By Andrew Georgy
Let’s face it: hydration in high school has never been more crucial for our health. With sports, P.E. and scurrying to class requiring lots of H2O, we must maintain a healthy daily water intake. Yet, water bottles can be burdensome when we’re carrying mountains of books, notebooks and supplies on our backs and if you have a rolling backpack, it’s still pretty heavy to drag around. Every day, students have to deal with the hassle of drinking from sketchy water fountains or carrying around an extra few pounds to stay hydrated. So, what’s the best size to keep nourished while also carrying the least possible burden?
LESS THAN 20 OZ
I have one question for all the students carrying a simple, plastic Kirkland bottle around: are you aquaphobic? While there’s nothing wrong with keeping a few on hand, there is something wrong if you’re surviving the entire day on a few ounces of water. You’re supposed to drink anywhere between 64-88 oz. a day to stay healthy, and because you’re at school for half of that time, you need at least half of that amount. On to the next size, no discussion.
21-31 OZ
Although they’re still too little, you won’t get dehydrated throughout the day. However, 20-31 oz. Omies just don’t feel right; you’re carrying the weight of a bigger water bottle size but for less water (since these water bottles won’t fit in your backpack anymore, and you need to use sleeves). Just need to get a little bit bigger.
32-40 OZ
This specific range is the Goldilocks version of water bottles. They are not too heavy, and they also provide the perfect amount of water: about half of your daily intake should be in these sizes. They range from hard metal, if you drop your bottle too often; to soft rubber, which, if you want a more eloquent feel, is like an Owala. I’d stop here, but unfortunately there’s a new trend in water bottles that just doesn’t make sense.
ANYTHING BIGGER THAN 45 OZ
Why? Just why? Are you planning on getting stranded in the Sahara Desert? Do you enjoy carrying around what’s basically another backpack? Are you even able to consume that much water in a school day? These sizes are my biggest pet peeve: they inflict pain on my mind without even owning one. To put it nicely, these bottles are just a tad too large for my liking: you’re carrying too much water for 8 hours while also dealing with the hassle of having such a behemoth. While some people excuse this shameful behavior by stating it fulfills their water needs for the entire day, it’s just not worth it to carry 10 extra pounds around to have it accessible immediately. Just walk a few steps to your sink or cooler.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the best water bottle size is up to you. This is just a guide for people looking to buy a new water bottle or for those who are sick of their own and are considering switching to a new size. Just maybe skip out on the extravagant sizes.
