The Nalgene craze
has hit Notre Dame.
These virtually indestructible,
techy-looking plastic bottles are showing up on campuses across
the country and have become almost an extension of the student
wardrobe. At Notre Dame they can be seen everywhere -- nestled
in mesh pouches of backpacks or dangling from a belt loop or backpack
strap, often tethered by another trendy accessory, a carabiner,
those D-shaped spring-loaded clips originally designed for rappelling.
What makes Nalgene
bottles so popular? Fans say their translucence and lines marking
off liquid levels in ounces give them an advantage over conventional
sports bottles when it comes to mixing powdered drinks. And their
Lexan plastic construction makes them both durable and resistant
to absorption of flavors.
But students are
mainly carrying water in their Nalgene bottles for quick sips
during class. Lacking any kind of insulating sleeve, they don't
keep water cold especially long. Thus, it appears a herd mentality
is at play: Students want them because they see other students
have them.
The website of the
bottle's manufacturer, Nalge Nunc, says the containers are descended
from a line of state-of-the-art polyethylene laboratory equipment.
According to lore, scientists began taking the smaller bottles
out of the lab to use when hiking and camping. Eventually camping
equipment stores began selling them.
Today Nalgene bottles can be found at a wide range of stores,
where they retail for about $10. The Notre Dame bookstore offers
one with the ND logo for $15. They come in an assortment of colors,
shapes and sizes. Some students personalize theirs with stickers
of their favorite bands or other interests.
(July 2004)
