The Refreshing Story Behind Owala

Written by: Anna Pafenberg

In the modern era in times of climate change and a need to be eco-friendly, thousands of people have adopted to using a reusable water bottle. In the late 2010’s and early 2020’s, many people have sought after the ‘it’ water bottle. For years, many people used Hydroflasks due to their cute colors and insulation. Then it was the large Stanley Cup which caused much controversy regarding overconsumption in the water bottle space. People would buy more than one, somewhat defeating the purpose of the multiple use bottle. However, a new reigning champion has risen from the ashes of the long forgotten Stanley Cup and Hydroflask, it is called an Owala.

Owala has made it their mission to create and sell water bottles designed for the average person. What makes them so appealing? Their ‘free-sip technology’ makes them a likely candidate. Owala bottles offer the option to sip through a straw with a wide opening as well as have the option to sip from an open mouth lid. This choice has drawn in thousands of customers and made them the new ‘it’ water bottle for the past couple of years and take over the notorious Stanley Cup’s reign. 

The company keeps their crown because much like many products these days, they offer exclusivity. There are many colors and combinations that the bottles come in and when certain patterns, colors, and variations drop, fans go crazy. These heavily desired water bottles are resold and constantly sold out, especially if the variation happens to be limited edition. This fame is likely due to their popularity on TikTok. People have coined the term ‘emotional support water bottle’ and made their Owala’s something more than just an inanimate object, more like a friend. In the bleak times of the pandemic, nurses were seen with their bottles which sparked the initial online admiration. 

Owala was created by Trove Brands. This company was started by a humble Utah couple, Kim and Steve Sorensen, who invented other products like the Blender Bottle. Overall, this inexpensive and trendy bottle has and will continue to draw in customers through FOMO tactics as well as emotional support. The people love their Owalas, which by the way are named that way because when you raise the bottle to your mouth, the cap looks like a koala snout, how cute! Children, adults, and athletes alike all desire Owala for their refreshing marketing and product.