the cap. I think Klean Kanteen has stood for quality in the past (for a price). Why take these shortcuts that compromise this reputation?

Of course, I don’t expect Klean Kanteen to change its ways now that it’s been almost three years since the original post, but I thought I would speak my mind anyways. I tried looking for a stainless steel cap for my recently purchased klean kanteen, but after reading all the negativity, I’m thinking about getting another bottle, altogether, one made entirely out of stainless steel.

Hello- I love the Klean Kanteen Sports Top 2.0— just received the new replacement post the recall that KK did-

This top is easy to use and provides the best flow on the market in my opinion….even makes a cool sound when drinking from it!

Are you people really whining about a plastic cap vs stainless one? Hey guess what?? The stainless one contains plastic. Oh, and it rusts, leaks, and holds water, which will start to grow bacteria, and make your water taste even WORSE than the plastic cap, so……get over it. One plastic cap on every Klean Kanteen won’t kill this planet. Recycle it when you’re done. I can’t understand why you all make such a big deal from something so small?

I definitely prefer the stainless cap but have no problem using the plastic one. The idea behind kleen Kanteen is to avoid using/buying one time use plastic bottles and steer clear of bpa. If you wanna avoid plastic all together you’ll probably have to go live in the woods like the original man. The idea is to cut down where you can and when you can. Kleen Kanteen is a small town company that has less than 50 employees. Just chill

FYI… I remembered this post earlier today when I was in REI. SIGGS has a “RETRO Anniversary” metal top out right now with their SS container. The only apparent plastic-like product on the container is the rubber stopper in the cap, for sealing. If you are looking to stock up they are on sale too right now at REI.

Hi Beth,

Just wanted to let you know that I returned-to-sender my an unsolicited item I received in the mail today. It was a stand-up thank you calendar encased in hard plastic. You open it up and switch the pages as each month goes by. This was a thank-you gift for a donation to charity. My note read that while I was happy to have been financially able to donate to their charity, I am reducing my use of plastic and to please reuse this calendar for someone else. Thanks again for all your inspiration.

Hi Beany. Re: stalking. Get in line. You’d just be an anonymous face lost in the crowd of paparazzi that follow me everywhere.

On the other hand, ice cream sounds awesome. Let’s hang out!

When I left for my (sorta) cross country trip, I bought many kleen kanteens (I think I bought 5) and the lack of not having a stainless steel cap bugged me. With all our purchases I was careful to follow your guidelines and when I remembered – send my little letter to them about not using plastic for wrapping. I got sidetracked with everything else, but was glad to see this issue brought up again.

And hey! Its Ruchi on yer blog!

I hope to come up to SF next year and perhaps stalk you without causing you alarm. Or we could meet up like normal people and have ice cream

I have never understood the big deal about Kleen Kanteens. A friend gave me an extra one of hers. When I opened it, out came a whiff of mildew from the stupid plastic cap that had a microscopic leak for liquid to seep into and never get out. That's not kleen. A real canteen is made of metal. has a metal, screw-on cap and it's spelled with a "c". I got rid of that unkleen kanteen and then looked in recycle bins until I saw an empty, sturdy glass bottle of Arizona tea with a screw-on metal cap and would you believe me if I told you I have used it for over a year with no (!) problem? If that sucker wears out, I will recycle it and then look for a replacment bottle that's waiting to be recycled or maybe I'll dip into my savings & buy myself a brand, new bottle. Kleen, my phoot.

You know, the thing is, I wouldn’t mind paying extra for a stainless steel cap. I get that stainless steel is more expensive to produce than plastic. But the way they were sold at Rainbow Grocery, you had no choice to buy one with a plastic cap, and then you could have chosen to buy a stainless steel cap separately (stainless steel cap was wrapped in plastic btw) so you wouldn’t have eliminated any plastic waste. I just find it irritating that the plastic cap is the default and you don’t get a choice.

We are a Klean Kanteen retailer offering customers the choice of a stainless steel top at purchase. Unfortunately, because Klean Kanteen charges extra to us for the stainless steel option, we must pass that cost on to consumers.

I am not a Klean Kanteen representative, but my guess is they choose plastic as the traditional option because some people like to use the dishwasher for their tops and the plastic top weighs less. Plastic tops are probably also easier and cheaper to manufacture.

The way to change the paradigm is to create demand. If retailers like myself see more people choosing stainless steel caps, we are going to order more from Klean Kanteen. Klean Kanteen will manufacture more and eventually stainless steel will be the default choice.

Keep up the good work here! I love reading fake plastic fish.

First, that stinks about her water bottle being stolen. RUDE. Second, bummer about the plastic. I agree with Green Bean about that being annoying.

Hi Beth,

Why should people be financially penalised for choosing the metal lid option? The more I see such plastic preferencing, the more I agree with your view on plastic avoidance.

You are right. That plastic cap is SO annoying. I have it on a few but scored a couple Kleen Kanteen’s at Slow Food Nation with the metal cap.

This reminds me of when I was in college, and I was getting a certain prescription with a reusable plastic dispenser from the campus pharmacy. Once out of college, I continued to get the prescription, and when I asked about not getting the *disposable* dispenser they offered for every refill, the pharmacist looked at me and said, “you know, you can just throw it away.” Argh.