I ordered this travel mug out of desperation - wanting something that will keep drinks cold longer during the hot summer days. The online reviews and a friend's personal recommendation convinced me to spend the ridiculously high price (in my opinion) on this product. I have used it for 2 weeks non-stop and have these opinions about it -
1- I love the color! So the aesthetic is nice.
2- I like the 30oz size because it lasts longer between refills.
3- It fits nicely in the car's cup holder, even with the handle.
4- As mentioned in other reviews, it is not spill-proof, but if you catch it quickly only a few drops will leak out.
5- My only main complaint about this mug is the lid -
- The drinking hole is difficult to drink from. Because there isn't a "breathing hole", most of the time there is not a smooth, easy flow of liquid. I cannot take a nice, easy drink. I am either struggling to get the liquid out, or it gushes out, spilling past my lips (and all over me) even though my lips are practically clamped to the mug trying to get a drink.
- While the lid is easy to put on, it can be really hard to take off at times (unless you have strong hands) if any moisture has got in the screw-section of the lid & cup. I appreciate the tight fit, but it doesn't do me any good if I can't get the lid off. I have had to struggle, using a can-grip rubber pad, several times now (again, this is all within 2 weeks' use). I found that I need to be sure to wipe dry the screw-area of both the lid and mug before putting the lid on to prevent it from sticking.
- This specific cup (30oz travel mug) is only available with the "stronghold lid". This makes it awkward to use at times (driving, etc). Between wanting to not have to tilt this big cup up into my line-of-sight each time, AND the difficulty of drinking from it (requiring the need to hold it up even longer) AND not getting a good, quenching drink, I really want to be able to use a straw. Since Yeti doesn't offer this option, I finally got desperate enough to use an extra-large plastic straw (used for milkshakes) that I squished through the oblong drinking hole. While the straw is slighting pinched at the hole, the flow is not affected. With the straw I am finally able to get a good amount of fluid AND not have to struggle to do so AND not have to worry about spilling on myself AND not have my line-of-sight blocked while drinking.
- Overall, I am disappointed in the lid.
6- As for the mug itself, it does keep my cold drink cold far longer than a regular travel mug. However, it does not keep it ice cold like it was when I first filled the mug what reviews claim). I have not used ice yet, so I cannot say how well it does with that. And if you are drinking a carbonated drink, it will go flat like in any other cup. So, it's nice that the drink stays cool, just wish it stayed icy-cold. Although I will say that a few times I left it in the hot car for over an hour and the drink was still cool.
Have not used it with hot liquid, so cannot talk on that.
7 - I really like the handle. Makes it much easier to carry. I think this is especially helpful for anyone with small hands since the cup is rather wide.
I have not used other brands that make the same claims, so I cannot compare.
Overall, while I like having a big travel cup to hold lots of liquid and that it does keep it at least cool, I don't think that it is worth the high price. Again, I have not compared to other brands, so maybe, in comparison, it is. If it had the option of coming with a straw lid I would like it more.
John N
Rex Kullmann