Walking through the halls of RMHS, every student is encompassed by the rise and fall of different trends and styles. As the year progresses, girls scour their closets for new and exciting clothes, because who knows the consequence of wearing the same outfit twice. While seasons change, students go from shorts and tee shirts to puffer jackets and sweatpants, and the cycle continues.
Yet, one thing remains constant every season, every month, and every day. Clutched in their hand, or tucked under their arm, some way or another almost every student is seen with a forty-ounce metal container, dragging it from class to class.
This is also known as the Stanley water bottle.
The Stanley water bottle (or the other Stanley Cup) is a metal, insulated water bottle that has risen to immense popularity. Its most attractive quality is the array of color options that it comes in. Its buyers can choose to go along with the trends in shades like Rose Quartz, Cream, and Alpine, or experiment with uniqueness in colors such as Neon Green, Balsam Glow, and Tigerlily Plum. Whichever you choose–for the low price of $45–you too can have the same water bottle as everyone else! However, the Stanley tumbler is not the only popular bottle at the moment. There is also Owala, Hydroflask, and Yeti, brands most known for their own reusable, overpriced water bottles that also come in a multitude of colors. Furthermore, this industry continues to grow; according to GrandviewResearch.com, the global reusable water bottle market size was estimated at $9.67 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.6% from 2025 to 2030. But, the real question is, why are these water bottles so popular?
- Many people feel it is safer, or more clean to be drinking water straight from their home, from somewhere they can trust. However, upon taking a closer look into the manufacturing of Stanleysb, it has become apparent that these cups contain lead, which exposure to can lead to serious health issues. That being said, Stanley did put out a statement defending themselves through BBC.com, saying that their bottles use, “vacuum insulation technology,” and, “…once sealed, this area is covered with a durable stainless steel layer, making it inaccessible to consumers.” However, despite never actually denying the claims of unsafe materials at use, their consumers see this statement fit to relieve any doubt.
- Stanley Cups can be a time and money saver in the long run. Instead of paying a monthly gym membership, and taking hours out of your day to exercise, simply carrying your water bottle from class to class can give the same effect. Its heaviness when full is equivalent to a five pound weight, and can help tone and build muscle in your arms, wrist, and hands. Mathematically, you can either pay a $15 monthly charge, or a one time $45 purchase, there really is no question of the better deal.
- The insulated water bottles can also act as a way to decrease stress. Nothing is more overwhelming as a student than the sight of your desk being a mess of papers and assignments you have yet to finish. A solution to this, however, is obviously to put an oversized metal object that takes up the upper portion of the corner on your desk, stopping it from getting crowded. Some may say this is counterproductive, but it truly can help students to stay organized and focused on one task at a time. Not to mention the calming effect of the earth-shattering sound that erupts from the tumbler and echoes through the halls if someone were to accidentally knock the bottle off the desk.
Based solely on the information above, how these water bottles rose to fame truly is a mystery. However, despite what I’ve previously stated, and to answer the unavoidable question, yes, a Stanley is on my Christmas List.
