As someone who’s been involved in various volunteer and professional organizations and also can’t resist a goodie bag, I have collected many, many free water bottles in my day. Almost all of them have let me down with lackluster insulation, leaky tops, or—the worst sin in my book—hard-to-scrub drinking spouts. In an effort to find my ideal hydration companion, I even purchased a few of the trendier tumblers and bottles that have gone viral over the past few years, and none of them fully satisfied my thirst. I was all but resigned to a life of disappointed sipping when my best friend gifted me with my first Owala water bottle, and I’ve never looked back since.
That original bottle was an Owala FreeSip, which happens to be our all-time favorite stainless steel water bottle. After using it daily for more than a year, I added the 30-ounce FreeSip Sway to my rotation, admittedly so that I’d be more motivated to wash mine regularly and always have a fresh one ready to sub in. Now, the FreeSip Sway has become my new go-to—and my favorite thing to gift.
Why It’s a Great Gift
Credit: Amazon
The FreeSip Sway includes all the features that made the regular FreeSip so incredible—a sip-or-chug spout, hours of cold insulation, and a leakproof lid—plus a few key improvements. The seals that sit on top of the straw and around the rim are easier to remove and clean, which makes the scheduled washes that much less daunting. Its bottom is tapered so it’s universally cupholder-friendly, even in its larger 40-ounce size. It’s got a broad handle that’s easy to grip, plus it’s handy (ha!) for looping keychains onto; I’ll often attach my car keys or wireless headphones there so they can go wherever I do (because I already know the water bottle is coming along).
The Owala FreeSip Sway is my favorite thing to give to hard-to-shop-for loved ones, acquaintances, and friends because it’s a practical item that anyone can get daily use from, but it’s so thoughtfully designed that it feels like a little luxury. And since Owala offers so many quirky color combinations, it shows my recipient that I thought of them when picking out their favorite hues. I love that my Owala is a regular reminder of the friend who gave it to me, and that it has truly become the gift that keeps giving.
Credit: Serious Eats / Ashlee Redger
Credit: Serious Eats / Ashlee Redger
Why We’re the Experts
- Ashlee Redger is a writer for Serious Eats and has been reviewing kitchen equipment for the site since 2022.
- Ashlee has collected far too many reusable water bottles over the last decade, but now she only uses her two Owalas.
