A Coffee Addict's Guide to Choosing the Best Camping Mug
We’re camping coffee addicts and over the years we’ve gone through countless camping mugs on our travels, in search of the very best camping mug.
So in this post we’re going to equip you with all the information you need to select the best camping mug for you, as well as point you in the direction of some of the best camping mugs we’ve found.
First, there are two primary considerations when selecting the best camping mug for your camp kitchen: build materials, and design.
Camping mug build materialS
Ceramic, stainless steel, and plastics are the primary materials used in constructing a high quality camping mug.
Each has its own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to durability, inherent heat retention ability, and sometimes even the flavor they may impart to your otherwise delicious camping coffee.
Some camping mugs use exclusively one type of material, while others combine different materials to try to offset their individual weaknesses.
Ceramic Camping Mugs
Durability is generally low in a purely ceramic camping mug. Due to the nature of glass/ceramics they have a tendency to chip, scratch, and/or break much easier than other options while camping.
Heat Retention of most ceramic camping mugs is higher than plastic, but generally lower than vacuum-sealed stainless steel camping mugs.
Flavor Impact is non-existent. This is the best material choice for those with a very discerning palate, or those concerned with your camping mug impacting the flavor profile of those artisan fair-trade organic single source coffee beans. Gasp! Over my dead body!
Plastic Camping Mugs
Durability is fair to good in a purely plastic camping mug.
They generally handle drops and falls without issue but do wear faster than other options. And depending on the type of plastic used, plastic camping mugs can begin to develop cracks over time, scratch easily, or break as the plastic degrades from sun exposure or washing. They also stain more easily than other options.
If you select a plastic camping mug, make sure that it is non-leaching BPA-free polypropylene plastic.
Plastic is the best camping mug material choice for those with budget in mind, as they’re typically cheaper than other options.Heat Retention - Plastic camping mugs have the lowest insulating ability compared to ceramic and vacuum insulated stainless steel options.
Flavor Impact is low to non-existent in plastic camping mugs unless the quality of plastic used in construction is very low.
Stainless Steel Camping Mugs
Durability - Stainless steel camping mugs are made from the most durable material so they don’t crack, break, chip, or degrade.
This is invaluable in anything that sees use day after day in the outdoors, and if there are weak points it’s generally in only the plastic portions of a stainless steel camping mug’s construction.Heat Retention is incredible in the vacuum insulated variants, but it is terrible in strictly single-wall stainless steel mugs. So make sure your camping mug is double walled and vacuum insulated before you purchase!
Flavor Impact - Unfortunately, cheaper stainless steel camping mugs can impart a metallic taste and potentially ruin your delicious camping coffee.
The good news is there are options out there that do not have this effect.
**A good rule of thumb is to never stir your coffee with metal utensils (especially when you have a stainless steel camping mug), as this can impart the same negative effect on flavor.
Other Camping Mug Materials
These more esoteric camping mug materials offer their own unique benefits and disadvantages that may be of note.
Titanium - While very durable, titanium transfers heat far too easily, making titanium camping mugs less efficient at retaining your drink’s temperature, and they’ll get hot to the touch when used for camp coffee. Their weight-savings in a backpacking setting is typically not better than a more effective plastic camping mug.
Wheat Straw - Wheat straw camping mugs are a great eco-friendly camping mug build material, but they can retain chemical tastes from certain dish detergents, so be mindful to use mild, biodegradable detergents if you go this route.
Rice Husk - Rice husk camping mugs are another great alternative camping mug material that has similar characteristics to plastic camping mugs with lower environmental impact.
Camping Mug DesignS
There are literally hundreds of design options when it comes to camping mugs: handle, no handle, narrow, wide, tall, short, spill-proof, auto-sealing, vacuum insulated, even temperature controlled! And a lot of this boils down to personal preference and need.
However, there are some of these design characteristics we consistently look for when selecting the best camping mug for our own adventures.
Spill-proof or Spill-resistant Lids
You want some assurance that when (not if - especially if kids are part of the adventure) your camping mug gets knocked over that you won’t be left without your morning caffeine dosage, AND that you won’t have a huge mess on your hands. So make sure your camping mug has a lid that provides some protection!
Wide Opening
Though not a deal-breaker, some of the best camping mugs we’ve had have a larger than average opening.
This makes using camping coffee devices like the Aeropress much easier, and also helps to make the inside of the camping mug more accessible for cleaning.Insulation
Insulation virtually defines the best camping mugs. If it doesn’t keep your coffee hot then what good is it?!
Make sure your selection is up to the task by checking the manufacturer's hot/cold rating (generally in hours) if offered.
*(This post contains affiliate links. This means we may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. See our full disclosure.)
The 10 Best Camping MugS [Updated 2024]
We’ve tested a ton of camping mugs in our pursuit of finding the perfect vessel for our morning camp coffee (or evening cocktails), and here are the best camping mugs currently out there to help you find one that’s right for your next camping trip!
Yeti Rambler 20oz Camping Mug
If we had to pick one, this combination would be our current top pick for Best Camping Mug. The Rambler 20 has an opening that’s wide enough for the Aeropress, and with the included Rambler Magslider Lid, spills are kept to a minimum. Plus the base is narrow enough to still fit a standard cup holder.
Obviously, being a Yeti product the price is higher, but so is the quality and insulating ability. We’ve never experienced an impact on the coffee’s flavor - even with daily use. It would be nice if they offered a ceramic-lined version though.
Yeti Rambler 24oz Camping Mug
While it’s not cup holder compatible, the 24oz Yeti Rambler mug is a fantastic camping mug for those with a higher-than-average coffee habit.
It shares the same wide profile of the rambler 14 but with nearly twice the height; so you can get all the caffeine you need to recover from (or celebrate) a long day on the trail.
Yeti Rambler 14 Camping Mug
The Rambler 14 has a nice wide base so it doesn’t tip easily, the opening is also wide enough for the Aeropress, and with the addition of the Rambler Magslider Lid, spills are kept to a minimum.
Again, it suffers the Yeti brand’s higher price point, but the quality and insulating ability is outstanding. We’ve also grown to love the built in handle and wider-than-average design that keeps it from tipping as easily as other models.
Elemental Summit 12oz Triple Insulated Stainless Steel Camping Mug
These are a great alternative to the more expensive Yeti camping mugs! Their triple walled stainless steel insulation will keep your coffee hot far longer than necessary.
The built in handle is a nice addition, and the silicone base will prevent it from inadvertently sliding off your camp table or tailgate while camping.
GSI Infinity Camping Mug
This is the best camping mug for those who are budget-conscious, as they can generally be had for under ten bucks. Because it's made of non-leaching BPA-free polypropylene plastic it won’t impart any flavor to your coffee.
The low insulation of plastic is offset by the neoprene insulating sleeve that slides around the exterior to keep things hot or cold longer than a typical plastic camping mug would. It also has a nice sealable lid to protect against spills, and a wide enough opening for an Aeropress!
bioGo 16oz Rice Husk Fibre Camping Coffee Mug
These eco-friendly rice husk fiber camping mugs are BPA free, include leak resistant lids, and offer great heat retention in a cup-holder-friendly form factor without imparting any adverse flavors to your delicious cup of morning camp coffee.
Fellow 12oz Carter Everywhere Camping Mug
This is the best camping mug for those with a discerning palate, as it offers both the strength and high-insulating properties of vacuum insulated stainless steel, but has a ceramic coating inside that prevents any potential impact to the coffee’s natural flavor.
It also has a spill-proof lid and is wide enough to use our favorite camping coffee maker - the Aeropress!
Asobu 12oz Ceramic Coated Stainless Steel Insulated Camping Mug
These ceramic coated camping mugs will protect the flavor of your camp coffee while providing decent heat retention with a unique combination of double-walled stainless steel and copper insulating layers.
Sea-to-Summit X-Mug Collapsible Camping Mug
This camping mug is made of ultralight silicone, collapses to .6in. X 3.5in, pairs perfectly with the Sea-to-Summit X-Brew Pour Over*, includes cooling fins to keep your hands cool, and has milliliter measurements inside.
It’s a great choice for backpacking, though its lack of insulation does mean you’ll need to sip your morning cup of camp coffee a bit faster.
Nesting Plastic Camping Mug Set
These basic BPA-free 16.9oz plastic nesting camping mugs come in a set of 8, making them great for larger groups or families, and they store easily when nested.
Plus, their budget-friendly price point means you don’t have to cry a little every time one gets lost or damaged!
We hope this guide has helped you select the best camping mug for your camp kitchen!
Be sure to check out our 7 Ways to Make Incredible Camping Coffee - so you have something great to put in that camping mug! And you might like - How to Set Up a Portable Camping Kitchen Box Today - if you think your camping kitchen is lacking any other supplies!
For more on our adventure as a truck camping family of three, click SUBSCRIBE!
As always, thanks for reading!
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