On any given day, you can see students walking to classes, practices or meetings with big gallon jugs in hand. While many students drink water from regular-sized bottles, others choose to hydrate by the gallon. 

For students like Caden Elliott, this habit began before college. In high school, his wrestling coaches suggested the athletes carry around a jug to ensure they were drinking the right amount of fluids per day. 

“They wanted us to drink our body weight in ounces to make sure we were staying hydrated,” Elliott said. 

What began as a recommendation by high school coaches has become a part of his personal routine in college.To this day, he typically finishes his gallon and can feel the difference it makes.

“I just feel less drained, especially during practice,” he said. 

Elliott said he usually fills his gallon jug every night to ensure he is prepared for the next day. Although the size of the jug is not very discreet and people sometimes question why he carries around such a big bottle for water, Elliott said it helps to hold him accountable. 

“Yeah, it holds me accountable because I have to carry around a big ol’ gallon every day,” he said. 

Conner Hangartner had a similar origin story, as he also started carrying around a jug in high school while wrestling. 

“I started carrying a jug around freshman year of high school. I just wanted to drink water when I was cutting weight, and then it carried into football,” he said. 

Carrying around his jug has become second nature to him. 

“It’s just a daily routine, honestly. Like, it doesn’t even feel like a gallon anymore,” Hangartner said. 

He said being hydrated makes him feel better overall, but he did admit to one major downfall. 

“I just pee a lot,” he said with a laugh. “I know where every bathroom is around campus.”

Still, the routine of carrying around his jug keeps him motivated to drink the full 128 ounces, and if he has a little left at the end of the day, he pushes himself to finish it before bed.

Missy Anker, Simpson College’s Director of Sports Nutrition, said she isn’t surprised to see more gallon jugs showing up around campus, especially by the athletes. She routinely recommends athletes drink at least a gallon of water each day, if not more. 

According to Anker, male athletes need a baseline of 120 ounces of fluid each day, while female athletes need 90 ounces. These numbers increase for those who are taking creatine or consuming caffeine, and some athletes may need up to 160 to 170 ounces each day. 

Anker said most students don’t realize how big a role hydration has in performance for both academics and athletics.

“If you’re not as hydrated as you should be, your kidneys aren’t functioning properly, your heart’s not functioning properly,” she said. 

Being hydrated is also important to keep yourself mentally sharp. 

“When you are dehydrated or underhydrated, it really does impact how you think and affects your brain function,” Anker said. 

She thinks carrying around a gallon jug is a great strategy as long as students spread out their drinking rather than consume it all at once.

“Carrying around what they know they need to drink in a day can be super motivating. I think it’s a great idea to be hauling that around,” she said. 

For Elliott and Hangartner, the gallon jug has become an integral part of their day and helps them perform at their best. Hangartner encourages other students to try it as well and reap the benefits. 

“It keeps you hydrated and gives you a goal for the day,” he said. 

With more students adopting the habit, gallon jugs are becoming a familiar sight around campus, serving as a reminder to stay hydrated and perform at your best.