Alexa Diaz

Stanley cups seem to be everywhere these days.

Hydration is key, so why not make it pretty? What is the colorful, loud craze taking over Carrollton? The Stanley water bottle! 

Sitting in class during a test, you hear an earsplitting clang and you cringe, looking for the source of the sound. Yes. It’s right in front of you: a 40-ounce rose-colored Stanley water bottle that has plummeted to the floor. Four years ago, it would have been a Hydro Flask covered in scrunchies and turtle stickers , but now it’s a Stanley with a straw that has a cute cloud topper. 

According to a recent poll of 135 students at Carrollton, 51% of students have Stanleys.

 So what changed? Members of the The Beat staff have decided to get to the bottom of this Stanley craze. 

Why does everyone have a Stanley?

To put it simply–influence. Multiple celebrities have posted, been spotted, or spoken about their Stanleys. A few include Olivia Rodrigo, Adele, Jessica Alba, and Carrie Underwood (who even customized hers with white, aqua, and blue rhinestones). Olivia Rodrigo said in a GQ 10 Essentials Video that she was influenced by TikTok and decided that she needed a Stanley. 

One of these influencers, a TikToker by the name of Danielle Lettering, posted a video that received over ninety million views that showed how durable Stanleys are. The video showed the burnt remains of her car with her Stanley cup in the cup holder, unaffected apart from its bent straw. The Stanley company not only bought her new Stanley water bottles, but gifted her with a new car, a 2024 Mazda cx90.

Where did Stanleys even come from?

The Stanley brand has been around for over 100 years.  In 1913, inventor William Stanley Jr. made the first all-steel vacuum bottle. Introduced by the Stanley brand which is known for its quality products, these water bottles have become a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts, office workers, and students alike. 

What makes Stanleys so special? 

A convenient trait about Stanleys is that they have amazing straws! Ana Pantin ’27 said she loves the straw on her Stanley and it makes her “addicted to water.” Like Pantin, many people prefer to sip from straws. Some believe it is more hygienic and less distracting. 

With a focus on practical design, Stanley water bottles are also often equipped with features like double-wall vacuum insulation to keep drinks hot or cold for extended periods.

Do Stanleys encourage violence? 

Would you fight over a Stanley water bottle, especially if it came in a limited edition neon-pink or bright red shade for Valentine’s Day? Die-hard Stanley fans were caught trying to fight for the last Stanley at Target. Meagan Howard, a first-grade teacher in Louisiana, ended up with bruises on both of her knees due to falling while in search of a Stanley water bottle.   

Are Stanleys just a trend?

“I like them because I feel so many water bottles have been a trend (and I bought all of them), but Stanley’s are definitely my favorite,” said Valentina Felpeto ’26. 

Who knows how long Stanleys will stay popular? It could be a couple more months, another year, or even longer, but we do know that, right now, no matter where you look, you’re bound to see a Stanley, whether it is while looking in the Lost-And-Found for your missing Emi Jay claw clip or while spacing out during the Advanced Placement class you regret taking. The only thing we can do is wait and watch the Stanley logo fade as another water bottle emerges. Will the Hydro Flask return, or will it be another brand such as the Yeti or the Owala? We don’t know but, until then, drink up!