answer:Depends. I’ve seen some amazing blow-out prices at REI. (SRV is never optimal.) BPA free is the buzz. REI would be in a position to confirm that, vs. some dollar store bottle. My criteria is how long am I going to use it. If only for a season, I’ll go as cheap as I can find (preferably free). If long term, I pay whatever (yuppie scum that I am) to have something nice like the perfect color/size Nalgene. Art as much as function. CamelBak are tearing up the market for a reason. Their products are outstanding! What’s the bottle to be used for?