Ultralight Thermos

[Quixoticgeek]

Winter's coming, and I would like to get myself a lightweight thermos (largely for keeping some water to kickstart snowball soup).

There seem to be several that claim to be very light, but the Thermos Ultimate MKII is 380g, for 0.9L (would prefer 1.0L), seems to be the lightest.

Are there any other ultra light vacuum flasks on the market I should be considering?

Thanks

J

 

[EM - paul]

http://www.trek-lite.com/index.php?threads/vacuum-flask.261/

 

[EM - paul]

for reference the hydroflask is 456g for 1.2l

there are 2 in the classifieds

 

[Mole]

http://www.trek-lite.com/index.php?threads/vacuum-flask.261/

Amnesia?

 

[Shewie]

There used to be a 1L Thermos Ultralite which Mearsy stocked on Woodlore, not sure if they're still about but they were really good apparently, his choice for arctic trips

 

[Quixoticgeek]

How did I forget that I had already asked. I'm really not with it...

Cheers all

J

 

[bumbly]

Winter's coming, and I would like to get myself a lightweight thermos (largely for keeping some water to kickstart snowball soup).

There seem to be several that claim to be very light, but the Thermos Ultimate MKII is 380g, for 0.9L (would prefer 1.0L), seems to be the lightest.

Are there any other ultra light vacuum flasks on the market I should be considering?

Thanks

J

Is this for overnight or on the move? I'm not sure that a flask weight is offset by other means(e.g. additional fuel) if you just want to ensure you have something wet to start a melt with. In the UK you are pretty much always going to be able to get by by using the likes of a nalgene bottle. Store it upside down in a boot to insulate from the ground and so as to have any sealing disk of ice towards the base. You can defrost any ice in the bottle that can't be broken up by shaking and poured out (wide top is better here and I've also seen people stick a plastic spoon or the like in to make any disk easier to smash),by putting the nalgene bottle in the pan after you get some water warmed. It isn't that fuel efficient but not that bad and is something to do with leftover heat in the cooking system when it is minor. Just make sure to clean or keep clean the exterior of the bottle if not otherwise treating the water/bringing to boil(use a light bag round it if popping in a shoe and so on). Inside a tent, harshest uk conditions, I can't see a 500ml bottle completely freezing when stored in a boot overnight and never a 1L if it is a little warm as you bed down.

A small "fell runners' floppy bottle" in a jacket pocket would probably be certain to see that you had liquid while on the move

 

[Teepee]

If there is snow, you just don't need a thermos to keep water liquid.

A water bottle full of cold water (Not hot or warm as it freezes quicker), preferably HDPE Nalgene (Not the BPA free type, the caps weld tight in cold) placed upside down in the snow and buried, will stay liquid enough to use. Snow is a fantastic insulator. If it does freeze, the ice can be smashed out as Bumbly says, unless its solid.

That said, a thermos for an instant morning brew when it's really chilly gets the metabolism going ASAP and really helps the spirit on a cold and blustery morning.

In the UK when its cold enough to freeze filters, I switch over to an HDPE Nalgene hot water bottle. This keeps my foot end dry, feet nice and warm so they recover better, enables me to dry socks and ensures liquid water, usually with a little warmth left.

The extra fuel needed to make hot water bottles is offset by the lack of weight of the thermos and you get a kit dryer for free weight. A hot nalgene really drys socks well if they are stretched over the hot bottle.

 

[Quixoticgeek]

In the UK when its cold enough to freeze filters, I switch over to an HDPE Nalgene hot water bottle. This keeps my foot end dry, feet nice and warm so they recover better, enables me to dry socks and ensures liquid water, usually with a little warmth left.

The extra fuel needed to make hot water bottles is offset by the lack of weight of the thermos and you get a kit dryer for free weight. A hot nalgene really drys socks well if they are stretched over the hot bottle.

I really like the idea of using Nalgene bottles as hot water bottles in my sleeping bag, but my big fear is of one leaking and making my bed wet, and more importantly, cold.

Have you ever had any issues with leaks from your Nalgenes?

Cheers

J

 

[Munro277]

I really like the idea of using Nalgene bottles as hot water bottles in my sleeping bag, but my big fear is of one leaking and making my bed wet, and more importantly, cold.

Have you ever had any issues with leaks from your Nalgenes?

Cheers

J

If your worried about a leak just pop it in a A4 ziplock bag

 

[EM - paul]

I really like the idea of using Nalgene bottles as hot water bottles in my sleeping bag, but my big fear is of one leaking and making my bed wet, and more importantly, cold.

Have you ever had any issues with leaks from your Nalgenes?

Cheers

J

Never a drop leaked from mine. I use the wide mouth 1.5l bottles

 

[widu13]

You get a lot of fuel for the weight of a flask. If it's sitting on a pulk it's not an issue if you are carrying it, it is.

An issue 58 pattern water bottle is reasonably heavy but is bomb proof and doesn't leak.

 

[Teepee]

I really like the idea of using Nalgene bottles as hot water bottles in my sleeping bag, but my big fear is of one leaking and making my bed wet, and more importantly, cold.

Have you ever had any issues with leaks from your Nalgenes?

Cheers

J

The fear is justified Julia, its a trip ender at best. I have never had a HDPE Nalgene leak. It's prudent to double check the cap is tight though. It's thick, quality plastic that will take boiling water. Nalgenes are well used like this by many others.

I use this approach on extreme cold trips where a leak could cause real issues. Again, can't stress enough not to use the BPA free but the HDPE cloudy bottles.

 

[Mole]

I've used my 0.5l HDPE Nalgene as a short term flask for a hot drink cold mornings for years. It has never leaked yet, despite being dropped, rolled around in a footwell etc. I used it on the recent Scottish trip as a hot water bottle/sock drier one night. Given it's previous usage it never occured to me it might leak
(I do live dangerously)

 

[dovidola]

Nice to revive an old thread - just ordered a Thermos Ultimate 900 on the basis of these recommendations - still appears to be the Peoples' Favourite!

 

[Nigelp]

Yes. I have an ultimate flask and the ‘drinking’ flask/cup one. Need to be careful of the temperature because if you warm the flask before use with boiling water the liquid inside stays extremely hot for hours!

 

[SteG]

I use the GSI microlight 500ml flask in winter,only on day walks though.

 

[dovidola]

I use the GSI microlight 500ml flask in winter,only on day walks though.

500ml ain't enough!
Like you, I'm only using a flask for day excursions of various kinds.

 

[Odd Man]

500ml ain't enough!
Like you, I'm only using a flask for day excursions of various kinds.

Here's 720ml

Gsi Microlite Bottle 720ml silver 2018 camping bottle : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen

Great prices on your favourite Gardening brands, and free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

1000ml

GSI Outdoors, MicroLite 1000 Twist 33 fl.oz. Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle, Black : Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

Shop GSI Outdoors, MicroLite 1000 Twist 33 fl.oz. Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle, Black. Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[dovidola]

Here's 720ml

Gsi Microlite Bottle 720ml silver 2018 camping bottle : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen

Great prices on your favourite Gardening brands, and free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

1000ml

GSI Outdoors, MicroLite 1000 Twist 33 fl.oz. Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle, Black : Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

Shop GSI Outdoors, MicroLite 1000 Twist 33 fl.oz. Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle, Black. Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

369g for the 1L model vs 380g for the 900ml Thermos, but I bought the heavier option because I preferred the looks

 

[Quixoticgeek]

Thank you for the thread necromancy. Reminded me that I still want a 500ml thermos, and the ultimate has become very hard to find on the continent. Fortunately, found on amazon UK, and a friend will post it to me along with my birthday present.

J