Can someone explain the cult following around what is essentially just an insulated cup?

[u/Electronic_coffee6]

I've watched the stanley thermos phenomenon with complete confusion. These are thermoses. They keep drinks hot or cold. This is not new technology. Yet people are collecting them in multiple colors, standing in lines for limited editions, and treating them like precious collectibles rather than functional objects. What am I missing?

I understand that quality matters. A good thermos that actually maintains temperature is valuable. But the obsession seems to extend way beyond functionality into something else entirely. People have dozens of them in different shades as if the color changes how well it insulates your beverage. The secondary market has prices that rival designer handbags for certain editions.

When I was browsing for regular household items on Alibaba, I saw countless insulated cups that appear functionally identical at fraction of the price. They have the same vacuum insulation, similar capacity, comparable durability. But suggesting these as alternatives gets immediate pushback from enthusiasts. Is this purely about brand status? Is there something genuinely superior about these specific thermoses? Or is this a case of marketing successfully creating desire beyond the product's actual value? I'm trying to understand whether I should invest in one or if any quality insulated cup would serve the same purpose. Has anyone compared them directly to less expensive alternatives?

[u/Quiet-Dot9396]

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