Battle of the Water Bottles

Drinking enough water is key to maintaining good health. Staying hydrated helps keep your organs working properly and energy levels high. But exactly how much water should you be drinking a day? And more importantly, which reusable water bottle do most students carry?

The general rule of thumb for how much water you should drink is 1 oz. of water for every 2 lbs. of body weight.

Although this is the recommendation, many fail to drink the right amount of water for their body. In order to drink enough water throughout the day many carry around reusable water bottles. These reusable water bottles don’t just benefit those carrying them, but also the environment. Mitigating the use of single-use plastic water bottles, decreases the amount of plastic waste ending up in landfills or the ocean.

It is easy to get caught up in our daily responsibilities and tasks that we forget to drink water. From high school hallways to extracurricular activities, students are always looking for ways to stay hydrated in style. Over the past few years, various water bottle brands have grown in popularity. With brands like Owala, Stanley, Hydroflask, and Yeti being among the front runners. These brands have developed products that appeal to the consumers desire for cute and trendy drinkware. 

Water bottles have become more than just a way to stay hydrated. With countless brands and designs to choose from, two names have risen to the top: Owala and Stanley. A recent poll sent out to Saint Thomas Aquinas students found:

41% preferred using a Stanley
38% preferred using an Owala
22% preferred using another brand of water bottle

These results indicate an almost even split between those who prefer Owala’s and those who prefer Stanley’s. Junior Kate Wells said “I love my Stanley because of its color and handle”. Stanley offers a wide variety of color options to pick from whether you are looking for a bright colored option or neutral colored option Stanley has you covered. Although praised for the brand's creative styles, functionality is a concern for some students. Junior Makenna Gerfen said “I love how colorful my Stanley is, but it spills really easily”. This issue presented in Stanley’s is avoided through Owala’s practical design.

The Owala is another popular pick among students. New to rise to popularity, its functionality and bright colors are appealing to many students. The water bottle design allows for easy use and carrying. I love my Owala because it doesn’t spill and fits in the side of my backpack. Walking into school I don’t have to be worried about holding another item in my hand. As an athlete it gives me peace of mind knowing that if my water bottle gets knocked over at practice it won’t spill. This fact keeps me and my coaches happy.

Choosing which water bottle to carry might seem like an easy decision, but is it? New water bottle brands and styles come and go. However, the importance of drinking water never goes away. Remember Saints it doesn’t matter which water bottle you have as long as you drink water!

About the Contributor

Gabi is a junior, class of 2026 and this is her first year on the Shield staff. At Aquinas, she plays on the Varsity Volleyball and Lacrosse teams. She is also a member of Key Club and Spanish NHS. In her spare time, she loves volunteering and hanging out with friends.