The Thirst for More: Gen Z’s Newest Hyperfixation

Owala and Stanley water bottles are the leaders, for now, although other brands like Hydro Flask, Klean Kanteen, and Yeti have also gained popularity. On campus, Emilia Adams ’26 had “this vivid memory of going into the dining hall last spring and seeing eight Stanley cups on a table, and they all had different straw toppers.” She added that “my sister has four different Owalas.”

The Owala FreeSip, a newer trend, was designed to be leakproof with its unique locking mechanism. Luannie Wang ’28 observed that many people previously used "the Stanley Quencher tumbler with the straw that spills everywhere.” This flaw helped Owalas gain popularity toward the end of the water bottle surge. 

At an average price of $40, water bottles from Owala, Hydro Flask and Lululemon are expensive compared to traditional water bottles, and people have different opinions on whether they are worth it. Health teacher Lindsey Miller said, “I have a 9-year-old, and one of the things she wanted for Christmas was an Owala, because so many of the kids in her classroom had them. She makes sure that it is full every morning, she has decorated it with stickers. It has definitely helped her be more hydrated.” Similarly, Livia Balkan ’27, who uses her favorite 30 oz. Stanley tumbler, said she “definitely drinks more water throughout the day.”

On the other hand, some owners of trendy water bottles don’t think they improve their hydration habits. “They don’t make me drink more water in the slightest,” said Briar Scannell ’29. George Thompson ’28 responded more bluntly: “No. It makes you spend more money.” While some people believe the water bottles are worthwhile purchases that encourage hydration, others see them as unnecessary expenses. 

Some students recognize how social media has facilitated the rapid spread of specific brands, turning a necessity into a fashion item. Adams recalled, “Have you seen the people on Instagram who have 18 different Stanley cups on a wall and make ‘matching my Stanley to my outfit’ videos?”

A collector herself, Scannell said that “water bottles are 100% part of my outfit every day.” The popularity of reusable bottles, especially limited-edition designs, has made them fashion-forward rather than purely functional.
 

Other students acknowledge both functions. Gage Lang ’29 said that “they definitely become fashion items a bit, but obviously water is a necessity too.”

Despite becoming more of a fashion item, reusable water bottles are also a more sustainable choice. Miller carries a 60-ounce stainless steel Igloo water bottle everyday. She said that “they’re financially sound because all you have to do is refill them, especially when there are water bottle filters almost everywhere now.”

Chloe Wang ’26 said that “although people might have a collection of reusable water bottles, it’s still less plastic than individually bottled water." Commercial beverage chains like Starbucks also encourage sustainability by offering discounts if you bring your own mug.

Another reason people are leaning toward reusable bottles is health concerns. Miller cautioned that “during heat, if you leave plastic disposable water bottles in your car and the plastic heats up, that plastic can seep into the water.” Gracie Kreitler ’29 prefers her 32-ounce Owala bottle because plastic bottles are “too loud when you take them out of your backpack, and you can’t put ice in it.”

Trend? Practical choice? Sustainable option? Whatever the reason, our thirst for water bottles seems to be both acute and unquenchable.