We’re fresh off of 10 days in Europe and so I am very excited (and motivated) to sit down and write our take on great travel coffee mugs.
While there’s no need to play favorites, I must admit — I am more of a traveler at heart than even a coffee drinker. I am obsessed with travel, and it started at a young age, when my parents bought me a book called Letters from Felix about a traveling rabbit. (Note to self: Buy a copy for your toddler). (Second note: Oh cool it costs $400 now).
Ever since then, I had been dreaming about places near and far, and was thrilled to study abroad in Namibia and South Africa while in college, as well as 3x in China. (I like to joke that studying abroad was my major).
That passion led to a career, including gap year program leading where I traveled full time. Now I’m trying to raise the next generation of travelers by toting my two baby boys to foreign countries whenever time (and the budget) allow.
All this to say: I have spent an obscene amount of time on airplanes, in airports, on trains, in train stations, booking tickets, wandering cities, venturing into the woods, and – most importantly for the purposes of this piece – carrying coffee along with me.
Here’s my pov on the best coffee mugs for travel, which ones I’d grab right away based on your adventure plans and which ones I’d skip.
The best “to-go” mugs for travel at a glance
Here’s a quick summary of our suggested travel mugs (for the busy among us).
| Mug | Best for | Leakproof? | Backpack friendly? | Biggest strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zojirushi Stainless Mug | Flying anywhere | Yes | Yes | Excellent heat retention in a slim, lightweight package |
| YETI Rambler Travel Mug | Rugged travel and road trips | No — leak-resistant | No | Extremely durable and easy to drink from on the go |
| Owala SmoothSip Slider | Everyday travel | Yes | Yes | Comfortable sipping + leakproof slider |
| Klean Kanteen Rise Tumbler | Long sightseeing days | No | No | Good all-day insulation |
| Sea to Summit Detour Collapsible Mug | Packing super-light | No lid | Yes, when empty | Collapses to just 1 inch tall |
| Contigo West Loop | Budget-conscious travelers | Yes | Yes | Excellent leak protection for the price |
What makes a good travel coffee mug?
If you’re purely looking for the best travel mugs based on someone else with a lot of experience, but aren’t particularly attached to doing your own research, you’ve stopped by the right corner of the internet.
That said, caveat caveat caveat — the best one for you depends on where you’re going, how you’re getting there, and whether you care more about packability, durability, or keeping your coffee hot (or cold, depending).
A travel mug should survive your backpack/suitcase
The whole point of a travel mug is, well, to travel. Look for durable materials like stainless steel or shatter-resistant plastic, especially if you’re planning to toss your travel coffee mug into a backpack with the rest of your gear. A secure, leak-resistant lid is also a must if there’s any chance your coffee will be traveling alongside your clothes or electronics.
Lids!
Nearly all of my suggestions are coffee mugs with lids. Period. And admittedly, none of them are a travel cup with a handle. It’s just not my style and makes it harder to pack (IMO). That said, the Owala travel tumbler offers a handle option.
Lightweight and portable
Durability is important, but so is portability. A travel mug shouldn’t take up half your carry-on or add unnecessary weight to an already-full backpack. If you’re mostly driving, weight probably isn’t a huge concern. But for hiking, camping, or flying with a carry-on, a slim, lightweight mug can make a big difference.
Keep reading: The best portable coffee makers for travel »
It should work for more than just hot coffee (tea, cold brew, water)
If you’re going to give a travel mug valuable real estate in your travel pack, it should earn its keep. Insulated travel mugs can pull double duty for hot coffee, tea, cold brew, water, and pretty much anything else you want to drink on the road.
1. Zojirushi Stainless Mug
We toted the Zojirushi Stainless Mug on our recent family vacation to Austria and Germany and it was a DREAM to have on hand. It is our #1 pick when portability is the priority primarily because of its size and performance.
Its stainless steel vacuum insulation keeps drinks hot or cold for hours, and its slim profile makes it easy to slide into a backpack, daypack, or suitcase without taking up much room.
At 16 ounces, it’s also large enough for a solid morning coffee without feeling like you’re carrying around a massive thermos (don’t ask me about David’s giant Owala water bottle, which low-key drove me nuts the whole trip).
Best for: International travel and anyone throwing a coffee mug into a backpack
2. YETI Rambler
If you’re heading somewhere rugged, bring the YETI Rambler. It’s super durable and (probably) won’t even break if you chuck it down a mountain (been there 😬). Basically, this is the mug you bring when you’re not entirely sure what you’re going to put it through. One note: it has a straw cap, so don’t use it with a scalding hot brew.
It’s made for the outdoors, with a tough stainless steel construction and that double-wall vacuum insulation we love. The handle makes it easy to carry or clip to your pack, and when you’re done, you can toss it in the dishwasher (though I’ll be honest, I’m not the most *ahem* strict cleaner when I’m traveling. Rinse and call it a day, I say.).
Best for: Rugged adventures, camping, outdoor trips, and rural travel
3. Owala SmoothSip
The Owala SmoothSip is our favorite for everyday travel. If your idea of traveling involves driving around town, sightseeing, or keeping a coffee with you while you run errands, this one checks all the boxes.
The SmoothSip Slider makes drinking comfortable while helping prevent spills and splashes, and the mug is lightweight without sacrificing insulation. It keeps drinks hot for up to six hours and cold for up to 24 hours. And even though I griped about David’s water bottle from this brand earlier, I think the Owala coffee mug earns its place on our list of great travel coffee mugs because of its attractive colors and shape. It gets the job done.
Best for: Everyday travel and sightseeing
4. Klean Kanteen Rise Tumbler
We also brought the Klean Kanteen Rise Tumbler to Europe this summer because I wanted a second option for the days when both David and I needed to cart around a caffeine boost. I like it because it feels more like a regular mug (less performance-y) but still has the insulation and portability of a travel tumbler.
The travel mug comes with two lid styles depending on the version: the Flip Lid flips open for drinking, while the newer Slide Lid slides open and has a removable slider that makes it easier to clean. We have both, I slightly prefer the Slide Lid.
Oh, and if materials are important to you, these insulated travel mugs are lead- and BPA-free.
Best for: Long travel days
5. Sea to Summit Detour Collapsible Mug
If packability is your number-one priority, choose the Sea to Summit Detour Collapsible Mug. This thing is just cool, and it’s the travel mug we’d bring when every inch of backpack or carry-on space counts, like when we’re backpacking or leveling up our camping coffee game.
It collapses down to just 1.25 inches but expands to hold 16 ounces, so you get a full-sized mug without having to carry a full-sized mug. It’s stainless steel interior is surrounded by food-grade silicone rubber, and while itt won’t keep your coffee hot for hours like a traditional insulated travel mug, that’s not really the point. This one is all about taking up as little space as possible.
Best for: Backpackers, campers, hikers, minimalist travelers, carry-on-only travelers
6. Contigo West Loop
Want to drink your coffee with one hand while keeping the other hand on the steering wheel? The Contigo West Loop has you covered.
Its autoseal technology RULES. It uses a two-stage locking system to make the mug virtually spill-proof. The lid also opens completely for easier cleaning, and the whole thing is dishwasher-safe.
And the best part is that it’s one of the more affordable options on this list for its size, so it’s a great travel coffee mug if you don’t want to spend a fortune and want to maximize capacity. We used to take one big serving of coffee in this and share it on road trips back in the day, like our walkabout the Southwest pictured above.
Best for: Travelers on a budget and commuters
Backpack, suitcase, or backcountry: Which travel mug should you choose?
| If you’re… | Buy… |
| Flying internationally | Zojirushi |
| Spending the weekend camping | YETI |
| Exploring a new city | Owala |
| Want something that doesn’t look like outdoor gear | Klean Kanteen |
| Traveling on a shoe string budget | Contigo |
Our criteria
- Leakproof design: Will it ruin everything in your pack if it tips over?
- Weight: Are you carrying it through an airport or train station?
- Packability: How much space does it take up in your bag?
- Durability: Can it survive being dropped or tossed into luggage?
- Versatility: Can it handle a variety of bevvies?
- Ease of cleaning: Can you easily wash it in a hotel sink or at a campground?
- Temperature retention: Will your coffee still be enjoyable after a museum visit, train ride, or hike? Will it keep your coffee hot?
The TL;DR on top travel coffee mugs
There is no one type of adventure and as such, no one type of travel coffee mug. But this short list should cover a wide swath of experiences that you’re chasing as you cross things off your bucket list.
What great travel mugs did I miss?
A parting thought
Don’t let this be you!! Get your mug and go places 😂
