Gear Editor Jess has found the best outdoor camping cups and camping coffee mugs available in Australia, so you can keep your drink (and your hands!) warm this winter.


There’s something about sipping a hot drink with cold hands, messy hair, and a sleep-deprived face that makes camping coffee taste better than the best barista pour in the city.

But while your beans might be bougie and your brew method borderline obsessive, the humble outdoor mugs and cups you use to drink them are often overlooked. Not anymore.

I’m on the hunt for the best darn mug out there. One that can stand being dropped 400 times, washes easily, doesn’t taste like a combination of the last four herbal teas you drank, and looks different enough that no unintended mug swaps on group trips will go down. 

A good camping or hiking cup will last through years of adventures and become infused with memories. Once you get it right, sipping from that outdoor mug or cup will deliver peak nostalgia.

Have I spent way too much time on this and overthought the heck out of it? Without doubt.

Cups vs Mugs, What’s the Difference?

Generally you’ll find that mugs are thicker and heavier, with a handle on the site. They’re made for hot drinks and keeping them warm, but they can be used for anything. Cups are generally smaller and lighter, so a camping cup might not have a handle, or be insulated, or might simply be smaller.

The items on this list are mostly called mugs by their manufacturer because they’re on the larger side. You only want to take one mug or cup camping right? But realistically the meaning isn’t that strict and it can be used fairly interchangeably, as it will be in this article.

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Best Outdoor Mugs For Winter Adventures

1. Alton Titanium Double Wall Mug

RRP: $71.99 (Eye-watering!)
Design: Minimalist metalhead
Lid: Not included. At this price? 
Handle: Not included
Capacity: 450ml
Weight: 97g

This is the kind of cup that screams ‘I care deeply about ultralight minimalism, but also want people to notice my gear’.

Crafted from titanium, double-walled for insulation, and weighing in at just 97g, the Alton Titanium Double Wall Mug is the most premium-feeling bit of kit you’ll sip from all trip. 

It’s got no handle. No lid. Nothing you don’t need. According to Alton it’s also the ‘last mug you’ll ever buy’. That’d certainly make the price tag easier to swallow!

Definitely for hikers who know their pack weight to the gram and their coffee by origin. Also a funny one to kick off with, because it’s definitely giving cup instead of mug.

 

2. Hydro Flask Insulated Coffee Mug

RRP: $39.99 (Lil bit fancy but not enough for buyers remorse!)
Design: Chunky but sleek
Lid: Yes!
Handle: Big and comfy
Capacity: 354ml
Weight: 335g

Aside from the fact that the brand name Hydro Flask sounds like a high-tech coolant system from a sci-fi film, this range of drinking mugs, cups, bottles, and canisters should be on your radar – they’re particularly good for camping and the outdoors.

The 354ml capacity is good for a strong morning brew, and the tactile powder-coated finish means it won’t go flying out of your frozen fingers on a frosty morning. Plus it comes complete with a lid, generously sized handle for big hands, and keeps drinks hot for longer than you probably need – unless you’re really slow at sipping.

The Hydro Flask Insulated Coffee Mug is the ideal choice for mornings where the only thing stronger than your brew is your resistance to changing out of thermals.

3. Sea to Summit Detour Collapsible Mug

Price: $34.99 (Given this shape-shifts, it seems like a bargain)
Design: Foldy and fun
Lid: No
Handle: No, but the grippy silicone rubber ‘Cool-Grip’ fins are better than most other non-handled mugs
Capacity: 475ml
Weight: 105g

With 475ml capacity, durable stainless steel body, BPA-free silicon rubber sides, and a minimal 31mm storage height, this the most robust collapsible mug we’ve come across. When expanded it holds nearly half a litre of your fave beverage. Our Editor Amy has the Detour Collapsible Mug in her hiking backpack, though I’m pretty sure she calls it her camping cup.

It definitely falls into the realm of ultralight gear, but with robust construction, isn’t an item you’ll need to worry too much about being delicate with. The only thing we don’t love is the name….’detour’? If the performance of this mug reflects how good the specs are, it should have been called ‘destination’.

The Sea to Summit Detour Collapsible Mug is the ideal companion for hikers who are serious about space but not about sacrificing comfort.

4. CamelBak Thrive Insulated Mug

RRP: $48.99 (Ooft, try and find this one on sale)
Design: Modern commuter meets wilderness vibes
Lid: Screw-on, very secure
Handle: Yes, a chunky one
Capacity: 500ml
Weight: 405g

This is your bush-to-desk kind of mug. It holds half a litre of whatever keeps you upright, and the leak-proof lid means you can chuck it in your pack and not fear for your sleeping bag or camera.

It’s strongly insulated, keeping drinks warm for five hours, and cold for ten, and dishwasher safe for when you’re done.

The CamelBak Thrive Insulated Mug is perfect for outdoorspeople who want one camping mug to rule them all – whether camping, in the car, and at home.

 

5. Yeti Rambler Mug V2

RRP: $35 (Up there, but justifiable)
Design: Stubby and solid
Lid: Magslider lid – cool in theory, but isn’t leakproof so you’ll need to keep this one upright
Handle: Sturdy, beefy, won’t quit
Capacity: 296ml
Weight: 400g

Yeti’s Rambler Mug V2 is all about tough love. It’s not the lightest, smallest, or the cheapest, but delivers thermal excellence that prioritises insulation and durability over ultralight cred.

The Magslider lid is the outdoor version of a fidget spinner – fun to slide back and forth while you think about the day ahead.

This outdoor mug is perfect for gear heads who run spreadsheets on sleep systems and want gear that could survive a drop off a cliff.

Our gear guru Tim is more of a camping cup kind of guy, and prefers the Yeti Rambler cups. The 236mL insulated Yeti Rambler is perfect for a regular takeaway coffee, while the 296mL suits large coffees. Both mimic your standard takeaway coffee cups, but keep your drink warm for hours and are easy to wash.

6. Dometic Thermo Mug

Price: $39.99 (Affordable-ish)
 Design: In-your-face pink! (Sorry, orchid)
 Lid: Yes, with a drinking spout AND it’s leak-proof!
 Handle: Yes, a big one
Capacity: 450ml
Weight: 400g

This mug knows what it is: a thermal mug. No gimmicks, no weird names, no collapsible bits. Just robust stainless steel, double-walled insulation, and a leak-proof lid to keep your drink warm as you argue over map directions.

The handle is also massive on this – perfect for icy cold trips when you’re wearing gloves or mittens!

The Dometic Thermo Mug is good for campers who appreciate simplicity and don’t need their camping cup to show off its fancy materials.

 

7. GSI Infinity Backpacker Mug

Price: $31.50
Design: Nerdy, but practical
Lid: Yes, and insulated
Handle: Yes, a strap of webbing attached to the insulated sleeve
Capacity: 500ml
Weight: 100g

This is the mug equivalent of that friend who looks daggy but always has the best gear. The GSI Infinity Backpacker Mug is made from lightweight BPA-free plastic inside a neoprene sleeve and has a tight-fitting lid. It’s not sexy, but it gets the job done. 

It’s a good mug for ultralight adventurers, and there are handy volume marks on the plastic mug too. The name is pretty random too, anyone else getting ‘Buzz Lightyear’ energy, or just me?

Choose this if you’re pragmatic, slightly frugal, and tend to quietly outperform your mates on the trail.

Honourable Mentions

Kupilka Large Cup

RRP: $42.50
Capacity: 370ml

A carved slice of Nordic nostalgia that looks like it belongs in a spa retreat. We love this Kupilka Cup because it’s manufactured using a carbon neutral production process, and it won a Scandinavian Outdoor Award for outstanding quality, functionality and design in 2018. It’s not even that expensive and it only weighs 134g. Perfect gift for the adventurer who has everything. 

MSR Titanium Cup

RRP: $96.50
Capacity: 450ml
Weight: 68g

I didn’t think it was possible but I found a cup more expensive that the Alton one at the top of this list! The MSR Titanium Cup is featherlight, fire-friendly, and features a genius-level silicone lip that eliminates the frustrating hot drinks and burnt lips situation. The only issue with a hiking cup/pot situation like this is that your coffee will rapidly go cold. Great pots and great cups don’t always share the same properties.

 

 

GSI Bugaboo Cup (410ml)

RRP: $27.95
Capacity: 410ml

It’s blue, it’s aluminium, and it’s probably been on more Scout camps than you have. The GSI Bugaboo is the cup equivalent of that beloved old hiking sock with the hole in the toe – dependable, mildly questionable, but somehow still going strong. Love the measurements and the folding handles, but it’s not quite as joyful to drink out of as the camping cups and mugs on the main list.

Final Thoughts

The ultimate outdoor mug for camping and hiking probably doesn’t exist, but that’s only because the best one for you won’t be the same as the best one for me. Want something collapsible? Go for Sea to Summit. Crave rugged, premium heat-hugging goodness? Try Yeti or Alton.

Need a budget banger that’ll outlive you? GSI’s got your back.

And if all else fails, just drink straight from the pot. We won’t judge.

FAQs Outdoor Mugs

What are the best outdoor mugs for hiking in winter?

The best winter hiking mug combines insulation, durability, and portability – our top picks include the Alton Titanium Mug for ultralight hikers or the Yeti Rambler for serious heat retention if you’re less worried about weight.

Are insulated outdoor mugs worth it for camping?

Yes – insulated cups and mugs keep drinks warm longer, especially in cold climates, making your coffee or tea far more enjoyable on winter mornings.

Which outdoor mugs on this list are leakproof?

The CamelBak Thrive and Dometic Thermo Mug both offer secure, leakproof lids – ideal for chucking in your pack without spills.

It’s All About the Perfect Brew

 

Cover photo shot by @elishadonkin

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