Short answer: maybe not. But also... maybe yes. Depends on what you drink and where you are.

If you only drink cold water, a regular sports bottle does the job just fine. No need for insulation. But if you like iced coffee in summer or hot tea in winter, a thermos keeps the temperature for hours. That's not old-school—that's practical.

Here's where a thermos wins:

• Hot drinks stay hot. Morning coffee at 8 AM? Still warm at noon. No microwave, no sad lukewarm sip.

• Cold drinks stay cold. Fill it with ice water before gym, and it's still chilled after your workout.

• Saves money. Bring your own tea or cold brew instead of buying overpriced cafe drinks every day.

• Less plastic waste. One good thermos replaces dozens of disposable cups.

But do you need one?
If you're always indoors with a kettle and fridge nearby, probably not. A normal cup or bottle is fine. If you're a student, commuter, or someone who spends hours outside—lectures, library, hiking, gym—then a thermos starts making a lot of sense.

The catch?
They're heavier, bulkier, and harder to clean than a simple plastic bottle. And if you only drink room-temperature water, you're just carrying extra weight.

Bottom line:
Don't buy one because everyone says you should. Buy one if you actually want your drinks hot or cold for hours. It's not about age—it's about your routine. If that sounds useful, grab one. If not, stick with your regular bottle and don't stress about it.

Young people don't need a thermos. But they might want one once they try it. And that's totally fine.