Beyond the Fresh Box of Crayons: Why a Good Reusable Water Bottle is the Back to School Essential That Will Fuel the Entire School Year

Pencils, paper, backpack? Yup, the traditional school supplies are likely at the ready as excited students return to in-person learning this fall. A really good, reliable and easy to clean reusable water bottle? This new staple is increasingly at the top of back-to-school lists as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to recommend that shared water fountains remain closed across the nation.

Nalgene, the OG of water bottles, remains a top choice for many families thanks to its incredible array of colors, vibrant designs, and leak-proof style! But best of all, Nalgene bottles are made for the hustle and bustle of the daily school routine!  

Made in the USA from BPA-free, dishwasher-safe materials, Nalgene bottles can safely be cleaned (even on the sanitize mode) in the dishwasher. So when the kids arrive home, they need only to throw them on the top rack, press start on the dishwasher and retrieve their trusty Nalgene on their way out the door the next morning.  Simple is the Nalgene way! 

So which Nalgene bottle is the right one for each of your family members?  The Nalgene product team offers a few tips on how to select the best bottle by age as well as useful hacks for busy parents:

Look ma! I’ve got this myself! A spill-proof sippy cup in fun colors and enticing graphics (drinking more water is cool!), the Grip-N-Gulp is a classic for toddlers and pre-schoolers.

“The sippy valve pops out and is dishwasher safe in the utensils basket for an extra easy clean,” advises Nalgene team member and senior manager, Alicia Klessick.

Click, pop and unlock! Sipping is easy with the Kids OTF’s flow-controlled spout that then locks closed for leak-proof storage. 12 ounces is the perfect size for lunches and a refill to rehydrate after recess. Classic colors and fun graphics inspire kids to reach for the moon in their everyday adventures. 

Classic bottles in pint sizes, the 16 ounce narrow- and wide- mouth classic bottles are now made with Tritan Renew, perfect for lunch, after-school sports or neatly tucked onto a desk, these really are the perfect size bottle. Wide-mouth bottles allow for ice cubes; while narrow-mouth bottles offer a slower sip.

“Fill these bottles with a few ounces of water and pop them in the freezer overnight and it doubles as an instant ice pack for lunch boxes,” advises Nalgene team member and marketing director, Eric Hansen.

Sleek and stylish, the 24-ounce OTF, offers a narrow bottle with a pop-and-lock controlled spout lid perfect for older students. 14 sophisticated bottle and lid color combination options offer something for every mood.

“For those driving to and from school, it’s also the perfect profile for most cup holders,” adds Nalgene team member and product manager, Fernando Galiana.

Of course, bigger is sometimes better, and one of the many 32-ounce styles, both in narrow- and wide- mouth or a 48-ounce Silo bottle are great choices for sports and other long-day activities.

“Athletes are supposed to drink half their body weight in water and the Silo is a great way to help accomplish that goal,” notes Nalgene team member and sales manager, Abe Hayes. 

Durable, stylish, easy to clean, and all priced under $15, Nalgene bottles offer something for every family member and keep families on-budget heading into a new school year.

On the field, in the classroom, or on the road, no reusable bottle is more reliable for life’s everyday adventures. Look for more hydration and lifestyle tips at Nalgene to make this year the simplest one yet for your family.