Insulated Cups Or
Titanium Mugs?

Insulated cups keep your beverage hot longer camping, but light-weight titanium makes backpacking easier...

Regular thin-walled hiking cups and hiking mugs have a tendency to cool-off or warm-up quicker than most of us would like, because the thin walls and bottom easily radiate heat (or cold). Add insulated sides and a lid and your beverage of choice can stay at the temperature you want that much longer.

When you're camping insulated cups help to keep your drink hot or cold longer and that sure beats having to run out for ice again or having to fire up the stove just to keep things at a comfortable temperature. I like versatility, that being said take a look at the Nalgene GoCup. I like it because it's two cups in one, the inner cup holds 18 ounces and snaps into the outer cup with the dead-air serving as insulation. It's also nice because it's designed to work with other Nalgene products and most water filters. Now if only you could reheat plastic over the fire... ;-)

If saving a few ounces is more important to you than insulation, the MSR Titan Mug may be what the doctor ordered. It only weighs 1.9 ounces and holds 13 ounces. This titanium mug is cool because the handle folds flat so it's more compact and it nests inside their Titan kettle or other camping cookware. Or Evernew's Titanium Sierra Style Cup weighs even less at 1.6 ounces, holds about 10.5 ounces and is a mix of cup and bowl, the combination makes it practical as a minimalist backpacking cup but its design makes it harder to nest.

For mugs and cups the prices are a little steep but they do rate high in the 'coolness' factor. Check out REI if you've got to have one to add to your camping equipment.