It may be time to put away your beat-up Hydro Flasks and S’well water bottles, because a new tumbler has entered the game. With a comfortable handle, straw, and lid, Stanley Cups have taken the world by storm.
William Stanley Jr. started the Stanley company with countless innovative ideas for water bottles, but he died before he could realize the potential in his ideas. The 100-year-old tumbler was originally a vacuum insulated bottle with a convenient handle. The cups were initially only popular in its home state Utah. Fortunately for Stanley, a New York investment company took up William’s ideas and expanded the company into the worldwide sensation it is today.
In November 2023, the internet saw an uprising of popularity in these cups, but what might have led to this? A viral video made by TikTok user Danielle Lettering shows her car after a destructive fire. However, sitting amidst all the destruction is her Stanley, untouched and with ice still in the cup. The video provided Stanley with so much marketing, jumping from $75 million in 2020 to a whopping $750 million in 2024. The company even paid the girl back with a brand new car.
Many enjoy the simple, portable cup. However, some fans or even Stanley “addicts” can be extreme collectors. Videos of eager customers camping for hours outside of a Target and storming the store once it opens have gone viral on social media. Some content creators boast their large collections of Stanleys in every color of the rainbow.
“Personally I don’t think you need a bunch of Stanleys,” said sophomore Anika Li. “But having two or three is okay. And plus there is a variety of sizes and colors so I can understand why [people collect Stanleys] but not understand the ones who stand outside of Target to wait for the hot pink.”
Still, the Stanley cup sensation didn’t stop there. People are going as far as to steal the cups, committing felonies to do so. Just a few weeks ago, a Californian woman was arrested for stealing 65 of these coveted cups. Fortunately, most people seem to be buying Stanleys legally, but that doesn’t leave out a crazy person here or there.
“I don’t get the hype,” said freshman Evelyn Gase. “They’re overrated and expensive for a chunky cup that leaks.”
Some are also worried about the use of lead in the production of Stanley Cups. The Stanley company has revealed that while they do use lead, users are protected from contact with lead as long as the stainless steel barrier that seals the vacuum insulation of the cup does not come off. In that case, the company provides customers with a lifetime warranty.
Small businesses have started selling accessories for the cup: name tags, straw covers, and even backpacks to store things. Similar to the Hydro Flask trend, people seem to love customizing these cups to their own tastes and buying colors that suit their personalities. And, as long as this craze is still strong, it seems that Stanleys will continue to quench people’s thirst for both water and silly trends.
