Last summer, I spent an entire concert drinking overpriced cans of water, trying desperately not to pass out from the Texas heat. It was hard not to notice that everyone else seemed to have large water bottles with them, rather than the ones sold at the venue. They had planned ahead, bringing empty bottles from home that they could fill up at the water fountains. Baking in the 107-degree sun, I longed for my 40-ounce Owala FreeSip.
I try to carry a bottle of water everywhere. That’s not a big deal if I’m in the car, but it becomes more complicated if I’m out and about and don’t want to lug around a huge bag like I’m out for a walk. Or, if I had thought it would be allowed, at a concert. I’m a fan of both water bottles and bags, so imagine my delight when I recently discovered the two in harmony, in the form of a water bottle bag.
In the bag
You may have seen people on TikTok adorning their oversized Stanley mugs with a multitude of accessories, such as clips for your lip gloss and sometimes even food trayswhich makes an already bulky accessory even more annoying to carry. That’s not it. A water bottle pouch is cute, but it’s useful. It allows you to live a hydrated life without being weighed down.
If you’re like me, you already have a collection of bags of different shapes, sizes, and levels of elegance. Sure, you could throw a water bottle in one of your old bags or backpacks, but I’ve found that a water bottle bag is incredibly useful. It’s like a fanny pack, but for water. It’s like a old camping canteen.
Keeps bottle upright. There is no chance of it tipping over while walking and it keeps some necessary accessories close without needing to be too big. The bag is insulated, so it can keep an uninsulated bottle cold, and the padding prevents the bottle from hitting your hip. It’s also easy to wash and doesn’t look too technical, unlike a hydration pack.
I tried two. The Calpak Nylon Bag It’s my favorite for most days. Obviously, its main purpose is to store a bottle, so that’s what the main pocket is designed for. A zipper pocket on the front holds valuables like cards and cash, plus a phone, and slip pockets on the rest of the exterior can hold keys, a bottle of sunscreen, a small camera, sunglasses, and maybe even a snack.
It has handles, but the adjustable strap is probably the most useful if you’re wearing it crossbody or over your shoulder. There are four classic colors and prints available, and a great selection of limited editions that are often fun, like the daisy print or the plaid print.
I tried it too Dagne Dover Sloan Bottle Holderwhich is more sophisticated. I imagine Meredith Blake would have taken it on the Parker family camping trip if it had existed in 1998 (she had your own bag with water bottleby the way). It has two mesh drawstring pockets, plus a front slip pocket and a smaller one on the back for a card or cash.
It also has a key strap, which I wish the Calpak had, but it lacks a zippered pocket to keep valuables safe. Overall, we like Dagne Dover bags because they’re attractive and high-quality, but they’re also more expensive. The brand uses a lot of neoprene, which isn’t environmentally friendly. Here it’s paired with a lining made from recycled plastic bottles.
Your choice
What water bottles can you use? Technically you can place a Stanley or similar shape. Owala glass in Calpak, but I wouldn’t recommend it. It makes the bag bulky and deformed, and it is not so easy to take out the bottle to drink.
Photography: Medea Giordano
The 40 ounce one It was BruMate It suits the Calpak better, but not the Dagne Dover. The Era has a straw and a handle, but is a little thinner than the other two. Both bags fit my 40-ounce Owala FreeSip perfectly. The Dagne Dover says it maxes out at 32 ounces in bottles, but this one only sticks out at the top, if that doesn’t bother you.
When I was in high school in the 2010s, purses were gigantic. They held everything you could possibly need when you were away from home, like makeup, food, and a change of clothes. Plus school books… maybe. I love a stuffy purse as much as the next person, but sometimes you want our bags to lift you up, not hold you down. That’s where the water bottle pouch comes in.
And water bottles have become a fashion item in themselves. They say something about you, like our bags and shoes do. The most important thing is that we want to stay hydrated whether we are in a hot girl rideat a concert or just hanging out with friends. I will never be thirsty again.
