The CULT of Hydro Flask

What's the difference between Hydro Flasks and other reusable water bottles on the market? How have these water bottles turned into more of a fashion accessory than anything else? But, above all else... why do Hydro Flasks have a cult following?

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Script: Holly Maley
Editor: Reid Valaitis
Animator: Zachary Kastrukoff
Project Manager: Lurana McClure Rodríguez
Host: Levi Hildebrand

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[FrenchTheLlamaFTL]

I got my friend a hydro flask because I was tired of seeing so many water bottles rolling around in their car. Only reason they got that brand was because my local co-op had them for 20% off. No more plastic bottles in their car though! Mission accomplished

[GarrettWease]

I made fun of my sister almost a decade ago for spending so much on a water bottle when we had plenty of free reusable bottles from 5ks and summer camps and whatnot. This was in a parking lot in Hawaii before we did an hourslong hike and left our water bottles in the car. When we got back, out of the 5 people in my family, I bought in. Her water was ice cold and mine was hot and less refreshing. I bought a hydro flask less than a month later and still love it. I definitely prefer the ethics of klean kanteen, which I had never heard of at the time. While KK is probably the best overall choice, I'm always happy to see anyone rocking any reusable bottle instead of the alternative.

[lizaelliott]

I got my 40oz hydroflask from the local dumpster when helping a friend move in. It had a few chips and tiny dings but it was TOTALLY FUNCTIONAL. I hate it when people get new hydroflasks and abandon their old ones that are totally fine.
I washed it out and added my own stickers, and voila! You can’t get greener than that!

[boi_mayor]

I bought a TAL water bottle from Walmart for like 15 bucks 8 years ago. It's been to 3 continents with me, been hit by a car, dropped off a small overpass, thrown across a commercial kitchen, and had almost all its paint wear off and be replaced by stickers. Literally any steel double walled bottle will do just as well. My fiance calls it my emotional support water bottle.

[beardiemom]

I will say, when I was in uni, I absolutely cared about my hot drink of choice still being hot when I was on the train on my way home after making it to uni at 8 and getting on the train back 12 hours later. That was a life saver during winter and opening my thermos to drink hot coffee or tea on the way home felt like the greatest treat I could give myself on those days. So I do think there is a real application for a drink container that keeps your drink at the desired temperature for 12+ hours, especially for people that have long work or studying days and don't want to spend extra money on hot or cold beverages on their commute.

[Heliyum]

I continue to buy Hydroflasks for one reason; I had a hydroflask before I suddenly became homeless back in 2018. It stayed with me for an entire year in 100° summer heat, & handled being lugged around streets, & was fine even after I accidentally left it in a parking lot for nearly a day.

Left this comment & forgot about it for over a year, & a handful of people have gotten upset with “continue to buy” so I’ll explain a bit; I’ve bought four since 2019. One as a replacement after mine unfortunately was damaged in 2021. One for my partner to get them drinking water with me. & One for coffee in 2023.

[beplanking]

I think this is likely similar to the metal straw debate: if you buy A hydro and use it for years and years it will break even on environmental impact and do a lot of good, especially in dryer climates where people need to have water bottles. But if you keep losing them or buy 15 different hydros to go with your outfits then suddenly it really doesn't do much at all for the planet

[Dustrick]

It's insane how people started to make these things somewhat to combat the single-use plastics but then they over produced these reusable bottles and now I'm sure I've seen about a collective million unused reusable bottles abandoned at thrift stores...and that's just within 15 miles of my city.

[eurosonly]

When I was in college, all of the trendy middle class students had these. This, ironically, gave rise to another trend which was the glass jar. The people who did not believe in shelling out a whopping 30 bucks for a water bottle started to use glass jars. The problem with those is that once it falls out of your hands it likes to shatter.

[mariaduran]

Fun fact: in my country (Costa Rica) Klean Kanteen are the most popular steel bottles (which is great because people tend to prefer these over plastic one use bottles 100%) and also Yeti is quite popular but mostly because of their drinkware. But yeah KK I would say is the “Hydro Flask” of Costa Rica in terms of popularity haha and also they are bomb in a hot tropical country is super important to keep your water super fresh and cold, so having ice cubes stay for long periods of time in your bottle it’s super nice 😎 KK all the way 🙌🏽

[StephanieSmith-rhyg]

As someone who used to have a long commute to school everyday, a flask that could keep my tea hot enough so I could drink it once I got to class was a massive priority. There's nothing more disappointing than luke warm tea, so I understand where the obsession of keeping things hot come from. Especially if I wanted to bring miso soup for lunch, and not have to hunt down a microwave.

[ideatorx]

People are analysing the crap out of which bottle to buy because their priced just at the perceived limit of value, enough to make you stop an impulse buy and obsess about if it's right for you. Apple does the exact same thing. Its a very smart way to brand and price a product.

[JDLT]

I bought into the hype four years ago. Shelled out $40 bucks for a water bottle. But after thousands of moving miles and countless trips with the same bottle, I feel like I justified my hype-influenced pruchase. I haven't bought another bottle since 2017.

[derekromero]

As a former navy sailor working in 120 degree engine rooms for up to 12+ hours a day. Hydro flasks we’re a god send. Having ice cold water last you your entire shift was game changing.

[pontefit]

As a Mexican immigrant working as a trainer in LA this is super noticeable.
I didn’t know that hydro flask was that expensive and fancy” until a client told me how much they cost.

This things matter as status symbols,
Wearing Lululemon- prices ranged clothing, taking your hydroflask everywhere, having a new phone, even shoes of brands that I’ve never heard before.

I got my hydro as a gift, laser engraved, to finally “belong” to my coworkers with their hydros.

Honestly makes no sense,

[sheralbee]

This was great! I think that if you’re gonna already commit to spending $30 for a hydro flask might as well pivot to a company that proves it works more ethically and environmentally-consciously.
I bought my hydroflasks for water and one for coffee before I became more aware of certs etc. but I plan to use these bottles FOREVER. End of the day, just keep using your stuff, take care of it so it lasts, and if ppl ask for recs or if you’re gifting, try to choose the company that truly acts for the environment.
Also, curious if that Indiana U prof was looking into hydroflask independently or who funded their study?

[maple_fields]

As a Gen Z who's also a serious hiker, I use the plastic Smart Water bottles because their mouth fits a water filter very easily. And I'll be honest, I do sometimes catch myself wondering "are people judging me for using a plastic bottle, because they don't know I keep them for years?"
The desire to _look_ and not just _be_ eco friendly is real.

[chincemagnet]

I got my daughter a Hydro Flask several years ago, she’s been using it daily since the start of Covid and many times prior to, and it’s still in pristine condition. Even the paint, it’s a limited edition rainbow color, is still perfect.

[Deshonrados]

I never bought into the hype for these until recently. I'd always use a cheap 64oz water bottle from Walmart since i drink a ton of water and hate having to frequently refill smaller water bottles. The ones I had would do the job but my water would be warm by lunch time and would always have a funny taste. I bought a big 64oz HydroFlask since i lost my other water bottle, and my water actually stays cold all day, not only that, but my water doesnt have any taste to it. I love it, well worth the price.

[samlasley]

I bought one not even knowing it had a cult following, it was just recommended a lot online. It does its job really well and I have to say that the handles on both the regular lid and the folding straw lid put this MILES ahead of those poxy Chillys ones