The ongoing debate of Owala, Hydro Flask, and Stanley water bottles has a chokehold on many. All three brands have become popular in recent years, each for their own reasons and because of people’s personal preferences. Each one has its loyal following that will defend their favorite cup, and social media plays a large role in fueling these debates, with influencers and everyday users sharing their opinions and promoting the cycle of trends.
The first water bottle that gained a lot of popularity is the Hydro Flask, which is very well known among adolescents. Most everyone in Generation Z who was on social media throughout the 2020 pandemic is familiar with the reputation behind this bottle. When the “VSCO girls” trend became popular on social media, mainly TikTok, it increased the brand’s sales immensely. According to Business Insider, purchases of Hydro Flasks increased by 239% in 2019 alone.
The “VSCO girl” aesthetic and lifestyle include a beachy style and eco-friendly mindset. Followers of the trend wear oversized bright T-shirts, always have scrunchies of all colors on their wrists, Crocs on their feet, and obviously carry around the Hydro Flask decorated with various aesthetic stickers. Although the “VSCO girl” trend was popular nearly five years ago, some still embrace the style and prefer the water bottle that goes along with it.
Numerous former “VSCO girls” still believe that the Hydro Flask is the best and most effective water bottle, one being JeeJee Yangzom, a sophomore at Franklin. “They can keep drinks cold for so long,” she says. Franklin junior Ines Chen agrees. “It always keeps my drinks nice and hot or ice cold, and it’s overall such a durable water bottle,” Chen states.
Hydro Flasks are high quality and can keep beverages cold for up to 24 hours or hot for up to 12 hours, which is very helpful when it comes to a six-hour school day as a student. They also don’t leak, so it’s easy to have inside your backpack. They come in a variety of sizes and colors, meaning the price varies; for example, a 40-ounce bottle costs $49.95. Though they are on the more expensive side, Chen explains she has had her bottle for an exceptionally long time. “I’ve had my Hydro Flask since elementary school, and it’s still the best water bottle I own.”
The next water bottle in this debate, the Stanley, is the most controversial cup out of the three. You either love it or feel a strong hatred at the idea of having to carry around the bulky cup all day because it doesn’t fit in a backpack. Stanleys have been popularized online this year by social media influencers because of their large capacity, insulation, and the overall design of the cup. These cups feature sturdy handles and bright colors, along with the option of separately purchasing useful and decorative additions, like a straw cover or nameplate. TikTokers have been seen accessorizing their cups with charms and pouches with straps, as well as adding a snack tray that sits on the top, which has infuriated many.
Stanleys started trending mainly in January 2024 and have been increasing in sales, but many minds cannot be changed about these cups. Berri Nguyen, a junior at Franklin, says, “I hate Stanleys because they’re too junky and not actually useful.” Many people, when asked, said that the cups leak very easily and are extremely overpriced as well, a 40-ounce cup being $45.
However, this price is lower than that of the Hydro Flask and might be worth it to some. Franklin junior Nico Bradford says her Stanley cup keeps her water cold for over 24 hours. Bradford also adds she loves the color of her bottle: “It’s pink and sparkly!” The way this cup is designed with the straw is also easy to use and helpful for the daily hydration of various people. “A benefit of the Stanley is the straw helps motivate me to stay hydrated because it sits right in front of you,” states Isis Vortigern, a junior at Franklin.
The final water bottle people either love or hate, the Owala, has become extremely popular this year among high school students to use during the school day. It’s trendy for its various color combinations and smooth, rounded form, with the straw hidden inside the water bottle instead of sticking out. Evie Bell, a junior at Franklin, says she loves the colors and the lid of Owala. “You can easily sip from this cute water bottle, plus it’s super durable,” Bell says. Bradford says that besides her Stanley, she also really likes her Owala. “I love that you can pour it or sip it like a straw.”
Multiple students, when asked, have said they prefer the Owala because of the colors and the fact that they don’t leak, as well as the bottles having a reasonable price. On their website, a 40-ounce bottle is $37.99, but the price varies at in-store locations. Nela Phoonkwan, a junior at Cleveland High School, says her water bottle was $26 when she got it in-store at the Fred Meyer on Hawthorne. “My Owala is the same size as my friends, which is 40 ounces, but mine was so much cheaper,” she states. This is the cheapest option of the three water bottles, but there is no notable difference if bought online.
Which one is the cutest? Which one is the most durable? Which one makes you drink the most water during a long school day? In the end, it’s up to personal preference. Everyone has their own liking for their day-to-day hydrating needs. Whether you like a more insulated cup, a bigger cup, or even a bright-colored cup, this controversy will live on among us until another bottle comes to take everyone’s attention.
