By Justin Hsieh & Kotaro Ito, Staff Writers
When it comes to student accessories at Fountain Valley High School, few things are more ubiquitous than the Hydro Flask. The quirky logo and bright matte colors are as much of a staple in everyday life as the refreshment of the cold water they preserve. Yet in recent times, the increasing prevalence of functionally identical bottles sans the Hydro Flask logo, often at cheaper prices, has led many students to realize a new truth: Hydro Flasks are overrated.
Since the Hydro Flask brand was born in 2009, it rapidly established itself as some of the most classy, useful and widely appealing accessories on the market. The effective and practical technology, ergonomic design and distinctive outer coloring of the bottles won over the hearts of countless. For a time, it was a golden age of Hydro Flasks.
Now, we are in a new era: one in which differing colorways and alternate logos have overrun Hydro Flask’s former monopoly. In the arena that the iconic bottles once dominated, the appearance of multiple new challengers has sparked an intense debate between students over which brands have the best products. Although Hydro Flask fans have spoken fiercely, the answer to that dispute is clear that the new bottles are the way to go.
These contending bottles in question are primarily from two companies: Takeya (also known as ThermoFlask), and Fifty/Fifty. Like Hydro Flasks, the products of these brands use double wall vacuum insulation to keep beverages at desired temperatures for similar time frames. What’s more, they are often cheaper, with the 40 oz. models of Takeya and Fifty/Fifty ringing up at $34.92 and $29.95, respectively, in comparison with Hydro Flask’s $42.95. Takeya and Fifty/Fifty are also favored by many retailers, with Costco’s choice of ThermoFlask being one of the driving forces behind its diffusion into the mainstream. Given these advantages in affordability and accessibility, it is difficult to argue that choosing the younger brands would be a bad decision.
Some diehard Hydro Flask supporters, however, will certainly try to assert their favored bottles’ supremacy over what they view as imposter bottles. Many have responded to the new brands’ incursion into everyday life by decrying them as “copycats” that must surely be of lower quality than the time-tested bottles that they hold so dear. Hydro Flasks are the original and authentic stewards of our cold water, and to turn our backs on them for these young upstarts is a betrayal of sacred brand loyalty.
Contrary to what these admirably devoted supporters may claim, Takeya and Fifty/Fifty bottles are neither disreputable nor technically deficient. In truth, the brands all use almost identical materials, technology, and design. To label Takeya and Fifty/Fifty copycats would also be woefully inaccurate. Hydro Flask did not invent vacuum insulation technology; it simply packaged it in a new and appealing style that brought it into popular use. If Takeya and Fifty/Fifty are able to do the same, more cheaply, then the mantle should rightly be passed to them. This is how competition in a free market works, and the cycle of competitive rebranding given rise to this particular debate is in fact quite a normal occurrence. Even now, other brands such as EcoVessel and Miir are appearing on the market, bringing with them newer designs and technology.
At the end of the day, the answer is simple. While certainly no Hydro Flask owner should feel the need to replace their beloved bottle, those who are looking to add a bottle to their daily kit would be well advised to opt for a ThermoFlask or Fifty/Fifty product. You’ll save money, save time and maybe even be part of a small revolution.
This article was originally published in the October 2018 issue of the Baron Banner.
