What kind of... Flasks?
Tailored to your beverage needs
You want good heat retention at a low price... Vango Vacuum Flask 750ml £10
Apart from the great price, this well-proven flask also gets an easypouring screw stopper and the cup has a plastic coating over the lip so you don’t burn your mouth. At 477g others are lighter and some allow you to drink directly from the bottle more easily, but it’s hard to justify paying more. Also in 350ml, 500ml and 1000ml versions.
Temperature test: 0hr 90°C, 3hrs 78.8°C, 6hrs 70.3°C, 9hrs 63.6°C www.vango.co.uk
You want a lightweight, durable, insulated drinks bottle... Hydro Flask Standard Mouth 21oz £30
This insulated bottle (rather than the common insulated flask with a cup) is super easy to use as it has no cup to fumble with, and comes in a huge range of colours. It has a more compact design and weighs just 360g. It’s not the best for heat retention but it keeps a brew hot enough for general walks. Also in 18oz (532ml) and 24oz (710ml) versions.
Temperature test: 0hr 90°C, 3hrs 76.6°C, 6hrs 66.7°C, 9hrs 59.3°C www.hydroflask.com
You want the best heat retention… Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle 750ml £35
Stanley has made flasks since 1913, so has well-proven designs. The screw lid of this 750ml flask doesn’t need to be completely removed for pouring, while the mug is insulated for heat retention and has a plastic lip so you don’t burn your mouth. Price and weight (590g) are drawbacks. Also in 473ml, 1000ml, 1300ml and 1900ml versions.
Temperature test: 0hr 90°C, 3hrs 82.6°C, 6hrs 77.1°C, 9hrs 72.2°C www.stanley-pmi.com
You want excellent heat retention, with low price and weight... Lifeventure Tiv Vacuum Flask 700ml £19
This flask keeps a brew piping hot, has a very competitive price and a reasonable weight of 452g. The screw lid allows pouring without full removal, and the cup is insulated for heat retention. Slight drawback is the cup is not insulated over the lip so you can burn your mouth more easily than others. Also in 300ml, 500ml and 1000ml versions.
Temperature test: 0hr 90°C, 3hrs 80.8°C, 6hrs 74.7°C, 9hrs 69.2°C www.lifeventure.com
You want a lightweight, wide mouth, insulated drinks bottle... GSI Outdoors Microlite 720 Twist £35
At just 287g, this 720ml bottle is very light and slightly more compact than bottles offering similar performance, thanks to the use of thinner metal walls. It also has a wide mouth for easy drinking and cleaning. However, it’s only available in two sizes and needs treating with care as it will dent more easily than others. Also a 500ml version.
Temperature test: 0hr 90°C, 3hrs 79.5°C, 6hrs 71.2°C, 9hrs 64.7°C www.gsioutdoors.com
You want good heat retention with easier drinking and cleaning... Primus EX Vacuum Bottle 750ml £37
This 750ml flask retains heat very well and is wider than others for easier cleaning and drinking. A screw stopper allows drinking directly from the spout without needing the cup, while an outer silicone sleeve improves grip and comfort. Drawbacks are no plastic lip to the cup, its weight (671g) and price. Also in 300ml, 500ml and 1000ml versions.
Temperature test: 0hr 90°C, 3hrs 79.2°C, 6hrs 71.6°C, 9hrs 65.5°C www.primus.eu