Final summer season, I spent a whole live performance chugging overpriced cans of water, desperately attempting to not go out from the Texas warmth. It was arduous to not discover that everybody else appeared to have giant water bottles with them, slightly than those that had been being offered on the venue. That they had deliberate forward, bringing empty bottles from house that they might refill on the water fountains. Baking beneath the 107-degree solar, I longed for my 40-ounce Owala FreeSip.
I attempt to take a water bottle in every single place. That is no biggie if I am within the automotive, nevertheless it will get extra sophisticated if I am out and about and do not wish to carry an enormous bag, like if I am on a stroll. Or, had I assumed it could be allowed, at a live performance. I am a fan of each water bottles and baggage, so think about my pleasure once I not too long ago found the 2 issues in concord, within the type of a water bottle bag.
Within the Bag
You will have seen individuals on TikTok adorning their outsized Stanley mugs with a large number of equipment, like clips for his or her lipgloss and generally even meals trays, making an already cumbersome accent much more annoying to tote round. This isn’t that. A water bottle bag is cute, nevertheless it’s helpful. It lets you reside your hydrated life with out being weighed down.
If you happen to’re something like me, you have already got a assortment of baggage in various shapes, sizes, and ranges of fanciness. Certain, you may throw a water bottle in one in all your outdated totes or backpacks, however I’ve discovered a water bottle bag to be extremely helpful. It is like a waist pack, however for water. It is like an old-timey tenting canteen.
It holds your bottle upright. There isn’t any probability of it tipping over as you stroll, and it retains just a few needed equipment shut by while not having to be oversize. The bag is insulated, so you may hold an uninsulated bottle chilly, and the padding retains the bottle from banging towards your hip. It is also straightforward to clean and would not look overly technical, in contrast to a hydration bladder pack.
I attempted two. Calpak’s nylon bag is my favourite for many days. Clearly, its essential objective is to carry a bottle, so that is what the principle pocket is designed for. A zippered pocket in entrance holds valuables like playing cards and money plus a cellphone, and slip pockets round the remainder of the outside can maintain keys, a bottle of SPF, a small digital camera, sun shades, and perhaps even a snack.
There are handles, however the adjustable strap will possible get probably the most use as you put on it crossbody or over one shoulder. There are 4 traditional colours and prints out there and a big number of restricted editions which can be often enjoyable, like daisy print or checkerboard.
I additionally tried Dagne Dover’s Sloan Water Bottle Sling, which is extra subtle. I think about Meredith Blake would have taken this on the Parker household tenting journey if it had been round in 1998 (she had her personal water bottle bag, btw). It has two drawstring mesh pockets, plus a entrance slip pocket and a smaller one on the again for a card or money.
It additionally has a key leash, which I want the Calpak had, nevertheless it lacks a zipper pocket to maintain valuables secure. We usually like Dagne Dover baggage, as they’re high-quality and engaging, however they’re additionally costlier. The model makes use of a variety of neoprene, which is not environmentally pleasant. Right here, it is paired with a lining comprised of recycled plastic bottles.
Your Selection
Which water bottles can you employ? You possibly can technically match a Stanley or equally formed Owala Tumbler within the Calpak, however I would not advocate it. It makes the bag cumbersome and misshapen, and it isn’t as straightforward to slide your bottle out to sip on.
{Photograph}: Medea Giordano
The 40-ounce BruMate Period suits higher within the Calpak however would not work within the Dagne Dover. The Period has a straw and deal with, however is only a bit slimmer than the opposite two. Each baggage match my 40-ounce Owala FreeSip completely. The Dagne Dover says it maxes out at 32-ounce bottles, however this one simply stands out the highest, if that does not trouble you.
Once I was in highschool within the 2010s, purses had been gigantic. They held all the pieces you may presumably want whereas away from house, like make-up, meals, and a change of garments. Plus faculty books … perhaps. I like an excellent overstuffed tote as a lot as anybody, however generally you wish to be elevated by our baggage, not held down by them. That is the place the water bottle bag is available in.
And water bottles have turn out to be a vogue merchandise in themselves. They are saying one thing about you, the way in which our baggage and footwear do. Most significantly, we wish to be hydrated whether or not we’re on a hot-girl stroll, at a live performance, or simply hanging out with buddies. I will by no means be thirsty once more.