YETI Drinkware: Does It Live Up to the Hype?

Everywhere you turn, YETI is there, and I bet you can’t help but wonder if their products are any good or worth the money. Well, we are here to give you an honest-to-goodness YETI drinkware review. We are a household that has put dozens of YETI products through real-world use and abuse over the past decade.

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Our Story With YETI Drinkware Starts Many Years Ago

While shopping at our local outdoor store, I noticed a new and very fancy display. Within it was a small selection of coolers and drinkware by YETI, which, up until then, I never heard of. But it sure looked oh so modern, sleek and, well, expensive.

Immediately catching my attention was the big sign above the YETI Cooler, GRIZZLY PROOF! I know more than a thing or two about pesky bears trying to steal food, but a grizzly is a whole new level!

While not in the market for a cooler, I was still oddly intrigued. You know that feeling of not needing something, but you can’t walk away! While eyeballing the YETI cooler, I spotted the YETI mug, wondering why this little thing was so expensive. Cue in sales associate – he explained that it’s not just a mug, but an unbeatable and well-thought-out line of YETI drinkware.

So that day, it was time to buy the most expensive travel mug I have ever owned. And, of course, a reason was made to “need” a new grizzly-proof cooler. Never in a million years would I have guessed on that day that somewhere in the distant future, I would become a blogger and provide you with a time-tested YETI review on this purchase.

The YETI Rambler Mug

Let’s start with the YETI Rambler Mug review. I don’t know about you, but what gets me here is that you can have one travel mug and change lids to meet your specific needs. That and the fact that it has a removable magnetic slider and lid gasket – that’s just cool!

You may be asking what’s the point of a removable magslider? For one, it’s easier to clean. Two, it keeps the liquid from splashing, not to mention being hot! With a simple push of the magslider, your coffee or tea is now more mobile and protected.

Is the YETI Mug Leakproof?

Unfortunately, no. The sole purpose of the magslider is to prevent spills from sploshing liquids. The MagSlide lid on your YETI coffee mug allows for mobility. Enjoy your beverage while enjoying your home, on the run in the car or by the campfire, etc. The YETI travel mug defeats your beat-up, old ceramic mug any day. You know, the one where half your coffee has spilled out, and the other half is cold 10 minutes later!

The YETI Rambler is the BEST Mug Ever Made

What makes YETI cups so good is their durability. After all these years, I still have my first YETI Rambler Mug. It’s my go-to every morning. This coffee mug has been dropped, thrown, and left outside, and it has some scars to prove it: a few scratches, some chips and a ding. But it still keeps the lid tight and the beverage hot. Are YETI Mugs worth it? With a decade under its belt and easily another one to go, it’s worth every penny! I wonder how I ever lived without one.

How Long Does the YETI Mug Keep My Beverage Hot?

Heat retention depends on the size. My 414 ml (14 oz) mug keeps my coffee hot for an hour or two, weather-dependent, which, in my opinion, is pretty darn good for a travel mug.

What’s the Difference Between the New YETI Mugs and the Old One?

From what I see, the only difference is the stackable bottom, which now comes in three sizes. Do the mugs fit into cupholders? No. Maybe the 710 ml mug, perhaps if you have wide cupholders. Those who prefer a cupholder-friendly mug, look at YETI’s travel mugs. These are tall Ramblers with a narrow bottom, guaranteed to fit.

Comparing the 3 YETI Mug Sizes

	YETI 295 ml Mug	YETI 414 ml Mug	YETI 710 ml Mug
Mug Dimensions	4.6″ (w) x 4.5″ (h)	5.1″ (w) x 4.0″ (h)	4.6″ (w) x 6.4″ (h)
Weight	.4 kg	.4 kg	.6 kg
Capacity	295 ml	414 ml	710 ml
Stackable	Yes	Yes	No

Price

Let’s talk about the price. Yes, YETI Drinkware can be a bit pricey compared to other brands. However, I will argue that the quality and performance justify the cost. After all, investing in a reliable travel mug can save you money in the long run by reducing the need for disposable cups and water bottles. 

In Canada, YETI Rambler Mugs start at $35, whereas in the US, expect to pay $30 for the smaller 10 oz mug.

Where Can I Get My YETI Mug?

Whether living in Canada or the US, you’ll find YETI drinkware in most major outdoor retailers. You can even find YETI products at your local hardware store or purchase your mug straight from the source at YETI’s online store through our link below.

The YETI Rambler Tumbler

As much praise as the YETI mug deserves, I do have a complaint. It does not fit most cup holders! The coffee mug is too broad – which in turn causes it to sit half-cocked on top of a cup holder rather than actually in it. A simple solution to this problem is the YETI Rambler Tumbler.

If you are always on the move and you happen to make a better coffee than the guy down the road, you have a severe problem. You can’t just put that beloved beverage into a sublime, leaky, perhaps even stinky old thermos. Don’t laugh – I know your stinky thermos is in the attic or basement collecting dust, as is mine. You want the YETI Tumbler, which will keep your beverage hot, stop the splash and move with you at your pace.

My Tumbler goes with me every morning when I drop off the kids or go to a meeting. Or to town to get supplies or even on the trails. Again, you have a magslider that takes the flip of a finger to open, and your coffee is instantly ready for consumption. Unlike leaky paper cups from the drive-thru, the YETI won’t make a mess of your cupholder and dashboard.

Same Basic Function

Identical in function to the YETI stainless steel Tumbler is the YETI Rambler Mug. Even in shape, but with two key differences: The bottom is narrower and conical. From a sedan to a truck, boat or side-by-side, even a camping chair, I assure you that it fits perfectly into any cup holder.

The second difference is volume. It’s simply larger, which is fantastic. When you are out on that long road trip or need a mega jolt of caffeine, you now have 887 ml (30 oz) at your disposal.

How Long Does the YETI Rambler Stay Hot?

Heat retention for the 887 ml (30 oz) YETI Tumbler is approximately 8 hours with the lid on. With the lid off, it’s about a couple of hours. By then, your hot beverage is lukewarm at best.

Alternative to the Rambler Tumbler

For more control over spilling your beverage, the YETI Rambler 887 ml Travel Mug is a great alternative. This travel mug looks like their standard mug with a cone-shaped bottom, making it cupholder-friendly. The travel mug Rambler has a handle and a stronghold lid, ensuring no leaks around the slider.

There are complaints about the stronghold lid. It’s not straw-compatible, and it seems to be challenging to drink from.

YETI Rambler Stackable Cup

The only other alternative YETI offers is their Rambler Stackable Cup, seen below. The difference between the Stackable Cup, the Tumbler and the travel mug is that it has a splash-resistant lid and stackability. It also comes in four different sizes.

Here’s the kicker, not every size is compatible with YETI’s famous straw lid, only the 591 and the 887 ml cups. What’s pretty cool is that you can convert the 591 ml Rambler into a cocktail shaker with its shaker lid, which calls for a more enjoyable camping trip!

The YETI Rambler Bottle

The YETI Rambler is my favourite!!! And I’ve put it through hell. Imagine a 1978 Arctic Cat snowmobile with ZERO storage and a 4-hour trip. Going without a coffee isn’t an option for me. I tossed the YETI bottle into the sled’s footwell – and secured it with the bottom of my boot!

Metal on metal, the Rambler took a beating. And this is just one of the HUNDREDS of things my YETI bottle has been through. You can see it in the header photo – it’s the skinny black YETI cup between the two pink YETI tumblers, and it still looks great.

Whether you are going for an ATV ride, sledding, sitting in a blind hunting, canoeing down the lake and so on, this bottle DOES NOT leak! It can go inside your pack or tossed in the bottom of a boat with great confidence.

What the bottle does very well is keep a drink hot all day! Even on those blistery minus 30-degree days, my bottle has been my companion on many a sledding trip. I generally choose to brew before heading out and trust the YETI to take over from there. It saves me from packing a stove, water, coffee, a filter, cream, sugar, etc. Not to mention, I can be on the move and enjoy things without the chore of stopping to make a coffee in the middle of nowhere. There’s nothing wrong with making a coffee outdoors – like most, I prefer that experience during the warmer camping season.

The Difference Between the New YETI Bottles and the Old

YETI bottles have come a long way since I purchased mine. For instance, all 5 sizes now come with screw-on chug caps. My bottle only came with a screw-on cap and in one size. I love the new options as they are easier to drink from on the go.

On the new Rambler bottles, you can change the chug cap to a straw cap, a hotshot cap, or a cup cap – all sold separately. Again, not every size is compatible with these new caps, but at least you still have an alternative.

Price

The chug-capped bottle is pricier than the Tumbler. YETIS entry price for a 532 ml bottle is $50 up to $80 for a 1.89 L bottle. And if you want to change the cap, expect to pay another $17 Canadian or $40 for the cup cap.

FYI – The YETI Rambler 64 oz Water Bottle with Chug Cap is the most expensive cup at $80 Canadian ($65 US).

Cool Features of YETI Drinkware

Each item in the YETI Drinkware line is of double-wall vacuum insulation. Yes, we already covered that, but it also means it’s a no-sweat design. The stainless steel construction makes it BPA-free and rust-free.

However, it is not designed to go into the freezer. Liquids that freeze expand, which in turn will damage the insulated stainless steel wall.

YETI Drinkware Frequently Asked Questions

We scoured the internet to find what questions people generally have about YETI drinkware. We took the time to answer those as part of our YETI drinkware review based on our real-world use of the products.

How Long Does YETI Stay Hot?

That depends on the model of YETI drinkware.

The YETI Rambler bottle seems to keep hot drinks somewhat hot all day as long as you place the cap back fairly quickly after each use. The ambient temperature outside does not matter – this thing lasts!

As to the YETI mug and Tumbler, it’s many hours. I left my Tumbler in the car and found it hours later with coffee still warm enough to enjoy. That’s not always the case on super cold days. The lids on these are not overly insulated, and the length of time depends on the outside temperature.

Are YETIs Leakproof?

With the correct cap, YETI’s are 100% leakproof.

Unfortunately, a magslider cap is not leakproof. A tipped mug or bottle will leak slowly. The beverage doesn’t gush out. I’ve recovered a dropped mug or Tumbler more times than I’d like to remember. A somewhat quick recovery is always possible with little loss of beverage.

The leakproof versions are generally screwed in. These are 100% leakproof but require more work to access your drink.

YETI has done a phenomenal job of providing options so you can choose the right bottle for you. By that, I mean what drink, where you consume it, how you carry and how long it needs to stay insulated.

Can YETI Drinkware Go In the Dishwasher?

Absolutely. YETI is constructed of 18/8 stainless steel, making it dishwasher safe.

Is YETI a Lifetime Warranty?

No. The YETI warranty in Canada is the same as in the US. The Rambler comes with a limited five-year warranty.

Does the Drinkware Come in Different Colours?

What is so great about YETI is that they listen to their customers. YETI drinkware comes in many colours, perfect for those looking for that splash of colour or lack thereof.

If the colour choice is not enough, YETI also offers customization!!! Protecting you from that sneaky rascal who already dirtied their YETI and is now trying to steal yours!! Or gift a custom YETI, which makes a memorable personalized gift.

How To Clean a MagSlider Lid?

Ensure you thoroughly clean your lid to avoid bacteria or mould growth. Yes, it can happen! Remove the MagSlider and the gasket. Wash all three items in warm, soapy water. Don’t forget to wash the groove that the gasket sits in. It’s where the nasties like to grow.

What Makes YETI Cups So Good?

I would chalk it up to YETI’s thick stainless steel construction. A couple of our YETI’s are 10 years old! They have been thrown into cars, fallen onto off-roading trails, out in the sun and have been in the hands of children. And, even after all this, the lids stay on, there are a few knicks here and there, and maybe a small dent or two, but the YETI cups still keep liquids hot and cold. Now that’s saying something!!

YETI FYI

My children wanted hot chocolate for school (kids temp, of course), and the YETI Rambler Jr did a great job keeping their drinks warm all day. The kiddies, however, did not empty their backpacks, which caused the hot chocolate to produce foul-smelling gases. These gases made it very difficult for us to open the YETI kids cup cap. Eventually, it gave, but not without a fight! It seems like an issue for any sealed container. A word of caution – be mindful of the type of beverage you use the YETI for.

YETI Drinkware In Our House

My family loves the entire YETI lineup, let alone just the drinkware, so much so that it became the perfect idea for gifting. Every family member has more than one to choose from, as do close friends, relatives and co-workers. Let me say, not one person ever complained! The best part is that you can personalize these trendy water bottles and make it a unique gift. Canadians are now able to customize their YETIs as well.

We are proud owners of the YETI Rambler Mug, YETI Rambler Tumbler (295 mL, 591 mL, 887 mL), YETI Rambler Bottle and YETI Rambler Jr 355 mL. The photos for this post are with our YETIs, some of which have seen a decade of use.

Disclosure

As mentioned, we bought all our YETI products with our money long before becoming a blogger. We have NOT received any free items NOR payment of any form in exchange for this review. You are reading an unbiased opinion of these products.

We are, however, a YETI affiliate. That is not by accident, as we DO NOT endorse products we don’t test ourselves or believe in wholeheartedly. If you use our links to purchase a YETI product, a small percentage of the purchase will go back to us at no cost to you. It helps support the blog, and if that is the case with you, we genuinely thank you. If you don’t buy anything, that’s equally fine as well. We are just as happy to share our experience with you.

YETI Drinkware Full Lineup

While we covered a few core items in this review, YETI has an entire drinkware lineup, including a lightweight water bottle design – the YETI water bottle 26 oz, Yonder.

Maybe that magical item for you is out there, maybe not. But what we do know is every YETI purchase we ever made was a good one! So, the million-dollar question is, are YETI Cups worth it? Absolutely! It’s stylish drinkware for YETI lovers!!!

We hope this review of YETI’s drinkware products was helpful! Comment down below your experience with YETI Cups – we’d love to hear your thoughts.

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