These new flasks and mugs are perfect for winter travel and they’re better for the environment too.
1. Fressko Tour Flask
R999, faithful-to-nature.co.za
Stylish travellers will love the minimalistic design of the new 400ml Fressko Tour Flask. The removable stainless-steel strainer is great for brewing tea or coffee in winter and, come summer, you can use it to infuse water with fresh fruit or mint. Made from all natural and sustainable materials, the flask itself is crafted from high grade borosilicate Class A glass, which is double walled for epic insulation and keeps drinks hot (or cold) for several hours.
Tip
Treat yourself to organic, rich and thick Honest Hot Chocolate, best sipped as a short, espresso-style drink. It’s proudly South African, is suitable for vegans and is packaged using eco-friendly paper, too. R120, honestchocolate.co.za
2. Ecoffee Cup
From R179, ecocoffee.co.za
Made from organic bamboo fibre (the world’s fastest growing, most sustainable crop) and non-GMO corn starch, the Ecoffee Cup is reusable and can even go into the dishwasher. It comes with a lid that’s easy to sip from and also seals well to prevent any liquid from sloshing out while you’re on the move, and being so lightweight, it’s perfect for hiking. It’s good to know that when you’re done with it, the cup itself is biodegradable and the silicone lid and sleeve can be recycled. Available in various sizes, designs and colours.
3. Natural Instincts Double Wall Wine Mug
R195, outdoorwarehouse.co.za
Comfy to grip and insulated to stay hotter (or colder) for longer, the 240ml Natural Instincts Double Wall Wine Mug is perfect for glühwein on winter weekends away. Made from stainless steel, the mug doesn’t retain any tastes or odours and comes with a lid – great for keeping out bugs and moths.
4. GSI Glacier Stainless MicroLite 500
R525, rammountain.co.za
If you’re looking for a seriously sleek, feather-light flask, the new GSI Glacier Stainless MicroLite 500 is it. Weighing in at an elegant 224g, the 500ml flask is still good at keeping its contents hot for up to eight hours. Its 2mm stainless-steel walls are thinner than most plastic bottles and the push-button mechanism locks tightly for spill-free adventures.
5. Zoku Everyday Core bottle
R439, yuppiechef.com
Even though the funky new 475ml Zoku Glass Core bottle is made from glass, its durable design equips it for travel too. Silicone pads protect it from bumps and the lid is absolutely leak- proof, thanks to a nifty locking mechanism. Plus, the thread-free mouthpiece is comfy to sip from and doesn’t retain past flavours.
6. Stanley Master Series Flasks
From R899, capeunionmart.co.za
The iconic Hammertone green flask has had an update and, although a little heavier, promises to keep drinks hotter for even longer – up to 40 hours. The new Stanley Master Series features two sleek black flasks and a travel mug, all with thicker steel walls (1mm instead of the industry standard 0,6mm) for ultimate heat retention. The big 1,3L bottle has a robust handle, steel-lined pourer for better cleaning and a vacuum-insulated lid that doubles as a mug. The 750ml is a good size for day hikes for two, while the 500ml mug fits most car cupholders. What hasn’t changed is that these Stanleys still come with a life- time warranty.
4 Tips for buying the right flask or travel mug:
1. When looking for your ideal travel mug, ask yourself how big a cup you need and how much heat retention you require.
2. Stainless steel mugs with a closed mouthpiece are best for keeping your beverage piping hot, while plastic mugs will only keep your drink hot for about an hour or so.
3. Check how it closes if you want one for hiking, biking or picnicking, otherwise an open-mouth cup will do if you’re making a quick trip to the office.
4. Also consider whether you prefer a handle on your mug because in most cases it can affect whether it’ll fit into car cup holders.
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