Vango Thermo Bottle review: a cheap, trusty choice for hydration on the trails

We put the Vango Thermo Bottle to the test, roughing it up in the countryside to see how the 500ml bottle fairs

Vango Thermo Bottle
(Image: © Will Symons)

Advnture Verdict

A cheap, handy bottle for hikers taking on the outdoors, the Vango Thermo Bottle features a durable stainless steel outer and effective locking. As with all stainless steel bottles, the Thermo bottle is noticeably heavy when full, which could prove irritating on the trails.

Pros

  • +

    Easy to use, effective locking mechanism

  • +

    Durable stainless steel outer

  • +

    Cheap

  • +

    Excellent quality

Cons

  • -

    Heavy when full

  • -

    Paintwork susceptible to damage

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Vango Thermo Bottle: First impressions

The 500ml Thermo Bottle from Vango was designed with the elements in mind. Made from double vacuum stainless steel, this reusable bottle can keep your liquids at the temperature you want while withstanding all the bruises and bumps that come with a good hike through the country, according to its creators.

Vango claims that the Thermo Bottle is capable of retaining heat for up to 24 hours and keeping your cold drinks chilled for up to 48.

Minimizing spillages, the sturdy slide lock is there to stop liquid from escaping while a simple button mechanism requires only one hand to open and close the Thermo Bottle.

Specifications

Vango Thermo Bottle

(Image credit: Will Symons)

• List price: $16.50 / £13
• Dimensions: 3.1 x 11.8 In / 8 x 23 cm
• Weight: 1.1 oz / 30 g
• Materials: Stainless Steel / BPA Free plastic 
• Lid type: Screw-on
• Colors: Black / Orange
Compatibility: Hiking, camping, trail running

For the past month, I’ve been putting the Vango Thermo Bottle through its paces, bringing it along for hikes and even the odd run to see how it fares in the elements.

Vango Thermo Bottle: in the field

Durability

Made from stainless steel, the Thermo Bottle has proven extremely durable in testing, keeping its shape despite several drops and bumps. The BPA-free plastic lid has also proven reliable. No part of the bottle has been dented or misshaped.

The paintwork isn’t quite as indestructible. After a month or so of use, several chips and scratches have become apparent on the body, especially the bottom of the bottle where plenty of stainless steel silver can be seen through the black paint. Damage of this kind is to be expected after rigorous testing, and perhaps is a testament to the number of times I dropped the Thermo Bottle rather than the quality of its paintwork. Still, it’s worth noting the bottle’s sleek black and orange exterior is susceptible to chipping.

Ease of use

The Thermo Bottle is super easy to use. Living up to its creator's claims, the simple button mechanism allows you to pick up and drink with one hand.

Locking is also very easy; with a quick slide of plastic, the bottle locks completely. Throughout testing, the Thermo Bottle’s lock has proved effective and reliable, not leaking a single drop in the backcountry.

The large spout is wide enough to comfortably fit a tea bag, so you can take a hot brew on the trails without the need to stuff your fingers down the spout.

While the stainless steel body is a durable, sustainable choice, the Thermo Bottle could’ve done with a little more in the way of grip. It’s not especially slippery, and unlikely to fall out of your hand, but a few rubber grips would’ve gone a long way to guaranteeing you can keep a hold of your bottle on long treks.

Vango Thermo Bottle

The Vango Thermo Bottle uses a simple, effective locking mechanism (Image credit: Will Symons)

Sustainability

While it's not perfect, stainless steel is a relatively sustainable choice for outdoor hydration. Although its production can have a negative impact on the environment, durable, stainless steel bottles like this one eliminate the need for the harmful plastics found in disposable bottles.

The small amount of plastic featured on the bottle’s lid is BPA-free. This means the plastic is free from Bisphenol A, a chemical compound found in several plastics that’s been linked to various cardiovascular conditions. BPA-free plastics are also 100% recyclable.

Weight and capacity

Weighing 0.7lb / 0.3kg, the Thermo Bottle is light enough to hold without slipping out of your hand but can become annoying when full. Stainless steel bottles are typically heavier, and although you can certainly hike with the Thermo Bottle, its weight isn’t unnoticeable.

Throughout testing, I found myself sipping from my bottle more than I usually would in an attempt to lighten the load, and chucking the Thermo Bottle in my backpack to free my hands.

Added weight is par for the course when using a stainless steel bottle, and the Thermo Bottle is no exception, a disadvantage of the material rather than the product.

Vango Thermo Bottle

I found myself sipping from my bottle more than I usually would in an attempt to lighten the load (Image credit: Vango Thermo Bottle)

Insulation

Alongside durability, the Thermo Bottle's major selling point is insulation. According to its creators, this stainless steel bottle is capable of retaining heat for up to 24 hours and keeping drinks cold for up to 48. This depends heavily on the surrounding environment and outside temperature.

In a slightly chilly kitchen, the Thermo Bottle, which I'd filled with boiling hot water, began to lose heat after around 16 hours. Testing again after 20 hours, the once scorching water was barely tepid and had returned to room temperature by the 22nd hour.

The chilled water I used to test lasted roughly 38 hours before returning to room temperature.

Although it fell short of 24 hours of heat and 48 hours of chill in my test, the Thermo bottle would likely fare a lot better in more appropriate, warmer, and colder conditions.

Vango Thermo Bottle

The Vango Thermo Bottle has a wide enough spout to comfortably fit a tea bag (Image credit: Will Symons)

Price

The biggest thing the Vango Thermo Bottle has going for it is price. At only $16.50 / £13, this stainless steel bottle is far cheaper than most of its well-rated competitors.

The FLSK drinking bottle, which is similarly durable and also boasts 500ml of capacity retails for $48.90 / £39-£54. Far cheaper and better rated in several areas, the Thermo Bottle is a reliable, affordable alternative, providing a good amount of bang for your buck.


Will Symons
Staff Writer

Will Symons developed his love of the outdoors as a student, exploring every inch of Sussex’s South Downs national park and wild swimming off the Brighton seafront. Now a Staff Writer for Advnture, Will previously worked as a freelance journalist and writer, covering everything from cricket to ancient history. Like most Advnture staff, Will’s time is rarely spent indoors, he can often be found hiking, wild swimming or playing cricket.