Sydney Forsyte

The Owala waterbottles are BPA-free with a classic stainless steel design.

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — As of 2024, there is a new water bottle on the rise: the Owala. All over Los Alamitos High School’s campus, these sleek new water bottles have been popping up, but why?

This trendy water bottle company was founded in 2020 by Steve Sorenson to create a water bottle that was not oversized and impractical, as he considered some of the older water bottles to be. The Owala was popularized this summer on TikTok thanks to its funky and fun color combinations and array of sizes.

“I love my Owala because it’s cute, and I’ve never seen anybody else have one that’s the same color, but it got dirty really fast. But, overall, I think it’s cute and easy to use,” said LAHS senior Claire Remland.

However, the real decisive factor for any customer is the bottle’s two-in-one drinking spout. Based on research from Owala’s parent company, Trove Brands, Owala concluded that customers are divided between those who like to use a straw and those who like to sip, reports the Food Network. To remedy the issue, Owala has developed a combo straw-and-sip lid to attract customers. 

“I love that the drinking spout is protected and that it clicks into place, so you know it’s sealed,” said Nicole Papantoniou, director of the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, to Yahoo! Life. “It’s also amongst the easiest spouts to drink out of. You don’t have to pucker your lips or suck in hard. I also love that the lid has a thin, comfy carrying handle.”

Departure from the Stanley

The popularization of the Owala means that the Stanley Cup, the former reigning champion for water bottles, has slowly started to fade from the spotlight. The Stanley first became popular in 2020 when the production of the Stanley Quencher grew Stanley’s profits from $73 million to $94 million, according to CNBC.

The cup rose to fame for its ability to keep drinks cool for seven hours and even hold ice for up to two days. However, some users complained that the Stanley’s straw lid leaks, which has led to the increasing popularity of the Owala.

Recent controversy

After an influencer on TikTok shared a viral video of her switching the Owala lids to find a color combination that she liked more, in-store shoppers have taken to switching the Owala lids themselves. This has become an issue recently, as customers who want the original combinations are unable to find them. 

“Doing so disrupts the unique color combinations we work diligently to create, and it can prevent fellow Owala fans from finding the products they wish to purchase,” said an Owala spokesperson to Good Housekeeping.

Some TikTok users have reported that this, in addition to causing more work for employees, has also affected returns of the water bottles. The company has taken to selling “replacement lids” for those who have been affected by the switching or have a damaged lid.

“I definitely switched my lid,” said LAHS senior Megan Engerman.

All in all, most Griffins can agree that the Owala has taken the stage.