Author
Field Mag Editors
It's mid-hike and you need a break. Maybe it's a thirst quenching sip of cold water you're after. Or a chest warming drag of piping hot coffee. Instead, you find a hot splash of plastic-y water or a gulp of lukewarm metallic tinged java. Yeesh. No thank you. A high-quality insulated bottle will solve this issue. And luckily, there's no shortage of well designed options on the market.
But how does an insulated bottle work? Made from long-lasting, reusable materials like stainless steel, titanium, and aluminum, insulated drinkware’s secret to keeping liquids hot or cold for hours on end is in the name. Its the double-wall, bottle-within-a-bottle design that insulates the vessel and keeps internal liquids from external temperatures—the negative space between the layers drastically slows down heat transfer by way of vacuum technology.
While great for keeping contents hot or cold, the innovative construction does add weight to the overall design. Though as the tech has improved with added perks like condensation prevention and ultra-lightweight materials, plus an added bit of durability ensuring these premium bottles can withstand the abuse of daily use.
As with any piece of important outdoor gear, selecting the right insulated bottle involves considering its intended use case. While some are best suited for everyday carry, others are specifically designed to shine on hikes. Even still, a few styles of insulated drinkware have become functional status symbols in certain outdoor community circles.
To ensure you wind up with the right option for your preferred outdoor (and indoor) lifestyle, we've created the following list of the very best vacuum insulated water bottles for everything from your morning coffee routine to lightweight backpacking, car camping, and even cycling. Each has been rigorously tested by Field Mag editors.
Because no matter what outdoor situation you find yourself in, having the right drink at the right temperature can add that little oomph to the moment that'll makes memories.
The 12* Best Vacuum Insulated Bottles for Everyday Adventure
Best Insulated Bottle for Everyday Use: Purist Mover
With a surgical grade stainless steel inner wall, double-wall vacuum insulation, easy-to-carry design, and overall sophisticated aesthetic, the minimalist Purist Mover can keep your drink of choice cold for 24 hours or hot for 12, and look dang good doing it. An innovative silicon dioxide interior glass finish also prevents undesirable flavor leaching into your drink, meaning one quick rinse will completely remove any residual coffee taste (or wine or beer).
Capacity: 18oz
Weight: 9oz
Price: $48
Best Insulated Water Bottle for Camping & Hiking: Hydro Flask Lightweight Wide Mouth Trail Series
Big enough to keep you hydrated on long day hikes and weekend camping trips while also lightweight and durable, the 32oz, BPA-free Wide Mouth Trail Series bottle from industry leading Hydro Flask is 25% lighter than their other similar-sized bottles and uses TempShield insulation to keep your drink cold or hot (24 hours for cold, 12 hours for hot). Plus it prevents condensation. Another camping plus, the wide mouth fits Nalgene-style backcountry water filtration devices. (For a slightly smaller, lighter weight option, check out the 21oz Trail Series bottle.)
Capacity: 32oz
Weight: 12oz
Price: $50
Most Durable Insulated Bottle: Yeti 36oz Rambler Bottle
Rugged and built to withstand all kinds of rough-and-tumble while still keeping your drinks ice-cold or blazing hot, Yeti’s 36oz Rambler uses ultra-durable, puncture-and-rust-resistant stainless steel paired with No Sweat-tech for zero condensation. Dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning, an oleophobic coating also repels oil from fingerprints, keeping the wide-grip bottle clean and shiny.
Capacity: 36oz
Weight: 24oz
Price: $55
Best Lightweight Insulated Bottle: Snow Peak Titanium 350 Kanpai Bottle
Made with Japanese titanium, this double-wall vacuum sealed vessell will keep your drink hot or cold for over six hours while still being ultra-lightweight and stylish. Hailing from Japanese aesthetic-oriented outdoor lifestyle brand Snow Peak, the bottle comes with three lid options—tumbler, cooler, and thermal—for multi-use, multi-liquid enjoyment either while camping or chilling around your house.
Capacity: 12oz
Weight: 6oz
Price: $160
Best Insulated Bottle for Travel: Stanley Stay-Hot Titanium Travel Mug
Stanley's 14oz Travel Mug combines the best aspects of their first-in-class double-wall insulated and titanium drinkware into one neat, travel-sized bottle. Made with durable, bacteria-resistant titanium that’s 40% lighter than their stainless steel options, this iteration uses TiVac double-wall vacuum insulation to keep drinks hot for four hours or cold for up to 16. Leakproof and with a slender profile that slots easily into backpacks or cupholders, it comes with Stanley’s standard lifetime warranty. You can also attach the lid to your backpack with a carabiner for easy accessibility.
Capacity: 14oz
Weight: 7oz
Price: $100
Most Sustainable Water Bottle: Klean Kanteen Classic Water Bottle
One of the most recognizable names in the outdoor water bottle game, Klean Kanteen was the first to launch stainless steel reusable water bottles that are free of BPA and other harmful chemicals, as well as using a supply chain that prioritizes sustainability. Safe for the environment and for us, their stainless steel, double-wall vacuum insulated bottles keep your drink hot for 20 hours or ice-cold for 50. The eco-friendly, chip-resistant finish is a nice touch too.
Capacity: 20oz
Weight: 12oz
Price: $33
Best Cheap Insulated Water Bottle: RTIC Outdoors Water Bottle
It’s true that most high-quality insulated bottles are pricey, but RTIC Outdoor’s double-wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel bottles deliver the same quality at a fraction of the cost. With an air-tight and splash-proof lid, slender profile that’s easy to grip, and tons of color and finish options, it checks all the boxes for a reliable insulated bottle that will keep iced drinks cold for 24 hours and hot ones warm for six hours.
Capacity: 16oz, 20oz, 26oz
Weight: 12oz
Price: $11-15
Best Insulated Growler: Miir Growler
Known for their sturdy and well-designed water bottles and coffee mugs, Miir’s hefty 64oz stainless steel growler will keep that craft beer chilled for hours on end. Using Thermo 3D double-wall vacuum insulation to keep contents hot or cold, a threadless, pressure locking lid seals in carbonation. It also features a built-in handle for easy carrying and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Capacity: 64oz
Weight: NA
Price: $55
Best Insulated Can Koozie: Snow Peak Shimo Can Cooler
Upgrade your beer koozie game with this sleek, insulated rendition from Snow Peak, whose vacuumed-sealed, stainless steel structure can either hold a 24oz tall can or the liquid itself a la an insulated cup.
Capacity: 17oz
Weight: 5oz
Price: $40
Best Insulated Water Bottle for Cycling: Purist Chromatek MoFlo
Featuring Purist’s signature silicon dioxide interior coating which eliminates liquids and materials from leaving aftertastes and prevents mold and bad smells in your drink, the Chromatek MoFlo’s squeezable BPA-free plastic design makes it a great fit for fast-moving, on-the-go hydration. Water (or your drink of choice) is kept cold thanks to an insulating Chromatek barrier, and the leak-proof MoFlo cap is easy to use even when barreling down the road on your bike.
Capacity: 23oz
Weight: NA
Price: $18
Best Insulated Bottle for Running: QuickSqueeze Lite
With a compressible ergonomic grip and adjustable hand strap, this clever insulated water bottle for running is easy to use and comfortable to hold. Polyester and spandex materials flex and fit your hand to ensure on the run hydration, while an insulated double-wall construction keeps your water nice and cold for 20% longer than other insulated running water bottles.
Capacity: 12oz
Weight: NA
Price: $21
Honorable Mention: Best Insulated Cup: Camelbak Wine Tumbler
For anyone who loves a cheeky drink of chilled wine around the campfire—or home—at the end of a long day, Camelbak’s 12oz stainless steel Insulated Wine Tumbler utilizes the same double-wall tech as their coffee mugs to keep the wine (or coffee or what have you) cold for six hours or hot for four. Not only is the curved silhouette lovely to look at, but it feels great in the hand and also serves the purpose of funneling aroma and flavor upwards to the nose and mouth. And it includes a tri-mode spill resistant lid and no-slip silicone base.
Capacity: 12oz
Weight: 7oz
Price: $25
Published 06-29-2021
