12 oz travel mug hydro flask

Hydro Flask 12 oz Insulated Coffee Mug review: a java lover's best friend for camping

For coffee drinkers who can't just sip their morning joe from any old mug.

Advnture Verdict

Soft and comfortable in the hand, virtually indestructible when you're car camping and easy to wash when you get home, this mug keeps your morning coffee warm from first sip to last

Tough design

Good capacity

Feels great in the hand

Dishwasher safe

Press down lid with splash proof slider

Keeps drinks warm for 3+ hours

No weird taste

A little heavy

Doesn't fit in cup holders

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Meet the reviewer

Julia Clarke is a staff writer for Advnture.com and the author of the book  Restorative Yoga for Beginners . She loves to explore mountains on foot, bike, skis and belay and then recover on the the yoga mat. Julia graduated with a degree in journalism in 2004 and spent eight years working as a radio presenter in Kansas City, Vermont, Boston and New York City before discovering the joys of the Rocky Mountains. She then detoured west to Colorado and enjoyed 11 years teaching yoga in Vail before returning to her hometown of Glasgow, Scotland in 2020 to focus on family and writing.  

Hydro Flask 12 oz Insulated Coffee Mug: first impressions 

If you're a coffee drinker, your mug matters. When you go camping, you can bring along the best camping coffee maker in the world to ensure the perfect brew when you wake up, but none of it matters if you have to sip it out of your battered old enamel mug that burns your hand every time you pick it up. Enter the Hydro Flask 12oz coffee mug.

Built for campers and anyone on the go who wants that tactile feel of a soft, weighty mug in the palm, this mug combines double-wall vacuum-insulation with Hydro Flask's soft touch finish for a mug that keeps your brew warm in the wild and feels like home. A functional handle makes it easy to tote around, while it's not too large to wrap your hands around.

• List price: $35 / £28.95 • Capacity: 12 oz / 355 ml • Weight: 10.5 oz / 300 g • Materials: Stainless steel • Colors: Black, Birch, Indigo, Goji, Blue • Best use: Car camping

Just fill it with your favorite warm (or cold) beverage to the fill line and press down the lid for a secure fit. The lid has a slider that makes it easy enough to sip from, though as always, you'll want to take care with very hot drinks. When it's closed, you can gesticulate wildly around the campfire without worrying about too much splashed.

This mug may not have the insulating power of Hydro Flask's water bottles like the 32oz Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel which can keep drinks warm for eight hours, but if you're a true coffee lover you don't want to be sipping from the same drink all day anyway. It keeps your drink hot or cold for as long as you'd reasonably want it to be warm or cold and it's dishwasher safe for easy maintenance. 

Compared to other camping mugs, its on the weighty side but it's about the same as a ceramic mug at home. It doesn't fit in a cup holder, but it's great for car camping and stable on wobbly picnic tables and rocks. It's priced for those who want to the best, but if you're looking for something designed for heavy use, this will hold up.

Hydro Flask 12 oz Insulated Coffee Mug: in the field

I enjoy a great cup of coffee and bringing my AeroPress Go and camping stove along with me on an outing is a great way to ensure I start my day on the right foot. I often camp in my car to get an alpine start which means I can bring along some luxuries like my pillow from my bed and a proper mug for my morning jolt. I've been testing this travel mug out on my adventures since I received it a couple of months ago.

Here’s how it performed:

Insulation and leakproofing

Like all of Hydro Flask's mugs and bottles, this features double-wall vacuum insulation to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks hold while the outer material doesn't get hot or build condensation so it's always comfortable to hold. This mug doesn't keep things hot for days, but in my field test I filled it with boiling water and when I checked it after three and a half hours it will still warm enough to drink. All it really needs to do is keep my coffee hot while I drink it, which only takes a few minutes, and it excels at that thanks to the insulation and lid.

Speaking of the lid, don't think you can fill this with coffee and throw it in your backpack by any means, but it does a fine job of preventing splashing if I'm in a clumsy mood and if it topples off the rock I've perched it on it won't spill too much before I save it. I love that it has a fill line on the inside so I don't over fill it.

Weight, size and portability

Compared to other camping mugs, this is on the heavy side, but it's about the same weight as my ceramic mugs which I use at home so in my mind, it's perfect for its intended use, which is car camping and not backpacking.

The capacity is probably perfect. I tend to like a couple of shots of espresso with milk so I don't need a massive vessel, but it's large enough that I can have a proper mug of tea or could even use it for soup.

It's also great for toting around, much more functional than the Yeti Rambler 14oz   with a really functional handle and it's not so big that I can't just wrap my hands around the mug. Obviously, the design doesn't work for the cup holders in my car and the handle makes it less packable than more streamlined cups, but for carrying in hand it's ideal.

Versatility and durability

I've only used this mug for coffee and tea, but as I've mentioned it's suitable for soup and can hold a beer, too. It doesn't hold onto odors or tastes either so you can use it for whatever you want really.

As for durability, this is one sturdy piece of kit. The soft outer material isn't just nice to hold, it's dent-proof so this doesn't end up taking a bashing like their bottles.

Hydro Flask 12 oz Insulated Coffee Mug: the bottom line

If you want your morning coffee at camp to feel just like it does at home without worrying about breaking your ceramic mugs, this travel mug delivers everything you need and feels fantastic in your hand. If you want a more streamlined mug that you can slide into a backpack, check out the slightly cheaper (and less nice to hold) Yeti Rambler 10oz Tumbler .

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Hydro Flask 12 oz Coffee with Flex Sip Lid Review

The Hydro Flask 12oz Coffee with Flex Sip Lid keeps your coffee piping hot and seals completely, ensuring no spills or leaks. Plus it's highly portable.

Our Verdict

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• Great insulation—keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot
• Lightweight (compared to other stainless steel insulated coffee mugs)
• Lid seals completely for no spills or leaks
• Occasionally, a vacuum gets created inside the bottle and coffee will not pour out
• 12oz may not be a large enough capacity if you drink a lot of coffee (but Hydro Flask offers more sizes)
• Doesn’t vent as well as other coffee mugs we’ve tested

Technical Details

Weight (oz)

10.2 oz (289.2 g)

6.4 in x 2.25 in (16.3 x 5.7 cm)

Notable Materials

Stainless Steel, Silicone

Manufacturing Country

Warranty Information

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Full Review

As you can probably guess from its name, the Hydro Flask 12oz Coffee with Flex Sip Lid is best used for the magical beverage known as coffee. Although, you can use it for other drinks—tea, orange juice, or other non-carbonated beverages.

With a 12oz internal capacity, the Hydro Flask 12oz Coffee isn’t ideal for water. We usually thirst (ha) for more water while we’re out. But if you’re looking for a reusable water bottle, Hydro Flask offers numerous options with larger capacities .

We’ve been testing the Hydro Flask Coffee for about a month now and have plenty of good things to say. So let’s dive into the review.

Features & Usage

There’s nothing worse than when your coffee cools off before you finish it. (Okay—there are a lot of worse things—bee stings, stepping on Legos, traffic—but it’s still not a great feeling.) Luckily, the 12oz Coffee features double-wall vacuum insulation to keep your coffee piping hot for hours on end (unfortunately, it can’t stop you from stepping on a Lego).

We’ve filled this thing with hot coffee in the morning and taken our time sipping on it. While it eventually cools down, it’s still warm by the end of the day. That’s nine or ten hours of heat retention. And, if you enjoy iced coffee, it also excels at keeping cold beverages cold.

It’s made of stainless steel, so this thing is also super durable. We’ve dropped it a few times and are pleased to report that there are no dings or scratches to speak of (clumsy people, rejoice!). It also doesn’t have any flavor transfer, which is definitely a plus. No one likes their coffee to taste like metal.

To see how it does with staining, we haven’t washed the bottle for two weeks. Again, for testing purposes, not because we’re gross. You can see a small amount of coffee staining on the bottom, but it’s not bad at all. And it’s less than we’ve seen testing similar bottles. On a cleaning note, this bottle is dishwasher safe (on the top rack).

Compared to other travel coffee mugs of a similar design, the 12oz Coffee is also lightweight. (Empty, it clocks in at 10.2oz, while the 12oz Yeti Rambler weighs 16oz.) We believe it’s because the Hydro Flask Coffee is on the thinner side for these types of bottles. Still, its thinness doesn’t mean it has poor insulation. Like we said earlier, this thing excels at keeping hot things hot and cold things cold.

And its low weight is definitely a plus if you’re frequently on the go. It won’t weigh down your pack.

Alright, let’s talk about this Flex Sip Lid, which has been specifically designed for hot drinks. It works for cold drinks too, but we don’t recommend using it with carbonated beverages. Only because the lid does seal.

And we love that it seals completely, so you don’t have to worry about it spilling or leaking (another plus for us clumsy folk out there). When the lid is closed, you can see the red seal. We like that it’s red, so you can check that it’s properly closed with a quick glance. Simply give it a half-twist and it opens right up. There’s an air hole that allows air to flow into the bottle, so that coffee can smoothly flow out. (The air hole also allows steam to release, although it doesn’t vent as well as other coffee mugs we’ve tested.)

If you fill the 12oz Coffee to the brim, it may occasionally create a kind of vacuum inside of the bottle (by creating a bubble in the air hole and blocking it off…or something. We’re not scientists). The point is this vacuum prevents the coffee from flowing out of the bottle and into your mouth, which is always heartbreaking in the moment (and a little bit scary if you attempt to fix the problem by tilting the bottle further and further forward, thus risking a huge pour of a piping hot liquid down your throat or body).

You can fix the problem by loosening the lid a crack. Also, it’s pretty rare. It’s happened to us twice during the first two weeks of testing (and we use this thing daily). Moreover, it only appears to happen when you overfill it. As soon as we stopped filling the bottle up as high, it hasn’t happened.

Obviously, this whole thing isn’t ideal. Frankly, it can get annoying. But it’s not a deal-breaker in our books. (Especially since we’ve figured out how to fix it.)

The lid also disassembles for easy cleaning. Simply screw off the top, remove the seal, and screw off the bottom part. It’s highly convenient. Plus, it’s a cinch to put everything back together again. And there are instructions written on the pieces in case you forget.

The lid also has a flexible handle, so you can easily hang it off of the exterior of your pack (with the help of a carabiner). The bottle is small and lightweight enough that, when hanging from your pack, it’s not going to be too much of a bother. Of course, it also fits into designated water bottle pockets on backpacks.

Last, but certainly not least, we want to mention that there are seven colorways available (at the time of this review). While that means you may not be able find a color that speaks directly to your soul, you’ll probably find one that you at least like.

All in all, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed drinking coffee out of the Hydro Flask 12oz Coffee with Flex Sip Lid for the past month. And we don’t imagine that will change anytime soon.

Usage Timeline

Condition: Excellent

• Flex Sip lid seals completely for no spills or leaks
• Lid comes apart into three pieces for easy cleaning
• Well insulated but still keeps a relatively small profile
• Does a great job at keeping coffee hot all day
• Sometimes there is a vacuum created inside and coffee will not pour out even when open, but this problem can be fixed easily by loosening the lid
• Inside does not stain with coffee as much as other thermoses we’ve used—we even held off on washing it for a couple of weeks
• The vacuum issue has not happened since we’ve stopped filling this thing to the brim

Get your questions about the Hydro Flask 12 oz Coffee with Flex Sip Lid answered from our team and the Pro Community right here on the page. Plus, join discussions with other members about gear, guides, and more.

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Under $50 Scores: This Hydro Flask kids water bottle is easy to hold and perfect for travel

Content is created by CNN Underscored’s team of editors who work independently from the CNN newsroom. When you buy through links on our site, CNN and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Learn more

As any seasoned traveler knows, reusable water bottles are an essential piece of travel gear for just about any trip, be it a backpacking adventure , a week-long cruise or a weekend road trip . Not only are water bottles handy, but they also save money and reduce plastic waste. That said, not all water bottles are created equally.

I often see kids carrying around adult-sized water bottles or pint-sized versions of these bottles, but kids have different needs than adults. Fortunately, Hydro Flask makes an amazing kids water bottle that is insulated, easy to hold, dishwasher-safe and comes in fun colors that kids love.

My 7-year-old niece has been using this bottle for two years at home, in school and when traveling. It’s as well-traveled as she is, having visited Wisconsin, New York, Florida, Illinois and Indiana (twice). Plus, it’s available in numerous colors and can even be engraved with your kiddo’s name.

Hydro Flask 12-Ounce Kids Wide Mouth Water Bottle

This stainless steel water bottle is intended for kids ages 3+ but it works for older kids and adults too. It has an easy-sip straw cap, a handy finger loop for easy holding and a perforated bottle “boot” to protect it from falls. It keeps drinks cold up to 24 hours and it’s BPA-free and dishwasher safe.

$22 at Hydro Flask

How I found the Hydro Flask Kids Wide Mouth Water Bottle

My mother has advanced Parkinson’s and struggles with holding, tipping and drinking out of cups. It’s much easier for her to drink out of a straw, yet she often drops cups, so I set out to find a small and easy-to-hold water bottle with a straw that can handle being dropped and not leak water when turned on its side.

I’ve been a huge fan of Hydro Flask for years and my favorite bottle is its Hydro Flask Lightweight Wide Mouth Trail Series bottle. It’s traveled to countless countries with me, and I love it so much that I wrote an entire review about it .

Enter the Hydro Flask Kids Wide Mouth Water Bottle . It ticked all the boxes, plus it’s BPA-free, dishwasher-safe and its insulated steel keeps drinks cold for an entire day. We bought three of these bottles so my niece could start using it as well.

As a budding young traveler, my niece has visited half a dozen states over the past two years, and this water bottle has gone right along with her. It easily fits into our luggage but she often stashes it in her carry-on backpack or in her car seat’s cup holder during road trips.

Why the Hydro Flask Kids Wide Mouth Water Bottle is a score

We use this water bottle nearly every single day and, after two years, it’s still going just as strong as it did the day we got it. It accompanies my niece to school, daycare, playgrounds, hikes, and vacations. Sure, it’s a bit pricier than most water bottles, but we have gotten more than our money’s worth from it, and we expect it to last many more years.

Though the bottle is not marketed as being leak-proof, we’ve found that it is largely leakproof, assuming the cap is tightly twisted on and the sip-straw pushed down flat. My niece usually keeps it upright in her backpack’s water bottle pocket, but it’s found its way to the bottom of the main compartment on more than one occasion without getting anything else wet.

We recently took a family road trip to Indianapolis to watch the solar eclipse and this bottle came along for the ride. It joined my niece at The Eiteljorg Museum , the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis , the Indianapolis Zoo and during the eclipse itself. It sat in her car seat’s water bottle holder during the 5-hour drive and she sipped out of it at the hotel and restaurants, because it’s prettier and more fun than boring old glasses.

Whether you’re looking for a dedicated travel water bottle for little ones or an amazing all-around bottle, you can’t go wrong with the Hydro Flask Kids Wide Mouth Water Bottle .

Looking for a travel credit card? Find out which cards  CNN Underscored Money  chose as the  best travel credit cards  currently available.

Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.

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Hydro Flask is giving away free water bottles with purchase: How to get yours

• Updated: Apr. 26, 2024, 7:09 a.m. |
• Published: Apr. 26, 2024, 7:08 a.m.

Hydro Flask is giving away a free 24 ounce bottle in your choice of best-selling spring hues Dew or Lupine when you spend $99. The offer is good while supplies last. Hydro Flask

• Leada Gore | [email protected]

Hydro Flask, the mega-popular water bottles and tumblers, has a sweet deal.

Hydro Flask is giving away a free 24 ounce bottle in your choice of best-selling spring hues Dew or Lupine when you spend $99. The offer is good while supplies last.

The 24 oz. wide mouth water bottle features a leakproof Flex Straw Cap making it easy to fill and easy to drink. Best of all, the insulated stainless steel keeps drinks cold up to 24 hours.

Hydro Flask also has its new limited edition Sugar Crush series featuring swirls of springy pastel colors. Here are some of our top finds:

Sugar Crush series

32 oz All Around Travel Tumbler - $34.95

40 oz All Around Travel Tumbler - $39.95

32 oz Wide Mouth with Flex Straw Cap - $44.95

24 oz Wide Mouth with Flex Straw Cap - $39.95

Hydro Flask is also having a sale on some favorites:

21 oz Lightweight Standard Mouth Trail Series - $27.97, marked down from $39.95

8 L Insulated Lunch Tote – Cactus - $27.48, marked down from $54.95

12 L Carry Out Soft Cooler – Cactus - $48.97, marked down from $69.96

3 qt Serving Bowl with Lid – Cactus - $38.47, marked down from $54.95

You can see more sale items here.

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Case Of 50 - Copper Mug For Moscow Mules 12 Oz Copper-Clad Stainless Novelty Cup

• - Copper Moscow Mule Mug With Stainless Steel Lining
• - Holds 12 oz., 3.5" high x 3" wide (not including the handle).
• - Stainless Lining & Exterior Lacquer Coating Over Copper For Protection & Durability

Product Description

Guarantee customer satisfy Description You can open return request within 5 days after your item arrive to you , If you want to return item, you can message to us with picture that problem. We will give you the return address to you.

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