Straw or valve top
Choosing between Bauer water bottle styles depends largely on the face protection you wear on the ice. If you play in a full cage, a full shield, or a goalie mask, a straw top is the cap to look at. Its long spout is made to reach in through face protection, so you drink without unbuckling the chin strap or pulling off a glove. If you wear a half visor or play with an open face, a valve top does the same job with a squeeze, and there is no straw to rinse out later.
Grip and bench fit
A squeeze bottle only works if you can compress it with your gloves on, so how soft the body stays in a cold rink decides how easily you get a stream out at the bench. A bench rack or a penalty box holder only takes a bottle of a certain width and height, so compare the shape of a bottle with the holder you use before you order. If you want to read the level without lifting the bottle, look for a clear stripe down the side.
Hygiene and care
Check that the cap seats squarely and threads all the way down before the bottle goes into a gear bag packed with skates, pads, and jerseys. A wide mouth fills faster at the rink and gives your hand room when you rinse the bottle out, so the size of the opening is worth comparing between models. To maintain freshness across a demanding season, rinse the bottle body, cap, and spout thoroughly after each skate. Follow the washing instructions on the product care label.