The Stanley cup, a seemingly ordinary water tumbler, became an unexpected cultural icon. For a while, it was the must-have accessory, gracing the hands of influencers, celebrities, and everyday consumers alike. But now, in 2024, the Stanley Cup trend has begun to decline.
These factors — combined with Stanley's history as a durable, reliable brand, the aesthetic quality of the tumbler overall plus limited-edition drops (which create a sense of scarcity), and the influence of social media — have led to entire cupboards and even walls devoted to Stanley cup collections.
In 2024, many Stanley stans remain, but their fan base has changed drastically. Stanley remains in the zeitgeist, but most notably when a new controversy crops up (and they just won't stop).
While Stanley says the lead used in the manufacturing process doesn't pose a health risk, some TikTokers have been posting videos throwing their cups away since questions about lead have been raised, and encouraging followers to as well.
If you've had trouble getting your hands on one, rest assured you're not the only one. Stanley tumblers—namely, the Quencher H2. 0 FlowState Tumbler—are so popular that they're difficult to keep in stock. Their sleek design and ability to keep drinks ice-cold for hours make customers just about froth at the mouth.
Stanley's multi-colored insulated cups still have considerable cachet among teens, Piper Sandler says. At the same time, the brand's popularity may have peaked and is "on the way out," teens said in the firm's annual survey. Stanley now finds its cool factor somewhere between trend-forward Owala and mainstay Yeti.
The Stanley cup, a seemingly ordinary water tumbler, became an unexpected cultural icon. For a while, it was the must-have accessory, gracing the hands of influencers, celebrities, and everyday consumers alike. But now, in 2024, the Stanley Cup trend has begun to decline.
The lawsuit alleges that Stanley and PMI misled customers because they did not warn consumers about the potential for exposure from damage to the vacuum seal and did not disclose how much lead is in each cup.
The 40-ounce vacuum-insulated cup is said to keep drinks cold for up to 11 hours, hot for seven and even hold ice for up to two days. And because of its large size, the fact that it has a handle is a huge plus. It makes carrying it to the office or toting it around for workout classes and walks a lot easier.
While the Stanley Cup comes with a built-in handle, the Owala swaps the handle for a slim and sleek design, that fits easily into car cupholders; even without the handle, we find it super easy to grip and hold.
🥤 Yes, Stanley uses lead in its manufacturing process for its cups, but they only pose a risk of lead exposure if the cover on the bottom of the tumbler comes off, a Stanley spokesperson says.
If you want a water bottle that will keep your water truly cold for hours, Stanley is the brand for you. However, for a water bottle that can withstand bumps, bruises and being knocked over, you might want to invest in a Hydro Flask.
According to LeSueur the cup isn't simply about a hydration trend among preteens, GenZ and millennials. “They're seeing this as an accessory, as a status symbol... It's also a statement as to what I show to the world [about myself] every day when I choose to get dressed, and when I choose to take my water bottle.”
Classic black is one of Stanley's most sought-after colors for its tumblers. It's available in all of the Quencher sizes.
Stanley's ascent on platforms like TikTok is a testament to the power of authentic, user-generated content. When influencers and everyday users alike shared their genuine love for the brand, Stanley cups didn't just become popular; they became a part of people's identities.
The viral tides began turning for Stanley in 2019 thanks in part to shopping-focused outlet and Instagram account The Buy Guide. According to its founders, Stanley's 40-ounce insulated tumblers, which at that point were not selling very well, were a favorite for the company.
Redden sees social media's influence and limited stock playing a huge role in the cup's popularity. The cult following of the brand has resulted in more than 241 million views of the #stanleyquencher hashtag on TikTok.
Stanley claims that the $45 40-ounce bottles formally known as Quencher H2. 0 FlowState™ Tumblers can keep hot drinks hot for seven hours, cold drinks cold for 11 hours, and iced drinks iced for two days. For a lot of imbibing Americans, that's quite the draw.
A water bottle manufactured by a company that has been around for more than 100 years has become a cultural phenomenon. Stanley Tumblers are filling our social media feeds, and stories about the high demand for the popular quenchers are dominating the news cycle.
The insulated cups gained an influx of attention on social media. Company behind Stanley tumblers faces lawsuits over leadPacific Market International is facing legal actions after customers claimed it failed to disclose some of its products contain lead.
The single most redeeming quality of a Stanley – the fact that it is reusable, meaning fewer people are throwing out non-reusable water bottles – is also being debated.
Stanley's 40-ounce Quencher cup gained rabid popularity for its candy-like array of colors and its ability to keep beverages hot and cold for long periods of time. Once the cups took off on social media, Stanley's annual sales reportedly jumped from $75 million to $750 million in 2023 alone.
Quencher. Released in 2016, the Stanley Quencher (sometimes Stanley cup) became popular as a result of influencer marketing campaigns on social media, particularly TikTok. The sales started picking up in 2019.