By Harper Cuttino

Stanley Tumblers have been trending as a popular water bottle choice since at least January 2022. Commonly seen in a variety of colors, the cup’s most popular design consists of a handle on the side with a straw exposed at the top. The tumbler size options range from 17 ounces all the way up to 64 ounces. In addition, the cup is made out of a stainless steel material—the ideal type to keep beverages cool or hot. The Stanley cup has taken the world by storm with its style and usage; however, controversies have resulted from this product and its popularity, including physical violence and various health concerns. With these issues in mind, many have begun to question the actions people have taken to obtain these cups. 

Sign outside of a Target Starbucks. Photo credit: Harper Cuttino.

While the company and brand have been around since 1913, the cups started to gain more popularity through social media (specifically apps such as TikTok). As seen in previous years, reusable water bottles have become a specific aspect in trends. Cups such as the Hydroflask and YETI tumblers formerly dominated the reusable water bottle trends in 2019 to early 2020. With the Stanley, however, the level of obsession with the cups has provoked extreme situations. Many customers have gone to great lengths to satisfy their demand for a Stanley, such as buying every size and color to complete their collection. One buyer, a 16-year-old girl from Alabama, has amassed a collection of 67 cups accumulating to over 3,000 dollars. 

The release of the Valentine’s edition cup on December 31, 2023, caused conflicts between many consumers as they raced to get their hands on the rare tumbler. The cup in particular was marked as a limited edition due to its colors. The colors released consisted of a maroon-ish purple, a bright red, and the Starbucks sparkly pink. People were found lining up at Target stores across the nation in the early hours of the morning and waiting until they were given the opportunity to enter the store. Some stores had customers wait to receive a ticket for the cup, while other stores let people fend for themselves. 

In the stores that opened regularly without ticketing systems, customers would often arrive around 4 a.m. and wait until the doors opened for a chance to grab a cup. Once the doors open, the crowd of customers would head straight for the awaiting display of cups in order to grab a handful of any color. With the frantic rush came numerous instances of fighting and pushing. People reported being trampled in these stampedes or simply falling over. In these moments of chaos, many stores often ran out of cups within minutes of opening. Because of the pace in which the cups are selling out, those left without cups tended to harass other customers that were lucky enough to receive one.

Special Edition color of Stanley Tumbler. Photo credit: stanley_brand on instagram.

Some people have even resorted to stealing the cups rather than purchasing. Chicago’s local tv station Abc7chicago posted video on TikTok of evidence of a woman stealing 65 Stanley cups, worth a total of over 6,000 dollars. Another video by the Tiktok user Victoria Robino shows the first moments of the special edition Valentine’s day cup being snagged just moments after the opening of a Target. People are shown scrambling towards the display and clearing it out within minutes.

While the cups are highly sought after, there has been a recent rising medical concern about the cups. Consumers have noticed leakage from the cups, as well as the increased risk of bacteria due to the exposed straw on top. There have also been reports of lead contamination within the cups. In one instance, as described by The Dallas Express, a consumer used an at-home lead testing kit on the logo of the cup which came back positive. Since then, many other cup owners have tested their cups for lead, many with positive results. Due to these reports, the company released a statement explaining the usage of lead in their product: “Our manufacturing process currently employs the use of an industry standard pellet to seal the vacuum insulation at the base of our products; the sealing material includes some lead. Once sealed, this area is covered with a durable stainless steel layer, making it inaccessible to consumers. Rest assured that no lead is present on the surface of any Stanley product that comes into contact with the consumer nor the contents of the product.” 

As the Stanley cup trend is still thriving, what exactly makes the cup so popular and likable that sets it apart from these chaotic events and health concerns? Junior and Stanley cup owner Caroline Dunn (‘25) said, “I like that it’s a different shape than most of the other water bottles, and it really sets it apart. It just makes it more enjoyable to drink out of.” Fellow Junior and Stanley cup owner Adi Brotherton (‘25) reported similar attributes she enjoys about the cup: “I like the handle and I like how [the cup] is convenient to drink from, and I feel like the straw allows me to drink more water.” Despite these factors, Dunn and Brotherton agree that the cup is not worth throwing a few elbows for. In addition, both Juniors reported the cups leakage being a flaw in the cups’ design. 

Stanley tumblers. Photo credit: stanley_brand on instagram.

With the information gained from researching accounts of Stanley usage and witnessing the violent events unfold on social media, it is unclear what the future for this water bottle may be. Will the Stanley continue to be the number one thirst-quencher essential? And if so, will people continue to fight for it?