What's on the Market?
Straw tumblers have been trending since 2025, and I wanted to explore creating a competitive product for Cool Gear. After analyzing leading brands, studying online reviews, and gathering reviews from colleagues, I identified several recurring issues. Some options were over-complex and expensive, some were un-intuitive, and some just didn't work well.
The BruMate works well, but it’s hard to tell when the lid is closed, it’s super heavy and it’s difficult to turn the closing dial at the top.
I like the chugger hole on the Stanley, but there’s nowhere to put the straw when you’re not using it.
I use a HydroFlask leakproof tumbler, but it doesn’t work very well and it’s difficult to sip from.
The Opportunity
After reviewing competitors’ leak-proof tumblers, I found that none of them offered a solution that was both functional and intuitive, highlighting a clear opportunity to design a better product. Cool Gear’s audience values more affordable versions of trending products, so the challenge was to minimize tooling costs and part count while still meeting the functional and intuitive requirements.
Cool Gear's Design Language
Playful, Bold, Organic
Make it Cheap, but Functional
The Final Design
A sliding straw tab for locking and opening proved to be far more intuitive and functional than the options currently on the market. This design also uses fewer parts, making it cheaper to manufacture and more affordable for the end user.
