Most folks, especially those deeply ingrained in the world of outdoor adventure and/or physical fitness, are familiar with vacuum-insulated water bottles. And while that marks a quick fix for hydration on-the-go, that’s only half of the sustenance equation. For longer jaunts on the trails and camping trips, food is absolutely a necessity.
If you’re headed out to your favorite campsite, you can always turn to MREs and emergency rations, but they’re not exactly appetizing. Of course, you could also cook over the fire or bring food from home, but then you might run into issues with storage. But there’s actually a handy solution for that. You see, a number of brands that make those handy vacuum-insulated water bottles have also put that technology into other storage containers specifically designed to carry food and keep the temperature consistent for hours on end. We’ve rounded up the best of the best here on our list of the best food thermoses for camping.
Mira Vacuum Insulated Lunch Thermos
Measuring up with a 13.5-ounce capacity, the Mira Lunch Thermos is large enough to stash a nutrient-rich meal inside of it but small enough that you can still fit it into the average daypack without taking up too much space. Pair that with a durable stainless steel double-wall construction and you’ve got a container that can keep your food safe and secure in transit and will keep it cold for up to 10 hours and hot for as many as five. And since it comes in a number of colors, you can pick the one that goes best with your style.
Thermos Stainless King 16-Ounce Food Jar
Like Kleenex, Thermos is so synonymous with insulated food and beverage storage that its name is often used interchangeably. Of course, they’ve also earned a reputation for being one of the best in the game, so that association isn’t simply due to chance. That can be seen in abundance via their Stainless King Food Jar you see here. It’s built from stainless steel, can keep up to 16 ounces of food hot for up to seven hours or cold for nine, it comes with its own collapsible and packable folding serving spoon, and the lid doubles as a bowl for easy eating anywhere.
Stanley Adventure Vacuum Food Jar
Thermos probably has the most recognizable name in food and beverage storage, but the Stanley brand is quite literally legendary in the outdoor world — so it should come as no surprise to find them on our list. Their Adventure Vacuum Food Jar can store up to 18 ounces of food inside it and keep it warm for up to a whopping 12 hours. It’s also built from sturdy stainless steel, is completely leakproof, comes with an integrated spork, and the lid doubles as a bowl. Undoubtedly, this is one of the all-time best vacuum-insulated food containers.
Thermos Stainless King 24-Ounce Food Jar
As they’re so dominant in the gear category, it should come as no surprise to find Thermos on here twice. This particular version of the Stainless King Food Jar boasts many of the same features that make its smaller brethren great: a stainless steel double-walled insulated construction, a lid that doubles as a bowl, and more. It doesn’t come with an integrated spoon, but it does make up for that with a much larger 24-ounce capacity and a longer heat-retention period of up to 14 hours (24 hours for cold contents).
YETI Rambler Lowball
Technically, YETI’s Rambler Lowball container was actually intended for campground beverages. But its wide-mouth design and dishwasher-safe stainless steel vacuum-insulated construction also make it an exceptional food container. Granted 10 ounces is not a ton of space and it doesn’t have a leakproof lid, but it will still keep whatever you have in it warm (or cold) for hours and its available in a multitude of colors. Just make sure you’re extra careful not to let this one tip over while it has food inside of it. Plus, once you’re done eating, all you need to do is give it a quick wash and you can fill it with coffee in the morning or whiskey at night.
Energify Vacuum Insulated Food Jar
Energify’s Vacuum Insulated Food Jar has a lot of the same features you’ve seen repeated on this list: a stainless steel construction, double-wall insulation, a leakproof cap, an included folding spoon, and a lid that doubles as a bowl. But it also has a couple of handy features you might not find elsewhere. That includes a flexible handle for easier carrying and, perhaps most importantly, a lifetime guarantee. It’s also available in either 17 or 24 ounces, a number of different colors, and more.
Stanley Classic Legendary Vacuum Insulated Food Jar
As previously mentioned, Stanley is legendary in the world of outdoor gear. As such, they’re more than deserving of multiple spots on this list, especially when one of those spots is taken up by their iconic Classic Legendary Vacuum Insulated Food Jar. With a 24-ounce capacity, this one is a bit bigger than many of the others on this list — making it perfect for sharing — but that also means you’ll probably want some longer camping utensils to suit. Of course, you could also pour your food into the cap, which doubles as a bowl, and it will keep everything inside hot or cold for up to 15 hours. It also comes with a lifetime guarantee, which is just another added bonus.
Hydro Flask Food Thermos
Hydro Flask has made a name for themselves as one of the most reliable and stylish insulated water bottle brands available on the market. As it turns out, they have also taken their expertise and pared it into a handy vacuum-insulated food jar perfect for camping. It’s available in either 12 or 18 ounces, a trio of beautiful colorways (including all-black), it’s built from food-safe BPA-free stainless steel, and it comes with a lifetime warranty. If we had to pick one downside, the price is a bit high and the lid doesn’t turn into a bowl. Other than that, this camping-ready food container is spectacular.
The 10 Best Camping Cookware Sets
If you’re going to be on the trails for more than a day or two, you’re probably better off bringing a mobile kitchen for all your food needs. And that means you’ll need pots, pans, etc. You’ll find all the best options on our guide to the best camping cookware sets.
