There are few luxuries and accessories that dedicated hikers afford themselves, but an insulated flask or drink bottle is one of them.
Insulated flasks all work in the same way, using a vacuum double-wall design to create a thermal layer. But they vary in terms of size, efficiency, and weight.
For hiking, you want the lightest possible option. But bigger, bulkier models can keep liquids hotter or colder for much longer. We've curated our top-rated insulated drinks flasks to help you choose the right one for your next trek.
What are the best insulated hiking flasks of 2024?
Best insulated flask
Description
An insulated flask should prioritise the job of insulating, in our opinion. Weight saving comes second. Consequently, the slightly beefy YETI Rambler isn't very dainty but is very good at keeping its contents hot or cold and is very well made. YETI doesn't state insulation times but we found the 1065ml kept tea hot for a full day and it could do so for longer.
The stainless steel body is great but what really impressed us was how solid the plastic screw top and spout were.
The YETI Rambler comes in many colours and five different volumes. We've used the 1065ml/36oz version, which is really good if you have the ability to carry and store it. The smaller 760ml/26oz is a good alternative otherwise.
Pros
- Several volumes available
- Very tough plastic parts
- Wide and narrow drinking
Cons
- Heavy
Best Value
Description
This vacuum insulated bottle will keep drinks cool for 24 hours. Combined with its convenient sip cap (although it also has a wide mouth opening for filling and cleaning), it's ideal for cold drinks on the hill.
Pros
- Wide and narrow mouth options
- Magnetic attachment for cap
- Good value
Cons
- Other have better insulation
Best flask for day walks
Description
If all you need is something in which to carry a single serving of hot drink – be that a mug of tea, a takeaway Americano, or a brandy-spiked hot chocolate – the Neverleak is perfect. Best of all, it can be tossed in your pack without fear of leakage thanks to the 3-position lid.
Pros
- Compact
- Stanley tough
- Leakproof mug
Cons
- Smaller volume than others here
Best for two
Description
When tea for two is on the cards, this is the perfect solution. Cleverly storing two cups in its lid and with a leakproof easy-pour stopper, the Thermavac will keep its contents hot or cold for over a day and makes sharing an on-the-hill cuppa simple.
Pros
- Ideal for two people
- Includes two cups
- Not too heavy for its size
Cons
- Stanley Master Unbreakable Thermal Bottle has better insulation
Retro and effective
thermos.co.uk
Description
Brimming with nostalgia – a Thermos just like your granny used to have – the retro Revival (also available in green and blue tartan) is also a highly practical flask for one. It features a removable mug, a flip-up pourer in its internal stopper, and excellent insulation figures.
Pros
- Memory lane looks
- Still durable
- Pretty good insulation
Cons
- Only one volume size
Best lightweight insulated flask
www.camelbak.co.uk
Description
Camelbak's Chut Mag bottles come in insulated and non-insulated varieties, many colours, and several volumes. They therefore offer the best range. The insulated stainless steel versions are also impressively lightweight.
You'll no doubt be intrigued by the magnetic cap. It's basically a clever way of keeping the lid out of the way while you're using the bottle.
Pros
- Relatively lightweight
- Clever magnetic top
- Many volumes and colours
Cons
- Others have better insulation performance
Best for summit celebration
www.hydroflask.com
Description
This flask will keep your sauvignon blanc chilled or your mulled merlot hot for hours. It's designed specifically to swallow the contents of a whole wine bottle, but it works equally well for non-alcoholic tipples. We do of course say that if you're taking alcohol on your trek, be sensible and drink responsibly.
Pros
- Great for celebrating a tough hike
- Goes nicely with Hydroflask Wine Tumber
- Doesn't retain flavours of previous contents
Cons
- Hardly essential
Best for toughness
Description
A proper traditional beefy flask that, unlike traditional flasks, is almost unbreakable. Big and heavy it may be, but if you need to keep tea on hand for the troops (or your walking buddies) this 1.3-litre bottle will keep its contents hot for up to 40 hours (or cold for six days).
Pros
- Excellent insulation
- Bulletproof
Cons
- Heavy and bulky
What to look for in an insulated flask
Volume: Do you need something to keep a takeaway latte warm, or do you want a day’s worth of cuppas in your pack? Is it just for you, or will you be sharing the contents? These factors, along with how much weight you’re prepared to carry, will decide the volume of liquid you need to fit in your flask.
Weight: Remember, one litre of water weighs one kilogram. A flask will only get heavier when full, so consider the empty weight of the flask and its volume to avoid overburdening yourself.
Drinking method: Some flasks come with a separate cup, while others are intended to be drunk from directly. The latter of these may have different openings, and some will be better suited to cold drinks than hot, lest you risk burning your lips.
Robustness: Most modern flasks are less breakable than the traditional glass insulated models, but some are better than others. If you tend to chuck your pack around with gay abandon, it’s worth making sure you choose a tough one.
Level of insulation: Good insulation comes at a price, both in terms of actual cost and weight. Cheaper, lighter flasks may keep the contents warm for a few hours. But if you want your last sip of the day to be as hot as the first, you may have to spend a little more and tolerate the extra grams.