When Yeti mugs and Stanley cups were making the rounds, I recommended travelers avoid bringing them on trips for a few reasons.
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First, they’re heavy and will make a serious contribution to your bag’s total weight. In the case of a check-in, that could cost you. Second, that weight makes them less travel-friendly when you’re spending lots of time on foot. Third, they’re one of the easiest ways for locals to spot Americans. (We tend to keep our liquids on us at all times.)
That being said, brands like Yeti and Stanley now offer travel-sized containers. And they aren’t just sized for travel—they also come with features that make them truly portable. For example, most have screw-on lids that prevent spills, along with top-notch insulation that keeps your coffee hot and your water cold.
In short, I’ve changed my mind about travel mugs. So long as you look for travel mugs that are lightweight, durable, leak-proof, and insulated, they could make the difference on your next trip—especially if you’re heading into an area prone to heat waves. I recommend avoiding anything with handles or straws, too.
I recommend starting with these travel mugs from Stanley and Yeti. You can order directly from the website or via Amazon.
The short list: travel mugs from the brands you know and love
- Best travel mug from Yeti: Yeti Travel Bottle (8 oz)
- Best travel mug from Stanley: Stanley The Café-To-Go Travel Mug (16 oz)
The short list: travel mugs from the brands you know and love
Stanley IceFlow™ Bottle with Fast Flow Lid (16 oz)
This bottle comes with a wide mouth that makes drinking (and gulping) less awkward. If you like to stay active or drink on the go, it’s a great pick. The top is a twist-on and has a small handle for easy transportation—or even hooking onto your bag. The 16-ounce is also cupholder-friendly, in case you’ll be renting a car on your trip.
Stanley The Valentine’s Day Transit Surround Mug (16 oz)
This special edition mug comes with a unique sipping system. You press down on the top, which then pops up and lets you drink from anywhere around the rim. Push back down, and the top is leakproof again. Once again, it’s an easy-to-drink-from mug. However, I think this is best for someone who is careful with how they pack their bags. The press-down top might not be the most leak-proof.
Stanley The Café-To-Go Travel Mug (16 oz)
Stanley’s travel mug comes with a few features that make it hard to beat. First, there’s a multi-layer top that secures you against leaks, even if the mug is magically flipped upside down. Second, there’s double-wall insulation that helps keep your drink hot or cold for longer periods of time. Lastly, there’s a handle on the top so you can hook it to your bag, if needed.
Yeti Travel Bottle (8 oz)
This classic rambler bottle comes in different sizes and colors. I recommend sticking to the small 8-oz rambler for easy carrying. This mug comes with an insulated cap, which twists open to let you drink anywhere along the rim. You can also buy different tops, in case you prefer a straw cap or other variation.
Yeti Stackable Cup (8 oz)
This small mug is adorable and comes with features perfect for coffee-lovers. First, it’s short enough that it fits under most espresso machines, so a barista can make you a drink straight in your mug. There’s also a Dura-Slip ceramic lining that makes it easier to clean on the go.
Yeti Stackable Lowball (10 oz)
This 10-oz mug is similar to the stackable cup above, except that it comes in a sleeker lowball-glass design. The interior is ceramic for easy cleaning that won’t leave stains. Plus, the empty weight is less than .75 pounds, meaning it won’t weigh your bag down.
Stanley The Vitalize™ Shaker Bottle (20 oz)
This shaker-style bottle isn’t exactly a mug, but it’s still a great solution if you like to ‘stack’ your water when you travel. The shaker bottle has a wide top and screw-off lid that makes it easy to add and mix anything into your water—from electrolyte packets to collagen powders. If you have a hydration routine you don’t want to break while traveling, go with the shaker.
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