Every year there has been a new water bottle trend. From “Nalgene” screw tops and rubber straw “Camelbks” to “Hydroflasks” there has always been the water bottle of the year. Currently the water bottle of the year is the “Stanley”. 

You can find the Stanley tumbler everywhere. As you walk through the halls of our own school I can assure you that you will see a countless number of Stanleys. The 40 ounce tumbler is quite hard to miss with its bulky look, Stanleys are offered in many different colors and sizes but is it really worth $40-50?

Here are some reasons that it is worth the hype:

1. Stanley’s are very big and can hold lots of water, this encourages many owners to drink more water throughout the day. The most popular model of the Stanley is the 40 oz., if you drink 2 Stanleys of water per day you are meeting the recommended amount of water per day. This can help with your health and wellbeing. 
2. Stanleys are conveniently shaped unlike some other popular water bottles. Stanleys are made with a wide top and slimmer bottom. This is very favorable because you can fit the Stanley easily into most cup holders. Stanley’s also have a handle on the side which makes them easy to carry considering the weight when the tumbler is filled with water. 
3. The Stanley is a well insulated tumbler. They are double wall vacuum insulated which means it can prevent changes in temperature to the drink. Stanleys are perfect for both summer and winter because they are able to keep your hot drinks hot, and cold drinks cold. The Stanley website mentions that their tumbler can keep cold drinks cold for up to 12 hours, and iced for up to 48 hours. With this being said, you can undoubtedly enjoy your cold drinks in the summer and warm drinks in the winter when you need them most.

Reasons it is not worth the hype:

1. Stanleys are not leak proof. When your tumbler is tipped over, chances are it probably will spill. Stanleys are made with a straw which means there is a hole on the lid that has nothing around it or covering it to keep it from leaking when tipped over. This is not convenient for school because you aren’t able to keep it in your backpack and have to be holding it when going from class to class.
2. Stanleys are heavy and can be hard to carry around when your hands are already full. The 40oz tumbler is a very heavy tumbler when full, it is mainly top heavy which is not good because this causes the tumbler to tip over and spill more frequently and easily. 
3. Stanley tumblers aren’t a very versatile water bottle. The Stanley tumbler is best used as a water bottle for work or school but not great for use at sport practice and games. Water bottles are a must for all sports but the Stanley isn’t a great option for some sports. First, with all the equipment most sports require it is not ideal to have to lug around a heavy water bottle in your hand  to practices and games. Next, in some sports, like swimming, you don’t want a water bottle that the pool water can easily get into. If you are using a Stanley at swim practice often splashes of chlorinated water can enter your tumbler through the straw which then contaminates the water inside the tumbler. Lastly, you often don’t have a long water break and are carelessly throwing your water bottle back on the ground, bench, etc. but, with the Stanley you have to carefully set it down to prevent leaking which is a waste of energy.

After listing both pros and cons of the tumbler it is safe to say that it is not perfect for everyone nor hated by all. I believe it is a personal preference, and that it depends on what the owner of the water bottle values and intends to use the water bottle for.