I Resisted the Stanley Cup Fever, and I’ve Finally Found My Perfect Tumbler

The first time I saw a Stanley Quencher (aka a Stanley Cup) a few years ago, I wanted it: the handle, the straw, the fresh, muted colors! What’s not to want? I decided to hold off on buying one because of the cost; I already had insulated water bottles, too. Maybe on sale, I told myself. 

Fast-forward to 2024, and I can’t go a day without encountering a Stanley Quencher. I see them at the Pilates studio and coffee shops, for sale at Whole Foods, and pretty much every store I shop online. But I never bought one. I hate to admit that the cup becoming wildly popular made me not want it.

Still, I was curious if the design would actually get me to drink more water, as I’ve heard people with Quenchers and Yeti Ramblers claim. I was slacking on my hydration goals, and with summer about to start, I figured it was time to try something new. While the slight nonconformist in me could agree to an oversized cup, I couldn’t go as far as a Stanley. Being a fan of Hydro Flask bottles (I have three), I decided to test the waters with the Hydro Flask All Around Travel Tumbler. 

The All Around Travel Tumbler resembles the competition with its eye-catching color options, cup holder-friendly design, handle, and straw. Unlike others, the top of this straw is flexible, so you sip from any angle. I’m not a fan of stiff reusable straws, and this one’s comfortable feel reminds me of a disposable plastic straw in the best way. The straw has also been the one hiccup I’ve had with the cup. All parts of the tumbler are dishwasher-safe, but the plastic part of the straw fell to the bottom of the dishwasher and partially melted. Luckily, a pack of three replacements costs just $5.  

The tumbler uses Hydro Flask’s signature double-wall vacuum insulation to keep drinks cold, but because the straw lets air in, I wondered if it would work as well with this design. While I haven’t measured temperatures, I can say it keeps drinks refreshingly cold for hours. The stainless steel interior doesn’t add a taste, and I haven’t noticed flavor transfer from different drinks, either. The lid and straw are also impressively leakproof. I often carry the tumbler at an angle, and even when full, it hasn’t spilled. 

Hydro Flask All Around Travel Tumbler

It comes in 32- and 40-ounce sizes, and I bought the larger option. It’s not heavy at 1.27 pounds, and I’m so used to seeing 40-ounce Stanley cups that the size seems less ridiculously big than it is. At $40, the Hydro Flask costs $5 less than both a Stanley of the same size and Yeti’s 42-ounce Rambler. 

I even prefer the All Around Travel Tumbler to my Hydro Flask 40-Ounce Wide-Mouth Water Bottles. While the capacity is the same, the bottle feels bulkier, and it’s too wide to fit in a cup holder. Also, I can’t count the times I’ve spilled on myself trying to drink from the wide-mouth bottle while walking. The tumbler prevents this. And drinking from a straw is quicker and easier than screwing a cap on and off. It turns out the Stanley and Yeti fans were right: Not only does the capacity make me drink more water but the straw, as I suspected, keeps me hydrating throughout the day. 

After resisting the cup trend for so long, I’m surprised how much I appreciate the All Around Travel Tumbler — so much that I’ve bought a second one. I didn’t want to choose just one color, anyway. I bring this tumbler almost everywhere I go and, yes, it’s right at home among all the Stanleys. 

Shop More Hydro Flask Favorites:

Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Wide Mouth Water Bottle with Flex Cap

Hydro Flask All Around Stainless Steel Tumbler with Lid

Hydro Flask Day Escape Soft Insulated Cooler

Hydro Flask Insulated Food Jar

Hydro Flask Carry Out Soft Cooler