Open main menu

Cups and Mugs

Top Picks

How we choose: The best cups and mugs highlighted here were selected based on 132 reviews of 61 products. Our top picks are those that are readily-available in the United States and have received the highest overall ratings from reviewers.

How we test: Trailspace is powered entirely by our community of readers. The reviews posted here reflect the real-world experiences of outdoor enthusiasts just like you.

If you've used a cup/mug that you think should be listed here, please share your experience.

Disclosure: Trailspace never accepts payment for gear reviews, product placement, or editorial coverage. When you buy through affiliate links on our site, Trailspace may earn a small commission, which helps cover the costs of running the site.

Snow Peak Ti-Double 450 Cup

user rating: 5 of 5 (8 reviews)

If coffee, tea, or any hot beverage matters to you then you'll have no problem justifying the cost.

Reasons to Buy

  • Liquid stays HOT
  • Exceptional durability
  • Light as a feather

Yep. 50 to 60 bucks for a mug. But if you're a committed coffee / tea / cocoa drinker then this will be money VERY well spent. I picked this up via a gift card gift so it took the price tag sting away a bit but, knowing what I know now, I wouldn't hesitate to drop the money on it at full retail. After years of drinking my morning coffee in whatever lightweight container I had, and needing to do it quickly before it cooled off, this double walled mug has been a game changer. Pour the coffee, drink a little, walk away to do some camp chores, come back and drink a little more HOT coffee.

Read more: Snow Peak Ti-Double 450 Cup reviews (8)

GSI Outdoors Infinity Insulated Mug

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (13 reviews)

Lightweight insulated mug that edges out the competition on all the finer points.

Reasons to Buy

  • Light
  • Heat-stable polypropylene
  • Tight-fitting lid with closure over sip hole
  • Outer sleeve removable for cleaning
  • Soft handle for nesting in pot
  • Keeps beverage hot but not too hot
  • Comes in colors
  • Price

Reasons to Avoid

  • Not available in purple

This mug has been amply and ably reviewed in its various versions by other TSers, but I thought I'd put in my .02 with the addition of some SCIENCE! When my well-used old Sea to Summit mug developed a tear in the outer insulating layer, I picked up the GSI version at a local outdoor store. Since my wife's S2S mug was still intact, I decided to do a head-to-head comparison of these two very similar products. Here are the results in numbers:The GSI mug is 20 g (0.7 oz) lighter, has approximately 40 ml greater volume, will hold liquids hot somewhat longer than the competition, and costs less.

Read more: GSI Outdoors Infinity Insulated Mug reviews (13)

GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Steel Bottle Cup

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (7 reviews)

Solid bomb proof piece of equipment. Good cup. Would be a much better stove pot if there were a lid available and if it had volume makings — at least one cup and two cup measuring marks. As it stands though there really isn't many reasons not to use this, especially for the one-man cooker.

Reasons to Buy

  • Nests with water bottle
  • Nest with Svea 123 too!
  • Volume — 18 fluid ounces

Reasons to Avoid

  • No lid available — must make your own
  • Lack of volume /measuring marks

Need a simple bomb proof cup/stove pot for boiling water? No reason not to consider or use the GSI Water Bottle Cup. My son picked one up, and I was suitable impressed, so I did the same. This cup fits my old pre-BPA free Nalgene bottles as well as fitting my newer BPA free Nalgene bottles.   I did discover it fits my Svea 123R stove as well. This cup has significantly more volume than the aluminum 0.4L pot that comes with the stove, which for me is a good thing. The Svea's pot is a bit small and has a separate handle.

Read more: GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Steel Bottle Cup reviews (7)

Snow Peak Titanium Single Wall 600 Cup

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (4 reviews)

This has become my go-to mug for drinks and eating in the backcountry. It is very light, extremely strong (titanium), and doesn't take up much room. I definitely recommend this type of mug to anyone looking for a great, lightweight bulletproof mug to use in the backcountry and on camp trips. It is a bit expensive but should last a lifetime.

Reasons to Buy

  • Extremely light (3 oz)
  • Durable and strong
  • Good capacity

Reasons to Avoid

  • Hot to touch and drink right away
  • Handles not as ergonomic as I would like
  • Pretty expensive

I did a Grand Canyon trip with my little brothers last year and one of them had the Snow Peak Titanium Cup and a Snow Peak stove. I was impressed with the performance and the lightweight cooking package so I decided to get myself the Snow Peak cup.   I pair it up with a small and lightweight Primus stove I have had for over 10 years and it makes for a super lightweight cooking package for the backcountry. I typically use a Jetboil but this new cooking combination (Snow Peak mug and Primus stove) has replaced the Jetboil for lighter trips.

Read more: Snow Peak Titanium Single Wall 600 Cup reviews (4)

Sea to Summit X-Mug

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (5 reviews)

Versatile, light, functional!

Reasons to Buy

  • Collapsible
  • Packability
  • Lightweight
  • Inexpensive

Reasons to Avoid

  • Can be a bit tippy

I have always found hard plastic or metal cups and mugs pretty awkward and bulky when packing. They always do the job, and are easy to handle/use, but I've been on the lookout for something more packable.  I finally tried the Sea to Summit mug. It has been a nice surprise. Being collapsible it takes up much less space when packed, and I can even slip it in shorts/pants pocket so that it is accessible at a moment's notice to take a drink when on the trail. The collapsible feature means that the bottom of the mug is narrower than the rim, so it can be tippy on some surfaces when really full. Is easy to hold. I've used it for drinks both hot and cold. Recommended.

Read more: Sea to Summit X-Mug reviews (5)

GSI Outdoors Infinity Stacking Cup

user rating: 5 of 5 (1 review)

This is the best backpacking cup! It is lightweight and cheap, and it can hook to my pack by the handle, so it's there if I need it.

Reasons to Buy

  • Cheap
  • Lightweight
  • Has a handle that can easily carabiner to pack
  • Stackable

Reasons to Avoid

  • None

Hot coffee on a chilly morning I never leave this cup at home when I go out backpacking. It is my Go-To cup for coffee, tea, and cocoa. Easy to clean and lightweight. My cup has been through everything! Dropped down a canyon, sat on, lost and then found by a fellow hiker, and still the only cup I ever bring with me backpacking. Most ultra light hikers probably don't even bring a cup, but this cup is so lightweight it's worth having with me.  This is not a mug or a Thermos type cup, so it's not going to keep you hot drinks hot for a long time, of course.

Read more: GSI Outdoors Infinity Stacking Cup review (1)

GSI Outdoors Ultralight Nesting Bowl and Mug

user rating: 5 of 5 (1 review)

Perfect sized kit for the individual backpacker. Cup holds around 16-20 oz of your favorite hot beverage and the bowl holds the same. The neoprene sleeve around the cup keeps the hot liquid from burning your hands and helps retain some of the heat. The total package weighs in at a little over 4 oz.

Reasons to Buy

  • Nests into itself and you can pack the inside full of cooking supplies
  • Only 4 ozs in weight and each container holds around 20 ozs
  • insulated sleeve helps keep hands cool while keeping liquids warm
  • Mug top stays on securely
  • Dishwasher friendly; durable material

Reasons to Avoid

  • None

I've been using this setup for years and have never found the need to change it. My girls were using a different setup with a separate bowl and cup that didn't nest and they've since each bought one of these for their kits. One of my girls was always trying to borrow my insulated mug because she liked the wide base which keeps it from tipping over. She also liked the secure top which her other one didn't have. Now she has her own :-). The setup is really nice. Because you can stuff the nested mug with cook supplies or an extra small fuel canister, the only volume it takes up in your bag is its sides.

Read more: GSI Outdoors Ultralight Nesting Bowl and Mug review (1)

GSI Outdoors Fairshare Mug

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (4 reviews)

Very stable, completely sealable, and holds a whole quart!

Reasons to Buy

  • lightweight
  • sealable
  • volume capacity
  • good design

Reasons to Avoid

  • bulky

I bought this specifically with coffee/tea in mind, when I drink either it's always in large amounts and I didn't want to monkey around with smaller mugs and having to make second batches of anything.  A 32 ounce mug is the perfect solution.  Things I like in addition to its volume:  the handle is solid and will work for gloved hands, the lid seals tightly making this practical for rehydrating food in your pack while you're on the move, and my Trangia mini burner and pot stand fit inside perfectly.

Read more: GSI Outdoors Fairshare Mug reviews (4)

Rothco Stainless Steel Canteen Cup Lid

user rating: 4 of 5 (2 reviews)

So did you see that movie STRIPES with Bill Murray? Well, he and his platoon would have arrived on time for their graduation if they all had the Rothco Stainless Steel Canteen Lid... This stainless steel lid really Razzle-Dazzled me (pun/reference intended). One of the disadvantages of cooking in a military canteen cup is not having a lid. Water boils ~25% faster with a lid on vs an open top. Canteens are often sold by themselves and the canteen cup and lid sold separately. The main problem is not many people are aware that a canteen lid even exists. The Canteen Lid is made of stainless steel and is built to handle heat and abuse. It comes with a folding loop- metal D ring handle that allows one to use a stick or knife to remove the lid so that you don't burn your fingers If you are like me and bring a military style canteen, then you might as well get a canteen cup and this lid to use to cook your food. They fit snuggly together stacked inside the canteen cover. In an emergency the canteen lid can be used as a signal mirror.

Reasons to Buy

  • Lightweight
  • Durable
  • Metal loop D ring handle
  • Boils water 25% +faster

Reasons to Avoid

  • Is not a universal GI canteen cup lid
  • Flip of a coin of it fits properly, but when it does "Hooah"!!!

The name says it all   This lid is designed to be used with GI Canteen cups.                           Rothco Stainless Steel Canteen Cup Lid                        Dimensions: 6" x 3.75" x 0.25 inches                        Weight: 2.08 Ounces                        Material: Stainless Steel                        Handle: Yes (folding D ring)                        Made in China   Closeup view of canteen lid in original packaging.

Read more: Rothco Stainless Steel Canteen Cup Lid reviews (2)

Snow Peak Ti-Single 450 Colored Cup

user rating: 4 of 5 (4 reviews)

A great little cup or tiny pot. Add the Snow Peak Thermal Lid and you've got a great cup for your morning coffee or tea that is durable enough to pass down to your kids.

Reasons to Buy

  • Weight
  • Size
  • Quality

Reasons to Avoid

  • Price

Size & Weight The 450 ml cup weighs in at 2.2 oz. and measures 3 11/16" tall and 3 1/16" in diameter. For folks like me that use a calculator to convert to U.S. units it has a 15 oz capacity. Field Use I’ve used the cup in all four seasons here in the southeastern U.S. The primary use of the cup for me is to drink tea and coupled with the Snow Peak Thermal Lid for the 450 double wall lid it’s perfect. I have also baked a muffin a few times in it using the Snow Peak Mini Solo pot, a spacer to keep it off the bottom of the pot and a twig stove or remote fed alcohol stove made by Tato Gear with good results.

Read more: Snow Peak Ti-Single 450 Colored Cup reviews (4)

More Reviews of Cups and Mugs

Trailspace reviewers have shared 132 reviews of 61 different cups and mugs.

Show All »

or add yours

Other Types of Cookware

Find more cookware reviewed in these related categories:

Pots and Pans

Plates and Bowls

Utensils

+8 more types

Review Your Outdoor Gear

If you've found this site helpful — or if we've missed something important — please consider paying it forward by some of your favorite outdoor gear.

Why? From professional gearheads to outdoor novices, everyone has an important point of view to contribute. will support the outdoor community and help others find the best gear.

Trailspace reviewers are outdoor enthusiasts like you: hikers, climbers, paddlers, backcountry skiers, and trail runners who share our experiences with the gear and clothing we rely on to get outside. Learn more about Trailspace