Kevin JohnsonHydro Flask is a water bottle brand based in Bend, Oregon. Travis Rosbach and Cindy Weber founded the company in 2009 as Steel Technologies. The couple moved from Hawaii to Oregon to market their products to the growing outdoor recreation community.
In March 2016, Helen of Troy Limited acquired Hydro Flask for $210 million. The company expanded its offering beyond water bottles to include wine tumblers, food jars, tote bags, and coolers. In July 2023, Helen of Troy Limited switched Hydro Flask’s bottle production from China to the Western Hemisphere. This nearshoring initiative will streamline its supply chain, reduce inventory levels, and generate $20 million in savings. [1]
Hydro Flask’s renowned water bottles keep liquids cold or hot using double-wall vacuum insulation. The company offers customizable water bottles in 14 colors and releases limited-edition bottle designs. In March 2023, Hydro Flask completed an automated distribution center in Tennessee to drive operational efficiency. The facility has an automatic carton packaging system that creates perfectly sized custom shipping boxes to fit each order.
In March 2023, Hydro Flask launched a water bottle trade-in program in the US to allow customers to recycle their products. Hydro Flask is a leader in high-performance and insulated stainless steel flasks. However, the company faces stiff competition from Yeti, Takeya USA, ORCA, Klean Kanteen, Simple Modern, RTIC, and CamelBak. [2]
Here is an in-depth analysis of Hydro Flask’s top competitors and alternatives:
1. YETI
Year founded: 2006
Headquarter: Austin, Texas
YETI is a global outdoor product designer, retailer, and distributor. The company offers hard and soft coolers, stainless-steel flasks and tumblers, equipment, and accessories. In 2022, YETI had 922 employees.
YETI caters to outdoor enthusiasts, including adventure seekers, beach-goers, and campers. Its coolers, drinkware, bags, and apparel meet the unique needs of diverse outdoor pursuits. Like Hydro Flask, YETI provides high-quality, high-performing products. Both companies offer coolers and stainless-steel bottles with double-wall vacuum insulation. YETI is the top Hydro Flask competitor and alternative. [3]
2. Takeya USA
Year founded: 2008
Headquarter: Costa Mesa, California
Takeya USA is an active fitness brand that specializes in insulated hydration solutions. The company harnesses 55 years of Japanese design heritage and innovation to create its products. In Sep 2022, Takeya USA opened its new 120,000-square-foot distribution center in New Albany, Ohio. The facility will support the company’s operations and growth. [4]
Takeya offers insulated stainless-steel water bottles for sports and fitness. Its bottles feature Chill-Lock Lid Technology and a double-wall vacuum to ensure liquids remain hot or cold. According to the President and CEO of Takeya USA, Ken Tran, the company’s recently opened distribution center will open 50 jobs for the local community. Takeya USA is one of the top competitors for Hydro Flask.
3. Outdoor Recreation Company of America (ORCA)
Year founded: 2012
Headquarter: Nashville, Tennessee
ORCA is an outdoor recreation company. It started as a rotomolded cooler manufacturer and expanded its product portfolio to include soft-sided coolers and outdoor drinkware. In January 2020, Brentwood acquired ORCA for an undisclosed amount.
ORCA serves all outdoor enthusiasts, from hunters to anglers, campers, beach bums, soccer moms, and sports fans. In June 2023, the company announced its new summer drinkware lineup headlined by ORCA KIC (Keep It Cool). The collection features five barware additions: 28 Oz Stein, 8oz Rita, 24oz Double Barrel, 12oz Barrel, and the 12oz Football Barrel. ORCA is one of the best alternatives to Hydro Flask for outdoor enthusiasts. [5]
4. Klean Kanteen
Year founded: 2002
Headquarter: Chico, California
Klean Kanteen is an environmentally-conscious brand founded by inventor Robert Seals. The company offers stainless steel water bottles with double-wall vacuum insulation. The Cresswell family took over Klean Kanteen in 2005 and expanded its product portfolio.
Klean Kanteen manufactures high-quality, durable water bottles from food-grade stainless steel. In 2008, the brand became a 1% For The Planet member. The company donates 1% of its annual sales to NGOs advocating sustainability and decreased dependence on plastic products. Klean Kanteen is one of the best alternatives to Hydro Flask. [6]
5. Simple Modern
Year founded: 2015
Headquarter: Moore, Oklahoma
Simple Modern is a drinkware company founded by Mike Beckham. The Simple Modern Insulated Tumbler is made of stainless steel and keeps beverages cold for hours. In spring 2022, Simple Modern introduced its products in Walmart stores. The company already sells its tumblers and water bottles through retail partners Amazon, Target, and Sam’s Club. [7]
Simple Modern offers stylish and functional tumblers, water bottles, and mugs. In Jan 2022, the company secured a manufacturing facility in Oklahoma City to produce one million units of drinkware annually. Simple Modern is a fast-growing competitor for Hydro Flask. [8]
6. RTIC Outdoors
Year founded: 2015
Headquarter: Houston, Texas
RTIC is an outdoor company founded by brothers Jim and John Jacobsen. The company offers high-quality coolers, tumblers, bottles, and travel bags. In September 2020, Brown Gibbons Lang and Company (BGL) acquired RTIC for an undisclosed amount.
RTIC and Hydro Flask offer coolers, tumblers, and water bottles, but RTIC is best known for its rotomolded coolers. In April 2023, the company sponsored BJ McLeod’s driver, Anthony Alfredo, for the Talladega Superspeedway race. The sponsorship helped promote RTIC’s products to car racing fans. RTIC is one of the top competitors for Hydro Flask. [9]
7. CamelBak
Year founded: 1989
Headquarter: Petaluma, California
CamelBak is an American outdoor equipment company founded by Michael Eidson. It offers hydration packs, water bottles, and protective gear. In July 2015, Vista Outdoor acquired CamelBak for $412.5 million. The company had 300 employees before its acquisition.
CamelBak is a global leader in award-winning personal hydration products. The company entered the water bottle business in 2006 and differentiated itself from competitors by making taste-free bottles.
In June 2023, CamelBak unveiled its spring 2023 hiking hydration pack line. This portfolio includes the Fourteener collection, redesigned Octane 22, and two new sizes in the Octane family. CamelBak is one of the best alternatives to Hydro Flask. [10]
8. Contigo
Year founded: 1998
Headquarter: Chicago, Illinois
Contigo is a leading innovator of water bottles, travel mugs, and kids’ bottles. In 2014, Newell Brands acquired Contigo to expand its portfolio. Newell Brands has around 31,000 employees.
Contigo offers innovative, leak-proof beverageware. Its travel mugs and water bottles feature AUTOSEAL technology that automatically seals between sips and AUTOSPOUT lid for easy opening and one-handed drinking. In June 2022, Contigo launched three new products to elevate users’ drinking experience. Contigo is an innovative competitor for Hydro Flask. [11]
9. Iron Flask Inc.
Year founded: 2016
Headquarter: Tampa, Florida
Iron Flask is one of the best-selling drinkware companies. The company started with a single sleek bottle in one size and expanded its portfolio to include several sustainable products in different colors and styles. According to Atlas Heart, the Iron Flask sports water bottle has a 4.8-star rating out of 5.
Iron Flask provides elegant, cost-effective, and eco-friendly alternatives to plastic bottles. In July 2022, the company selected ADG as its exclusive decorator. ADG will offer visibility to the latest industry, marketing support, fulfillment, and technology to help Iron Flask grow its businesses. Iron Flask is a worthy competitor for Hydro Flask. [12]
10. Hydro Cell
Year founded: 2016
Headquarter: San Diego, California
Hydro Cell is a cutting-edge hydration brand owned and operated by Jordane Enterprises. It has a rich history driven by its passion for innovation and commitment to customer satisfaction. In 2022, Jordane Enterprises had 25 employees.
The selling point of Hydro Cell is its wide-mouth bottles with larger openings than traditional bottles. They have leak-proof caps, insulation, and sweat-free technology. Users can also fill their bottles with ice, making them ideal for hiking, camping, and everyday use. Hydro Cell is one of the top alternatives to Hydro Flask water bottles. [13]
11. Ozark Trail
Year founded: 1962
Headquarter: Bentonville, Arkansas
Ozark Trail is an outdoor gear and equipment brand owned by Walmart. It offers affordable insulated tumblers and water bottles, which compete against Hydro Flask’s products. In April 2023, Walmart introduced Ozark Trail mountain bikes. [14]
The competitive advantage of Ozark Trail is its connection with Walmart, the world’s largest brick-and-mortar store chain. Customers can fulfill all their outdoor needs under one roof. Ozark Trail’s 24 oz water bottle costs only $8 versus $34 for Hydro Flask’s offering. So, customers can save money, making Ozark Trail an affordable alternative to Walmart. [15]
12. Zojirushi
Year founded: 1918
Headquarter: Osaka, Japan
Zojirushi is a Japanese multinational manufacturer and marketer. It was founded as the Ichikawa Brothers Trading Co. and rebranded to Kyowa Manufacturing in 1948. In 1961, the company changed its name to Zojirushi Corporation.
Zojirushi is best known for its world-class rice cookers. Its Neuro Fuzzy rice cooker fits 5.5 cups of rice. However, the company also offers vacuum flasks, tumblers, and beverage dispensers, which compete against Hydro Flask’s products. Zojirushi is a formidable competitor for Hydro Flask. [16]
13. MiiR
Year founded: 2010
Headquarter: Seattle, Washington
MiiR is a sporting goods company specializing in bottles, bikes, and bags. It uses a Product to Project model to ensure every MiiR product sold helps fund trackable giving projects. Since its founding, MiiR has donated $3 million to charities and impacted over 100,000 people. [17]
MiiR manufactures and sells premium stainless steel drinkware for coffee, beer, wine, and food. The company takes a human-centered approach to product design by considering every aspect of the drinking experience. In the 2010s, MiiR adopted a three-pronged approach that views impact through people, environment, and generosity. The brand has donated money to over 90 non-profit organizations. MiiR is one of the best alternatives to Hydro Flask for ethically conscious consumers.
14. Owala
Year founded: 2020
Headquarter: Lehi, Utah
Owala is a hydration company owned by Trove Brands. It sells its water bottles through the owalalife.com site. In 2022, Trove Brands’ patented products were sold in over 90,000 locations across 90 countries via blenderbottle.com, avana.com, and whiskware.com.
Owala offers an insulated stainless steel water bottle with two drinking spouts and fun colors. According to Wired, Owala FreeSip has a 9-star rating out of 10 and is leak-proof and easy to clean. As a subsidiary of Trove Brands, Owala has enough resources to compete and poach customers from Hydro Flask. [18]
15. Symetal
Year founded: 1977
Headquarter: Greece
Symetal is an aluminum foil producer. The company is a subsidiary of ElvalHalcor, a leading global industrial manufacturer of aluminum and copper products for growing markets. In 2022, Symetal produced 24,000 tons of products.
Symetal produces food containers, bottles, glasses, and cans. In October 2022, the company selected BOBST as its technology partner. BOBST installed the MASTER CO 5000 coating machine in Symetal’s production facility in Mandra, Greece. The coater will help Symetal fulfill its process quality expectations and increase its output capacity. Symetal is one of the top competitors for Hydro Flask. [19]
References & more information
- Stroh, K, (2023, Jul 20). Hydro Flask owner shifts bottle production from China to Western Hemisphere. Supply Chain Dive
- Hydro Flask (2023, Mar 15). Hydro Flask Launches Category-First Water Bottle Trade-In Program in the US. PRNewswire
- YETI Holdings, Inc. (2023, Aug 10). YETI Reports Second Quarter 2023 Results. Business Wire
- Takeya USA (2022, Sep 12). Takeya unveils a new distribution center in New Albany, Ohio. PRNewswire
- ORCA (2023, Jun 2). ORCA’s patent-pending KIC universal beverage holder headlines new drinkware lineup. PRNewswire
- Karen, A. (2022, Nov 14). The Story Behind the Klean Kanteen Brand. Baba Me
- Petrucci, M. (2023, Apr 26). This insulated tumbler is a must-have summer accessory. USA Today
- Mestey, M. (2022, Mar 1). Mike Beckham of Simple Modern on the Supply Chain and the Future of Retail. Authority Magazine
- BJ McLeod Motorsports (2023, Apr 20). RTIC Outdoors Partners with Anthony Alfredo in Talladega. BJMcLeodMotorsports.com
- CamelBak (2023, Jun 1). CamelBak Launches New and Redesigned Hike Packs. Outdoor Sportswire
- Newell Brands (2022, Jun 7). Contigo Expands Reusable Beverage Container Portfolio with Three New Innovations Just in Time for Summer. PRNewswire
- ADG Promo Products (2022, Jul 12). ADG Promo Products Announces New Partnership with Iron Flask. Business Wire
- Mitchell, K. (2023, Jun 5). Review: Hydro Cell. Miami Herald
- BR Staff (2023, Apr 3). Walmart introduces the Ozark Trail brand of mountain bikes. Bicycle Retailer
- Lina, B. (2021, Sep 7). Is This $8 Water Bottle Really Better Than Hydro Flask?! Hip2Save
- Arneson, K. (2023, Jun 14). Save on your favorite side dish with this Zojirushi rice cooker deal. CNN Underscored
- Adegbuyi, F. (2022, May 31). How MiiR Built a Generosity-Driven Business. Shopify
- Giordano, M. (2023, Mar 13). Review: Owala FreeSip. Wired
- BOBST Staff (2022, Oct 27). Symetal and BOBST cooperation delivers the best results for alu-foil applications’ quality and process optimization. BOBST.com
- Featured Image by Matt Hoffman
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