We have used many camping mugs, from our favorite YETI Rambler to GSI Outdoor Infinity, over the years of camping. We tested thoroughly in different weather conditions, landscapes, and different kinds of liquids to check the performance of each mug, including insulated and non-insulated.
Instead of having disposable cups, which are cheap and easy to find, we always suggest having a quality mug for camping that is durable and keeps the coffee and tea cold or hot for a long time. Insulated thermos mugs are expensive; however, they are worth the investment as you can have hot coffee or tea.
Related: Best Backpacking Mugs
After extensive research and field testing, we’ve shortlisted the best camping mugs by testing materials, insulation, stability, and durability.
Editor’s note: We updated this guide on March 06, 2025, after further experimenting with camping mugs to give better comparisons and insights into the 2025 top options.
Best Overall Camping Mug
1. YETI Rambler Tumbler Mug
I have wanted to try the Yeti Rambler Tumbler mug for quite some time. I finally took the dip and purchased one, and I am so glad I did. The Yeti Rambler is made of high-quality stainless steel. It is vacuum insulated to keep your beverages hot or cold for hours.
The Magslider lid is a real game-changer. I thought magnets might not work efficiently, keeping the lid tight and secure, but this proved wrong. Such an outstanding design and quality lid. However, it’s not fully leakproof from the lid. The chances of leakage are high if it is full, especially with hot liquid, as evaporate creates little pressure, and I see bubbles around the lid. A few times, I screwed the office bag as I took this mug to the office in addition to camping.
The YETI Rambler Tumbler mug is an excellent option for anyone who enjoys camping in cold weather. This mug keeps the drink hot for longer hours compared to others we reviewed, making it ideal for enjoying a warm drink around the campfire.
The mug is also a decent size, fitting easily into most cup holders. The fact that it is BPA-free and dishwasher safe is just icing on the cake. If you are looking for a top-of-the-line tumbler mug, the Yeti Rambler should be at the top of your list.
The Rambler Tumbler mug is stylish and easy to hold, even when filled with a hot beverage. And thanks to its tight-fitting lid, you can drink from it without worrying about spills.
The mug does not come with a handle, and after using it extensively, I don’t think it is needed. This means you will need to hold the mug to drink from it. While this is not a major issue, it may be uncomfortable for those with small hands.
It’s pricy, but overall, this is the best camping mug you can get, and it will serve you well for years.
Read our full review: YETI Rambler 20 oz Tumbler Review
Best For The Budget
2. CamelBak Horizon Camp Mug
The CamelBak Horizon Camp Mug is a great mug for outdoor and travel with its great performance in different situations and value for the money. The heat retention of this camp mug is excellent, even during winter camping, due to its double-wall vacuum feature.
Since it is spill-resistant due to its tri-mode lid, you can easily walk on the rockiest mountain trails or keep it on uneven surfaces without worrying that your drink will spill.
I also liked its slide opening, instead of a full lid, as it makes the drinking easy and quick. Since it’s insulated, you can take it during winter camping as it will keep the drink hot for one to two hours.
The grip also provides enough traction to not slip from the hand, even if wet. The bottom of the mug also provides enough friction and does not even slip when you put it on slippery rocks during camping.
Furthermore, The double-wall construction also makes this mug more durable than other mugs. So, It won’t break easily even if it gets dropped accidentally on the campsite as it can withstand bumps and drops.
Overall, the CamelBak Horizon Camp Mug is a versatile and durable camping mug that can perform well in different situations.
Best Stainless Steel Option
3. Snow Peak MG-214 Vacuum Mug
The Snow Peak MG-214 Vacuum Mug is another excellent choice for a camping mug. It is made of stainless steel with double wall construction for durability and has a capacity of 15.2 fluid ounces.
It is also very lightweight(not ideal for backpacking), weighing only 135 grams. Despite its weight, the mug design is compact(with a foldable handle) and easy to pack in your backpack or carry on your belt loop.
In addition, the mug lid is excellent, sealing tight to prevent leaks. We tested the Snow Peak MG-214 Vacuum Mug against the Snow Peak Titanium version. We liked the thermal insulation on this mug better.
With the titanium version, our lips would sometimes get burned when we took a sip from the mug. The stainless steel on this mug is of excellent quality and unmatchable in lightness and cold resistance.
It has a reasonable capacity of 450ml for one person and does an excellent job of retaining heat. But it’s pricey compared with some other quality mugs. Overall, the Snow Peak MG-214 Vacuum Mug is perfect for a durable and compact mug.
Best Thermal Mug
4. RTIC Coffee Mug with Handle
There are some critical factors to consider when it comes to finding the perfect mug for your morning cup of coffee or tea. However, one company that always seems to deliver is RTIC. Their Vacuum-Insulated Mug is top of the line regarding quality and convenience. RTIC Vacuum-Insulated Mug is made from high-quality stainless steel.
It features double-wall vacuum insulation for maximum temperature retention. It’s also sweatproof, so you don’t have to worry about condensation outside the mug.
Additionally, this comes in multiple colors and designs, so there is a wide variety to choose this cup. The pop-top lid is an excellent feature as compared to the sliding lid. This design makes it much easier to clean than mugs with a sliding lid and prevents tea and coffee stains from building up inside the lid.
Additionally, the mug is made from high-quality materials that make it durable. It can easily handle if accidentally dropped while camping. This mug also looks excellent. However, the lid is not totally spill proof, so it’s not suitable if you need a secure lid.
This size does not fit in the car cup holder, so it’s not ideal if you want to carry it in your car. The handle looks durable and easy to hold and drink from. However, the sticker at the bottom is tough to remove, which could be an issue if you’re trying to put a hot drink in it.
Best All-Around Option
5. Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Mug
The Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Mug is another excellent option for those who enjoy camping and spending time outdoors. This mug is highly versatile and can easily be stored in most cup holders.
Additionally, it features double-wall vacuum insulation to keep your drinks hot or cold for hours on end. The trigger action lid is also spill-proof, making it the perfect choice for those rough on their belongings. The wide mouth opening makes cleaning the mug fast and easy.
The Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Mug is a tough and reliable coffee mug that seals well to prevent leaks and drips. The seals appear silicone and work well to keep coffee hot for hours. The mug is easy to use with one hand and tough enough to withstand drops and bumps.
The Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Mug is an excellent option for budget-conscious coffee drinkers. One downside of this cup is that you can sometimes taste a bad taste from the plastic, but this seems to be reduced after a few washes.
Another great feature of this mug is that the lid is easy to disassemble for cleaning. The Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Mug is a great option for those looking for an affordable and durable coffee mug for camping.
How To Choose Camping Mug: Buying Guide
Material
Your mug’s durability, weight, insulation, and ease of cleaning depend on the material. That’s why you’ll want to pay close attention to the material when picking a mug. I chose a stainless steel mug for several reasons, mainly because it’s safe for health.
Consumer reports suggest that stainless steel mugs are the most common material choice for durability and heat resistance. It does not affect the taste of your drink, unlike some plastic mugs we used while camping. It’s also easy to clean, requiring less water and soap.
Don’t settle for poor-quality mugs just because they’re lightweight. They not only degrade over time but are also risky to use for hot drinks. Even worse, they can leave a bad taste. Unfortunately, you cannot get rid of bad smells, even with many washes.
I’ve seen some campers using ceramic mugs, which I don’t think are very practical for outdoor use. I know that steel gets hot and becomes difficult to hold when filled with hot liquid, but mugs like the YETI Rambler Tumbler are excellent. Not only do they keep drinks hot, but they’re also easy to hold.
Insulation
If you want to buy an insulated mug or not is your personal preference. However, one thing I can tell you based on my experience is that you’ll want to have an insulated mug while camping in cold weather. It’s really worth having a mug that can keep your drink hot for an extended period.
A well-insulated mug will have a double-wall construction with a vacuum-sealed space between the two walls. This space prevents heat transfer to keep drinks hot or cold for extended periods.
Some mugs also have a copper lining or reflector to reduce heat loss. So, consider how long you want your drink to stay hot or cold. Then accordingly choose the insulated mug.
Vacuum-insulated mugs are particularly effective at maintaining temperature. They often come with features like leak-proof lids and comfortable handles.
A better quality insulated mug will cost you much more money than a normal mug. If you don’t camp in cold weather, taking a non-insulated mug can save you money.
Lid Type
Screw-on and vacuum-insulated lids are best if you buy an insulated mug since these lids provide tight seals. I prefer screw-on lids to avoid the leakage as I put the mug in my pack too. I don’t have good experience with most of the other lids, like flip-top, slide, and built-in straw lids. They are not as leakproof as screw-on or vacuum-insulated.
Some users prefer lids that come with built-in straws for ease of drinking while on the go. If you don’t mind a little bit of leakage, then this might be a good alternative. But I wouldn’t say I like to sip my drink using a straw. I remove the lid and enjoy my tea or coffee directly from the mug.
Cleaning the lid can be annoying, especially vacuum-insulated lids or the ones that come with the straw. For instance, the Yeti Rambler is quick to clean, except for the lid. It takes a bit of effort to thoroughly clean the lid.
I noticed that the lid loses its shine compared to the other parts of the mug over time due to difficulty in cleaning the lid.
Similarly, due to threads, screw-on lids are also a bit difficult to clean. So which lid is the best? It mainly depends on your use and personal preference.
Handle
Personally, based on my experience, I prefer a mug without a handle for easy packing and durability. But for a solid grip, mugs with lids are a good option, as they are easy to hold and drink.
However, some mugs, like the Yeti Rambler, come without a handle, but you can easily hold them. They don’t get warm outside, so they are safe to hold.
If you want a mug with a handle, then don’t compromise the quality of the handle. Because it’s easier to break the handle in the rigorous outdoor use. For space-saving, weight, and durability, you’ll want a mug without a handle.
Size
Some campers, like myself, prefer to use mugs for drinks only and carry separate camping cookware for cooking, soup, and eating. Others might use it for both drinks and dehydrating meals. The choice is yours, and it’s all about what works best for you.
Depending on how you take them, bigger mugs may be more inconvenient. While they can hold more liquid and keep it hot for longer, they can also be heavier and take up more space in your backpack.
We prepare the tea or coffee once during group camping and keep it inside the insulated mug for sharing. Therefore, if you plan to use your mug mainly for coffee or tea, you can choose the size accordingly. But if you also want to use it for soup or oatmeal, you may opt for a slightly larger size.
Summary
That’s all. We shortlisted the best camping mugs based on our field testing and over the years of camping experience using these mugs. Depending on your personal choice, you can go with the insulated or non-insulated mug. Insulated mugs are expensive but equally worth it during winter camping.
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