There was a time when a water bottle was just a way to get proper hydration. They were a great alternative to single-use plastic bottles or relying on a water fountain. Now, they are proof that we have taken consumerism too far. 

The first major water bottle fad started in 2019 with the Hydro Flask, when the stainless steel water bottles quickly became associated with the “VSCO girl” aesthetic online.

Stemming from VSCO, a photo-editing app, the trend wasn’t just a vibe; it involved an entire online subculture of beachy, laid-back surfer girls who wore Birkenstock sandals, puka shell necklaces and oversized Ron Jon Surf Shop T-shirts. 

Those who participated in the trend also considered themselves environmentalists, promoting the use of metal straws instead of plastic and often using the slogan “save the turtles.” This was a little hypocritical, though, given the amount of things teenagers bought to appear eco-friendly.

There wasn’t anything particularly revolutionary about a Hydro Flask. It was a simple insulated bottle with a collapsing straw. Yes, they had cool colors, but why did everyone feel like they needed to have one? 

The Hydro Flask hype died out after the COVID-19 pandemic, but a new water bottle quickly took its place. Stanley tumblers became the focus after the entire internet became obsessed with wellness and a “clean” aesthetic. The Stanley brand was already successful, but had been geared toward construction workers and outdoorsmen up until this point, so it shifted its marketing when lifestyle influencers started parading around different variations of their tumbler. 

Unlike the Hydro Flask, this bottle had a handle on the side and a straw that does not collapse. Nothing about the bottle was particularly helpful or useful, except for its ability to fit into vehicle cup holders.

Online creators would purchase a Stanley in every color of the rainbow and match it with their outfits or even their drink of the day. At one point, an entire wall at Dick’s Sporting Goods was designated for this specific water bottle. But the extreme level of accessibility made people bored, and a Stanley water bottle just didn’t feel special to own anymore.

This is where the Owala water bottle swooped in. The Owala Free Sip was designed with two drinking options: water can be sipped through the straw or chugged through a larger hole. It also has a locked lid to keep liquid from leaking out, something that could not be said for a Stanley.

Unlike Stanley and Hydro Flasks, which came in a variety of solid colors, Owalas introduced unique color combinations with their lids and bottles. Their design allowed consumers to buy a water bottle that was more distinct and aligned with their personal style.

Through Hydro Flasks, Stanleys and now Owalas, it seems like water bottles have become accessories worn as part of an outfit or to match a vibe. Though the bottles themselves are cool, the quickly changing trends around them are not.

High demand puts a lot of pressure on companies to manufacture items hastily. That level of production is not only harmful in terms of the waste it creates, but also in the quality of the product. 

My Owala water bottle lid has broken twice, my Hydro Flask was the easiest thing to dent and Stanley tumblers often drip out of the sides because the gaskets do not fit right.

If customers were looking for the most impeccably constructed water bottle, they wouldn’t be following the trends. I think it’s time to realize that water is just that: water. It doesn’t matter what we drink it out of.

That being said, I did hear that Brümate is the next best thing. I guess the cycle continues.