Fabric has rolled out an updated version of its popular Gripper bottle, and for the first time in the brand’s range, it comes with permanent anti-microbial protection built into the material itself.
The Gripper V2 keeps the handling cues that made the original such a hit with riders, including the textured, dotted band around the neck that helps keep the bottle secure in a hand or grabbed from a cage, whether that hand is soaked in sweat or bone dry.
What’s new is the hygiene angle. Rather than relying on regular scrubbing to keep nasties at bay, the bottle’s construction now actively resists microbial growth for the lifespan of the product, according to Fabric. That should be welcome news for anyone who’s left a bottle festering in a car boot after a long ride and opened it days later to a less-than-pleasant surprise.
For riders, this kind of detail matters more than it might first appear. Bottles get less attention than helmets or groupsets, but they’re handled and mouthed dozens of times on every ride, and a build-up of bacteria isn’t just unpleasant, it can genuinely put people off staying properly hydrated on longer efforts. A bottle that’s easier to keep clean, without extra faff, removes one more small barrier to riders drinking enough during training and racing.
Fabric hasn’t confirmed UK pricing or stockist availability at the time of writing, but the Gripper V2 is expected to sit alongside the brand’s existing accessories range, continuing its focus on practical, ride-tested kit rather than flashy one-off gadgets.
Sam Allcock is a digital PR entrepreneur and publisher with over two decades in SEO, content and media. He founded PR Fire, the pay-as-you-go press release distribution service, and has worked with brands including Red Bull, Nokia and Liverpool FC. He contributes to HuffPost, HubSpot and The London Economic, and owns a portfolio of news and media titles, of which On Track Magazine is one.
