Beefy Nalgene Handle – Now also w/textured grip!

Why I Like It

The Nalgene wide-mouth bottle is a fixture in outdoor carry for good reason — it’s bombproof, BPA-free, and will outlive most of the people who use it. What it lacks is a proper handle. The loop lid is fine for clipping a carabiner, but if you’re doing anything with one hand — hiking, driving, wrangling gear — a real grip makes a noticeable difference. This handle delivers that.

“Beefy” is accurate. This is not a decorative band — it’s a structural grip designed to handle the full weight of a loaded bottle without flexing or walking. The textured version adds friction exactly where you need it, which matters when your hands are wet, cold, or gloved. I’ve had it on a 32oz Nalgene fully loaded and it doesn’t move, doesn’t creak, doesn’t slip. Just works.

This is one of those prints where material choice is non-negotiable: PETG or ASA, 4 walls, 40% infill minimum. The handle takes real cyclic stress every time you pick up and set down the bottle — PLA will fatigue and crack over weeks of daily use. ASA if the bottle lives in a hot car or sees direct sun regularly (which Nalgenes do). The fit should be snug — if it slides on the bottle, scale down 1–2%. One of the most practical prints in this whole series.

What Filament Should You Use?

Here’s a quick breakdown of the three most common filaments for EDC gear so you can pick the right one for your setup:

TL;DR: Use PETG for most EDC prints — easy to work with and tough enough. Use ASA if the piece will live outdoors or in direct sunlight. Use ABS if you need maximum rigidity and heat resistance and have an enclosure on your printer.