I Got Mugged

Why, oh why? Cups and glasses are always scattered everywhere you go. Why invest in a travel mug? It simply holds more and holds it well. Reusable is environment friendly. End the scavenger hunt for constructing a beverage involving hunting down a glass of decent size to refill. That ice is cold, but only for the time being. After comparing the standard plastic water bottle versus the many other options available, I tracked down Guyot Designs The Standard 38 oz stainless steel single walled bottle.

But wait, there’s more! I enhanced it with the Guyot Designs Gription wide mouth top and handle.This little $15 beauty is a replacement wide mouth bottle screw on cap for single handed operation with a heavy duty handle and self-sealing watertight opening. It has a closed loop near the top which can accommodate carabiners. The handle shape allows me to slide the handle into my pocket or around my belt and walk with my 38 oz bottle completely hands free! This carrying method almost developed into an embarrassing situation while only wearing elastic shorts with a full bottle.

Being single walled stainless steel, it sweats immensely and becomes too hot to hold when coffee is put in it. Yes, because it is stainless, it can contain cold and hot liquids. To remedy the insulation factor, I tried coating the stainless steel bottle with spray on electrical tape. It went on thin, like a tiny pat of butter on a hot burrito sized tortilla. No help there aside from making it really grippy. The thin 36 oz water bottle holders did not appear as though they would completely cover the 38 oz bottle in my possession.

In an effort to never give up, I added a Built NY 32 oz Tote cover. I cut the long button flap and tucked it in so the entire cup coat only covers the stainless steel and not the top. The neoprene cover works well and allows the human touch again. The top is leak proof unless I am trying to show it off to a friend, then someone gets wet. Thank you Murphy. The travel mug worked wonders on a week long cruise. It held an abundant amount of refreshment with ice which meant less searching for the drink stations. I could trot around the ship knowing the travel mug was by my side for when I wanted to quench a thirst with my beverage of choice.