Do They Still Make 32 oz Gatorade?

January 4, 2026 •

3 min read

In recent years, many consumers have noticed that their favorite products seem to be getting smaller, a phenomenon known as 'shrinkflation'. This trend has not spared the sports drink market, leaving many athletes and casual drinkers wondering what happened to the iconic 32 oz Gatorade bottle.

Quick Summary

The traditional 32 oz Gatorade bottle has been largely phased out and replaced by a smaller 28 oz version as part of a company-wide change, citing both manufacturing and ergonomic reasons.

Key Points

Discontinued: The classic 32 oz single-serving Gatorade bottle has been largely phased out and replaced by a 28 oz version due to 'shrinkflation'.
Shrinkflation: The change means consumers get less product for the same price, increasing the cost per ounce.
Ergonomic Redesign: PepsiCo cited an ergonomic redesign as the reason for the change, though it coincided with reduced product volume.
Powder Mix Option: The closest alternative for a 32 oz serving is the Gatorade powder mix, which can be prepared at home to the desired volume and concentration.
Reusable Bottles: The Gatorade brand still sells official 32 oz reusable water bottles designed to hold your own mixes.
Consumer Confusion: The quiet nature of the product size reduction caused confusion and frustration among many long-time Gatorade drinkers.

The End of an Era: The Discontinuation of the 32 oz Gatorade

For decades, the 32 oz Gatorade bottle was a staple in gyms, on sports fields, and in refrigerators across the country. Its size and iconic shape were synonymous with rehydration and performance. However, starting around 2021, many consumers began to notice that the familiar bottle was disappearing from store shelves, replaced by a slightly smaller, redesigned version. This change was part of a strategic move by PepsiCo, Gatorade's parent company, to update its product packaging and maximize profitability in response to rising costs.

The most significant change was the reduction in volume from 32 ounces to 28 ounces. While the new bottles retained a similar overall height and silhouette, the difference in content was notable to loyal customers. PepsiCo's official reasoning for the change was based on an 'ergonomic plan' to improve the bottle's grip, but many perceived the move as a classic example of 'shrinkflation'—delivering less product for the same price.

The Impact of Shrinkflation on Sports Drink Consumers

Reduced Value for Money: Consumers are effectively paying the same price, or a slightly increased price, for less product. This impacts the per-ounce cost, making the purchase less economical over time.
Unexpected Product Changes: The change in bottle size was not heavily advertised, leading to consumer confusion and a sense of being misled. Many people did not realize the size had been altered until after they made their purchase.
Shift in Consumption Habits: For athletes who rely on a specific fluid intake for training and performance, the smaller bottle requires them to buy more units to meet their hydration goals, potentially increasing their overall expenditure on the product.
Environmental Concerns: While the new bottle design was promoted as a way to improve handling, it also resulted in more plastic bottles being sold to deliver the same total volume of product, raising questions about sustainability.
Legacy Brand Perception: The quiet reduction in size can damage consumer trust in a legacy brand like Gatorade, as it may be viewed as a deceptive practice rather than a necessary business decision.

Comparison: 32 oz vs. 28 oz Gatorade


Feature	Old 32 oz Bottle	New 28 oz Bottle
Volume	32 fluid ounces	28 fluid ounces
Design	Classic, straight-sided bottle	Contoured, 'easier-to-grip' bottle
Cost per Ounce	Lower (based on pre-shrinkflation prices)	Higher (paying same price for less liquid)
Availability	Largely discontinued; rare finds	Widely available at most retailers
Consumer Perception	Iconic, reliable size and value	Example of 'shrinkflation', less product

Where Can You Still Find the 32 oz Experience?

While the original bottled 32 oz Gatorade is a relic of the past, there are alternative options for those seeking a similar volume of hydration.

Gatorade Powder Mix: For those who need control over their serving size and want to replicate the 32 oz experience, Gatorade offers powder mixes in a variety of flavors and container sizes, including 32 oz bags. This allows you to mix your own drink to the exact concentration and volume you prefer.
Reusable Water Bottles: The official Gatorade website and retailers like Amazon still sell 32 oz reusable stainless steel or plastic bottles. These are designed to be filled with water or your custom-mixed Gatorade, providing a sustainable and long-lasting solution.
Alternative Brands: Some competing sports drink brands may still offer products in the 32 oz size. Checking the sports drink aisle of different grocery stores or big-box retailers might yield results from alternative companies that have not yet adopted the same packaging strategies as PepsiCo.
Bulk Purchases: Some specialty or wholesale retailers might still offer legacy stock or bulk-packaged options that approximate the 32 oz experience, but these are becoming increasingly rare and inconsistent.

Conclusion

The short answer to the question "Do they still make 32 oz Gatorade?" is no, at least not in the familiar, single-serving bottle form that existed for decades. The beverage industry's shift towards smaller packaging and higher per-ounce pricing led to the phasing out of the traditional 32 oz bottle in favor of a new 28 oz design. While this change was met with disappointment by many long-time consumers, a variety of workarounds, such as purchasing powder mixes or reusable bottles, offer ways to still get a 32 oz serving of your favorite sports drink. The classic 32 oz bottle has become a casualty of the 'shrinkflation' era, a clear sign of evolving market and corporate strategies.

For more information on product changes and consumer trends, see the ConsumerWorld.org website for decades of tracking shrinkflation trends.

Frequently Asked Questions

The change was part of a redesign by PepsiCo, citing an ergonomic plan for an easier-to-grip bottle. However, it was widely seen as an example of 'shrinkflation' to increase profit margins amid rising costs.

The phase-out of the 32 oz bottle began around 2021 and was completed over several months, with the newer 28 oz versions steadily replacing the older stock in stores.

It is highly unlikely to find the classic 32 oz pre-filled bottles in retail stores today, as they have been replaced by the 28 oz version. Any remaining stock is exceptionally rare.

Generally, yes. The 28 oz bottles were introduced at a price point similar to or slightly higher than the original 32 oz bottles, resulting in a higher cost per fluid ounce for consumers.

'Shrinkflation' is the practice of reducing a product's size or quantity while its price remains the same or increases. It is a common tactic companies use to maximize profits in response to production cost increases.

Your best options are to purchase Gatorade powder mix in bulk and prepare a 32 oz serving yourself, or to buy a reusable 32 oz Gatorade bottle and fill it with your preferred drink.

The formula for the Gatorade Thirst Quencher itself has not changed significantly, so the taste should be identical. The only difference is the reduced volume in the bottle.