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For many students, drinking enough water every day is easier said than done. Though water is vital for our health, many factors can make drinking water unmotivating. Carrying a full water bottle can feel like an unnecessary added weight, making students hesitant to refill their bottles and add to their heavy load. Additionally, the actual act of drinking out of water bottles can be problematic. One wrong move and half the contents might drench your new shirt or spill all over your desk. While this may be discouraging, students at Bellevue have two tried and true cult favorites that incentivize students to meet their water goals. Drinking water is not optional, and with this comparison between Owala’s freesip and Hydroflask, we hope students can find a bottle that prioritizes their health over convenience.
The Owala free sip bottle hit the market five years ago, making it one of the newer brands in the highly competitive water bottle market. Its innovative patented Freesip spout offers dual drinking methods, with a built in straw and wide mouth opening. This can be incredibly attractive for those who want the option of sipping and preserving the convenience of popping the cap off for a quick gulp. Students are obsessed with the utility this lid provides.
“I like how it has a built-in straw that doesn’t come out of the cap. I can use the straw or choose not to use it,” said sophomore Amyra Agarwal.
On top of that, Owala’s fun color combinations are sure to catch anyone’s eye. Colors range from soft pastels to deep midnight blue, appealing to a variety of students’ individual aesthetics.
“I like how the darker colors of my water bottle contrast with the light blue,” said senior Filipe Owens Scorsatto Botelho.
Sadly, a few tradeoffs come with owning an Owala. While they keep liquids cold for up to 24 hours, they aren’t built for hot temperatures due to the risk of pressure build up. Owala’s cap is a key feature of the bottle, but some find cleaning it tedious, with the nooks and crannies being difficult to reach.
If you find Owala’s color selection to be too maximalist, you’re sure to find a match with a Hydroflask. Hydroflask’s color selection is comparatively far more simplistic, maintaining a timeless style since 2009. Their classic black top and colored base is unforgettable, especially in part to Hydroflask’s notorious reign during the VSCO era. This water bottle’s role in the late 2010s trend didn’t render the brand irrelevant afterwards, but rather cemented itself as a “trendy,” yet incredibly functional and durable bottle.
What’s more, due to upcoming colder months, students especially like the Hydroflask’s ability to hold hot liquids. Students can store drinks ranging from herbal teas to hot chocolate. With Hydroflask’s heat adaptability, your imagination is the limit!
“It stays warm throughout the school day, and it’s nice to have warm water in the winter,” said junior Hannah Kim.
This highlights its versatility compared to Owala, yet it’s a conflicted trade off. To obtain the ability to hold cold and hot liquids, the functionality of Owala’s unique lid must be given up.
It’s a close battle between these beloved bottles. For those who love the utility of a straw, it’s hard to beat Owala’s free sip. And if you love versality of liquids beyond ice water, the Hydroflask is the bottle for you! Ultimately, it’s up to the user to prioritize what features will benefit their lifestyle.
