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Trail Notes
30 July 2025
Published: 30 July, 2025
There’s MUCH more to it than just being Lorde’s favourite water bottle. It might look simple at first glance but the Snow Peak Titanium Aurora Bottle truly is a work of art - meticulously designed and hand crafted by skilled craftsmen of Tsubame-Sanjo in Japan. Here’s how it all comes together.
Titanium is a strong and super lightweight metal with excellent corrosion resistance and is known for its affinity with the human body - It’s hypoallergenic which is why it is used in the medical field for implanting artificial bones! With a low metallic odor and smooth mouth feel, titanium is a pleasure to drink from and keeps water tasting like its natural flavour. This metal is expensive and notoriously difficult to work with but Snow Peak doesn't compromise (!!!) so they got to work designing a simple, beautiful, reusable bottle out of this special material that makes water taste delicious.The Aurora Bottle pursues ultimate simplicity by eliminating all unnecessary elements. Since room temperature water is easier to digest and faster absorbed by our bodies, Snow Peak decided to remove any heat and cold retention functions. The smooth feel of titanium feels soft in your hand and is lighter than stainless steel, making it easier to carry with its lid/handle. The capacity is set at a generous 800ml but at a width that will fit comfortably in bags and side pockets.
Snow Peak
Snow Peak Titanium Aurora Bottle 800 - Ocean
$295.00
The Aurora bottles are made one by one using the skilled processing techniques of Tsubame-Sanjo, Japan’s metalworking district. Although they may look simple at first glance, they are in fact meticulously designed and extraordinary attention has gone into their shape. When you hold the bottle you will notice that there is not a single trace of welding because the Aurora Bottle is made from one single disk of 1mm thick titanium. The bottom stays at 1mm thick so that it will not dent if dropped but the mouth is moulded to 0.8mm thick for a comfortable mouthfeel and easy cleaning, and the sides are moulded to 0.4mm thick to maximize lightness. Normally parts are joined by welding but seams can easily attract hiding places for even a small amount of dirt, which can affect the taste of the water and of course ruin the appearance. With the desire to eliminate everything unnecessary and create a simple finish, the challenge began between the craftsmen of Tsubame-Sanjo and Snow Peak.
Snow Peak Titanium Aurora Bottle 800 - Rainbow
The Aurora Bottle starts its life off as one single disk of titanium! The surface is oiled to make it easier to work with before the disk is pressed into a cup shape. A technique called warm pressing is then used to apply heat to areas where the titanium needs to be thinner such as the sides. The cup is then carefully stretched vertically to create the length of the bottle. This technique requires experience and precision equipment to stretch the tube thinly and evenly without damaging the metal. Once the bottle is the perfect length, the neck and shoulder of the bottle is formed and then comes the hardest part - the thread! The process of cutting the thread on the cap is a tricky one. If the thread is too long, the cap will have to be turned multiple times and if it is too short it will not close properly and be leaky. The knowledge and experience of the talented metalworkers results in perfectly aligned threads to match up with the cap. The opening is then welded to finish any rough edges and create a smooth finish.
Snow Peak Titanium Aurora Bottle 800 - Titanium Grey
$220.00
Some of the Aurora Bottles have a natural titanium finish but others are finished with a final anodising process. Anodising is a bit of a mind bender - Anodising is a process where metal is placed in a special liquid and electricity is used to change its surface. This creates a thin layer of titanium oxide on the metal, which makes it appear colourful. The colour isn’t from paint or dye—it’s from the way light bounces off the surface, kind of like how a soap bubble or a prism shows different colours. What makes anodising special is that it uses a natural effect to create colour, without adding anything artificial. The more electricity used, the thicker the oxide layer gets, and the colour becomes deeper or changes entirely.Since this is a natural change to the surface of the metal (not a coating), it won’t chip or peel. It also makes the metal more resistant to rust and wear. However, over time and with use, the colours might fade or shift slightly which just adds to the unique charm of each item.
