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.
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.
The YETI Rambler Tumbler mug is an excellent option for anyone who enjoys camping or spending time outdoors. 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.
However, one downside of the mug is that it does not come with a handle. 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.
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
In this article, we’ve reviewed some of the best camping mugs on the market, providing in-depth reviews. We’ve also included a buyer’s guide to help you choose the right mug for your needs. We’ve considered everything from durability to thermal retention and included a few budget-friendly options.
Material
When choosing a camping mug, the material is the most critical factor to keep in mind. The mug should be able to stand the hot and cold drinks.
Some materials and colors are dissoluble when you put the hot drink in the mug. This is not only bad for the drink flavor but also very dangerous for the health. Not only inside but outside material should also be able to withstand extreme hot or cold weather, and it should not be rusty.
Stainless steel is a good option as it is durable and does not rust. However, choosing a mug with good insulation properties is also important to keep your drinks hot or cold as needed.
So, the material determines how long the mug will last, how well it retains heat, and how safe it is to drink from. When it comes to camping mugs, there are three primary materials to choose from
- Ceramic: Ceramic mugs are typically the most durable compared to other camping mugs. However, they are heavy and can break if fallen on hard surfaces or stone during camping.
- Stainless steel: Stainless steel mugs are lighter and less likely to break, but they can become hot to the touch. This is the most common option for camping mugs, considering their durability and portability.
- Plastic: Plastic mugs are the lightest and most affordable option, but they may not retain heat as well as the other two materials. Also, they are not durable and might not be safe to put hot drinks.
Insulation
Insulation is another most important to have in camping mugs. When we camp in winter or during snowfall, we want our tea or coffee to remain hot for an hour or so.
Sometimes we even used nearby canteen mugs, which used to make drink cold immediately after pouring into it during winter. So, we started taking our well-insulated mugs to avoid ruining our camping and outdoor adventures. You want a mug that will keep your hot drinks hot and your cold drinks cold.
A well-insulated mug will have a double-wall construction with a vacuum-sealed space between the two walls. This space prevents heat transfer, so your drink stays at the desired temperature.
Some mugs also have a copper lining or reflector to reduce heat loss. So, consider how long your drink needs to stay at the ideal temperature.
Vacuum-insulated mugs are particularly effective at maintaining temperatures, and they often come with features like leak-proof lids and comfortable handles.
Lid Type
The most common lid type is a screw-on cap, which offers a tight seal and can be easily removed. Another popular option is a slide-open lid, which allows easy drinking without removing the entire lid.
But you should do some practice drinking from this kind of lid. Sometimes, if not appropriately controlled, it can burn your tongue with the hot drink.
Some mugs also have a built-in straw, which can conveniently take quick sips. But I wouldn’t say I like to sip my drink using a straw. I remove even lid and enjoy my tea or coffee directly from the mug. Choose a mug with an insulated lid for hot beverages to prevent burns.
So what are the other essential benefits of having the lid? To prevent spilling your drink.
Most of the cups we reviewed have a very safe and secure lid to prevent the drink from spilling. Also, the drink should not stick inside the lid and should be easy to clean. Otherwise, odor and bacteria will ruin your drinks.
Handle
The handle of the camping mug is another critical factor. Most mugs come with a handle, so they are easy to hold and drink. However, some mugs come without a handle, but you can easily hold them. They don’t get warm outside, so they are safe to hold.
The quality of the handle, ease of use, and heat-resistant are all crucial factors to consider when choosing a mug. If the handle is of poor quality, it can easily break loose. If it is too difficult to use, you may not be able to hold the mug comfortably. And if it gets too warm to hold, you may not be able to use it at all.
A good handle should be made of durable material that is easy to grip, even when your hands are wet or cold. We prefer the handle to be firmly closed with the mug so that it cannot break if it falls.
Size
Camping mug size is mainly a personal preference and for what tasks you want to use it. We usually take mugs for drinks, soups, and meals. So, we try to choose a bigger size that can also be helpful in these cases.
While a more oversized mug may be more inconvenient to carry, it will be more versatile and save you from having to pack multiple mugs for different tasks.
We drink a lot of tea and try to carry bigger insulated mugs. Therefore, If you want to use it 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 the little bigger size.
Ease of Use
Surely you cannot ignore the ease of drinking from the mug. Usually, it’s easier to drink from those cups with no lid or wide mouth. I don’t like pulling my drink out of the mug with the straw, as it should come easily.
But you know the problem is apparent for these mugs, which come without a lid. It won’t be easier to retain the heat, especially if you want to use it for winter camping.
You don’t want to fumble around with a complicated lid when trying to take a sip of your coffee or tea. Look for a mug that has a simple, easy-to-use lid that won’t spill when you’re on the go.
Types of Camping Mugs
Many different camping mugs are available on the market, each with unique features. For example, some mugs are insulated to keep hot and cold drinks cold. Others have lids to prevent spillage; some even come with straws for easy sipping.
Here are a few different types of camping mugs available:
- Insulated mugs: These mugs are great for keeping hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. They usually have double walls and vacuum insulation to prevent heat transfer.
- Lidded mugs: These have lids to prevent spillage, making them ideal for outdoor activities like hiking and camping. Some lidded mugs also have straws attached for easy drinking.
- Collapsible mugs: These mugs are perfect for campers who are short on space. They collapse when not used, so they can easily be stored in a backpack or traveling bag.
Summary
Camping mugs are essential for any camper or adventurer. They need to be lightweight, durable, and easy to clean. This article reviewed and discussed the best camping mugs in detail and provided a comprehensive guide. We suggest you go through each mug review before making a decision.
Our top camping mug list is based on our field testing, user reviews, in-depth research, and discussion with industry experts. We suggest reading through each review to find the best mug that suits your needs. Some factors to consider include insulation, capacity, weight, and durability.
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