Owala: Another Revolutionary Waterbottle taking Middlebury by Storm
At Middlebury, where even the trees are granola, the water bottle reigns supreme as the ultimate accessory for millennials and Gen-Zers alike. During COVID lockdown, the sight of a metal Hydro Flask became more common than spotting a squirrel. It was said that owning one meant you were single-handedly saving the turtles, or at least emitting a sound equivalent to a malfunctioning keyboard: “sksksksksk,” or “an-i-ooping” until your mouth got tired. And just like that, the Hydro Flask trend took off like a viral TikTok dance, leaving many scratching their heads about its random significance.
In February, I found myself pondering the absurdity of life once again. Believe it or not, it was all because of water bottles. As a complicit perpetrator of the Hydro Flask trend, I couldn’t help but wonder why we humans have an innate desire to spend a fortune on a glorified container that keeps our water cold for a few measly hours. Is it our primal need to show off our ability to procure and maintain cold water? Or is it simply our way of making a fashion statement while also staying hydrated? The world may never know, but one thing is for sure — my head is still itchy from all that scratching. At the end of it all, I ended up making a life-changing purchase: a blue, orange, gray, and pink water bottle — my new best friend.
Meet Owala, the holy grail of water bottles that will revolutionize the way you hydrate. Launched in 2020, their tantalizing color schemes, innovative FreeSip technology, and chic purse-like handles, Owala’s are the epitome of practicality, style, and affordability. Not to mention, its completely leak-proof design makes it the perfect companion for those on the go.
Have you ever had a moment where you thought your life was completely falling apart, but all was well because you were saved by a seemingly insignificant object? Cameron Truman-Wyss ’23.5 knows exactly how you feel. With all the flair and drama of a Shakespearean actor, he said to me, “Holy moly, I didn’t realize how much my water bottle leaked until I got my nifty Owala! I don’t know where I would be in this cruel world without it.”
With an Owala, you can drink all the water you want without ever having to worry about refilling or unscrewing the cap. How is that possible, you ask? It's simple: Owala bottles come with a patented straw system that allows you to sip water directly from the cap of the bottle, without having to remove the entire lid. But if you’d like to, you can tilt the bottle back and sip like you would out of a glass. There are choices! And with most bottles, we don’t have that privilege.
Introducing the man, the myth, the weirdo himself – Vaughan Supple ’23.5. Despite what you may think, Vaughan is not the proud owner of an Owala. In fact, he probably couldn’t even begin to tell you what an Owala is! But that doesn't stop him from loving them, or at least their name. As Vaughan himself put it, “I love Owala - mainly because it sounds like ‘koala,’ and they are adorable!”
Owala water bottles also come in a wide range of trendy colors and designs, so you can show off your sense of style while staying hydrated. And if you're feeling extra fancy, you can even get a personalized Owala water bottle with your name or favorite quote on it.
Maddie Shean ’24 is currently studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark and her trusty Owala is keeping her company every step of the way. With a custom pink design that perfectly reflects her cheery spirit, Maddie and her Owala bottle are attached at the hip. She said, “I am chronically dehydrated and have lost every water bottle I’ve ever owned within two weeks of its purchase. That is, until I was given my personalized, colorful Owala.” She then uttered words that many restrict to the ears of loved ones or family members. She said “I love it” about this inanimate object. That goes to show just how great they really are.
On their appearance, Emma Johnson ’23.5 sullenly but truthfully asserted that the Owala “looks like an overcomplicated adult sippy cup.” She then posited that. “They are made of metal, which is a selling point if you’re a hypochondriac.” Do I understand? Kind of!
But, let’s face it, akin to a new diet we might swear by, could Owala likely be just another fleeting trend that will eventually fade away into obscurity? Unless you're willing to commit to a long-term relationship with this colorful, metallic, sip-friendly bottle, maybe hold off on jumping on the Owala bandwagon.
As an Owala owner, though, I can proudly say that it may be one of the best water bottles ever. Made. My loyalism to the Owala is everlasting in a way that is super real.
Estelle Martin ’23 is a true trailblazer when it comes to hydration. In fact, she’s the reason (apparently) why so many of us at Middlebury are now proud owners of the coveted Owala. When asked for a quote, she was quick to take credit for introducing this campus staple to our community. She said, “Before getting my Owala, I did not drink water. And Piper Boss ’23 told me that dehydrated people are 15% more likely to die early… or something like that. So basically my Owala saved my life. Also, you heard it here first: I brought the Owala to Middlebury.”
