In what may be an odd move at first blush, last month CamelBak stepped into a new market by announcing the Relay ($40), which they claim will revolutionize water pitcher filtration. Unlike approaches like the Soma, which garnished a fair amount of accolades for its design (even though a crowded fridge might question its practicality), the Relay pretty much looks like your standard Brita. CamelBak’s real innovation, which took more than three years to develop, is that the filter works at the speed of your faucet, and is 10 times faster than any other model on the market. They also say that their filter will last twice as long as most models on the market (up to four months), and a locking lid should avoid spills that are sometimes common with other pitchers. But perhaps best of all, the water gets filtered twice—once when you fill it, and a second time when your pour. It’s made of PBA-free plastic (naturally), holds up to ten cups of water, boasts a lifetime guarantee, and comes in three colors (aqua, clear, and purple). What does this mean for us and the rest of the active set? No more waiting for ten minutes for the water to filter before you start filling your bottles and reservoirs as you prep to hit the road/trail/slop/whatever. And we all love a little less idle time.
—Nathan Borchelt
