The Hydro Flask revolution continues to rage in teens and not-so-young adults everywhere. Nowadays, it can be hard to go anywhere without seeing the iconic logo of Hydro Flask, a brand of water bottle that has made drinking water a popular activity.
The company, Hydro Flask, prides itself on the thermal integrity of their water bottles and builds their innovative reputation on the trendiness of their product. If you’ve ever sipped from one, you’d know that they do, indeed, keep your beverages icy cold. However, there is a false perception that Hydro Flask is the only affordable water bottle that can accomplish this, and all others end up falling by the wayside.
This competition is typical in business; the success of certain companies depends completely on their reputation. Hydro Flask just so happens to have gained an exceptional reputation, one that is boosted every time someone pulls out their sleek, brightly colored Hydro Flask to hydrate while in the presence of others.

The most common response to the popular water bottle is that of praise. Those who have Hydro Flasks, like Nicole Amengual, usually seem to love them. “I love my Hydro Flask!” Amengual, a sophomore, said with excitement. “I love it because it’s truly a form of expressing myself. It’s just a water bottle, but you can really make it your own, and it’s amazing.”

The fun of the product is boosted by the trend of decorating these water bottles with a fun assortment of stickers. It has almost become a social standard, that if you want to fit in, you need a Hydro Flask covered in stickers advertising Patagonia or other trending companies.
For many, decoration is a way to make their water bottle come to life. Hydro Flasks are covered with the individuality and the interests of their owner. “My favorite sticker is my peace tea sticker.” Gracen Bayer, a junior, explained, talking about her collection of decorations on her own water bottle. When asked if a decorated water bottle would have the same impact if it were not a Hydro Flask, Bayer said, “Actually, no, I don’t think it does. With how trendy they are, I don’t think it has the same effect.”

Maybe Hydro Flasks are no longer just a symbol of water. Instead, they have become a symbol of social life, and possibly status. “I think popular people promote the brand, and it just makes it trendy,” Bayer continued. Hydro Flasks have found their mark through the desire one might have to fit in.

Amengual also spoke about the impact Hydro Flasks have. “I think it’s the name ‘Hydro Flask’ that is attractive to people,” she said. “They are super expensive and overpriced, so when someone has them, you’re like, “Oh, look! It’s a Hydro Flask.” It’s a sign of social status. There is nothing special about it,” she added. This shows an interesting idea that even those with Hydro Flasks can find them to be overrated.

Natalee Beavers, a junior, explained her thoughts on Hydro Flasks as well. “It’s a status symbol. It’s just a brand, but because it’s expensive, anyone who has it seems like they are popular. You can decorate any water bottle,” she said, addressing the questions on decoration. “I don’t see why it would be such a big difference.”

Some students who do have Hydro Flasks think that they are overrated, and so do those that don’t. Those that do have Hydro Flasks understand that they are overpriced and expensive, and one can get a cheaper water bottle that functions in the same way, but that won’t stop people from buying into the bottle and the brand.

“It could be a great metaphor for society,” Beavers said, elaborating on her thoughts. “It’s one of those things that people know are unnecessary and unneeded, but so many people have them that you feel like you have to have one too.”

Are Hydro Flasks overrated or not? The answer remains to be dependent on who is asked. Maybe the real question is where does the popularity of the water bottle brand come from, and how Hydro Flask has used the values of society to their advantage. No matter what the answer is, there’s likely more to it than staying hydrated or the necessity of a water bottle.