obviously not much news to end up having to do a story like this teheheh

Your probably right but sometimes these things need to be mentioned. I do see these "tools" on a regular basis.

I take it that this article is a bit tongue-in-cheek, but water bottles making you look like a tool? Please.

Everyone has their favourite things - shoes, sunglasses etc. Some people like their own personal water bottle. There are also those who don't like the taste, or the potential exposure to BPA, that comes with refilling plastic bottles.

Slow news day?

We like to add a little lightness to the mix, and remember that AusBT isn't just about news, it's also general information for a more mainstream audience – and Friday's always a nice time for something light to end the week. :)

Some sensible advice here. However, the scorn poured on the special water bottles highlights an undervalued environmental issue. Disposable water bottles are resource-intensive to produce and pose significant disposal problems - so much so that there is a serious campaign to ban disposable water bottles (thus far implemented only on a small scale). So, the water bottle carrying traveller might just be doing their bit to save the planet (indeed, given the environmental damage done by flying in a jet, perhaps all flyers should aim to do better on this front).

Thanks Matthew.

I'm not convinced that those massively thick water bottles are a significant net lifetime improvement on (a) avoiding buying plastic bottles of water in the first place, (b) making a habit of reusing bottles that have had juice or a soft drink in them, and then (c) ensuring that those bottles make it into a recycling bin. 

As you say, of all the things that travellers can do to reduce the environmental impact of their journeys, the "carry your own water bottle" smacks of one of those "things you can buy to make yourself feel better about the environment", spurred on by the reusable plastic bottle industry. I'd love to see some proper economic analysis on the component aspects of travel and how the environmental impacts can be reduced -- but from somewhere that isn't buymyreusablewaterbottleshere.com.

Fortunately, I'm way too lazy to do any of the things you've listed above. ;) Though I could always by a bubble to roll around my small local airport in. Good idea, y/y?

Actually, the most enviromentally friendly option of water bottles, inluding resusing plain plastic bottles, is buying a cheap, reusable stainless steel bottle that won't rust,   doesn't use outrageous amounts of unsustainable oils (not limited to palm oil) to produce and that doesn't look like your about to run a marathon. The end.

One piece I constantly ignore is to pack double the amount of clothing needed and split it over two bags just in case one bag gets lost. I understand that bags get damaged and lost but packing that much (now that Qantas and Virgin have piece restrictions on domestic and international flights, and all flights to the US are restricted to 2 bags unless your a high-tier frequent flyer) is completely and waste of time and space.

I am surprised at some of the advice given

I actually do carry wipes with me in my carry on. Sticky tray table...wipe, touched something or gotten dirty hands...wipe

I'm not an anal clean freak by any means, but I find them useful in a variety of situations and who's anyone to judge if I like to use them. I find the hiker's water bottle purely ridiculous!

With the sometimes lack of cleanliness in the world today, I would highly suggest that all travellers carry a pack with them (take up no room, very light)

I carry a little empty water bottle and fill and drink when the opportunity arises and then put back the empty little bottle into my bag. Takes up little room and wieghs nothing.