It’s you against mother nature.
Luckily, you have a trick up your sleeve…
Actually, it’s in your thermos.
A good thermos full of hot coffee can be a godsend when hunting in the cold.
Today’s post lists what I believe are the best thermoses on the market for hunters.
Top Pick
- Vacuum insulation keeps drinks for many hours hot or cold
- 18/8 stainless steel won't rust; naturally BPA free
- Insulated lid doubles as cup, leak proof
Even with some newcomers on the seen, the Stanley Classic still ended up as my top thermos for hunting. There is a reason this thermos has been so popular for so long; it does exactly what it says it does.
The 5 Top-Rated Thermoses for Hunting
| Editor's Pick | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Top Pick | Stanley Classic | 9.8 |
| Runner Up | Thermos King 68 oz | 9.5 |
| Runner Up | YETI Rambler | 9.2 |
| Runner Up | RTIC 1/2 Gal | 9.1 |
| Best Budget Hunting Thermos | Thermos King 40 oz | 9.5 |
Best Thermos for Hunting: Stanley Classic
The king of thermoses is still on top. The Stanley Classic is my number one recommendation for hunters looking for a thermos.
Born in 1913, the Stanley brand has stood the test of time.
It is designed for hunters, adventurers, fisherman, you name it. If you’re an avid duck hunter who loves drinking coffee in the blind, your the exact person this thermos was designed for.
What I like about it this thermos is that it is so well thought out. Everything from the handle, the shape, and the cap have a purpose and serve you well.
The thermos is made out of 18/8 stainless steel with a double-wall vacuum insulation that keeps it’s contents hot.
It is covered with Stanley’s signature green Hammertone but is also available in other colors.
It features 2 caps. The outermost cap also doubles as a cup.
Based off my experience, this has to be the most popular thermos for duck hunting used world wide.
I have heard people say that the quality isn’t as good as they used to be but I have not found any reason for that to be the case. In my experience, the build quality and performance are both great.
Best of all, it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Key Features:
- Capacity 2QT (64 oz.)
- 5.2″ x 4.4″ x 14.7″
- Dishwasher Safe
- Lifetime Warranty
Runner Up: Thermos King 68
- STAYS HOT OR COLD: THERMOS vacuum insulation technology for max temperature retention of hot or cold beverages. Perfect take-along for outdoor adventures, keeping beverages hot or cold for 24 hours
- EXTREMELY DURABLE: High quality 18/8 stainless steel construction is dependable all year round for long treks or road trips. Includes a built-in serving cup and carry handle
- SWEAT-PROOF: Exterior stays cool to the touch with hot beverages and sweat-proof with cold. THERMOS brand beverage bottles are dishwasher safe, top rack recommended
The first runner up is another very popular choice with hunters, the Thermos King 68 oz.
The design of this thermos is fairly similar to the Stanley above.
It is made from stainless steel and features a vacuum insulation wall.
The cap and pouring are also very similar. There is a inner and outer cap and again, the outer cap can be used as a cup.
The reason it falls behind the Stanley is because the quality is not quite as good.
It seems to scratch and dent more easily, the handle is clunky, and it just doesn’t feel as polished.
With that said, it is still a perfectly good thermos that will serve you well. I just think the Stanley is worth paying a bit more for.
Key Features:
- Capacity: 68 oz.
- 5.0″ x 4.4″ x 14.5″
Runner Up: YETI Rambler
- The 36 oz. Rambler Bottle has the insulating power of a Rambler Tumbler in bottle form, with enough power to keep your water cold until the very last drop
- Features a durable 18/8 stainless steel construction that can handle raging rapids, rugged worksites, and bucking broncos
- It has a TripleHaul Cap that makes for easier grips while hiking or paddling and is 100% leakproof
Our next runner up is the YETI Rambler. These insulated water bottles have become very popular over the past decade.
In my experience they do a fairly good job of living up to the hype.
They use a similar double-wall vacuum insulation technology and are made from 18/8 stainless steel like Stanley. They are nearly bulletproof, and they look nice too.
While I think they make the best coolers on the market, I still feel that the Stanley is a better choice when it comes to a thermos.
Like everything else YETI sells, their thermoses aren’t cheap. And they don’t come with a lid that can function as a cup.
So if you want to drink some of your hot coffee, you have to take the lid off. And in doing so, your coffee loses heat.
With that said, the YETI is a solid choice that will serve you well.
They also have a larger 1/2 gallon version if you are looking for a YETI with more capacity.
Key Features:
- Capacity: 36-64 oz.
- 3.8″ x 3.8″ x 11″
Runner Up: RTIC Half Gallon
- Fuel For The Road: Whether you’re spending long days in the sun or just long days commuting, the Jug’s perfect for when you’re on the road.
- Easy Transport: Double-wall insulation means you can carry your jug comfortably without your hands being affected by the temperature.
- Temperature Retentive: The Jug holds ice for up to 24 hours, so you don’t have to worry about your drink going warm on even the hottest days.
My next runner up is the RTIC half gallon.
This is a high capacity jug that is pretty similar to the YETI half gallon but costs quite a bit less.
As far as keeping things hot, it does what it says it will do. It has no problem keeping coffee hot for 8+ hours.
But the main thing that is attractive about the RTIC is the capacity you get for the price.
The durability of these seems solid but it falls a little short in a few areas for me.
First, the shape is not as convenient as the Stanley. It is big and bulky, whereas the Stanley feels more slim and is easier to wedge in between your gear.
Some owners have also commented on the seal not performing as well as expected.
Key Features:
- Capacity: 64 oz
- 5.9″ x 5.4″ x 11.9″
Best Budget Hunting Thermos: Thermos King 40
- STAYS HOT OR COLD: THERMOS vacuum insulation technology for maximum temperature retention of hot or cold beverages. Perfect take-along for outdoor adventures, keeping beverages hot or cold for 24 hours
- EXTREMELY DURABLE: High quality 18/8 stainless steel construction is dependable any time of year for long treks or road trips. Includes a built-in serving cup and carry handle
- SWEAT-PROOF: Exterior stays cool to the touch with hot beverages and sweat-proof with cold. THERMOS brand beverage bottles are dishwasher safe, top rack recommended
For those of you on a tight budget, checkout the Thermos King 40 oz.
While it doesn’t have as much capacity as some of the thermoses above, it is the same design as the 68 oz version.
All of the features of this model are identical to it’s big brother.
It is a solid quality thermos that is pretty inexpensive compared to the others above. It will work just fine for all but the thirstiest of hunters.
Key Features:
- Capacity: 40 oz.
- 4.3″ x 3.7″ x 12.3″
Who Should Buy a Hunting Thermos
If you like coffee, and you like to hunt, you ought to look into getting a thermos so you can enjoy a hot cup of joe.
Duck hunting from a blind without a thermos full of coffee just seems crazy. As you all know, those mornings can be bone chilling at times and if the wind kicks up, down right miserable.
Nothing is greater than a hot cup of coffee (although a good blind heater comes close) when you are freezing in your freshly built duck blind.
They can also come in handy when you are sleeping in a tent and want a hot drink or meal to help keep you warm.
A good thermos is something that will last you years and you will get tons of use out of. We have seen Stanley thermoses that are over 30 years old and still going strong!
Coffees to Try
There are so many coffee companies these days it can be hard to figure out what to buy. Some of you may even prefer good old Folgers, and while there is nothing wrong with that, I prefer something a little tastier.
In the past year or so, Black Rifle Coffee Company has really taken off. This company is owned by veterans and a portion of the sale goes to support Veterans and Law Enforcement Organizations.
The coffee is high quality, tastes great, and you are supporting veterans and LEO. Sounds like a great combo to me.
My favorite that I have tried so far is the Freedom Fuel.
- Includes: One 12 oz bag of Black Rifle Coffee Company Freedom Fuel dark roast ground coffee
- Dark Roast Coffee: Delivering bold flavor without the bitterness, BRCC Freedom Fuel grounds feature tasting notes of dark chocolate, walnut and anise for a robust roast to fuel your day
- High-Quality Arabica Beans: Our coffee is made from high-quality Arabica coffee beans sourced from Colombia and Brazil to create a smooth taste of java, no matter the roast
Important Features to Consider
- Insulation. The entire point of a thermos is to keep stuff hot (or cold). If the thermos doesn’t do that it shouldn’t be called a thermos. All of the recommendations in this article provide good amounts of insulation that should last the duration of a typical hunt.
- Capacity. The size of your thermos should be based off how much coffee you and your buddies can consume. Nothing is worse than running out when you could go for more. The thermoses above are centered around ~60 oz. which is a good compromise between capacity and physical size.
- Durability. Since there is a good chance a thermos will take a beating when taking it hunting – truck beds, duck blinds, side by sides etc. – you want something that is going to hold up to the abuse. All of the recommendations are well built and a few even offer warranties. See the specifics of each model above for more detail.
FAQs
Are any of these thermoses made in the US?
Unfortunately no, none of the recommendations above are made in the US. I tried finding a high quality thermos made in the US but was unable to do so.