Liquid Test: YETI Rambler ‘Personal Drink Cooler’

[leadin]In a market full with vacuum-insulated vessels, the YETI Rambler Tumblers stand out as ‘personal drink coolers’ to keep you sipping all day long.[/leadin]

This month, we teamed with YETI on a photo contest, and among the prizes are the brand’s Rambler Tumblers insulated cups. I used the occasion to test one out, and from daybreak to sundown, the YETI has become my go-to drinkware.

It served as a coffee cup heading out the door in the morning, transformed for drinking iced tea at lunch, and it even accommodated a few sips of whiskey from its stainless cylinder one night.

YETI is known for its coolers, and, as noted, the company calls the Rambler Tumblers “personal drink coolers.” They are made of 18/8 stainless steel with vacuum-insulated walls that regulate ambient liquid temp inside.

The BPA-free plastic lid snaps onto the top of the 20oz or 30oz version of the cup. The 20oz lid also moves freely to the company’s Rambler Lowball, a mini version of the YETI drinkware that I’ve come to love.

Liquid Test

We brewed some coffee and poured a steaming cup. On average, with the lid on, the YETI allowed coffee to stay warm for 5 to 6 hours at room temperature. This is vastly longer than my everyday titanium mug.

Additionally, the ice jingling in my cocktail one night stayed around longer than my friends’ ice, who were drinking out of glassware. We later tested it more formally, and the Rambler kept ice for over 12 hours, essentially sealing out the temperatures beyond its lid.

Granted, this is not a replacement for a thermos-style bottle. The plastic lid fits securely on top and keeps what’s in from splashing out, but you cannot tip it over or throw it in a backpack without spilling.

The 18/8 stainless gives a clean palate, with no metallic taste. It’s easy to wash, too, as the cup and lid are both dishwasher safe. Additionally, there was no “coffee ghost” in different drinks, not a hint of residual taste when moving between beverage types although the plastic cap does seem to retain odors more than the cup does.

After surviving weeks of abuse, the Rambler is still holding strong. At $30, the Rambler is modestly priced compared to other stainless vessels.

One improvement: I would like a rubberized, non-slip bottom as an option for those occasions when I set the cup on an uneven surface like the hood of a car.

All in all, the YETI Rambler Tumblers are tough vessels that will do duty with any kind of drink, hot or cold, all day long.