Final summer season, I spent a whole live performance chugging overpriced cans of water, desperately attempting to not cross out from the Texas warmth. It was laborious to not discover that everybody else appeared to have giant water bottles with them, fairly than those that have been being offered on the venue. They’d deliberate forward, bringing empty bottles from dwelling that they may refill on the water fountains. Baking below the 107-degree solar, I longed for my 40-ounce Owala FreeSip.
I attempt to take a water bottle all over the place. That is no biggie if I am within the automobile, however 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 believed it could be allowed, at a live performance. I am a fan of each water bottles and baggage, so think about my pleasure after I just lately found the 2 issues in concord, within the type of a water bottle bag.
Within the Bag
You could have seen individuals on TikTok adorning their outsized Stanley mugs with a mess 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, however it’s helpful. It lets you reside your hydrated life with out being weighed down.
In the event you’re something like me, you have already got a assortment of baggage in various shapes, sizes, and ranges of fanciness. Certain, you might throw a water bottle in one in every of your previous 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 is not any probability of it tipping over as you stroll, and it retains a couple of crucial equipment shut by with no need to be oversize. The bag is insulated, so you’ll be able to maintain an uninsulated bottle chilly, and the padding retains the bottle from banging in opposition to your hip. It is also simple to scrub 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 primary pocket is designed for. A zippered pocket in entrance holds valuables like playing cards and money plus a telephone, and slip pockets round the remainder of the outside can maintain keys, a bottle of SPF, a small digital camera, sun shades, and possibly even a snack.
There are handles, however the adjustable strap will probably get probably the most use as you put on it crossbody or over one shoulder. There are 4 basic colours and prints obtainable and a big choice 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 refined. 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, however it lacks a zipper pocket to maintain valuables protected. We usually like Dagne Dover baggage, as they’re high-quality and engaging, however they’re additionally dearer. The model makes use of a whole lot of neoprene, which is not environmentally pleasant. Right here, it is paired with a lining created from recycled plastic bottles.
Your Alternative
Which water bottles can you employ? You may 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 is not as simple to slide your bottle out to sip on.
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 proud the highest, if that does not hassle you.
Once I was in highschool within the 2010s, purses have been gigantic. They held the whole lot you might presumably want whereas away from dwelling, like make-up, meals, and a change of garments. Plus college books … possibly. I really like a great 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 sneakers 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 am going to by no means be thirsty once more.