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If you’re the same type of fitness girlie as me, you probably have at least 5 water bottles or drinking cups. From Stanley, to Yeti, to Hydroflask, we really are spoiled for choice when it comes to high-quality, insulated water bottles. As someone who has impulse purchased and has been gifted every type of water bottle out there, there is always one that I go back to: The Hydroflask 40oz, wide mouth water bottle with the straw lid.
In fact, as I am writing this, I have my water bottle with me. This water bottle has been to Europe with me, goes on holidays, and has held the water that has brought me back to life after a late night out.
I also own a YETI tumbler and have friends who love their Stanley mugs, but today I want to share the magic of Hydro Flask and hopefully help you see why this is and will always be my go-to water bottle.
Hydro Flask – A Brand Dedicated to Sustainability
In today’s age when there are so many options to choose from, I find it helpful and meaningful to understand a brand’s story, and to understand what social initiatives they are involved in.
Although I didn’t know this when I initially asked for my Hydro Flask water bottle for my birthday, I was happy to learn that they are a brand that is committed to innovating their products so they are more environmentally responsible.
The brand was started back in 2009 by Travis Rosbach and his then girlfriend. They created the company Steel Technology, which manufactures steel-based products for a variety of industries.
If you own a Hydro Flask water bottle you can hear that trademark ting of steel products, which has actually become part of the brand identity after TikTokers created videos showing the loud ting sound that Hydro Flask bottles make when they hit other hard objects.
The small dent in my Hydro Flask is from an experience at a hostel in Amsterdam where my water bottle fell off the top bunk, onto a solid concrete floor… at 4AM. Safe to say I was deeply embarrassed but also felt confident that everyone in the room knew exactly what type of water bottle hit the floor that morning.
But I digress.
Although the company started in 2009, it really only became popular in 2019 when the VSCO girlies and influencers discovered the brand. I discovered Hydro Flask after watching Whitney Simmons on YouTube during my years as a personal trainer. I remember her, in her old apartment, filling up her 32oz wide mouth Hydro Flask with her BCAAs that she brought to the gym.
As we all know, once the aesthetic girlies get a hold of something, it really takes off. Since 2019, Hydro Flask was definitely the water bottle brand for a couple of years, but then, as many of us know – YETI and Stanley captured the attention of the girlies and are having their time in the spotlight now.
Despite these other brands taking center stage, Hydro Flask has remained committed to creating high quality, insulated products that are tested in various environments and are designed for the best seal so you never have to worry about the water bottle leaking.
Not only that, but in 2022, Hydro Flask released a Slingback Bottle Pack that was developed using “100% recycled polyester body, air mesh and ripstop lining” and they eliminated 90% of single-use plastic packaging for 90% of their products.
As someone who is always looking for brands that are doing their part to innovate products and ensure they are evolving their brand in a more sustainable direction, this pledge by Hydro Flask just made sense. At it’s foundation, refillable water bottles are removing massive amounts of plastic from the environment since people who use water bottles like this are not purchasing plastic bottles.
Refillable water bottles and environmentally conscious products just go together, so I really appreciate that they’ve made this commitment and are as vocal as they are about this initiative.
But it goes beyond just creating products from recycling materials – they also are using their brand power and capital to support Parks for All. The initiative helps make parks more accessible and helps to maintain the parks as well. Again, as a brand that sells products that are often brought on camping trips and hikes, I really appreciate that they’ve committed to protecting those spaces as well.
Hydro Flask vs. Stanley vs. YETI
Okay now for the part that I am sure many of you are hoping for. There are quite a few brands out there that sell insulated water bottles, so why do I like Hydro Flask best and how does it compare to Stanely and YETI?
I am assuming you are asking, so thou shalt receive! Here is how each brand compares when we are looking at their 40oz water bottle with a straw (or the closest thing to it)
| Hydro Flask | Stanley (40oz Tumbler) | YETI (1.3L water bottle) | |
| Price (USD) from their Website | $49.95 | $45 | $50 |
| Volume | 40oz/1.1L | 40oz/1.1L | 1.3L (no 40oz equivalent) |
| Straw Cap | Included | Included | Sold Separately (+$14) |
| Handle | Flip handle | Side Handle | Standard lid with solid handle |
| How long does it keep liquids cold? | 24hrs | Up to 11hrs | 16-20hrs |
| Colour Options | 18 | 30 | 15 |
I won’t tell you how to spend your money or what comparables matter more but for me personally, I appreciate the longer insulation time, the fact that the handle flips out of the way of the straw, and that there’s an option to buy the bottle with the straw attached.
I was also looking into the reviews for the Stanley’s and it appears that the handles often fall off or break within 6 months of buying them. But again, you choose what matters to you and make your decision accordingly.
I just really love my Hydro Flask. It seems like such a specific thing to be passionate about but for us girlies who have more water bottles than we could ever need, it is nice to have one that you can rely on for excellent insulation, an easy-sip straw, and serious durability.
I’d love to know what water bottles you are using! Leave your favourite insulated water bottle brand in the comments and let us know why you love it. Was it a great price for a good product, or is there a meaningful memory that brought the water bottle to you? Let us know below!
Riley Pearce 