collapsible and pocket-sized water bottle elio leans when it stands

when tucked, collapsible water bottle elio doubles as accessory

There’s a new collapsible and pocket-sized water bottle in town, and it goes by the name elio. This time, it resembles a leaning structure when it stands, and users can place it horizontally without a liquid spill. When it’s unfolded, the container can hold up to 750 ml of liquid, and when it’s tucked, users can either put it in their pockets or tie it around their bags as an accessory. The design team, led by Max Gunawan, has created the collapsible water bottle elio using food-grade silicone, making it lightweight at around 160 grams or less than the weight of an apple.

Surrounding this silicone is a lattice-structured aluminum frame that protects the bottle from tough conditions. When the team says tough conditions, they mean that if people step on elio, toss it in their bags, drop it from tall heights, or put it in other rough situations, it can survive without a tear and bounce right back into its leaning shape. Since the bottle itself is made from BPA-free and food-grade silicone, it is also plastic- and odor-free. The design lead adds that every part of the collapsible water bottle elio is ‘designed to be 100 percent recyclable’.

all images courtesy of elio

Swappable body, cap, and handle for modular design

elio doubles as a style accessory, too. Design lead Max Gunawan says that the users can mix, match, and swap the body, cap, and handle within seconds, from monochromatic to vibrant colors (so far, there are six variations). Just below the top cap, there’s a silicone strap included, so users can loop the collapsible water bottle onto their belt or bag. Its body also features a triangular shape with rounded edges, so for the design team, it can also serve as a decorative object on desks, both when folded and unfolded.

The container comes with a one-handed cap opening, so users can flip it open and close it down while running or driving, and its wide opening allows for ice chunks to be inserted inside. elio is also dishwasher safe and can fit in the cup holder even if the collapsible water bottle has a leaning stance. Thanks to the lattice frame enclosing the container, users can hold onto the elio without squishing it and spilling the liquid. So far, the campaign for the item has begun, and the design team expects to ship the portable and pocket-sized object starting January 2026.

collapsible and pocket-sized water bottle elio leans when it stands

when tucked, the container has a triangular form with rounded edges

the water bottle fits pockets when folded

there’s a silicone strap so users can tie it around their bags as an accessory

project info:

name: elio | @elioeveryday

designer: Max Gunawan | @maxtimeout

campaign: here

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