September 25th, 2025 | by Robby Ringer
We are super excited to be expanding the Bivo family with the launch of a new lid, one designed for versatility both on and off the bike. We launched the Ventura Lid to our DTC audience earlier this Spring to test the waters and it was a huge success, so we’re bringing it to all of you :)
Here’s the story behind the lid and how it eventually came to be, with some insight into our product development process and history as designers, thanks for reading!
Our customers had been asking for this lid for years, but, to be honest, we almost didn't make it.
We are super excited to be expanding the Bivo family with the launch of a new lid, one designed for versatility both on and off the bike. We launched the Ventura Lid to our DTC audience earlier this Spring to test the waters and it was a huge success, so we’re bringing it to all of you :)
Here’s the story behind the lid and how it eventually came to be, with some insight into our product development process and history as designers, thanks for reading!
Our customers had been asking for this lid for years, but, to be honest, we almost didn't make it.
Photo credit to Joshua Strong for this image and the header image!
Photo credit to Joshua Strong for this image and the header image!
Before diving headfirst into Bivo, Carina and I ran a footwear development agency, working with 20 to 30 footwear brands of all shapes and sizes. Footwear is a very different beast than water bottles. Our role often resembled that of product line managers—dreaming up, building, and refining product strategies.
Early on, we made a pact: when we start our own brand, it won’t be in footwear. Funny how things work out—the industry we knew best was the one we chose to avoid. Why? The footwear world thrives on an endless cycle of "new, new, new" every season. We often saw great product fit take a backseat to novelty, with brands launching multiple versions of nearly identical shoes. Call me naive, but we pushed back against that. Instead, we always started with:
Right or wrong, that mindset shaped us—and "less is more" became our guiding principle.
You might be wondering, what does this have to do with the Ventura Lid?
Before diving headfirst into Bivo, Carina and I ran a footwear development agency, working with 20 to 30 footwear brands of all shapes and sizes. Footwear is a very different beast than water bottles. Our role often resembled that of product line managers—dreaming up, building, and refining product strategies.
Early on, we made a pact: when we start our own brand, it won’t be in footwear. Funny how things work out—the industry we knew best was the one we chose to avoid. Why? The footwear world thrives on an endless cycle of "new, new, new" every season. We often saw great product fit take a backseat to novelty, with brands launching multiple versions of nearly identical shoes. Call me naive, but we pushed back against that. Instead, we always started with:
Right or wrong, that mindset shaped us—and "less is more" became our guiding principle.
You might be wondering, what does this have to do with the Ventura Lid?
Photo credit to Joshua Strong and Sarah Kjelleren
Photo credit to Joshua Strong and Sarah Kjelleren
Well, that same "less is more" philosophy is probably why it took us so long to bring this lid to life. We were holding ourselves back, because we wanted to make sure we didn’t fall into that old cycle of “new, new, new." My apologies for the wait, everyone—sometimes, you need a wake-up call before taking the next step.
When we launched Bivo, we knew we had something special: a product that stood apart simply by listening to what customers actually wanted. The market was flooded with plastic sport bottles that left a bad taste (literally and figuratively)—so we created the first metal sport bottle built for true performance.
People told us, “Really? Another water bottle?” But we knew they were comparing us to HydroFlask, Yeti, and Stanley instead of plastic squeeze bottles—the actual competition. That was the real opportunity, and we leaned in.
We became so focused on that differentiation—our Gravity Flow system—that we resisted stepping outside of it. We feared that adding a different kind of lid would dilute what made Bivo unique. We weren’t listening.
And then, our customers and all of you reminded us.
Through emails, messages, and in-person conversations, our customers told us what they needed. A lid that could expand how and where you use your Bivo bottle. You needed another lid, this time one that wasn’t about high-flow performance but about versatility.
Well, that same "less is more" philosophy is probably why it took us so long to bring this lid to life. We were holding ourselves back, because we wanted to make sure we didn’t fall into that old cycle of “new, new, new." My apologies for the wait, everyone—sometimes, you need a wake-up call before taking the next step.
When we launched Bivo, we knew we had something special: a product that stood apart simply by listening to what customers actually wanted. The market was flooded with plastic sport bottles that left a bad taste (literally and figuratively)—so we created the first metal sport bottle built for true performance.
People told us, “Really? Another water bottle?” But we knew they were comparing us to HydroFlask, Yeti, and Stanley instead of plastic squeeze bottles—the actual competition. That was the real opportunity, and we leaned in.
We became so focused on that differentiation—our Gravity Flow system—that we resisted stepping outside of it. We feared that adding a different kind of lid would dilute what made Bivo unique. We weren’t listening.
And then, our customers and all of you reminded us.
Through emails, messages, and in-person conversations, our customers told us what they needed. A lid that could expand how and where you use your Bivo bottle. You needed another lid, this time one that wasn’t about high-flow performance but about versatility.
It hit me last year—Sitting in an airport, heading to our first real family vacation, I reached for my Bivo bottle. Not the one with the Gravity Flow Lid. The one with a Ventura Lid prototype I was testing. Meanwhile, my trusty Gravity Flow Lid was packed away in my bag—waiting for adventure mode.
That was the moment I finally admitted it: our customers (and apparently, I) needed more than just extreme flow. Performance isn’t about a single technology—it’s about having the right tool for the right moment.
And just like that, my perspective shifted. A brand is more than the products it sells—it’s about solving real needs.
It hit me last year—Sitting in an airport, heading to our first real family vacation, I reached for my Bivo bottle. Not the one with the Gravity Flow Lid. The one with a Ventura Lid prototype I was testing. Meanwhile, my trusty Gravity Flow Lid was packed away in my bag—waiting for adventure mode.
That was the moment I finally admitted it: our customers (and apparently, I) needed more than just extreme flow. Performance isn’t about a single technology—it’s about having the right tool for the right moment.
And just like that, my perspective shifted. A brand is more than the products it sells—it’s about solving real needs.
Without further ado, I’d like to introduce the newest member of the Bivo family—the Ventura Lid, available now to all our retailers!
Without further ado, I’d like to introduce the newest member of the Bivo family—the Ventura Lid, available now to all our retailers!
Designed for those who push the limits, the Ventura Lid is bombproof and leakproof, built to take your Bivo bottle further into your adventures. Whether you're bikepacking, traveling, working out, or (like me) using it to keep your coffee hot until you finally make it to the office—this lid is ready.
Featuring a removable silicone strap (yes, bring on the color pops!) that opens and closes for secure fastening, plus a double-wall insulated design, the Ventura Lid keeps your drink at the perfect temp, wherever your day takes you.
The Ventura Lid at a Glance:
You all are already loving these! They're going quickly, so grab some for your store: here!
Designed for those who push the limits, the Ventura Lid is bombproof and leakproof, built to take your Bivo bottle further into your adventures. Whether you're bikepacking, traveling, working out, or (like me) using it to keep your coffee hot until you finally make it to the office—this lid is ready.
Featuring a removable silicone strap (yes, bring on the color pops!) that opens and closes for secure fastening, plus a double-wall insulated design, the Ventura Lid keeps your drink at the perfect temp, wherever your day takes you.
The Ventura Lid at a Glance:
You all are already loving these! They're going quickly, so grab some for your store: here!
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