Hydro Flask. Stanley. Owala. Nalgene. S’well. What do all of these brands have in common? They all might be found in yours (or someone you know’s) kitchen cabinet. As you walk through school you definitely notice many different types of water bottles, but in some cases you might find that there are more of a certain brand of a water bottle than others. This is because in the past decade water bottles have become increasingly popular and trendy, representing more than just basic hydration.
The need to quench thirst while still being stylish is the new thing. With more colors, shapes, sizes, and accessories available for water bottles there are more people buying them. I feel this is directly associated with the wanting feeling to be up with the times and in with the trends. Twist-off caps are out and straw lids are in. Plastic bottles are out and insulated metal ones are in. Bland colors are out and bright ones are in. This cultural shift from old to new bottles happens all the time as the unpredictable trends pop up and disappear so quickly.
It is not a coincidence that the brands Nalgene, Contigo, and Camelback were popular in the same time frame while Hydro Flask, Stanley, and Owala have their own. The main differences between these types of bottles is that Nalgene, Contigo, and Camelback tend to have fewer color options. In addition to that, the caps and lids for these water bottles are different as well. L-S student Lila Gwinn says that with all of these accessories you can use the water bottle to match “your personality and you can get water bottles that kind of give off the vibe you want”. According to her, water bottles are every part hydration as they are style.
In the case of water bottles at L-S, Stanley and Hydro Flask are the current favorites. Both of these brands are extremely similar in specific style. The style of bottle is a reusable, insulated tumbler with a straw lid and a handle on the side. They both come in a variety of colors and are equally unique in their own way. L-S sophomore Maddie Downer is one of the many Hydro Flask fans that offers praise to the tumbler by saying “I really like my gray Hydro Flask tumbler…I think it spills less than Stanley cups do…it has become a fashion statement for me to carry around and I love it, and it also keeps my water really cold.” It is almost guaranteed that others at L-S feel a similar passion for their bottle of choice.
As of right now you can definitely tell which way the water bottle trends are leaning towards. However, I wouldn’t be so shocked to find out there is another new water bottle that is gaining more popularity and style in our society. Make sure to keep an eye out for the next best way to stay hydrated!
