the good, the bad, and the real deal

the roar reviews: real versus dupes

elena alaniz | section editor

When I had first seen the hype train for Hydro Flask water bottles, I remember wondering what was so special about them. I figured any old water bottle could do the same thing that the Hydro Flask could, if not better. Now having bought one, I see that this isn’t true. The pros that come with a Hydro Flask definitely outweigh the cons. It retains a constant temperature better than an average Target water bottle can and can I count on the ice not melting for at least a day. There are so many different customizations that one can choose from when ordering a Hydro Flask. Customization ranges from things like the bottle color, cap color, and boot color to what kind of cap and how much water the bottle will hold, making your bottle feel very unique to you. However, there are also cons to the Hydro Flask. Because it is more of a namebrand, Hydro Flasks are on the pricier side. A 40 oz. bottle costs around $50, while a competing company’s 40 oz. bottle costs around $25. Overall, I think Hydro Flask bottles are definitely worth the hype if you’re willing to spend more money than you would on the average bottle.

trinity craig | section editor

Dr. Pepper has always been my favorite soda. But when I first compared it to Mr. Pibb, I genuinely could not tell the difference between the two. Primarily, Dr. Pepper has a complex blend of flavors. Each sip of Dr. Pepper is different from the sip before — taking you on a journey each time you drink a bottle. Sarsaparilla and ginger flavors give the soda a nice kick of spice that pairs well with the underlying notes of cherry and cola. From the first sip to the last, Dr. Pepper is an overall refreshing experience. Mr. Pibb is like a twin to Dr. Pepper. While drinking the soda, I could taste the cinnamon, which gave it a unique and pleasant spice. Sadly, Mr. Pibb is just a spicy cherry soda with an underlying chemical taste that I could not get off my tongue, which made it hard to enjoy. It does not have the flavor waves that Dr. Pepper does, making Mr. Pibb slightly underwhelming. Besides these factors, the two drinks are almost identical, but in the end, I would suggest drinking Dr. Pepper over Mr. Pibb anytime.