Disclaimer: I received GoSili straws to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!
I am very vocal about the fact that I am not a fan of outright straw bans, because there are people who do need disposable straws. That said, I’m also a fan of doing what I can to reduce my own plastic waste and I have the physical ability to carry and clean a reusable straw. Even though it might be only a small dent in the overall picture, every little bit helps.
Last year, in an effort to try to reduce my plastic consumption, I picked up some plastic straws and some metal straws. I wasn’t a huge fan of either of them. They weren’t very flexible and with the metal straws especially, I was convinced I was going to somehow chip my teeth on them. Still, they were better than disposable. A lot of places have gone to paper straws, and I have to admit, I kind of hate them. They absorb liquid and get mushy pretty fast.
I had initially avoided silicone straws because in my mind, they were going to be overly squishy and annoying to use. But when the chance came up to try GoSili straws for BibRave, I agreed to try them out and decide on silicone straws for myself.
I was very wrong about silicone straws. These things are great!
First and foremost, they are much more firm than I thought they would be. They are, of course, still squishy and foldable and GoSili has some super cute versions that come in tins that make them easy to carry.
The squishyness is also a way that you can clean them. Because of my prior straw collection, I own a few straw brushes, but an easy way to clean GoSili straws is to put them in soapy water and sort of squeeze and rub sides of the straw (so the interior sort of scrubs against itself). Because they’re a bit translucent, you can also see if the straw is clean, something I definitely can’t do with metal straws.
And of course, the softness makes me much less concerned about hurting myself with the straw. I even felt comfortable enough driving while using a cup and a straw, something that I wasn’t comfortable doing when I was using a metal straw.
GoSili straws come in regular, wide (great for smoothies or boba tea), and extra long. I have mainly used my regular length, and currently have them stashed in various locations (my desk drawer at work, my purse, my kitchen drawer). I don’t understand why, but adding a straw makes it so much easier to drink water throughout the day, which has definitely helped me stay hydrated as I’m picking up my training.
So if you’ve been considering trying out silicone straws, I definitely recommend GoSili. They’re inexpensive, easy to transport, and GoSili even has a recycling program for them once they’ve outlived their usefulness (though I’m not sure how that might happen). They’re easy to clean, dishwasher safe, and can be used in hot or cold liquids. I’m certainly going to continue to use mine and hope to come across someone in a bar or restaurant using one as well.