Sloan Jambor ‘26, Sports Editor
The trend for a new, hot, popular water bottle arises every so often. From the Camelback to the Hydro Flask, no water bottle has taken such a grasp on society as the Stanley. While finding a water bottle that motivates you to drink water all day is great, does a cup that easily leaks and is too big to fit in a backpack deserve to be praised? The Stanley does have its selling point, but it is absolutely not a cup that should be causing brawls whenever they restock or release a new variant.
From 2017 to 2023, Stanley had a 300% growth in their sales—but why? Just because a water bottle can hold ice for more than two hours does not make it that special. Ever since Stanley’s promotions on social media such as TikTok and Instagram, it has not only been a hit for adults, but it has taken young and easily influenced kids by storm. Younger kids have such frivolous dreams of getting a brand new Stanley, and those they do not have one face bullying from their peers. A mom speaking on behalf of her daughter’s bullying was recorded on the Retailboss website. She said, “The girls, I’m not saying all but maybe 9 or 10 of them made sure to let her know that this is not a real Stanley, that this is fake and it’s not as cool, so she comes home, she’s upset, and she asks if she can have a real Stanley.” This cup has had more of an impact on society than the Hydro Flask or the Yeti ever did. Promoting the importance of having a certain cup is leading children to believe that they need a certain one to fit in. Does something as simple as a cup deserve to have such a chokehold on the generations following us? Should a cup be defining whether or not a child deserves to be “popular” or treated with kindness?
Not only is Stanley leaving kids with feelings of wanting, but it is causing adults to be the ones leading kids towards these feelings. People were in such need of the pink Stanley that they camped outside of Target stores in order to be the first to get one, and then those same people provoked fist fights inside the stores. According to Paul Hoskin, a writer for DesertNews, “Another TikTok video shows shoppers rushing in and ‘getting trampled’ to gain one of the specialty containers.” People are being left with injuries over an overly large, colorful cup. To go and start a brawl over a simple household item, like a cup, is absolutely ridiculous, and this craze should be toned down immediately.
Another key problem that again needs to be addressed is the fact that Stanleys leak. For one, there have been countless accidents that were caused by a simple Stanley falling onto the ground. With an open straw, there is no way to prevent the water from falling out and ruining everything around it. Sophomore Bayleigh Mathews said, “I would take my Hydro Flask over a Stanley any day. I do not want a cup that leaks all over the place.” Even straw toppers do not fully prevent leakage. Leaving personal belongings to be soaked and notes to be smeared because an elbow accidentally hit a water bottle is not an exciting way to go about a day, is it?
The fact that the Stanley leaks all over is not where this issue ends; in fact, there is actually lead in your Stanley Cup. According to Ali Frances, a writer for Bon Appétit, “At the base of every insulated Stanley product, a stainless-steel circular barrier shields a lead-based solder that’s used to seal the cup, which the brand claims are essential for its vacuum insulation technology.” While the lead is not entirely exposed to the water a person is directly drinking, the fact is that if that bottom falls off, that lead can lead to health problems. The CEO of Culina Health, Vanessa Risetto, said, “Even low levels of lead exposure can have significant impacts.” The effects of lead can vary anywhere from brain damage, to a coma, or even to death. Nobody wants for themselves or for the children around them to be exposed to bodily damages, so prevent these damages by stopping the purchase of Stanleys.
The Stanley may be the new trend at the moment, but in all honesty, save your $70 and buy something a little more impactful. Go buy a cheaper and more efficient water bottle, like an Owala, before you regret your selection of a Stanley.
Lyon Life 