You may remember the Hydro Flask trend of 2019, brought about by the rise of VSCO girls. While this was the first water bottle trend that many of us remember, it was not the first. Nalgene dominated the market decades before. Often water bottle fads are sparked by surges in environmental consciousness, urging the trade-in of non-reusable plastic products for something more friendly. While water bottle trends are huge when they peak, which of these trends stick? And if they don’t stick, why?
The original water bottle fad came around in the 1970s with the rise of conservation. Backpackers started using Nalgene water bottles as reusable storage for consumables. Nalgenes were created for laboratory use and made of lightweight and durable plastic. A 32 oz Nalgene is sold for $16.99 on their website and is by far the cheapest water bottle on this list. With these origins and its low price point, it’s no surprise that they are commonly used by outdoorsy people even today.
Hydro Flask was started in 2009 in Bend, Oregon. It uses double-wall vacuum insulation technology—the same technology that the thermos has used forever. Its most popular model, the 32 oz wide mouth goes for $44.95 on its website. Because of its practicality and durability, the Hydroflask has stuck around. Many of the same hydro flasks purchased in 2019 are still used today.
Stanley is a 111-year-old company. This makes sense if you remember that before last year’s Stanley craze, they were mostly used for camping or by people over 60. It was traditionally marketed towards blue-collar workers and campers. Today, 40 oz Stanley H2.0 quenchers go for $45 at their original price, but they are sometimes resold for double that amount because of their immense popularity. The Stanley trend is hardly a year old, so it is common to see them in use today, but with their huge size and tendency to leak, they may not be around forever.
The most recent, and still developing trend is Owalas. These water bottles mix the practical Hydro Flask and easy-to-drink from Stanley. They come in a huge variety of colorful block-style shades, with a lid that pops open and a straw. Like the Hydro Flask and Stanley, they are vacuum insulated and keep drinks cold for extended periods, so if you are looking to hop on a trend that is still peaking, this one’s for you.
