Thermoflask vs. Hydro Flask: Which Is Better?
When it comes to picking the right tools for a rugged outdoor adventure, an overnight hiking trail, or even a weekend road trip, owning a reusable water bottle is undoubtedly the most important part.
Customized water bottles and flasks for the modern man should be a high priority purchase, both for providing personal utility and promoting environmental awareness. Up to 23% of plastic water bottle packaging ends up in the landfill every year, adding strain to the landfill crisis. Intentional or not, owning a reusable bottle helps to reduce this issue tenfold.
Environmentally conscious water bottle options such as reusable flasks support the businesses that care the most about our planet, while also providing the convenience of a temperature controlled beverage wherever you go.
The Thermoflask and Hydro Flask are two such companies, each offering specialized and fully customizable bottles for both hot and cold liquids. Ideal for hikers, travelers, outdoorsmen, and more, vacuum sealed flasks are an intelligent investment for any kind of adventure.
What Are Vacuum Insulated Water Bottles?
Contrary to popular belief, hot water bottles and vacuum insulation bottles are actually two separate things.
Vacuum insulation technology supports beverage temperature regulation by preventing liquids from transferring heat or cold in three ways: By radiation, through convection, or via conduction.
- First, a silver or stainless steel coating on the interior portion of the flask removes the possibility of temperatures radiating out of the bottle and escaping the liquid.
- Secondly, the empty space or vacuum between the double walls of the flask reduce the possibility of heat moving by convection.
- Finally, the thin layers that make up the interior chamber of the bottle keep both hot and cold liquids from escaping through conduction, reinforced by the exterior casing that add even more insulation to the bottle.
This dynamic water bottle design is not a new technology. In fact, Scottish scientist Sir James Dewar created its first prototype in 1892. Now over a century later and available worldwide, companies such as Thermoflask and Hydro Flask have perfected the vacuum insulated bottle, adding a host of new developments and benefits.
Quick Comparison
While the outward appearance of these water bottles is visually unique, the internal features of Thermoflask and Hydro Flask containers are very similar.
Thermoflask:
- Vacuum insulation technology
- 18/8 food grade stainless steel exterior
- Free of BPAs
- Double insulated wall design to prevent perspiration
- Keeps beverages temperature controlled: up to 24 hours for cold drinks and 12 hours for hot
- Offers a limited lifetime warranty for flasks
- Offers 18, 24, 40, and 64 ounce sizes
Hydro Flask:
- Uses double-walled TempShield technology (vacuum insulation)
- Insulation for beverages up to 24 hours cold and 6 hours hot
- 18/8 stainless steel (rust resistant and shatterproof)
- Creation of custom bottles through the MyHydro program
- Unique optional accessories
- Bottle sizes ranging from 12 to 64 ounces
- Large variety of lid designs, including some for especially for kids
Both of these water bottles have the same basic function, yet achieve some surprisingly different results.
Thermoflask: Creating The Perfect Storm
Achieving a surge of popularity at the turn of the decade, Thermoflask products are some of the most ergonomically sound and highly sought after water bottles on the market today.
Each Thermoflask sports a rugged stainless steel exterior coupled with several lid options for drinking. Package deals include limited built-in accessories for sipping, storing, and securing the bottle.
Almost all Thermoflask models come with a convenient lid handle, which can be extremely helpful for individuals who prefer to carry or clip their bottles while on the move. Their perspiration-resistant coating ensures your cold drinks stay cold for 24 hours, while your hot drinks stay heated for a solid 12.
Thermoflask bottles come in a limited group of colors, with some of the most popular being:
- Black
- White
- Capri
- Cobalt
- Plum
The paint is secured to the body of the flask using a powerful adhesive, meaning that dropping your water bottle on the trail won’t scratch or peel the color unless the blow was particularly forceful.
One of the best selling points of the Thermoflask is its universal lid design, meaning that any newly purchased lid is capable of fitting on any sized water bottle. Chug mouths and built-in straw tops are available in select online bundles. What’s more, these lids are leak proof and scent-free, meaning that your drinks won’t taste like plastic powders or accidently spill on your nice new boots.
The Hydro Flask: Drastic Times Call For Drastic Bottles
Established inside a small building in Bend, Oregon, Hydro Flask has been leading the search for high performance insulation products since its founding in 2009.
Like Thermoflasks, the Hydro Flask is composed of 18/8 stainless steel, is BPA free, and comes with a specialized type of vacuum insulation technology that maintains the temperature viability of all drinks. However, the Hydro Flask heat insulation time is half that of Thermoflask, only insulating for 6 hours as opposed to Thermoflask’s 12 hours.
If Thermoflask’s bottle paint is strong, the Hydro Flask’s proprietary powder coat is even stronger. Adding extra grip and perspiration protection, this material was engineered with long treks and hikes in mind. The paint is extremely durable and built for even the most rugged adventures, including 14 colors like:
- Tangelo
- Raspberry
- Sage
- Pacific
- Cobalt
- Kiwi
- Citron
According to the Hydro Flask official website, the number of colors, lids, body sizes, and bottle boots offered can create over 183,456 unique combinations. Your adventures — and your creativity — are encouraged to run wild.
Which Is Better – Thermoflask Or Hydro Flask?
When it comes to performance, both Hydro Flask and Thermoflask bottles are able to keep cold liquids at an optimal temperature for 24 hours. However, Thermoflask bottles are capable of maintaining hot liquids for 12 hours, compared to Hydro Flask’s 6-hour limit.
What’s more, customization options are much more limited for Thermoflasks, and even a little underwhelming. Universal lids are certainly helpful, but when faced with the limitless customizable options available through Hydro Flask’s MyHydro Program, they pale in comparison.
In the end, the decision of which type of vacuum sealed water bottle is better is largely up to your individual needs. Those who need a bottle with more customization options and lids styles may prefer the streamlined look of the Hydro Flask. Need to keep your drinks piping hot? The Thermoflask’s 12-hour insulation timeframe is perfect for anything you need.
Whatever flask you choose to invest in, be sure that your temperate regulated water bottle serves both your needs and your lifestyle in the best ways possible.
Compare the prices of both below:
