A family member gave me a gift of an overpriced, heavy YETI cup. That said, I have come to appreciate how well it keeps a cup of coffee hot. Is there a lighter alternative? I already have a couple of the plastic versions with a wrap of neoprene or foam. Thanks for the help. MB

I have been using a Hydroflask 16 oz with a flip top lid for about 5 years now. It has gone on every trip since then as well as my daily coffee mug for traveling to work. I have dropped it a lot, it has rolled down cliff faces, floated in lakes, has kept cocktails nice and chilled, and overall is indestructible. I have replaced the lid once when part of it cracked after landing just right on concrete. The threads also allow a MSR water filter to be hooked up to it. When packing for trips it is the first thing in my gear pile. Hydroflask 16oz

I've always used a plastic insulated mug with a snap-on lid that was a promotional give-away. It's always kept my coffee hot plenty long enough for me. It weighs less than 5 oz., is at least 25 years old, and was free. It's been on every BW trip I've taken and plenty of others. It may be the same as what you have . . . ?

Looks like this

Like boonie, I have been in the gas station/bank/insurance company promo tchotchke mug camp forever. A long-time favorite failed and the most recent replacements barely lasted a few trips.

For the last couple of years, I have used (and loved) my GSI Outdoors Microlite mug. 17 oz / 500 ml

Lightweight, slim design, holds liquid temps for an insanely long period.
The flip top and drinking spout took a little getting used to, but I like it now. The locking lid has saved me a few times... solid seal allows tossing it full into a pack without worry.

Hey MB!

I'm in on the Hydroflask as well, same reasons as MN. Very versatile, plus the fact that the lid snaps shut, unlike a lot of 'mugs' that may/may not have a positive closure. Probably any similar insulated SS 'bottle' would work as well.

The thermos - best invention ever - keeps hot things hot and cold things cold! Only one question.....HOW does it know? ;P

pd

I haven’t tried one yet, but maybe look at one of the double walled titanium cups that come with a lid. If the interior is a vacuum it should work pretty well, and the titanium should be lighter I’d think. Can’t set them on the edge of the fire grate though!

It’s not a cup, but I recently bought a Crazy Cap 2 and stainless steel bottle. The cap treats water with a UV light. It’s suppose to last about a week. I have been using for my everyday water, gives me a little extra protection. Found it on Amazon.

Carl

I use a Yeti 20 oz Tumbler mug for hot coffee and a Yeti 36 oz Rambler bottle for an all day long cold beverage, typically Iced tea.

What was more expensive than the Yeti products were all the cheaper options I tried first.

GSI plastic mug with neoprene insulator. Light and effective

Soto Thermostack. You can get a version that comes with 2 cups, a larger titanium and a smaller stainless steel. They nest together to give you a double wall insulated mug. It comes with a plastic lid AND doubles as 2 small pots for heating water. They also have a 3 cup model that I am not as familiar with, but it looks like it just comes with another titanium cup/pot that is a little bigger than the other 2.

I have to agree, MossBack. I have received the same cup as a gift and it's ridiculously heavy. Knew immediately it would never make it into a BWCA pack. I like tin/ss cups (double-walled if possible) cuz they are cheap, light, and durable. Also nostalgic.

The MiiR tumbler sold on this site works pretty well and is a lot lighter than my yeti.

I like double-walled titanium mugs. One of mine (Timberbrother was the Amazon brand) came with a decent lid. Very light, keeps coffee warm for a bit if you use the lid, though I tend to be in the "want to drink my coffee right away" camp. The Yeti mug I was gifted at work is such a behemoth, I've never filled it with anything.

Another option (on the hefty side) that is good at keeping coffee warm and with a tight sealing, knock-across-the-car-without-a-spill lid are the Contigo stainless mugs. Bomb proof, but over the top for camping (though considerable weight reduction and a better lid than the Yeti) in my weight class.

I like this one and they are 15% off Friday through Monday for members on this site.

+1 on the BWCA.com mug. They work great!

Blatz: "GSI plastic mug with neoprene insulator. Light and effective"

Most folks seem to have a very different idea about what "lightweight" means, compared to me; Blatz and I see eye-to-eye regarding weight a lot of the time and the GSI is indeed a very good option, only 3.5 oz.

Snowpeak and Toaks both make titanium double-walled mugs, weighing a bit over 4oz.

My 300 ml (about ten oz) "Ninja Prepper" brand (admit it, you'd buy it just for the name) double walled titanium mug does a great job. folding handles, no-burn lip, no plastic taste (or holding on to previous tastes (want a bit of herbal tea with your coffee?)) at a touch above 3.2 oz in mass. I have yet to find a plastic mug that I don't taste in my coffee.

My suggestion for you is a SnoPeak Titanium single wall cup with a lid. I think it’s a 700 size. It’s light, strong, easy to clean. There’s also an available Hot lips silicone piece so you don’t burn your lips on hot coffee. It keeps coffee warm for a while then just put on the campfire or stove to warm up again if needed. A bonus is it takes up zero space in my pack because it fits exactly around my Nalgene bottle. Note that double wall cannot be used on a fire or stove.

From the "mostly-backpacking" definition of lightweight, I've gone the route of the double-walled titanium. They're not cheap, but they do work well and are quite light.

I use this - have three of these. The SnapSeal top is the best in the business...



Contigo SnapSeal Water Bottle

There are Many great options! I also received my yeti mug as a gift and probably used it twice, in my home. I’ve owned my double wall snowpeak for close to 10 years now, it’s pretty banged up but one of my favorites. The only time I notice it doesn’t keep liquids hot for a while is in the winter time, without a lid. I have a hydroflask lid that seems to work better than the 5 S.Peak lids I’ve tried. My wife picked me up a wooden kuksa mug and that’s actually pretty cool! And lastly, I’m also a very big fan of the kupilka stuff. Eco friendly, looks good, decently lightweight, but doesn’t have the best handle.

Like I said, any many have contributed, a lot of great options.

*** FYI. The kuksa and kuoilka don’t have lids

Seems like light weight, a leakproof seal, and long-term hold of heat/cold would be the trifecta.