Alternatives to Dopper and Stanley — 5 Popular
sustainable water bottles

Dopper and Stanley are two of the best-known names in reusable water bottles. That doesn’t mean they’re the best choice for everyone. Anyone looking for an alternative will come across a wide range of brands that go a step further in one or more areas: greater environmental impact, better insulation, a smarter lid, or a fairer price.

We’ve lined up five sustainable alternatives: Retulp, Flaske, Kambukka, Hydro Flask, and Soulbottles. We’ve compared them fairly based on the criteria that really matter in real life.

Not every bottle is suitable for every purpose. Material is the starting point. Stainless steel doesn’t impart any taste, is sturdy, and is suitable for both hot and cold drinks. Tritan plastic is lighter and cheaper, but less suitable for high temperatures. Glass is neutral in taste, but fragile.

Then there’s insulation. A double-walled stainless steel bottle typically keeps drinks hot for 12 hours and cold for 24 hours. Single-walled bottles don’t insulate. For anyone who cares about temperature retention, double-walled is the only logical choice.

Lifespan matters more than many people realize. A bottle that lasts ten years costs significantly less per year than three cheap alternatives that you keep replacing. Be sure to check the availability of replacement parts. A worn-out O-ring or a damaged lid doesn’t have to be a reason to throw away the entire bottle.

Finally, there’s impact. More and more brands are linking their products to a broader mission. The question is how concrete and measurable that impact is, because it varies significantly from brand to brand.

Dopper is the most recognizable Dutch water bottle brand and has a strong narrative centered on drinking water in Nepal and B Corp certification. Still, there are reasons to look beyond it. The original plastic version doesn’t insulate. The stainless steel version does, but it’s significantly more expensive. The product line is limited to drinkware, with no lunch products or thermos mugs. And for those who want to see measurable impact, a donation program like Made Blue offers more transparency than the general B Corp status.

Stanley is known for its durability and lifetime warranty. The bottles are heavy, last
last for decades, and have excellent insulation properties. The downside: their weight makes them less suitable for biking, running, or daily commutes. They’re pricey, lack a sustainability mission, and are manufactured outside of Europe. If you’re looking for a bottle that feels just as sturdy but is lighter, more affordable, and linked to a concrete impact, there are plenty of alternatives.

Retulp was founded in 2015 with the belief that reuse should be easier. The water bottles are made of double-walled stainless steel, are BPA-free, and come in multiple sizes and colors. They keep drinks hot for 12 hours and cold for 24 hours and feel sturdy without being unnecessarily heavy. Retulp also offers popular biobased sports bottles.

What sets Retulp apart from most other brands is its partnership with Made Blue. For every bottle sold, 1,000 times its volume is donated as clean drinking water to people without access to drinking water. For a 500-ml bottle, that’s 500 liters per purchase. A measurable contribution through a recognized international foundation.

Most replacement parts are available separately. If a cap wears out or a O-ring needs replacing, you can buy just the part—no need to buy a whole new bottle.

Pros
• Double-walled stainless steel, BPA-free, food-safe
• Made Blue donation: 1,000 times the bottle’s capacity per purchase
• WWF Business Supporter and Social Enterprise certified
• Replacement parts sold separately• Wide range of sustainable products: bottles, thermoses, lunchboxes, cooler bags
• Free shipping on orders of 40 euros or more

Points to Consider
• Fewer color options than some lifestyle brands
• Engraving is only available for orders of 12 or more; not available individually for consumers

Our Verdict
Retulp is a strong choice for anyone looking for a bottle that will last for years and has a demonstrable positive impact. The combination of in-house production, replaceable parts, and the Made Blue donation makes it a sustainable product with a story behind it.

Flaske is a Dutch brand that launched around 2021. Its strength lies mainly in its collection: more than 50 color combinations. Most bottles are double-walled stainless steel and offer good insulation. Flaske is B Corp certified and affiliated with the Plastic Soup Foundation. Consumers can also have each bottle individually engraved.

Pros
• Over 50 color combinations, great for gifts
• B Corp certified
• Double-walled stainless steel, keeps drinks hot for 12 hours and cold for 24 hours

Points to Consider
• Limited selection
• Environmental impact less clearly defined than Made Blue’s

Our Verdict
Flaske is a good choice if color and appearance are important to you. If you want to see and measure your environmental impact,
will find more guidance at Retulp.

Kambukka is a Belgian brand that has made a name for itself with smart lid systems. The bottles are double-walled stainless steel and readily available through Dutch retailers. What’s less well-developed is the sustainability aspect. Kambukka focuses on function.

Pros
• 3-in-1 Snapclean lid: user-friendly and easy to clean
• Dishwasher-safe lid on most models
• Wide range of models
• Widely available through bol.com and sports retailers

Points to Consider
• No donation or impact program
• Less distinctive in terms of sustainability

Our Verdict
Kambukka is the most practical choice if the lid and ease of use are your top priorities. In terms of environmental impact, there’s not much to say.

Hydro Flask has built its reputation among hikers, surfers, and outdoor enthusiasts. The bottles are available in dozens of colors and sizes, ranging from 350 ml to nearly 2 liters. The insulation is excellent, even in extreme temperatures. The price is higher than that of comparable European alternatives, and availability in the Netherlands is more limited. For the avid outdoor enthusiast, it remains an interesting option.

Pros
• Wide selection of sizes and colors
• Excellent insulation
• Outdoor brand with a large community

Points to Consider
• More expensive than comparable brands
• Limited availability in the Netherlands
• No impact program

Our Verdict
Hydro Flask is the choice for the avid outdoor enthusiast who wants a rugged, tried-and-true bottle. For
everyday use in the Netherlands, there are more accessible options for the same price.

Soulbottles makes only glass bottles from borosilicate glass, with a silicone sleeve for grip and protection. Glass doesn’t impart any taste or odor and is the purest option. This works well for home use or at a fixed workspace. However, there are limitations when you’re on the go. Glass doesn’t insulate and is more fragile than stainless steel. This makes Soulbottles less practical for sports or travel.

Pros
• 100% glass, no taste or odor transfer
• Strong social mission
• Beautiful print designs
• Dishwasher-safe

Points to Consider
• Fragile, not suitable for sports or outdoor use
• No insulation
• Limited availability in the Netherlands

Our Verdict
Soulbottles is the best choice for anyone who drinks cold water at home or at the office and values purity. Glass isn’t practical for on the go or for sports.

There’s no single “best” water bottle. But there is a best choice for your situation.

• Want to see the impact of every purchase? Choose Retulp. The Made Blue donation is tangible
and measurable.
• Want the most stylish bottle that also makes a great gift? Check out Flaske or Retulp,
depending on your color preferences.
• Do you use your bottle heavily at the office and want a smart lid? Choose Kambukka.
• Are you an avid outdoor sports enthusiast looking for extreme insulation? Hydro Flask.
• Want pure glass, at home or at the office? Soulbottles.

Double-walled stainless steel bottles keep drinks hot the longest. Retulp bottles keep drinks hot for 12 hours and cold for 24 hours, which is more than enough for everyday use at the office or on the go. Hydro Flask performs well in extreme outdoor temperatures, but for everyday use, the difference is minimal.

All stainless steel bottles in this comparison are BPA-free, including Retulp, Flaske, Kambukka, and Hydro Flask. Retulp uses food-safe, double-walled stainless steel free of harmful substances and explicitly states this for each product. If you want to be sure of BPA-free material, always choose stainless steel or borosilicate glass.

A reusable water bottle is more environmentally friendly than single-use plastic after just twenty to fifty uses. If you use it every day, you’ll save hundreds of single-use bottles per year. Retulp takes it a step further: through the Made Blue donation, with every purchase, 1,000 times the bottle’s capacity is returned as clean drinking water to people without access to drinking water.

Want a reusable water bottle that makes a real difference? At Retulp, you’ll find stainless steel water bottles that are BPA-free, built to last, and donate 1,000 times their capacity in drinking water through Made Blue with every purchase. Check out the collection at shop.retulp.com.