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How I Kicked My Soda Habit (And You Can Too)

4/27/2022

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How I Kicked My Soda Habit, and You Can TooPicture

My Soda Habit Story

I'll be 35 years old tomorrow, and I've had a soda habit since I was a kid.  Growing up, it wasn't uncommon for me to drink 2, 3, or even 4 sodas per day.  As you might guess, I've also been overweight most of my life too, which is certainly not a coincidence.  But at 35, I finally kicked my soda habit.  I'm down almost 10 pounds this year, and best of all, I feel like what I'm doing is sustainable.

​Here's what's working for me, and hopefully it'll help you on your journey too.

Step 1: Know the Problem

​If you're reading this, then you've likely already heard or read about the major health issues that can result from regularly eating or drinking high levels of sugar.

And a lot of other people have too, judging Google Trends.  The interest-over-time for "Low Sugar" has been slowly-but-steadily increasing over the last several years.
Google Trends - Searches for "Low Sugar" for the Previous Five (5) Years

Of all the ways that consumers regularly ingest sugar, sugary beverages are the primary culprits.  These include:
  • Sodas 
  • Sports drinks
  • Fruit juices
  • Energy drinks
  • Coffee or tea with added sugar
20oz Coke Bottle
20oz Gatorade Bottle
12oz Minute Maid Orange Juice Bottle
16oz Rockstar Energy Can
18.5oz Pure Leaf Sweet Tea Bottle
According to the American Heart Association, the maximum recommended sugar intake is 36 grams of sugar per day for men.  For women, it's 25 grams.  Each one of the drink examples above is either right at those limits or way above them, all from one drink.

Seeing how bottle and can sizes vary, it's also interesting to look at the sugar concentration as shown below.

​One of the more surprising realizations for most people is how most fruit juices really aren't good for you.  Sure they provide some benefits like vitamins and other nutrients, so in that way they are better than sodas.  But the sugar content per ounce for Minute Maid orange juice is essentially the same as a Coke!
Grams of Sugar per Fluid Ounce
There are plenty of people smarter than me that study this topic for their day jobs, so I'll leave it to them to provide additional details and research about sugar and health.  Here are some of the more helpful articles we've read.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Guidance on Added Sugars

WebMD: How Sugar Affects Your Body

American Heart Association: How Much Sugar is too Much?

Healthline: 11 Reasons Why Too Much Sugar is Bad for You

And keep in mind that diet sodas aren't free-and-clear of problems either.  There is growing evidence that drinks with artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose are bad for you as well, as discussed here.

Step 2: Find Your Real Motivation

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Many other articles online start with the facts about sugar and then move onto discussing strategies for reducing sugar intake, but that's not what we recommend.

Knowing how to cut back on sugar won't help you change your habits if you don't also figure out your reasons for why you're seeking change.

***Notice that I underlined "your."  Once you find out what really motivates you, that's when you can achieve sustainable change.  Some motivations that may work for you include:

Losing Weight

Weight loss can lead to many measurable and immeasurable health benefits.

Feeling Better in General

Studies indicate that cutting out sugar can lead to better focus, more energy with less crashes, and reduced muscle aches and joint pain.

Better Sleep Habits

Limiting sugar intake, particularly at night, can improve health sleeping habits and quality of sleep.

Long-Term Health

Reducing sugar is proven to help prevent chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic liver disease, cancer, among others.

Saving Money

Many sugary drinks are expensive, and the costs add up over time.  Water is usually much less expensive.

Peer Pressure (Secondary)

Normally I would say that peer pressure is bad.  But constructive and positive peer pressure can be very effective motivation.  This can come from friends, family, or a group of health-focused people who can help keep you on track and accountable.  But the key is for this to be a secondary motivation.  Find a primary motivational focus that works for you first, and use positive peer pressure to help stay on course.  And if your group of people uses negative peer pressure or makes you feel bad about yourself, get out.
You can always have a combination of motivations, and many of these are related (like weight loss and long-term health).  ​But whatever the situation, the key is to figure out what primary focus and goal really motivates you.

A Personal Story - My New Motivation

After reading articles about how sugar essentially acts like a poison and how sodas in particular are "empty calories" that provide no nutritional benefit, I knew it was in my best interest to quit.

Each time I tried to change, I would start off a few days or weeks without sodas, but then I would slip and start drinking them again.  The most common backfiring strategies I used were:
  • Comforting: "I had a rough day.  A soda will make me feel better."
  • Celebrating: "I had a good day.  I'll have a soda to celebrate." (ironic, right?).
  • Rationalizing Now vs Future: "I'll have one soda today and get back on the soda diet starting tomorrow."  Or, "I have many more years to develop better habits, so one soda today won't kill me."

The reason that these backfiring strategies worked on me was that I hadn't determined what my real motivation was yet.  I said I wanted to lose weight, and that can work for many people.  But the problem, for me, is that I'm fairly comfortable in my own skin already.  Also, I have always been overweight so it's not easy for me to truly realize how much better I might feel to achieve a healthy weight.  It was more abstract.

But as I got older, something happened.  I started thinking more about how little time we truly have, and how chronic diseases that we always read about and learned of back in school are very real.  And then someone very close to me passed away.  He smoked most of his life, and though he was finally able to quit a few years ago, by then the damage was done.  He developed cancer and passed away earlier this year.  He urged me to improve my habits now and to learn from his life experiences.  This changed my motivational focus.
Instead of just wanting to lose weight, my new focus became achieving better long-term health.  This seemingly small change in my focus and goals made all the difference for me.

Step 3: Strategies for Change

Once you know what really motivates you, it's time to start thinking about how you'll make changes.
​There are many strategies that you can use to cut out soda from your diet.  Here are a few.

#1: Drink More Water

If you start feeling the urge for a soda, drink a glass of water first.  Many times that can satisfy or delay a soda urge.

#2: Don't Bring It with You

Keeping sodas at home or work with you is just asking for trouble.  Don't make it easy to get a soda.  Make it take more effort.

#3: Take a Walk

Make yourself take a walk before grabbing a soda, especially if your soda craving might be happening because you're feeling stressed or tired.  Many times you'll feel better after your walk and won't want a soda when you get back.

#4: Find a Healthy Flavored Alternative

If you're used to drinking sodas like I was, then sometimes plain water just won't cut it and you need flavor.  Find a healthy flavored alternative that you can sip on, like unsweet tea, fruit infused water, or one of many popular flavored seltzers on the market today.

#5: Enable Healthy Peer Pressure

We're counting this as both a motivational factor and a strategy for change.  As mentioned earlier, healthy peer pressure from friends or family can be a fantastic way to help change habits.  Just make sure it stays positive.

#6: Measure the Results

This can be a wonderful tool to stay engaged with new habits.  Measuring weight loss is easy, but the key is to find ways to measure whatever your primary motivation is.  If you're motivated to cut out soda so you'll have have better sleep habits, then keep a sleep journal.  If you want to save money, then calculate out how much you expect to save each week and set yourself regular reminders on how much you're saving each week.  Whatever your motivation is, make it measurable.

A Personal Story - My New Routine

Honestly, I've used all of the strategies listed above to varying degrees.  But the ones that helped me the most are #1 and #4.  By drinking more water, I've been able to feel fuller and am less likely to drive to the store for a soda.  And by using a flavored drink alternative, I can still take a break from "boring" water each day and satisfy my need for flavor.
This is what's working for me.

40oz Hydro Flask and 40oz Iron Flask

Bringing Two Bottles to Work

In the past, I would bring one 40oz Hydro Flask to work.  I would often finish that by noon, and that'd leave the door open to my brain saying "go get yourself something to drink like a soda" in the afternoon.

Now, I bring two 40oz bottles: my old reliable  Hydro Flask and a new Iron Flask.  I typically finish one before noon, and the other before I leave work.

By always having enough water nearby, I'm able to reach for that first instead of going for a soda.
Need another bottle?  Check out Hydro Flask's Amazon store.
Visit Hydro Flask Store

FlavorFuze Straw in a 40oz Iron Flask

Finding a Healthy Alternative

Without a doubt, this has been the #1 most effective strategy for me.

I've always had a craving for flavor instead of just plain water.  Besides, what good is bringing more water to work if I still need to get flavors somehow?

To satisfy my flavor cravings, I started using our FlavorFuze Straw Kit every day.  Today, I cut up some strawberries and kiwi.  It was delicious.
Buy a FlavorFuze Straw Kit

SplashPro Splash Guard in a 40oz Hydro Flask

Having a Cool Drink on a Hot Day

It gets hot here in western Colorado.  We actually broke our all-time record in 2021 and reached 107 degrees!

In the past, I would get a soda on hot days.  Something about Coke's ads from back in the day would trigger me into getting a "refreshing" soda (though in reality, sodas dry you out more than they hydrate).

Insulated bottles like Hydro Flasks and Iron Flasks are key to helping with this.  I just add some ice to my Hydro Flask in the morning and use a SplashPro splash guard as an ice stopper.
Buy a SplashPro

40oz Hydro Flask in a HikerPouch and a 40oz Iron FlaskPicture

Carrying My Bottles

Bringing two large bottles with me to work each day was a pain in the butt because they're so bulky.  I quickly realized it would be a lot easier if I started using a bottle sling to free up some hands.

My go-to nowadays is a HikerPouch, but there are plenty of these on the market today.  See our other post here for a few suggestions.
Buy a HikerPouch

Step #4 (If Needed): Don't Be Afraid to Reset

Stopping any habit can have its ups and downs.  It took me over a dozen attempts over the years before I reached sustainable change.  Don't feel ashamed if you don't succeed initially.  Re-evaluate your motivations and strategies, and keep trying.
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The 10 Best Hydro Flask Accessories in 2022

4/20/2022

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After debuting just over 10 years ago, Hydro Flasks quickly gained traction as the go-to insulated water bottle.  For many people, the simple benefit of having a bottle that is vacuum-insulated was enough of a selling point.  For others, it's the clean, yet stylish design.  Whatever the reason, Hydro Flask continues to build its following and shows no signs of slowing down.

It's only natural what happened next.  A whole range of accessories have been developed with the goal of making life with these amazing but cumbersome bottles a little easier.

We here at BottlePro got involved in this niche early with our cup holder adapter, so we've seen it grow over the years, including new notable accessories coming available fairly often.  Here are some of our favorites for the best accessories for Hydro Flasks in 2022 (focusing on 32 and 40 ounce bottles).


ACCESSORIES FOR GETTING AROUND

The most common accessories for Hydro Flasks involve making it easier to bring your bottle wherever your adventures take you.  These include cup holders, bottles slings, and handles.

#1: Cup Holder Adapter

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Swigzy

As mentioned above, BottlePro's first product on the market was a cup holder adapter for large bottles, including Hydro Flasks.  But even though we have our own product in this space, it's hard to argue with the amazing product that Swigzy has put together.

See our separate post for a full recap on cup holder options.

​This recommendation may change when we release our planned BottlePro v3, but for now, we think Swigzy is the best, most versatile cup holder adapter on the market today.
​

See Swigzy Pricing on Amazon

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Honorable Mention for Cup Holders - BottlePro

Our current BottlePro version is adjustable and can fit most cup holders on the market.  It's not quite as premium and versatile as Swigzy, but that's also reflected in the price.

​So if you're looking for a cup holder on a budget that still fits a wide range of situations, give us a try!

See bottlePro Pricing on Amazon

#2: Stylish Bottle Sling

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Hydro Flask's Bottle Sling

Hydro Flask doesn't make a very wide range of accessories in general outside of their bottles, containers, and lids, but they do make a great bottle sling.

These carrying pouches fit the Hydro Flask aesthetic for obvious reasons, so they're sure to complement your bottle's look.

​And they're also lightweight and packable so you can avoid carrying around extra ounces on your travels. 
​
See Hydro Flask Sling Pricing on Amazon

#3: Heavy-Duty Bottle Sling

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Wild Wolf Bottle Sling

For a heavier-duty bottle sling, it's hard to go wrong with Wild Wolf Outfitters' carrying pouch.  If you're more into utility than the aesthetic look, then this is a fantastic option.

The military-grade pouch comes with multiple pockets and thicker padding on the shoulder strap.  The pockets in particular are one of our favorite features since it makes day-hiking much easier.  Just stash your keys and phone in the big pocket and you're set!
​
See Wild Wolf Pricing on Amazon

#4: Leather Bottle Sling

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HikerPouch

If you're looking for a carrying pouch that's more premium and different from the rest, then consider HikerPouch.  This is one of products, and we're really proud of how it turned out.

We decided to make HikerPouch because there were a multitude of pouches made of neoprene and synthetic fibers, but we wanted a leather option for a more natural feel and to cut back on plastics.

HikerPouch includes a pocket for your phone and an extra D-ring for flexibility (either clipping your pouch to something else, or clipping on something like a carabiner key ring).  We're also planning to add strap color options very soon, so stay tuned!
​
See HikerPouch Pricing on Amazon

#5: Paracord Handle

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Slolife

Rounding out our 'Getting Around' category is paracord handles.  We love the Slolife ones in particular.  Just attach it under the rim of your Hydro Flask, and you're good to go.

​With 29 available color options, you're sure to find something that fits your bottle's look.

It's also packed with a surprising number of features.  The handle includes a compass, whistle, and has a carabiner attachment that makes it super easy to clip onto your backpack or anything else.

There is also a flintstone and blade (meant for creating chips for sparking fires), but we haven't independently tested how well these actually work.
​
See Slolife Pricing on Amazon

ACCESSORIES FOR PROTECTION

Next, consider investing in something that can help keep your bottle looking great for years to come.

#6: Bottle Sleeve

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Thermi

A bottle sleeve can be a great insurance policy against inevitable drops and slips.  The Thermi silicone sleeve can give you the peace of mind knowing that your bottle will be better protected from denting and damage.

And not only is your bottle protected, but you'll be less likely to drop your bottle in the first place because of the added grip.

​With 11 available color options, it shouldn't be hard to find a good matching (or complementing) color for your bottle.

Side note: if you're purchasing a cup holder adapter for your bottle, double check that your bottle + sleeve combination can still fit whichever cup holder you use.
​
See Thermi Pricing on Amazon

#7: Bottle Boot

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Hydro Flask Boot

If you don't like the look or feel of a full-bottle sleeve, then consider getting a bottle boot.

Hydro Flask has a silicone boot option that is a great add-on for your bottle to give it more protection on the bottom, which is where damage would be most likely to occur in the first place.

​Currently Hydro Flask has 6 available color options.
​
See Hydro Flask Boot Pricing on Amazon

ACCESSORIES FOR FLAVOR AND ICE

Now that your bottle is easier to bring along with you on your adventures, it's time to think about ways to improve what you're actually drinking!

#7: Flavor Infuser

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FlavorFuze (Original)

These are some more of our products, but we think you'll love them.  FlavorFuze lets you get creative by adding any fruit or other flavoring to your bottle.

Personally, these cool infusers have helped me drink more water because it tastes better.  And I was also finally able to stop my soda habit, something I'd been trying to do for over 10 years!

FlavorFuze Original (pictured) has a silicone lid that fits snugly in the neck of Hydro Flask wide mouth bottles.  The lid acts as a splash guard, so you can keep flavoring your water while taking a few sips.
See FlavorFuze Pricing on Amazon

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​FlavorFuze Straw

My personal favorite. It clips onto Hydro Flask straw lids like this one (not Flex Straw lids).  The Kit  (link below) comes with a straw lid too!
See Pricing
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FlavorFuze Steel

For making cold brew coffee.  We're releasing an improved FlavorFuze Steel shortly, along with Steel Mini that will be better sized for loose leaf tea.
See Pricing

#8: Ice Alternative

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Ice Cube Sticks

At first, these Ice Cube Sticks might seem unnecessary, but they can be more handy than you might think!

They are a lot simpler to grab out of the freezer and drop into a bottle, compared to using ice trays or breaking apart ice cubes.

Easy to use, clean, and re-freeze.  And they won't dilute your drink if you're enjoying flavored water or some other kind of beverage.
​
See Ice Cube Stick Pricing on Amazon

#9: Splash Guard / Ice Stopper

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SplashPro

Another one of ours.   This is one I've used almost every single day since making these handy little devices.  It's a great ice blocker and is tremendously helpful for taking sips of water while on the road and has kept my shirts dry.

There are some other great splash guards on the market (looking at you Guyot), but most are designed for Nalgenes and are just barely too small to fit Hydro Flasks securely.  It's only a 1mm difference in diameter (we measured it!), but it's enough to make a difference.  They also get pushed down by the Hydro Flask cap design.

SplashPro is our solution for Hydro Flasks.  The thin-wall allows you to add your Hydro Flask Flex Cap without pushing down the splash guard.
​
See SplashPro Pricing on Amazon

ACCESSORIES FOR CLEANING

It's not the sexiest category, but you should certainly put some thought into cleaning your Hydro Flask.

#10: Brush Kit

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Mosolan

It's hard to find a more complete kit than this one.  It includes:
  1. A large brush to fit down into your big Hydro Flask.
  2. A thin brush for cleaning straws.
  3. A small brush for the finer details, like around the rim of the bottle.
  4. Tools for organizing and storing your brushes.

​You'll have plenty of tools in the tool chest to keep your bottle clean and worry-free.
​
See Mosolan Pricing on Amazon

Bonus: Bottle Tablet Cleaners

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Bottle Bright

We almost didn't include these because our list was getting too long, but they're too useful to leave out.

In addition to regular brushing and washing, Bottle Bright cleaning tablets are good to use every so often to give your bottle a deep clean.  They can help with stains too if tea or coffee is your style!

The tablets are biodegradable, chlorine free, and environmentally safe, so you don't have to worry about using them.
​
See Bottle Bright Pricing on Amazon
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A Review of Cup Holder Adapters for Large Bottles, Hydro Flasks (Updated for 2022)

4/13/2022

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We reviewed four popular adapters on the market today.  ​This video will help you decide which cup holder adapter to purchase for your bottle.  Clicking the links will take you to Amazon so you can check prices.

If you'd rather read the review, we've included a transcript of this video below for reference.

(And if you purchase something, we get a referral fee as an Amazon Associate! Thanks for your support!)

We reviewed:
  • Amazon Basics
  • BottlePro
  • Swigzy
  • Joytutus

And while we focus on a few types of Hydro Flasks, this review is also applicable to other large bottles like Nalgenes, YETIs, Klean Kanteens, Simple Moderns, Takeyas, Thermoflasks, Iron Flasks, Fifty/Fifty, Swig, and many other popular bottles on the market today.

​If you're not sure whether you need an adapter at all, we highly-recommend you visit the blog post referenced at the beginning of the video so you can determine if your car's cup holders will likely work with any of these adapters. Or if you're using a smaller bottle, you may not even need an adapter!  Just click the link below to view that post.

Which Hydro Flasks Fit in Cup Holders? - The Ultimate Guide (Updated for 2022)

Video Transcript:

Hydro Flasks are great bottles, but many of them are so big that they don’t fit in standard cup holders. So we’re going to review four of the most popular cup holders on the market today, and give you our thoughts and recommendations.  Links to purchase are in the description.

This video focuses on comparing cup holder adapters needed to use larger Hydro Flasks, and we assume you already know you need an adapter.  But you may not need one at all if you have a smaller Hydro Flask, like a 21oz.  Check out our blog post for a full step-by-step guide. Link in the description.

Let’s get started.

Amazon Basics
First we have Amazon Basics.  Like many popular categories, Amazon released their own cup holder and have undercut most other adapters on the market.  But it’s still very functional and a good option on a budget
  • The twist to expand base is very easy to use and functional.
  • And it has rubber tabs to centralize small bottles.  The tabs are not removable.
  • 32 and 40oz Hydro Flasks are the same diameter and fit well, and the tabs keep smaller bottles like 32oz Trail Series centralized.
All-in-all the Amazon Basics cup holder is quite functional for the price.  The main drawbacks are the many people prefer to buy from smaller vendors instead of Amazon brands, the base is not extendable, and the mug handle cutout is quite small.  But overall, this cup holder is a very good option.

BottlePro
Next up we have BottlePro, which is our cup holder adapter.
  • Each BottlePro comes with two adapter rings and a foam sleeve to help fine-tune the fit.  The adapter rings are locked when the base looks like this.  To unlock, twist the base so the rings are aligned.  Then slide off the rings.  The adapters can be easily added back on by lining up the grooves and sliding them on.
  • A cool feature is that you can lock the rings at different heights, which can help with deeper cup holders.
  • Add the soft fit sleeve to help with in-between cup holder sizes.
  • 32 and 40oz Hydro Flasks fit well, but smaller bottles can be unstable because there are no centralizer tabs.

In summary, BottlePro is a great budget alternative to Amazon Basics for 32 and 40 ounce Hydro Flasks, but for smaller diameter bottles, you might want to look at an adapter with centralizer tabs.  And keep an eye out for our upcoming 3rd version, which will have many improvements.

Swigzy
Next is Swigzy, which is a great premium option.
  • It has a twist-to-expand base,
  • rubber tabs (though they are not removable),
  • and there is also an option to purchase a unit with additional spacers to extend the height of the adapter.
  • One of the cooler unique features that Swigzy offers is the ability to offset the base.  Just loosen one screw, adjust the base offset, then re-add the screw.  This can help two of them fit side-by-side in more cup holders.
  • 32 and 40oz Hydro Flasks fit well, and the rubber tabs help centralize smaller bottles really well. 
Overall, Swigzy is honestly our favorite cup holder on the market today, and it pains us to say that because we make one.  But Swigzy comes with a significantly higher price tag.  You might be able to save a few bucks with another option.

Joytutus
Last is Joytutus.  This cup holder is a good option overall.
  • The rubber tabs feel great and are removable, which can help make it easier to get larger bottles in-and-out.
  • The coaster is also removable for easier cleaning, though this does make it fall out easily if you’re moving your adapter.
  • But we’re not huge fans of the base design.  The rubber flap concept looks interesting and is easy for installation because you just push it down into the cup holder, but we found it very difficult to remove when we wanted to switch cars.
  • You have to remove the rubber tabs for 32 and 40oz Hydro Flasks to fit, but smaller bottles fit just fine with the tabs in.
While Joytutus has some options like the removable tabs that help it stand apart, for the most part we do not think this outweighs the downsides of the base design.  But it’s certainly an option to keep in mind.

So that’s it!  We hope this review has been helpful.  Don’t forget to check out our website at bottlepro.net, where we have other products like infusers and splash guards for Hydro Flasks.  And subscribe to our blog for more content like this, hydration news, and updates on product deals.  Thanks for watching.

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Which Hydro Flasks Fit in Cup Holders? - The Ultimate Guide (Updated for 2022)

4/6/2022

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'> Which Hydro Flasks Fit in Cup Holders, Updated for 2022
This post is up-to-date as of April 7, 2022.  If you see any wrong information here, please let us know and we will update this post!

​ALREADY KNOW YOU NEED A CUP HOLDER ADAPTER?

SKIP AHEAD TO STEP #4 TO SEE OUR ADAPTER RECOMMENDATIONS,
OR SEE OUR VIDEO REVIEW HERE (CLICK TO LINK)

​The adapters we review below are:

  • Amazon Basics
  • BottlePro
  • Swigzy
  • Joytutus

WHICH HYDRO FLASKS FIT IN CAR CUP HOLDERS?

With the every-growing popularity of reusable water bottles like Hydro Flasks, more and more people are wondering what is the best way to keep their bottle close at hand on the road? 

But which Hydro Flasks fit in cup holders, and do you need a cup holder adapter for your car?  This can be a tougher question to answer than you might initially think because of the sheer number of cup holder designs and water bottle sizes.
​We've developed this step-by-step guide to help you make the best decision for your situation.
​And while this post is primarily focused on Hydro Flasks, it also applies to similar reusable bottles like Nalgenes, YETIs, Klean Kanteens, Iron Flasks, Thermoflasks, Takeyas, Simple Moderns, Fifty/Fifty, and many others that are on the market today.

​STEP #1

LOOK AT YOUR CAR'S EXISTING CUP HOLDER

​Before thinking about which Hydro Flask will work for you, we recommend taking a closer look at your car

First, measure your cup holder's diameter and save it for later.

​Then, 
determine if you have a "standard" or "non-standard" cup holder according to the descriptions below.  This can have a major impact on whether cup holder adapters would fit securely in your vehicle, which opens the possibility of using larger bottles.

Standard cup holder design

What is a "Standard" Cup Holder?

If you have a cup holder that looks like this, then you're in luck!  These are what we call a "standard" cup holder.

Generally, these include any cup holders that:
  1. are circular,
  2. have an even rim around the top, and,
  3. are 2.5" to 3.25" in diameter (most adapters fit standard cup holders in this range)

The cup holders fit the widest range of Hydro Flasks.  Many smaller Hydro Flasks fit in them already, and you should have plenty of good options for after-market cup holders like the BottlePro adapter to fit larger bottles.

What is a "Non-Standard" Cup Holder?

If you have a cup holder that looks like any of these, then it gets a little trickier.  Most of them are still OK with smaller Hydro Flasks, but if you're looking to use a larger bottle, then you might have problems finding a cup holder adapter that fits securely in your car.

Some of the more common examples of "non-standard" cup holders include:
  1. ​Uneven rim around the top
  2. Overhanging dashboard
  3. Not circular
  4. Retractable cover
  5. Retracts into the dashboard
  6. In the car door

STEP #2

WHICH HYDRO FLASK WORKS BEST FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE?
Now that you know whether you have a "standard" or "non-standard" cup holder, it's time to think about what size bottle you'd like to have.  Keep in mind that the "narrow", "wide", or "oversized" designations below refer to the bottle diameter, not the mouth diameter.  For example, you can have a 20oz Wide Mouth bottle that is categorized under "Narrow" because it is only 2.91" diameter.

The lists below are based on specifications listed on Hydro Flasks website and some that we independently verified.  If you already have a bottle, we recommend measuring its base yourself to make 100% sure that you have the correct measurement.  If your bottle has a protective boot, then you should also include this in the width measurement (they generally add around 0.25" to the diameter, but it varies based on the boot manufacturer).

The mug measurements are for the diameter of the body, not including the handle.

The links in the lists of bottles go to the product pages on Amazon.

"Narrow" Bottles

Bottle diameter less than 3.0".
Best for shorter trips, or if you are able to refill your bottle easily.
Many of these fit in car cup holders.
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The complete list of "narrow" bottles includes:
  1. 12/16/20oz Coffee Bottle (2.9") (not the coffee mugs)
  2. 18/21/24oz Standard Mouth (2.81")
  3. 20oz Wide Mouth (2.91")
  4. 21oz Standard Mouth (2.81")
  5. 21/24oz Trail Series (2.8")
  6. 24oz Standard or Wide Mouth (2.85") (the Hydro Flask website currently shows the 24oz Wide Mouth option as 3.73", but this is a mistake)
  7. 12/16/20/28oz All Around Tumbler.  These have tapered sides that are smaller at the bottom and are designed for cup holders.

"Wide" Bottles

Bottle diameter from 3.0" and 3.8"​
Generally, these are better for longer trips or adventures.
Most cars need an adapter to use these.
Picture
The complete list of "wide" bottles includes:
  1. 32/40oz Wide Mouth (3.58")
  2. 32oz Trail Series (3.3")
  3. 6oz Coffee Mug (3.5")
  4. 12oz Coffee Mug (3.5"?) (we couldn't independently verify this measurement since it was out-of-stock at our local REI, but we think 3.5" is correct)

Oversized Bottle

Bottle diameter greater than 3.8"
Not compatible with most cup holder adapters (but there is an option listed below for the 24oz Coffee Mugs).
Picture
The complete list of "oversized" bottles includes:
  1. Growler, 64oz (4.72")
  2. 24oz Coffee Mug (3.9")

STEP #3

DECISION FLOWCHART

There's a lot of information here, so to make it easier, we've developed this flowchart to help you sort through it all.  You just need to know (1) whether you have a "standard" or "non-standard" cup holder and (2) the diameter of your cup holder compared the diameter of your desired bottle.

Disclaimer: The information provided above has been fact-checked against Hydro Flask and Amazon websites (and with some in-person measurements).  The flowchart below is based on our experience and observations.  However, please note that we cannot 100% guarantee compatibility of any resulting purchases you make because there are literally hundreds of thousands of different bottle/cup holder/adapter combinations once you add them all up.  But hey, that's what return policies are for!

With that said, let's dive right in!
Hydro Flask size and cup holder decision flowchart

STEP #4

NEED AN ADAPTER?

​If you determined that you need an adapter, then check out the adapters listed below.  Unlike back in 2015 when BottlePro launched, there are plenty of cup holder adapter options on the market nowadays.  Here are some of our favorites.

Best Budget Option

Amazon Basics Cup Holder Adapter

Amazon Basics

Like with most busy product categories, Amazon released their own version.  First available in late 2021, it has undercut most of the cup holders on the market but is still quite functional.

Pros:
  1. Twist-to-Expand Base - Very easy to use and reliable.
  2. Cost-Effective - Less expensive than premium options while still having great functionality.
  3. Rubber Tabs - Great for centralizing narrow bottles.

Cons:
  1. Amazon... - Some people prefer to order from small businesses.
  2. Base Height Not Extendable - The base is fairly short, which doesn't always work great with deeper cup holders.
  3. Mug Handle Cutout - The cutout is not as deep as some other cup holders, so mugs probably won't rest evenly.
SEE PRICING ON AMAZON

Best Alternative to Amazon Basics

Picture
BottlePro (3rd Gen)
Released in December, 2022, BottlePro Max is our 3rd generation cup holder adapter.  With a twist-to-expand base and flexible centralizing tabs, our new version BottlePro works with many more cup holders and bottles than our 2nd version one.

​We encourage you to check it out!
BottlePro Max (Single)
BottlePro Max (2-Pack)

BottlePro Cup Holder Adapter

BottlePro (2nd Gen)

This is our 2nd version BottlePro adapter.  We're not exactly impartial, but our current BottlePro is a great, cost-effective option that fits a wide range of bottle and cup holder combinations.

Pros:
  1. Multiple Adapter Rings - Each unit comes with 2 adapter rings and a foam sleeve, and it fits most standard cup holders.
  2. Cost-Effective - Less expensive than most premium options, but has wider compatibility than some other adapters that do not have an adjustable base.
  3. Extendable Base Height - You can set the adapter rings at different heights, which can help with deeper cup holders.

Cons:
  1. Base - The adapter rings are effective, but they're not quite as easy to adjust as the twist-to-set adapters.  (that's what BottlePro v3 will use).​
  2. No Rubber Tabs - Not as good for holding narrow bottles or tumblers (BottlePro v3 will have these).
SEE PRICING ON AMAZON

Best Premium Option

Swigzy Cup Holder Adapter

Swigzy

Swigzy has also had a few upgrades over the years, and we honestly love the newest version.  It's a great pick for a premium cup holder option that should fit the widest range of cup holder and bottle combinations.

Pros:
  1. Twist-to-Expand Base - Very easy to use and reliable.
  2. Rubber Tabs - Great for centralizing narrow bottles.
  3. Extendable Base Height - Comes with spacers to extend the base height, which can help with deeper cup holders.
  4. Offest Option - The top can be shifted over by adjusting a screw.  Pretty nifty, and this helps when trying to fit two side-by-side.
​
Cons:
  1. Cost - Quite a bit more expensive than the others on this list.​
SEE PRICING ON AMAZON

Alternative for Bottles between 3.8" and 4.25"

Joytutus Cup Holder Adapter

Joytutus

Overall, we're not too big of fans of this cup holder.  It's OK, but there are other options that are either less expensive and are also adjustable (BottlePro or Amazon Basics), or that are more premium and versatile (Swigzy).  But it does have one thing going for it:

Pros:
  1. Removable Rubber Tabs - The tabs can be pulled out and stored in a cavity in the bottom.  Also, it has a slightly larger diameter than some other adapters.  This makes it a good option for the 24oz Coffee Mug in particular.
​
Cons:
  1. Base Design - The rubber fins on the base are extremely stiff.  This is good for keeping the adapter in place, but it can be challenging to pull the adapter out.  Also, the rubber fins deform and don't look as good as they did new.
SEE PRICING ON AMAZON
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