Best Hiking Thermoses: Drink Hot Coffee in the Hills
Have a hot drink on hand wherever you are with our best thermoses for hiking
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BY Trey Williams / LAST UPDATED ON October 11, 2019
Thermos bottles are the ideal choice if you want a hot beverage while hiking or when you’re on a road trip. They also offer a cost-effective and eco-friendly way of getting your caffeine fix at work. A quality vacuum flask will save you from expensive coffee shops and reduce your disposable plastic usage. They come in various sizes and styles. Discover our top thermos flasks for hiking below.
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All of our reviews are based on market research, expert input, or practical experience with most products we include. This way, we offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
Benefits of Hiking Thermoses
- Stay hydrated. When you're hiking or camping overnight, it's essential that you drink the right amount of fluids. A high-quality hiking thermos will ensure that you're getting all the liquids you need.
- Keep beverages hot and cold. Nothing tastes as good as a warm cup of coffee or hot chocolate when it's chilly outside. And when you're dripping in sweat after a long day on the trail, ice-cold water is particularly refreshing. Hiking thermoses are designed to maintain the temperature of the liquids inside.
- Enjoy hot soup or chili. Hiking thermoses aren't just for beverages. You can also use them to keep soup and other meals warm. It's convenient to have a warm meal ready when you stop for a lunch break on the trail.
Types of Hiking Thermoses
Stainless Steel
Most modern thermoses are made of stainless steel. They are very durable, insulating, and are easy to clean. Another benefit is that they don't retain odors or tastes. Stainless steel thermoses are BPA-free, which means they are designed so chemicals do not penetrate the liquid inside. One downside with stainless steel is that it dents easier than plastic.
Top Brands
Thermos
Thermos has been around since 1904. The company's name is derived from the Greek word "thérmē," which means "heat." Thermos, based in Schaumburg, Illinois, has more than 100 years of experience making bottles, food jars, coolers, and more for adventurers as well as everyday people. We recommend the Thermos Stainless King 16 Ounce Compact Bottle.
Stanley
Inventor William Stanley Jr. merged vacuum insulation with steel in 1913 to create the all-steel vacuum bottle that's still popular today. The company designs a variety of food and beverage-related gear, such as camping cookware, coolers, growlers, and flasks. One top product is the Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug.
Klean Kanteen
Based in Chico, California, Klean Kanteen is a family- and employee-owned company that produces bottles made from 18/8, food-grade stainless steel that is eco-friendly. One of its popular products is the Klean Kanteen Wide Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Coffee Mug.
Zojirushi
The Japanese company Zojirushi made its first glass-lined vacuum bottle in 1918. It's evolved into a leading manufacturer of household goods, including thermal carafes and vacuum-insulated mugs and bottles, such as the Zojirushi SM-KHE48AG Stainless Steel Mug.
Hiking Thermos Pricing
- $20-$30: You can find a good stainless steel hiking thermos in this price range. They range in size, and some are as small as 12 ounces while others are as big as 68 ounces. Typically, larger-capacity thermoses are slightly more expensive.
Key Features
Insulation
Hiking thermoses usually have either foam or vacuum insulation. The latter is better because it features a double-wall construction that forms a gap/vacuum between the bottle's exterior shell and the liquid inside. Bottles with vacuum insulation better maintain the temperature of the beverage, whether it's hot or cold.
Durability
If you plan on using your bottle for hiking and camping, it needs to withstand a little bit of abuse. If you drop the bottle and it gets dented, that shouldn't affect its thermo-regulation ability. Some of the most durable thermoses are made of stainless steel. Also look for solid lids, because those with several pieces are more prone to fail over time.
Leakproof
A bottle that is leak-proof is also essential because you don't want the contents to spill inside your backpack. Keep in mind that some brands are only leak-proof if they're in an upright position such as in a car cup holder. Also, some caps are not designed as effectively as others and may be more prone to leaking.
Capacity
Depending on your activity, you may need a smaller or larger hiking thermos. You may want a lightweight thermos if you're planning a long hike, but it should have a high enough capacity to accommodate your needs. Also, make sure that you have a large enough bottle if you plan on sharing your liquids with another person.
Other Considerations
- Added Features: If the bottle comes with a lid that doubles as a cup, you don't have to carry an extra cup. Also look for brands with a wide mouth because it's easier to drink and pour from these types of bottles. In addition, some hiking bottles have carry handles, while others have pour holes that allow you to access the contents inside without unscrewing the lid.
Best Hiking Thermos Reviews & Recommendations 2020
This one-handed, trigger-action thermos with a push-button lid is BPA-free and made of 18/8 stainless steel. It features double-wall vacuum insulation and is leakproof and packable. It will keep your coffee or tea hot for up to five hours and cold beverages cool for up to eight hours.
The travel mug is slim and fits in nearly all car cup holders. You can put the mug in a bag, backpack, etc., and not worry about it leaking. The lid is easy to disassemble for cleaning, and it still works perfectly if you accidentally drop it and dent it. Also, the button to open it is easy to use, even if you're wearing gloves.
However, the mug has a plastic smell when it's new, which may change the odor or flavor of the beverage. Fortunately, it goes away after you wash it a few times. There have also been some complaints that the push-button lid breaks after a short period of use.
This thermos is easy to carry and is ideal for camping. It's made of stainless steel and is sweat-proof. The thermos features an internal copper lining for triple-wall insulation as well as a screw-top design. The opening is large enough to comfortably consume the liquid inside.
The travel mug is easy to use and is the perfect size: it's not too big or too small. The 17-ounce thermos fits into a backpack, bike rack, and cup holder without a problem. The lid is BPA-free, and there's no metallic aftertaste when you drink. The thermos is also leakproof, and the lid doubles as a cup.
Unfortunately, the thermos holds just two cups of coffee at most, so it’s not ideal for long trips or overnight camping. In addition, the lid is not replaceable. Another problem is it easily dents if you drop it.
This 16-ounce thermos features double-wall vacuum insulation to keep drinks hot or cold. It's made of durable stainless steel inside and out. It stays cool to the touch with hot beverages and is sweat-proof when containing cold liquids. The lid can be used as a serving cup, and the thermos features a twist-and-pour function.
The thermos easily fits in a car cup holder, kid's stroller, or backpack. It's high-quality, easy to clean, and the lid that works as a cup is quite useful. Overall, it's great for commuters and campers because it's incredibly good at retaining temperatures.
One downside is the lid has a strong plastic odor. Also, the metal cap may detach from its plastic interior within a short period of time. In addition, you can't sip or drink from the thermos and must use the tiny included cup or a separate mug.
Tips
- Thermos flasks come in a wide range of sizes, so it’s good to work out what you really need. If it’s too big, you risk wastage. If it’s too small, it might leave you short.
- Similarly, think about how long you need to keep things warm. Beverage bottles with greater heat retention properties are often the more expensive ones on the market.
- Choose a thermos flask with a lid that can double as a travel mug if you’re going to be outdoors and don’t want to carry unnecessary extras.
FAQs
Q: How does a vacuum flask work?
A: A vacuum flask is constructed with an internal double wall of stainless steel or glass to prevent heat transfer. Because heat can’t get in or out past these layers, the temperature inside doesn’t change, and the liquid stays either piping hot or ice cold.
Q: Can I put my thermos flask in the dishwasher?
A: Most thermos flasks are dishwasher-safe on the top rack, but manufacturers often recommend hand-cleaning to protect the exterior finish. Never use bleach to clean a flask.
Q: Can I use my vacuum flask to keep food warm?
A: There’s no reason why you can’t use your thermos as a food flask as long as the lid is wide enough to accommodate whatever you’re having for lunch. You can also buy vacuum insulated food jars specifically designed for this purpose.
Final Thoughts
Our pick for the top hiking thermos is the Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug. You can operate it with one hand, and it keeps your beverages hot or cold for hours.
The Fijoo Stainless Steel Thermos Bottle is our top pick for value.