Your cool uncle had one, your dad brought one on every camping trip, and now, you need one. A flask is a great portable option when a whole bottle seems like overkill. Hip flasks can be stashed in a ski pocket or used for summit swigs on mountain days.
From durable stainless steel hip flasks to classy leather-bound pewter flasks, these are some of the best flasks available.
The best flask
Editor’s choice: VSSL Flask
- Eight-ounce capacity
- Flashlight and compass on either end
- Two collapsible shot glasses and a bottle opener included
- Ultra-durable, waterproof stainless steel construction
- Tube shape is packable and takes up little space
VSSL has a lineup of practical, creative kits packaged in outdoor-friendly canisters. One of our favorites is the VSSL Flask, a camping-focused flask that includes collapsible shot glasses, a bottle opener, and a compass – basically, a one-stop shop for all your camping liquor needs.
One end features a flashlight, and when you unscrew the flashlight cap, there’s an eight-ounce flask hiding underneath. The wide-mouth opening makes it easy to fill: no funnel, no spills, and much less cleaning. On the compass-adorned side, once unscrewed there are two collapsible shot glasses and a bottle opener. Once all the whisky was gone, I did appreciate getting to use this as a flashlight. I’m all about multi-purpose items and VSSL really excels.
Most versatile: Hydro Flask
- Keeps drinks cold for 24 hours or warm for six hours
- 18/8 food-grade stainless steel
- Hydro Flip lid reduces spills
- BPA-free and phthalate-free
- Variety of colors, sizes, and openings
While most folks hear Hydro Flask and think water bottle, this wide-mouth bottle can double as a hip flask or transport hot or cold liquids. Made from 18/8 food-grade stainless steel and featuring a Hydro Flip lid, it will keep your iced vodka chilled for up to 24 hours. If your beverage of choice is coffee or tea, the Hydro Flask will keep it piping hot for up to six hours. Just bear in mind that it’s not completely leak-proof.
Hydro Flask comes in a bunch of awesome colors and sizes, from six fluid ounces to 48 fluid ounces, and everything in between. There are standard and wide mouth openings, flip lids, and more.
Great for camping: Stanley Adventure Stainless Steel Flask
- Stainless steel hip flask
- Double-wall insulation
- Holds eight fluid ounces
- Weighs three ounces
- Integrated lanyard
With the Stanley Adventure Flask, you can enjoy a lifetime warranty. Not that you’ll need one. It’s made from rust-proof stainless steel and features double-wall insulation and leak-proof construction. This flask is as durable as they come.
The exterior has an attractive, old-school design with a textured green cover, leaving a visible strip of stainless steel along the bottom.
The Stanley Flask comes in either five-ounce or eight-ounce models, depending on how much you like to party. You can sip comfortably from the standard-sized opening, or open it up to share with your friends. This is a packable hip flask, compact and lightweight.
See Stanley Adventure Stainless Steel Flask on Amazon
Best mini-flask: Zippo Flask
- Three-ounce capacity
- Stainless steel construction
- Debossed Zippo logo
- Great for everyday use and travel
Zippo has joined the flask market with this extremely inexpensive but high-quality stainless steel hip flask.
This is a three-fluid-ounce, lightweight, miniature flask with a minimalist aesthetic.
Best premium pewter hip flask: English Pewter Company Hammered Pewter Hip Flask
- Handmade in Sheffield, England
- Six-ounce capacity
- Captive screw cap design
- Hammered exterior for looks and grip
- Leather carry pouch
Only a few brands can match the English Pewter Company when it comes to quality. Housed in a luxury leather pouch, this flask is classy. Smooth curves provide an additional level of polish, and the hammered pattern is pleasant to grip. The pouch also works for folks who like hot beverages, protecting your hands from burns or scalds.
However, the product does seem to have a bit of a problem with its cap. Some customers complain that the flask leaks when filled to its brim, so we suggest being careful with how you pack and handle it.
See English Pewter Company Hammered Pewter Hip Flask on Amazon
Most affordable flask: Top Shelf Hip Flask And Funnel Set
- Stainless steel flask
- Leak-proof, comes with a leashed cap
- Four to eight-ounce capacity
- Plenty of colorways
Sometimes simplicity wins. The Top Shelf Hip Flask and Funnel set is an affordable, simple hip flask set. Between fourteen color options, you’ll also find sizing from four ounces to eight ounces, and even multi-packs which could make excellent gifts.
Each of these hip flasks offers a leashed cap and is leak-proof. They are made with stainless steel, making them rust and corrosion-resistant.
See Top Shelf Hip Flask And Funnel Set on Amazon
Best faux leather bound hip flask: Primo Liquor Hip Flask
- Stainless steel construction
- Leather exterior
- Three colorways
- Eight-ounce capacity
- Funnel included
Primo Liquor Hip Flask is an affordable luxury. The classic black-and-leather bound design looks great and, as it is made from quality 0.6mm steel, it’s durable too. You get your choice of up to eight ounces and three colorways. There is a funnel for easy pouring.
See Primo Liquor Hip Flask on Amazon
Best for large groups: Stanley Classic Vacuum Flask
- Thermos-style flask with cup
- 18/8 Stainless steel construction
- Vacuum insulation
- Leakproof
- Dishwasher safe
- 1qt or 2qt sizing
Okay, so we’re not saying you should pack up two quarts worth of whiskey. But how long was your camping trip, again? There are several models to choose from in different sizes and colors.
Whether it’s a long camping trip or a short one, the Stanley classic flask is an excellent choice when you need to carry more than a few ounces of your favorite liquor. The flask features stainless steel construction and vacuum insulation to keep your beverages cold or warm for 24 hours. This product is highly versatile as it can be used as a regular thermos for other liquids such as soups or broths.
See Stanley Classic Vacuum Flask on Amazon
Most patriotic: OUTZIE American Flask
- Stainless steel construction with faux leather cover
- Lanyard on cap
- Included funnel
- Eight-ounce capacity
Folks who love the US of A often want to show their love for their country. If that’s you, the OUTZIE American Flask is a great choice.
This stainless steel hip flask comes with a funnel and a lanyard on the cap, so there’s no chance you’ll lose the lid. It comes in all stainless steel, with a soft-touch faux leather cover that features the stars and stripes. The irony? It’s made in China. But hey, we love the affordable price!
See OUTZIE American Flask on Amazon
Peekaboo shot glass: BarMe Stainless Steel Shot Flask
- Stainless steel construction
- Included funnel and built-in shot glass
- Eight-ounce capacity
- Matte black finish
- Cap with a leash
This hip flask is portable and discreet, so you can easily tuck it into a jacket. It features a built-in shot glass with a collapsible design and is made of stainless steel, which is both corrosion-resistant and rust-resistant.
The hip flask comes with a funnel for mess-free pouring and is large enough to accommodate up to eight ounces of your favorite drink. It also comes with a shot glass that can hold 2 ounces of liquid.
See BarMe Stainless Steel Shot Flask on Amazon
Budget-friendly luxury: GENNISSY 304 18/8 Stainless Steel 8oz Flask
- Stainless steel construction
- Brown PU leather wrap
- Eight-ounce capacity
- Three included shot glasses
- Included funnel
If you’re looking for a stylish way to carry around your booze, you will love the GENNISSY 304 18/8 Stainless Steel 8oz Flask. As its name suggests, this is a stainless steel hip flask covered with a PU brown leather wrap.
This flask has a capacity of eight ounces, which is just over five shots. Plus, you get three stainless steel shot glasses and a funnel for easy pouring. This is one of the best-reviewed hip flasks on Amazon. Given its durable construction, stylish design, and affordable price tag, it’s really no wonder.
See GENNISSY 304 18/8 Stainless Steel 8oz Flask on Amazon
Why trust us
While many folks love to drink and celebrate, I’ve found outdoor folks have a particular knack for beautiful places to celebrate. Summit swigs and post-climb, paddle or ride drinks tend to hit just right. We’ve got years of gear testing and drinking under our belt and we’ve put our knowledge and livers to the test to craft this guide for you.
Who this is for
This guide is for anyone looking for a quality flask. We have sleek and stylish options for the modern man and adventure-ready options for your next hike. For discreet portability to gatherings, there are also some larger options on this list too. Even if you don’t find a flask from our list, we hope our buying guide can steer you in the right direction.
How we picked
Selecting the best flasks was a mix of tested favorites, best sellers and adventure-ready options. We wanted to ensure there was a flask for everyone, regardless of your reason to drink, location or taste.
How we tested
Well, we tested these flasks by loading them up and taking them on the go! I can’t drink right now due to a concussion, but thankfully I have friends who were more than willing to take a few swigs in my honor. On a chill camping trip to the Quartzville Creek area in Oregon, I brought the VSSL Java along to test out with my friends. Before leaving, I stocked it with whisky, a brand that I knew my friends enjoyed because I turned them onto it.
Features to look for in flasks
There are a few things you may want to consider before you buy a flask. Some key points to look at are below in addition to some frequently asked questions to ensure you get the right product the first time.
Capacity
It seems like a simple issue: how much alcohol do you want to store? But it’s also about how much you can handle. If you’re stashing a flask in the glove box or your backpack, you’re carrying alcohol with the possibility of consumption somewhere in public. Even if it’s around a campfire with some friends, you don’t want to have a large volume of open alcohol, should things get rowdy and law enforcement gets involved. No cop is going to drag you to the brig or before a judge for a few ounces of whiskey in the middle of summertime. But a quart or so? Well, someone might take that seriously. There are no judgments here of your shenanigans, we just encourage you to be smart and careful anytime liquor is involved.
You might need a flask to stash in your ski jacket pocket or you may want to more discreetly bring a bottle of liquor for cocktails, without kids asking questions. The point is, before you purchase a flask, think about when and where you’re going to use it.
Design
There’s no denying that some flasks just look plain boring or bland. Stainless steel is classic; leather is classy; there are a million different ways you can spin your flask. If you’re going to pop this up on a high shelf next to that $300 whiskey, you need to make sure it lives up to the hype, right? Plus, any item you enjoy the look of or like carrying is bound to be used more.
Is this for camping trips only? Then looks matter less. If you’re bringing a flask for special events or networking though, a classy option will serve you much better.
Material
Most flasks are made out of stainless steel, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Sure, there are titanium, copper and pewter flasks available too, but the best copper flask is going to cost much more than the best stainless flask. So, if you’re looking for quality hip flasks but don’t want to break the bank, steel it is.
This said, steel can reflect temperatures, but it’s also easier to absorb heat from the exterior. So, when it’s in your suit coat pocket or a backpack, the temperatures can get a bit wishy-washy. If you want to keep your chilled brew chilly for as long as possible, consider pewter. Or simply make sure the flask has good insulation. You will also find titanium flask options, copper flask options and even ceramic and glass flasks. Glass is easy to break, metal options retain heat and cold but may scratch more easily. A ceramic flask can get heavy and chip easily. It’s all about sorting out what you need from your flask.
Leak-proof cap
You know what’s worse than wet clothes that smell like whiskey? The fact that you wasted whiskey. We’ll shed a tear for your Friday night, (and your wallet), but you can just leave those sad days and nights behind if you make sure your flask has a leak-proof cap. It’s also good to ensure that there’s a lanyard if you plan on partying for a little too long. Don’t want to drop your cap, lose it, and have the whole thing become useless, right?
Flask FAQ
Q: How long can you leave alcohol in a flask?
While the internet’s opinion is split on this, as it depends on the type of flask you own. Generally, the answer is no more than three days. Your flask should be a way to have a discreet sip ideally, not a way to store your liquor long-term.
Q: What is the easiest way to fill a flask?
My personal preference for filling a hip flask of any kind is with a funnel. There are flask-specific funnels available that look as classy as your best alcohol flask. However, I usually opt for collapsible silicone funnel options for any kitchen task. But any type of funnel will allow you to easily pour your favorite hard liquor. Some flasks feature a wide mouth opening, but a funnel still reduces spills. Some flasks may even feature an integrated silicone funnel, the epitome of easy pouring.
Q: How should you clean a flask?
There are many methods available for cleaning flasks. Some models work well with a bottle brush or there are dishwasher-safe flask options, too. However, first and foremost, look to the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning and care. Going against these recommendations could void a warranty or lifetime guarantee, and is likely the best way to care for your particular flask. A copper flask and titanium flask will clean differently than food-grade stainless steel, for example. Methods that you’ll find online include vinegar, baking soda, soap and warm water, and more. Again, we recommend following the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning.
Q: Does alcohol stay good in a flask?
While there aren’t clear answers here, most manufacturers don’t recommend keeping alcohol in your flask for more than three days. Some folks say that whiskey and other dark spirits can gain a metallic taste and even become discolored if left in a flask too long. At the end of the day, it’s best to consider the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Q: What is the best flask size?
The best flask size is the one that fits the amount of alcoholic beverage you choose to consume. Everyday carry flasks you can hide in your suit jacket will be on the smaller side but if you’re trying to bring nearly a whole bottle to a party, that’s another story. Consider the number of folks who may be drinking over the course of several days. Is it only you, or will you be at a wedding and sharing with the bridal party? Good flasks should be large enough to hold what you need but small enough to remain portable. But generally speaking, a six-ounce flask is sufficient for most uses. Still, you might opt for a three-ounce flask if you want something small that’s easy to pack, or a nine-ounce flask if you’ll be sharing your booze with other people.
Sources:
- The Hip Flask Guide – Gentleman’s Gazette
- How To Clean A Flask With Bicarb, Rice Or Vinegar – Cleanipedia
