3L/5L Pump Action Air Pot Flask with Vacuum Insulated, Safety Lock & Carry Handle for Drink, Tea & Coffee by Crystals® (3L Air Pot Flask)

Product Information

Made from multiple layers of BPA-free and rust-proof stainless steel, these flasks should survive years of bumps and knocks, keeping you in hot cuppas and ice-cold drinks season after season. The insulation itself is ‘climate lock’ and passed our test with flying colours, keeping water close to boiling (too hot to drink! While the 530ml version is suitable for single portions, those of you looking to share may want to opt for the more roomy 800ml option. Stews and soups stay very hot all day, while fruit and tubs of yoghurt stay cool all day – or fridge-cold if you include an ice pack in the flask.

The 100% stainless steel construction of today’s flasks means there’s no risk of inner walls shattering when dropped. The result is a good looking flask that will cope well with the marks of wear and tear and regular use. Whether it’s a chunky “food flask”, sleek “vacuum bottle” or something in between, the job of a flask is to keep food and drink hot or cold without leaking, all day long.

At 360ml, it holds a decent-sized mugful and promises to keep drinks hot for four hours or cold for eight. For instance, the cup is insulated with plastic, so our tea retained its heat without being too hot to hold. uk/browse/sports-and-leisure/camping-and-caravanning/flasks/c:30512/type:pump-pots/" on this server. uk/browse/sports-and-leisure/camping-and-caravanning/flasks/c:30512/brands:thermos/" on this server. This could be frustrating if you're looking for one to use all day long, and may put some people off.

We liked the push button on the lid – push it in to drink from it, push it again to lock it and seal in heat. At the other end of the weight spectrum comes this gorgeous newcomer from Thermos, weighing in at barely more than 200g (before there’s anything in it, of course) and topped with a ‘direct drink’ spout that’s perfect for the train to work. The black styling of the Klean Coat matte finish is contrasted against the stainless steel of its inner screw lid. Multi-wall insulation: Double-wall insulation creates a vacuumed layer, which is vital for keeping hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold.

And if you’re heading out there with a friend, even better, because there’s a second plastic ‘buddy cup’ hidden inside the larger metal one. This Swedish-designed double-walled flask promotes itself as crucial kit for the rugged adventurer, so you whilst you might feel it’s a bit much for a Sunday afternoon stroll in the countryside, you can be assured it won't let you down, no matter the activity.

It has a capacity of 400ml and its leak-proof twist lid ensures that food and drink stay put, wherever you go. The bottle has a wide-base design, so if you’re looking for a slimline flask to fit in a rucksack’s bottle carrier we’d suggest an alternative. Out of sheer curiosity, we also filled it with ice over a weekend and discovered minimal melt at the end of it. Ice cream won’t quite go the distance, but if you pack the flask with a handful of wrapped lollies straight from the fridge they’ll stay frozen for a few hours. However, the efficiency of this insulated flask and its brushed stainless steel styling makes it one of our favourites.

The lid is attached to the bottle by a durable strap which provides great grip and leverage for easily unscrewing, particularly with slippery or frozen hands. The lid design allows you to unscrew it half way and achieve a controlled pour, perfect when decanting its contents into its accompanying lid. We tested the bottle’s impressive claims of keeping hot drinks hot for 28 hours and cold drinks iced for 92 hours and it lived up to both. The two-part locking lid doubles as a rotatable spout, so it’s ideal for taking a sip when you’re walking, although the plastic part of the lid does feel somewhat less durable than the metal. Within its stainless steel construction is a copper lining, although there’s no metallic smell on opening.